Barre with Justine

I’ve been cleansing with oil for nearly a year now and would never go back. Occasionally I will miss the luxurious feel of a creamy cleanser but it’s very rare. Oil cleansers, whether it’s a delicious Living Libations “Best Skin Ever” (rose and neroli are my favourites) or my own blend of oils, it’s the best way to combine the step of cleansing with face massage.

Jessica Defino, a beauty industry insider turned beauty realist, argues that skin doesn’t need much to be healthy. The more we put on our skin, the more problems we have. Oil cleansing is a beautiful way to cleanse without stripping, and preserve the delicate balance of the facial tissues.

What are the benefits?

Our skin has its own little system of oil, healthy bacteria and balance. When we cleanse aggressively or disrupt the micro biome of the skin, we weaken its defences. Oil cleansing (instead of soap) has been practiced for thousands of years and is very beneficial for the skin.

Oil cleansing:

• Prevents dryness
• Preserves the natural microbiome of the skin
• Protects the skin’s barrier
• Removes makeup and dirt
• Can give skin the benefits (fatty acids, vitamins, enzymes) of natural carrier oils and essential oils
• Offers an aroma therapeutic benefit based on the essential oils that are used
• Gives the skin slip for a lovely face massage

What oils to use?

You could keep things very simple by using an oil like jojoba or olive oil to cleanse. You might add a 1-2% dilution of essential oils such as lavender, rose or neroli (do a patch test first!) for cleansing and other benefits.

You might also choose a pre-made cleansing oil such as Living Libations Best Skin Ever or Garden City Essentials Rosehip & Argan cleansing oil. There are many options but be sure to choose one with few ingredients and one based on natural oils. Coconut oil can be a little problematic and has the potential to clog pores, but jojoba is a great choice for all skin types. I personally love argan and rosehip, along with prickly pear seed oil.

How to cleanse with oil:

1. Tie your hair back

2. Apply a small amount of oil on clean hands (don’t get me wrong I still soap my hands!)

3. Gently massage the oil into the skin, paying attention to the areas beside the nose, and any parts with makeup. Add more oil if needed.

4. Run a clean washcloth or cotton pad under hot (not too hot!) water and then gently apply the cloth to the skin, warming and then sweeping off the oil with gentle strokes. A flannel will give a bit more of an exfoliation to the skin.

5. Rinse with water and gently dab the skin dry!

6. You can follow with a mist of floral water and a few drops of face serum or a deeper moisturizer.

Results:

My skin is SO much happier since I began oil cleansing. It’s very rarely dry and I have not had any issues with rosacea, which used to flare up for me every autumn. My skin is smooth and clear – it’s true that the less I do to my skin the nicer it gets. Why did I not do this earlier?!!

Have you ever done oil cleansing?