Oil cleanse method - is this normal?

[CrepeFoofette]

Hi everyone

Just looking for some advice from fellow oil cleansers please. I've been doing the method for the last 7-10 days with sweet almond oil. My skin is slightly oily in the t zone (worse since I've been pregnant). I get the occasional spot and I have open pores on my nose where sebum gets trapped.

Since I've been doing the oil cleanse method my skin has been soft and has started glowing. I'm getting no more spots than usual but I have developed some blackheads on my nose, as opposed to the usual open pores/trapped sebum. I have never had blackheads before and I wondered if this is a normal thing with the ocm? Is it just the crap coming out from my skin or is it a sign that ocm isn't for me?

This is how I do the method:

1. Rub a 10p sized amount of oil into my dry skin for at least a minute.
   
2. Hold a very hot wet (clean!) flannel over my face then use to rub the oil off.
   
3. Rinse flannel with hot water and use other side to wipe face again.
   
4. Splash face with cold water.
   
5. Dry face and apply oil free moisturiser.
   

Is there anything I'm doing wrong or anything you can suggest? I'm completely new to this so any advice would be gladly appreciated. Thanks!

[CrepeFoofette]

Anyone, please?

[gaggiagirl]

Sounds right to me. I suspect the blackheads are just the crap being drawn out by the ocm.

[AmethystMoon]

You could try following with a toner with salycilic (sp?) or glycolic acid on it to encourage the removal of dead skin cells.

[CrepeFoofette]

gaggia thanks!

amethyst do you have a recommendation please? Would I use the toner instead of the water or after it? Thanks

[roadwalker]

what kind of oil do you use to cleanse?

[ruddynorah]

You aren't supposed to moisturise afterwards. That might be it.

[CrepeFoofette]

I use sweet almond oil. Was thinking of adding in jojoba too...

[CrepeFoofette]

No moisturiser at all?!

Hmm. That would take a lot to get used to. Could I use it in the morning? In the morning I hot flannel wash my face just with water.

[SuzanneSays]

I use coconut oil, and use a similar method, though probably repeat the hot cloth wash three or so times, holding it over my face to steam Iyswim? I always moisturise afterwards-sometimes with oil! Maybe your not getting all the oil off before moisturising?

[ruddynorah]

The whole point is to not moisturise! Your skin finds a new balance rather than the struggle it has with harsh cleansing with chemicals and the moisturising with more chemicals. The oil does it all for you.

[Twinklestein]

www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

I apply oil to my face, then apply the hot cloth about 3 times. I don't use cold water on my face afterwards, as water dries my skin & the whole point is to steam it and open your pores. If I need any moisturising I use avocado oil.

I was told by a medical dermatologist that oil on your nose can cause blackheads, so it could be that, but I wonder if using cold water after the cleanse is drying your skin, closing your pores and trapping oil underneath.

[CrepeFoofette]

Thanks all, much appreciated. I will try without moisturising or the cold water splash. Will also repeat the cloth wash a few more times.

Should I avoid moisturising in the morning? I only do a cloth wash with hot water, no oil.

twinklestein can I ask what skin type you have please? Love the idea of avocado oil.

[ruddynorah]

I oil cleanse at night and do nothing much at night, just damp flannel wipe my eye make up a bit, but it comes off properly with the morning cleanse. So no, no moisturiser at all. Ever!

[CrepeFoofette]

ruddy These might sound like the most stupid questions ever - so please forgive me!! Doesn't moisturiser prevent wrinkles? Or does it just moisturise? Does oil do the same thing? If I wanted something anti aging what would I do?

[CrepeFoofette]

Thanks teamedward. The only reason that I'm resisting the castor oil is that I've read very mixed reviews on it. It appears to be the marmite of the oil world

[ruddynorah]

In my very humble opinion wrinkles are hereditary. No cream will do anything.

[KateMoose]

I cleanse as normal, tone with Clinique clarifying toner (cos I just love how much crap it gets off) on my face and neck and a gentle one for eyes then rub in a pea sized amount if coconut oil at night. It's not oil cleansing but my skin is totally perfect after doing this for 3 weeks. In the morning after my shower I put on Sweet Willow collagen retinal facial moisturiser from amazon which also has an SPF which I think is important for day time. I no longer have fine lines around my eyes. I can't tell you how impressed I am! Mind you I have also switched to a 90% plant based diet, no dairy at all and I use coconut oil for cooking. It's making a huge difference to my energy and skin tone.

Not oil cleansing, but perhaps something you could try.

[KateMoose]

I am 36 with dry sensitive skin but prone to spotty outbreaks on my chin that sometimes need antibiotic topical fluid to get rid of.

[AmethystMoon]

I'm using the REN one at the moment and I use it after water. I don't use it on the bits of my face that aren't prone to blocked pores. Just my chin, nose and mid forehead .

[Sheldonswhiteboard]

I have a greasy t zone, so use 1/3 castor to 2/3 sweet almond. I don't follow up the washing off with cold water and depending on how my skin feels I will either moisturise with sweet almond or nothing.
Have been using OCM in the evening with a honey wash in the morning for 2 years and my skin is the best it's ever been. I would try adding castor and see how it goes.