Why Oil Cleansing is Beneficial for You
The oil cleansing method (OCM) may seem counterintuitive in the world of skincare. After all, why slather your face with oil if you’re fighting oiliness? But fear not! We are going to explore together the scientific benefits behind oil cleansing, and how you can include it in your skincare routine.
What is Oil Cleansing?
Essentially, oil cleansing is a technique that uses oils to dissolve makeup, dirt, and excess sebum from the skin. The reason why this technique works is quite simple: like dissolves like. Meaning, the oils in your cleanser can rinse the oils off your skin, allowing impurities to wash away easily without robbing your skin of its natural moisture.
Why Choose Oil Cleansing?
Balances Oil Production
And a lot of oily or acne-prone people make the mistake of thinking harsh cleansers are the answer. However, these products also work to remove the skin’s natural oils and in some cases create a rebound effect where the skin produces even more oil. By maintaining the skin’s natural moisture barrier, oil cleansing prevents this overproduction, and keeps your skin balanced.
Deep Cleansing Power
Oil cleansers are great at penetrating the pores and lifting impurities. They help to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and pollutants so that your skin is glowy clean without the harshness of soap. You don't want your skin to be quite literally squeaky-clean—if it literally feels squeaky clean after cleansing, it means that you are using too harsh of a cleanser and taking away too much natural oil from your face. Using oil cleanser can reduce the appearance of pores and make skin appear clearer over time.
Hydration and Nourishment
Oil cleansing hydrates and nourishes the skin, unlike traditional cleansers which can leave your skin feeling tight and dry. The right oils can deliver essential fatty acids and antioxidants, encouraging a healthy skin barrier while also making skin feel soft and supple.
Reduced Inflammation
Some of the oils commonly used in cleansing—like jojoba and hemp seed oil—are anti-inflammatory. This is especially helpful for sensitive or acne-prone skin as it helps calm redness and irritation while supporting healing.
Gentle on the Skin
Oil cleansing is a gentle method and can be the right method for dry, oily, and combination skin. It’s thorough, without being harsh the way foaming cleansers or scrubs can be.
What You Need to Know About Getting Started with Oil Cleansing
Are you ready to get started on oil cleansing? Here’s a straightforward primer to help you along your way:
- Pick Your Oils: Choose oils based on your skin type. Oily skin does better with a light oil, like grapeseed or jojoba, while dry skin types should use a heavier oil, like avocado or olive oil.
- Massage and Relax: Take a good amount of oil in your hands and apply it to your dry face, massaging for a few minutes. It both helps to dissolve the makeup and pollutants, but is also a mini spa treatment that helps increase the blood flow of your face, which helps you stay younger.
- Steam + Cleanse: Once you’ve massaged, grab a warm, damp washcloth that is not harsh on your skin and lay it over your face. The steam will open your pores, which means a deeper cleanse. Gently wipe away the oil, and voilà! You’re left with skin that is both clean and hydrated.
- Follow Up: If necessary, follow with a mild, water-based cleanser to remove any remaining oil, especially if your skin is oily. This is optional but can help you to cleanse thoroughly. Make sure you choose a follow-up cleanser that doesn't use harsh surfactant that strips all the natural oils away, to reap the benefits of oil cleansing fully.
If this blog article convinced you to try oil cleansing, we can't think of a better product to start with than Maxclinic's Rose Vitamin Brightening Oil Foam Cleanser. It applies as an oil cleanser, but turns into a foam cleanser once you start adding water to it. You can immediately feel its effect of making your face clean without stripping any oil, leaving your skin supple and glowy.
Final Thoughts
Oil cleansing goes deeper than just a fad; it's a science-based way to upgrade your skincare routine. This is how using oils in your cleansing routine and skin for the better: Your skin will be balanced, hydrated and dewy with a glow. So why not give it a try? Your skin may well thank you for it!
