Phenoxyethanol is one of the most commonly used synthetic preservatives in cosmetics today, and is also used as a fixative for perfumes. Companies use phenoxyethanol as a "safer" alternative to parabens, and will often market their products as paraben-free (since many people know to stay away from parabens).

Phenoxyethanol is an ethoxylated compound, and is formed by the chemical reaction between phenol (from either natural or synthetic sources), and ethylene oxide (a known carcinogen). It may be contaminated with carcinogenic toxin 1,4-dioxane, which is generated by ethylene oxide as a by-product. Contamination of 1,4-dioxane in products is not uncommon among conventional cosmetic brands, and even "natural" and "organic" ones either.

What the deficiency is

Our skin is primarily made up of lipids such as essential fatty acids, ceramides, and cholesterol, and plays a crucial role in our skin's barrier function.

It has been shown in studies that those with acne have abnormally low levels of linoleic fatty acid in their skin, which is an omega-6 essential fatty acid.

"When linoleic acid is not present or is present at much-reduced levels, sebum is produced with oleic acid, which is denser, more likely to cause follicular blockage, and is irritating to the skin" - Source 

Oleic fatty acid or omega-9 fatty acid, is problematic for those that have acne or are prone to breakouts, and will make the conditions worse. The skin tends to be greasier, pores become clogged, and it has fewer anti-inflammatory and protective properties when the sebum in the skin is comprised of mainly oleic acid.

On top of that, GLA (gamma-linolenic acid, or omega-6) and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid, or omega-3) have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce acne symptoms - Source, Source

These deficiencies can be healed internally and topically

Dietary supplementation of GLA and omega-3 fatty acids can significantly decrease inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions. - Source

An easy way to treat acne is through topical application of linoleic acid. This study showed a 25% reduction in the size of microcomedones over a one month period.

When done properly and consistently, the OCM can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne–while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.

How does the Oil Cleansing Method work, exactly?

Well, it's actually very simple. Going by one of the most basic rules in chemistry, like dissolves like. In this case, oil dissolves oil. As you cleanse your face with oil, you're removing the impurities and bacteria in your skin and replacing them with fresh, hydrating oil. This maintains the balance of fatty acids and nutrients in your skin.

The beauty of using the oil cleansing method is it's very simple and cost effective. You cut out all of the harmful ingredients, and can pinpoint specific plant oils that work best for you. No more stripping away the natural oils in your skin!

What You Need

All you need is natural oil, a wash cloth and tap water. That's it!

The fun part of it is you can make your own cleanser based on your own skin's needs.

How To Make Your Own Oil Cleanser

There are many different types of oils you can experiment with in your oil cleanser, such as essential oils, herb-infused oils, and of course regular plant oils. An astringent oil is commonly mixed into oil cleansers because they help get rid of dirt and bacteria from your pores.

I've made a few different recipe options for your specific skin type, as astringent oils can affect everyone differently. While a high amount of astringent oil can be extremely beneficial for those with oily skin, it can cause dryness and flakiness for those with dry skin.

Grapeseed is one of the most available and effective astringent oils to purchase, so i'm including it in the formulas! Any other oil listed in the formulas are known as "carrier oils" - they are used to dilute other oils. Everyone's skin is different, so play around with different mixtures to find one that works best for you.

If you don't want to make your own, our Miracle Oil is an amazing oil cleanser. It's high in astringent tannins (the compound that makes tea bitter), numerous anti-inflammatory agents, youth-promoting essential fatty acids and nutrients, and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Combination skin:

1 part organic grapeseed oil, 4 parts organic avocado oil.

Dry skin:

1 part organic grapeseed oil, 9 parts organic avocado oil.

Oily skin:

1 part organic grapeseed oil, 3 parts organic avocado oil.

Sensitive skin:

1 part grapeseed oil, 2 parts rosehip seed oil, 8 parts olive oil

Optional: 0.5% roman chamomile essential oil.

Oils you can substitute with

Astringent oils you can use instead of grapeseed:

- Borage oil
- Hazelnut

* Most blogs suggest using castor oil as the astringent oil, but I don't recommend this. It's unsustainable and has been processed to remove a toxic component, called ricin, which can cause allergic reactions and nerve damage.

