what is oil cleansing?

[ThatVikRinA22]

i keep seeing references to oil cleansing on here and have no idea what it is.

would someone tell me about it please and tell me whats so could about it?

[Lottapianos]

It's flaming marvellous Vicar. Very briefly, it's rubbing oil into your face to 'dissolve' the make-up, sebum and assorted gunk, then rinsing a flannel/muslin in hot warm water and holding it over your face for a minute or so to open the pores, then wiping off the oil. It's much kinder to your skin than using cleansers which are fulll of chemicals and can be very harsh and drying.

Different oils are good for different skin types - what type are you?

[ThatVikRinA22]

i would say predominantly oily skin, can be a bit sensitive especially in winter.

i have the classic T zone, but its not overly oily - i dont get spots or blemishes.

no idea what that makes me - i currently use Sothys cleanser and toner for sensitive skin.

[shazbean]

It's fab!
I read about it on here but couldn't be hassled with the faff of trying to find your own blend and then I found ultimate facial oil by The Sanctuary in Boots.
I have struggled with dry sensitive skin for ever and after using for a few months my skin is the best it's ever been.
Not sure what it would be like for oily skin -it leaves mine feeling moisturised but not greasy, I've never not had to use moisturiser.

[Lottapianos]

Jojoba oil is best for oily skin

[ThatVikRinA22]

so what exactly do you do? i need instructions....precise precise instructions or i will get spots.....thank you!

[Lottapianos]

Sorry Vicar, was in bed early last night!

Here's your step-by-step guide :

-Get some jojoba oil (from health food shops like Holland and Barrett or buy online) and a flannel or muslin

• Pour a puddle of oil into your palm
  
• Massage gently into face and neck for at least 2 minutes but longer if you can, I sometimes do this in front of the TV and carry on for about 20 minutes, my skin just loves it
  
• Let the oil sit on your skin while you get your flannel ready
  
• Hold flannel under warm-to-hot running water and soak thoroughly then wring out
  
• Hold flannel over your face, let it stay there until it cools down, this will open your pores
  
• Use flannel to wipe oil gently off face and neck
  
• You may like to repeat the flannel stage if your skin is particularly oily
  
• Splash face with cold water or rosewater to close pores
  
• See how your skin feels, you may not need a moisturiser at all or you may just want to pat a couple of drops of oil into your skin
  

That's it! Some folks do this every night (I do), some only do it a couple of times a week. In the morning I just splash with cold water or use a bit of rosewater on a cotton pad. The condition of your skin can get a bit worse for the first couple of weeks as you'll be bringing out lots of gunk that cleansers don't reach, but stick with it. Your skin will love it and it costs pennies

[snowballinashoebox]

I have just changed my mixture from jojoba/ castor oil to meadowfoam/castor oil and it's bloody lovely.

I have found that after a year of ocm my oily t zoney bit has balanced and I don't really have one any more. I was going to go with avocado but liked the sound of meadowfoam which is rejuvenating, an anti oxidant and loads of other stuff which make it the daddy of moisturisation and protection and a bit of uv protection for good measure.

I usually try for 3 times a week with the castor oil mix, be careful use a minute amount, there are quantities somewhere and do not get it near your eyes.

[Lottapianos]

Where do you buy your meadowfoam oil snow? Sounds lovely

I agree with you about oily T-zone - mine is much less shiny than it used to be. I also used to get horrible flaky scaly bits around my forehead and temples and they have gone too. Skin looks a million times better than it did when I was using cleansers.

[ThatVikRinA22]

thank you lotta

[Sillybillypoopoomummy]

I use almond oil as i found jojoba too drying but other than that agree with everyone. I also use rosehip oil as a moisturiser afterwards and find that it soaks in so much better if I have sprayed my face with rosewater beforehand.
hth.

[snowballinashoebox]

meadowfoam cold pressed, pure carrier oil from here naturallythinking They also do a nice rosehip one too.

[Lottapianos]

Thanks snow, had never heard of it before. That website looks gorgeous

[ThatVikRinA22]

so, say i was to try this oil cleansing stuff.....what oil would be good for combination/sensitive skin?

never get spots.
skin slightly oily (not a bad thing!) but with a noticeably oilier T zone
can be prone to sensitivity.

which oil folks?

[snowballinashoebox]

try with something gentle, maybe avocado or almond. Meadowfoam is good with my sensitive skin. Crunchy Betty is a good resource for oil type.
The beauty is you can use something out the kitchen cupboard, olive oil without the usual expensive outlay.

[Wheatie]

Has anyone found castor oil available to buy in a shop (not online)?

[kiwidreamer]

I have some coconut oil left over from baby massage classes so its obviously safe to use on sensitive skin - sounds like I could use that to try this out???

[snowgal]

I use coconut oil (love the smell!) and my skin has improved hugely