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!