Optional - astringent essential oils:

Essential oils are very concentrated and should be diluted to 1% or less in a formula. They can offer added benefits, and be used for scenting products as well.

- Frankincense
- Juniper
- Ginger
- Rosemary
- Spikenard
- Tea tree
- Manuka
- Sandalwood
- Yarrow

Calming essential oils for sensitive/irritated skin include: roman chamomile, geranium, lavender.

Optional - astringent herb-infused oil:

Herb-infused oils are what the name suggests - herbs that have been infused into oil, similar to how tea is made.

- Witch hazel
- Birch leaf
- Burdock root
- Comfrey root
- Green tea
- Skullcap
- Cleavers
- Self heal

Soothing herbs for sensitive/irritated skin include: Calendula, chamomile, plantain, licorice.

How to infuse your own oil:

Infusing certain herbs like the ones shown above into an oil can give it strong astringent properties. Personally, I have noticed it makes oil cleansing much more effective. Infusing works the same way as making tea, except is done a little differently. Go here to learn how to infuse herbs into oils.

How To Oil Cleanse

1. Don't wash your face or get it wet before oil cleansing. Oil cleansing will also remove makeup, so there's no need to wet your face or remove makeup beforehand.
2. In a smooth circular motion, massage a quarter size amount of oil onto your face for 1-5 minutes, while adding more oil if needed. If you have more problem areas like dry skin or blackheads, focus more on that.
3. The next step is to steam the skin to remove impurities from your pores. Soak a clean washcloth with warm tap or shower water. Wring it out and place it over your face for 20 seconds to a minute. For any oil that's left, simply wipe away with the washcloth. 
4. The final step is optional. If you use toner as part of your beauty regimen, now is the time to use it. If your skin is feeling dry afterwards, you may want to apply a dime size amount of oil to moisturize your skin. If it isn't dry, you can make the choice whether or not to moisturize with oil.

Cleansing Frequency

The OCM can be done twice a day (morning and night). There is no set rule on how much you do it, so it can be customized to you and your skin's needs. I don't have that kind of dedication, so I just oil cleanse whenever I take a shower.

When first starting oil cleansing, It's recommended you do it 1 to 2 times in the first week (allowing 2-3 days in between each cleanse) to see how your skin responds. Many people report a "detox" period, where the skin can breakout for up to 2 weeks. If you this happens to you and lasts longer than a couple of weeks, discontinue use.

The Oil Cleansing Method is definitely worth a try. Let me know if you've had success using it!

Aloe is a succulent plant and part of the lily family. 

Step One: Cleanse

Cleanse morning and night to remove makeup, excess oil and dirt.

Bubble and Bee's Cool Cucumber Facial Cleanser is gentle and great for people with sensitive, oily or acne-prone skin.

Instead of cleansing, you can simply wash your face with a warm washcloth. It's just important to have a clean face before moisturizing.

The Oil Cleansing Method:

My favorite method is oil cleansing. Basically, you massage plant oils onto your skin and then simply wash it off. After that, slap on a little more to replenish the oils in your skin. And voila - that's oil cleansing.

The oil cleansing method is based on one of the most basic principles in chemistry, like dissolves like. In this case, oil dissolves oil. By doing so, you're essentially removing the impurities from your skin.

It seems scary slathering oils all over your face to cleanse it, and even I was skeptical at first, but I've personally had success with it. A healthy glow to your skin is usually expected, but for me, it does help to prevent breakouts (along with the rest of my routine) - but you have to use the right oils for you skin type.

Read more about the Oil Cleansing Method (and what oils to use for your skin type) in our recent post here.

Step Two: Exfoliate

Gently exfoliate up to four times a week after cleansing to remove dead skin cells and uncover a fresh new face below.

Moisturizers will be able to penetrate more deeply into the skin and in turn will make them more effective. 

Exfoliating Gloves

Exfoliating gloves are a great option. They're cheap, easy to use, and very effective. All you have to do is put them on, wet them and lightly massage your face.

Absolutely no mess involved and your skin will love you for it! They last a very, very long time. By far the best investment you can make.

Start here for a pair of $11.95 bamboo exfoliating gloves. 

Optional: Facial Mask

Step Three: Tone

Tone after cleansing and exfoliating or whenever skin feels dry and needs refreshing. 

If I'm ever having a "dull" moment, I just spray some toner on my face and I instantly feel more alive.

