Long-term OCM users....

[SrirachaGirl]

...come and talk to me about your results after a few months.

I'm eager to try this as my skin is feeling a bit dehydrated and, well, middle-aged. I've got oily skin but don't breakout anymore thanks to years of trial and error with my skin routine. Since I turned 35 last year, I'm starting to feel much drier and thinking about switching things up. I've been lurking on the OCM threads and wondering if that might work for me but really nervous at the thought of putting oil (OIL!) on my face. I've seen lots of people on Mn give rave reviews but just wondering if anyone who has used the method for more than a few months would be willing to weigh in (that's how long it usually takes me to figure out whether something is problematic for my skin or not).

TIA

It took about 6 weeks for my skin to stop going crazy/breaking out with OCM. I did it for about 3 months after that and had the very best skin of my life. Any deviation from OCM led to a break out though which was a pain.

My only other complaint was that I often had to double cleanse as I could see it wasn't shifting all my make up. This was why I ultimately gave up and, eventually, switched to Liz Earle. I don't have the same problem with this though it's obviously not as cheap.

Thanks, Comrade. Still undecided...there is so much conflicting opinion .

My skin is good with it, and i've been doing it for more than a year.

Not miraculous results (tbh, the only things which make my skin look great are eating well and exercise, pah!), but my skin is well moisturised now whereas before it always felt slightly flaky somehow no matter what I put on it. No real problems with spots either, except pregnancy related!

I use olive or almond oil and a muslin cloth. I don't think it works properly with a flannel.

It is absolutely the best thing I have ever done for my skin. I used to have massive breakouts all the time and dry patches but now my skin is so clear and it glows. I only do it a few times a week, and wash my face with aqueous cream or anything mild and non perfumed. Whereas before I used to use harsh medicated face washes in the vague hope they'd get rid of my spots but it just made things worse.

I just use plain old olive oil ATM, but ime any old oil will do, I have even used cheap vegetable oil. I use dd's old muslin squares (after being boil washed!).

Oh and ime it does not make your skin oily, but drier/tighter in a good way and like it has just been exfoliated.

Ease yourself in with one of the cleansing oils sold by the big make up brands. I've used Shu Uemera cleansing oil for two years my skin is the best it's ever been. Go to the make up counter and try some

8 months OCM convert here

Am 32. My skin is fantastic, clear, glowy and lovely. I just wish I had discovered it earlier :o

I use coconut oil and it's superb. I used flannels - muslins don't hold the heat enough to work, IMHO. The heat does the work - softens pores to allow the junk to come out. I love it!

I use coconut oil and flannels as well - it has done wonders for my skin

I was thinking about trying coconut oil too as I heard that you can also just use it on its own as a moisturiser. I use dd's old large thick muslin squares and fold them over on themselves a couple if times do they are quite thick and hold the heat. I find the texture wipes away/absorbs the oil better so I end up with less residue on my face. But I still use steaming hot water!

I have used oils and balms for years on my face and I've been prone to the odd hormonal zit!. Emma Hardie Balm was my staple for a long time and now I'm giving raw coconut oil a try as a first cleanse. So far so good but always cleansed with fresh hot flannels each night and morning and happy to report all is well with a follow on second cleanse too using REN.

Ok, I have oily skin but no idea what OCM is...sorry to crash the thread but can I have a cheeky explanation?

Actually I don't use very hot water anyway because I get rosacea on my cheeks and heat sets it off. So possibly I am not doing it properly. But it works well anyway.

Biggem you rub oil on your face instead of cleanser, and take it off using a flannel/muslin wrung out in hot water (you spread the cloth on your face and allow it to "melt" the oil and grime and make up off. OCM stands for Oil Cleansing Method.

There's lots about it on the site, I've used it on and off and keep meaning to do it every day but I always forget and go upstairs to bed and just use a babywipe rather than going back down to the bathroom! When I do use it, my face feels great and really clean without feeling stripped.

I've been using OCM for a couple of years now. 45, combination skin, blackheads :( I developed a sensitivity to cleansers in my early 40's which got me looking for alternatives.

It's not a miracle cure for blackheads (which is why I first started it) but it is by far the best cleanser I've ever used. I use grape seed oil (brought online £7 per litre) and about 20% castor oil.

I started off using olive oil to test out the method - it worked but was rather fragrant for me. The castor oil/blend is an essential part of the process.

Give it a go!

A year on for me and still absolutely love it. My eczema prone skin is far calmer and I no longer get horrible dry flaky bits. Or lumpy bits just an occasional monthly spot.

Massaging for a good 7-10 minutes is key I think and flannels for me. I am using avocado and co and began with jojoba last year but as others have suggested try what you have to hand in your kitchen. I usually use a few drops of rosehip to finish.

'8 months OCM convert here

Am 32. My skin is fantastic, clear, glowy and lovely. I just wish I had discovered it earlier '

WoodlandHills, are you me? Spooky!

I have heard that jojoba oil is the best for oily skin. I prefer flannels to muslins. Definitely agree that the longer you massage the oil in for, the better

Lol. Glad its working so well for you too lottapianos.

When DD is a bit older I will teach her to do it too, I really think its the best thing ever for the skin

All my adult life I would spend a fortune on snake oil upmarket cosmetics, creams etc, I dread to think what I have spent over the years. And nothing has worked as well as the OCM.

Agree WoodlandHills - I'm glad I never got into really expensive creams and cleansers, it's total snake oil. At least with cosmetics, you can actually see the effect they have, even if it's only temporary! Pricey skincare is a total rip-off. And don't get me started on 'anti-ageing'........

Another vote for OCM with coconut, or sometimes Lush Ultrabland, but I've upgraded to a microfibre cloth for removal and it's incredible provided you're not too rough on the skin. Doesn't leave any greasies behind to cause spots the way flannels can do.

thisoldgirl, where do you buy your microfibre cloths?

Poundland . I did buy E-cloths in Johnny Lulu at four times the price before I discovered Mumsnet .

Cheers

Microfibre cloths?

Like CLEANING cloths??

I use a good old muslin folded in 4 so it holds the heat and I can use a clean 'side' for each steam clean. Then tone with rosewater after to get rid of any lingering oil (although TBH I don't think there actually is any).