Oil cleansing method

[RugbyWidow7]

I started the OCM about a week ago with just almond oil, hoping to try to reduce the size of my pores, blackheads and spots. I then switched to jojoba (80%) and castor oil (20%) for two days and have broken out in huge spots. For the last two days I've used just the jojoba and the spots are still enormous - I got another today!

Is this a normal part of the process with the OCM does anyone know, and are you supposed to do it every night? Thank you.

I am doing it as well, started at the weekend.

It sounds normal to me, all the crud that is normally under your skin will be coming to the surface. I have broken out in 2 massive zits as well (can't remember the last time I had an actual spot!) but crucially, I can also see where some blackheads have come out as well.

I'm doing it every night and steaming every night as well. I bought some rose water at the same time and am using that in the morning before make up, as just water doesn't really get the surface oils off.

Have you got any tea tree oil? It might help to put a drop into your blend to help with the spots - although I think they will probably clear up in a few days.

Unfortunately its pretty much a case of trial and error. A lot is dependent on your skin type. And even then there are no hard and fast rules.

I have normal/dry skin, prone to spots on chin (hormonal) and blocked pores I didn't like the Jojoba, so tried Sweet Almond and that's been much better. I only use Castor in my oil mix at a very low % usually between 5%-10%. And probably only Oil Cleanse 2-3 times a week.

The main problem I had was that my face never felt clean. Always felt congested and greasy when I started. And even after the expected "purging" stage a few weeks in, I had terrible spots. Also as my skin can be prone to dryness, the steaming or cloth being too hot really didn't suit me.

Not sure if any of that is helpful. The purging stage is normal and starts usually 2-3 weeks in and you're supposed to just persevere with it til it clears.

was going to start an update thread but there goes: Am one month into it and have only very good things to say about it.

the purging stage is normal.

I started with dehydrated skin/fine lines on forehead and cheeks, redness on cheeks, blackheads on nose and chin. But generally my skin is not problematic. Just sensitive and blotchy at times with tightness when dry.

It is now smooth and even and feels very comfortable.

I did not use castor oil for the first couple of week as was worried about the drying effect on my sensitive skin.

Stage 1: just olive oil.
Skin immediately felt clean and well moisturized and did not use any other moisturizer bar a drop of oil when skin was tight on cheeks.
I could see the overdrive sebum production going on overnight and in the morning cleansed with a cotton pad and rosewater, then a drop of oil to moisturize.

I did not like the viscosity of olive oil and moved on to Jojoba. I came to jojoba by chance. DD had a nappy rash and my mum cleansed her with jojoba oil on a cotton pad, then smeared her with it. Within 15mn it was gone. It is apparently a great anti-inflammatory and has worked wonders as it got rid of the redness on my cheeks that olive oil did not manage to do!
It is a much dryer oil and very comfortable to use for me.

I finally got my hands on castor oil on the 3rd week and now use it about 2-3 times a week at a concentration of 20/80
It has finished the job and I can now see that blackheads are GONE and pores much tighter, skin tone even.
I also now use a drop of argan oil morning and night to hydrate as castor oil is definitely a bit drying.

So, my conclusions are (for more sensitive - non oily combinations)
-maybe worth trying the gentle method by avoiding castor oil altogether in the first week or 2 so the skin gets used to the method.
-I never applied the flannel on my skin as a hot compress but rather pressed and wiped my skin section by section, rubbing a bit more on Tzone.

• BEING CONSISTANT!!!!

That's it. I have to say I thought this sounded too good to be true but it really works.
I was also very dubious as I live in a tropical climate and oil cleansing just seemed completely counterintuitive. Its not. it works

What is oil cleansing?!

Thank you all so much, this is brilliant and exactly what I needed to know.

I'm wondering if it might be that the jojoba oil is actually quite drying on my combination skin as it is definitely dryer now than before switching from almond oil. I have also been trying argan oil occasionally so perhaps I'll change to that or plain old sunflower oil. Really interesting what you say about Jojoba being an anti inflammatory though Laptop.

I will definitely persevere now after reading your experiences! Also, as I've now bought all of the oils! I think my pores have shrunk slightly, which is a huge achievement considering it's been a life-long goal, never previously managed no matter how expensive the product! Hopefully they'll remain that way if I change oils and balance my skin better.

Keen to continue to read your experiences.

I had to stop using the castor oil, I used it once and had the most hideous break out and I never get spots, EVER! I just use Almond oil.

I think you might be right that the jojoba is drying rugby it is excellent for spot prone skin. I am thinking of trying avocado next.

laptop I have argan oil which I got in a hair salon as a hair product. Do you reckon that's suitable for face use or has it been treated for hair?

I'm using sweet almond oil with some castor but have only been doing it for a week so no major difference yet, though I like that my skin doesn't feel dry after it.

Cheerful there was a big thread on this a while back with info on different oils etc - do a search of 'oil cleansing method'.

Rugby I use

Sweet Almond Oil 75%
Castor Oil 10%
Rose Hip Oil 5%
Emulsifier 10%

I only use a small amount of Rise Hip cos its expensive, I don't know if I'm using enough to make a difference but it makes me,feel better knowing its in there :) I sometimes use a drop of it neat on my skin. Apparently its the only oil with naturally occuring Vit A (retinol?) But we need MissFoodie to confirm this!

I add an Emulsifier so I can rinse off at the end, as I said before, the steam doesn't agree if I do it too often and I also felt clogged up. It works for me.

Helltotheno I think as long as its pure Argan Oil its suitable for your face. Some Argan Oil for hair has silicone in it

I use nothing but castor oil (lazy) and my skin is fine. I did try Olive oil when I first started out and it irritated my skin and I also tried sunflower oil, that was too greasy.

You must be right about jojoba being a bit drying. Wirks just well fir me in this hot humid climate. I can see how sweet amond oil would be better suited if i was in the uk.

Helltotheno DO NOT Use a hair product on your skin!!!!!!! They are full of silicones and other irritants for your face!
Only pure argan oil.

Have to say simple sunflower oil is fab too. Light as jojoba but less drying. Just the right viscosity.

Anyone tried wheatgerm oil?
How about coconut oil? I love the one from tahiti with a tiare flower. Smells like heaven. But very hard to find.

I think coconut oil blocks the pores.
have also used rose hip - apparently it has had amazing results on scars, soothing on sore chemo skin, amazing with wrinkles, sun damage etc. I use it after ocm and just dab a bit round my laughter lines.

Ooh I ordered rose hip oil yesterday and am so excited for it to arrive having read so many amazing things about its benefits.

I used almond oil with a tiny bit of castor last night and my skin is so much better, so think I'll ditch the jojoba for a while. Will also try sunflower oil when the almond has run out.

What does everyone use to mix / store your oil combination? I need to find a small bottle I think as I'm currently just mixing in my hand as I go.

I'm really enjoying the OCM - is that a bit weird?! Loving learning about all the oils. I've even bought argan oil for my hand as someone on here said it's amazing for eczema. I've had a really bad patch on my hand for over a year, made worse by having a baby, which nothing would get rid of. After three days [!!!] or argan oil it's almost back to normal. I'm ecstatic!

IME, OCM just doesn't work for everyone.

I know several people who swear by it, and they have the most beautiful skin. For me it didn't work at all.

My skin has never been that great, but OCM actually caused cystic acne in my case - the only time that's ever happened to me.

I stupidly assumed this was some kind of a "purging" thing an carried right on. Some two months later my face was literally covered in cysts and took almost half a year to get back to its status quo ante after I finally gave up.