Toning is important for balancing the skin's natural pH level and for removing any leftover makeup, dirt and oil.

Acure's Balancing Rose + Red Tea Facial Toner is great because it's a blend of organic herbs, including rooibos and witch hazel. They're natural astringents that help to shrink pores, relieve irritation and restore healthy pH of the skin.

Or... Simply make your own DIY green tea toner:

• Strongly steep green tea into roughly one cup water and allow it to cool to room temperature. Pour it into a sealable container.
• Add a couple drops of essential oil or some honey (optional) to make it more effective. Some essential oils you could use are tea tree and lavender oils for acne-prone skin, and frankincense oil for its anti-aging benefits. Manuka honey would be the best option for its skin healing qualities.
• Apply it to your face using a face cloth or cotton ball. You can also invest in a small sprayer.
• Store it in the fridge and be sure to make a new batch each week. It's a natural product and it will go bad quickly.

Tip: You can substitute green tea for practically any other herb like rooibos, chamomile, hibiscus, dandelion, etc. to make this DIY facial toner.

Step Four: Moisturize

Moisturize your skin after toning. 

A proper moisturizer can soothe and prevent dry skin. Depending on the product or ingredients used, it has the potential to:

• Treat sensitive skin.
• Improve skin tone and texture.
• Create a barrier on the outermost layer of skin. This helps to prevent water loss and protect from environmental stress.
• Free-radical scavenge (prevents the degradation of collagen and elastin, two important nutrients in your skin that provide firmness and elasticity).
• Prevent and treat aging skin.

Just use oil!

For moisturizing, oil is the most effective and frugal way to keep your skin soft, healthy and young. They have the potential to do all of the bullets listed above.

Lotions are usually made up of 70-80% water. While this doesn't necessarily make it bad (just a huge money waster), the remainder of the formula contains emulsifiers, thickeners, preservatives and so on...

Contrary to popular belief, most natural oils aren't going to make you break out. If you decide to cleanse your face with oil, moisturizing with it makes the process all the more easy!

And guess what! All you have to do is apply a pea-sized amount to your face (and yes, definitely use oil on the rest of your body). More bang for your buck.

Organic olive, sunflower, and avocado oils are a great way to boost the nutrient value of your beauty routine. They're cheap and won't clog your pores. 

Personal favorites of mine are tamanu oil and rosehip seed oil. Simply because they're among the best oils in the world,  with amazing anti-aging and skin healing benefits.

I have to admit, moisturizing your skin with oil does take some getting used to. People like that "hydrating" feeling when they use lotion, and using just oil doesn't give you that effect.

Beauty hack: Put some oil on your fingers, wet under tap, apply. Now you have that lotion-y feel without all of the toxic chemicals ;)

Use your own oil or try out Bubble and Bee's Organic Face Cream. It only contains three ingredients (shea butter, rosehip seed oil, and vitamin E). It's an excellent moisturizer.

Avoid mineral oil. There's a lot of controversy online and in the real world as to whether this ingredient is good or bad for you. Basically, It's a by-product of tar and used in many beauty products. It blocks your pores and doesn't allow your skin to breathe, causes hormone disruption in the body, and may contribute to cancer. Not very appealing...

Sun Protection:

Taking it one step further, use a product with an SPF to prevent UV oxidation. Sun exposure plays a huge role in premature aging. So, if you're a frequent user of tanning beds or use baby oil to tan, stop!! For the sake of your health and skin, please stop.

Badger's SPF 15 Unscented Sunscreen Cream is USDA organic and made only with botanical oils and zinc oxide (a safe, mineral sunscreen ingredient).

Avoid synthetic chemical sunscreens (examples: Banana Boat, Coppertone) as the "active" sun protecting ingredients in them have known toxic effects. Use mineral-based ones with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Also, don't be duped into buying a sunscreen product completely based on the SPF number. Anything over 50 adds little to no benefits and is solely a marketing ploy.

Conclusion:

First cleanse, then exfoliate, then tone, and lastly, moisturize.

It's totally fine if you don't follow a strict skin care routine every single day, that would just become a hassle for most people (including myself). If you simply put in the effort for healthier skin, you will see results.

With all of that taken into consideration, the time to start your natural skin care routine is today!

What kind of skin care routine do you currently follow? Let me know!