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Original poster

Oil cleansing method

540 replies

mammya · 12/03/2009 08:56

Thank you to the mumsnetter who mentionned this a few days ago! I looked it up and have done it a couple of times, and it is fantastic! It has made such an amazing difference to my skin in such a short time: it is much clearer, softer, with no dry patches, and some old stubborn blackheads are finally gone. And it is cheap! What's not to like!

For anyone interested more info here

OP posts:
hoppybird · 26/04/2009 10:53

toffeeapple - skin has a 28 day cycle, so the results of a new regime won't really be known completely until at least that time, I would think. Here is some advice that tells you it takes at least a couple of weeks to work.

toffeeapple · 26/04/2009 13:55

Hoppybird - Thank you! God if only I'd known that the "breakout" period could last up to a couple of weeks I would have persevered.
I know someone said earlier in the thread that your skin can take 2 weeks to adjust, but I didn't understand that it meant that the "breakout" could last 2 weeks.
Does that mean that, for example, my pores could look larger for a couple of weeks and then shrink again?
Also in that link that you sent, the expert said to put oil on your face (2 drops? that doesn't sound a lot at all) but is that after cleansing do you think? Or would it be the same if you cleanse with the oil instead?

hoppybird · 26/04/2009 16:51

I think that's a recommenation to moisturise with oil rather than cleanse with oil - I have seen other links like this as well - google for Jojoba oil + enlarged pores and see what you get.

I would think it would be beneficial to take a look at what else you are putting on your skin - foundation or the type of moisturiser you use may not be helping your situation.

Greensleeves · 26/04/2009 16:53

I have switched to pure organic rapeseed oil, with a bit of salt to exfoliate - and the carpet of pustules has dried up, and the skin feels soft and lovely

[awaits second wave of angry pimples]

toffeeapple · 26/04/2009 17:05

Basically while I was using the Jojoba oil, I didn't need to moisturise, so in the morning I just rinced my face and then applied make up, my foundation which I've been using for years is Lancome Adaptive. It's quite greasy I suppose and produces quite a lot of coverage.
When I applied my foundation it DEFINATELY went into the pores. Trouble is, I can't imagine not using my foundation especially if my pores become more visible! My god I would have to be really brave to do that.
Or apply powder instead or something.

hoppybird · 26/04/2009 17:53

My mother has quite visible pores, but is very young looking at 73 (the upside of oily skin) and has never worn foundation - only powder. You don't really see the pores when she has powder on.

I also never use foundation, only concealer where it needs it and powder (No. 7 translucent pressed powder, brushing off the excess with a large brush).

nappyaddict · 27/04/2009 10:09

toffee it was me that said it can take up to 4 weeks for a new product or method to work properly. sorry i wasn't clear about the breakouts!

Tigerbear · 28/04/2009 00:27

Oh my goodness - another convert here!
Since reading this thread last week, I've been using a mix of castor, avocado, and sunflower oil, and I'm soooo happy with my skin! When I started the o.c method I was on the verge of going to see my doctor to get a prescription for acne cream, as I've suffered with it since my teens (I'm now 31, and trying to combat spots AND wrinkles). However, there's now no need to see the doctor - after only 5 days my skin looks better than it has for ages. When I started I had 2 massive spots between my eyebrows, on the T zone - the type where they are just underneath the skin, very hard and huge! Well, they have now gone right down and I think they will be totally gone by the end of the week (when I've had this type of spot before, it's taken about a month to get rid of).

I was initially sceptical about using something so cheap on my skin, but it's amazing. Agree with others that too much castor oil can be drying (oddly my face doesn't feel tight and for the first time in months it doesn't have any dry and flakey patches, however the backs of my hands look and feel slightly 'papery'). Am using about 40% each of sunflower and avocado, and 20% castor, but may use even less castor next time I make a new bottle.

To everyone who hasn't done the o.c method yet - try it, and be amazed!
I didn't wear any foundation or powder today - just the tiniest amount of concealer on those evil spots - normally I use LOADS of everything - but felt confident going out without it today.

toffeeapple · 28/04/2009 14:04

Brilliant Tigerbear! Good for you I'm happy for you!
Is it helping your wrinkles? (No offence but you said about wrinkles that's why I'm asking, I'm 33 and I've got a few creeping around my eyes area).
I've had to stop the OCM because I suddenly got really dry hair and stopping was the only way of finding the culprit. Deep down I'm sure it's not that, and I tell you I CAN'T WAIT to start again.
Since I've stopped I look like a ball of oil.
Yes my pores are tightening up again with the asda scrub (they seem to enlarge with the OCM for some odd reason), but my skin is frantically producing oil to make up for what I take off in the morning.
Crap.

mustincreasebust · 28/04/2009 18:44

My granmother uses a mix of honey and olive oil with a squeeze of lemon juice since god knows how long as a face mask. I mix it up when I feel like I need to freshen up my skin every few weeks. Never found a professional facial that has worked better tbh.

Original poster
mammya · 28/04/2009 20:43

Oooh good one mustincrease! Will have to try that.

OP posts:
Tigerbear · 28/04/2009 23:36

Oh Toffeeapple, you've had some teething problems with OCM haven't you? When are you going to start again?
I've only been using this for a week, so can't categorically say there's been a massive improvement on the wrinkles front, but my skin does look extremely radiant generally, so I haven't been focusing on the wrinkles! Even my DH has commented, and he wants to start using it too, as he's had problem skin recently (dryness and spots).
I'd recommend starting again, and persevering over a few weeks - at least 2 months - before stopping, to see what the longer term benefits are. Perhaps I just got lucky, and it started to work for me quite quickly. But will keep you posted to say what happens the week before my period, when all of the spots start to come out again - will be interesting to see if there is a decrease in them!

cedar12 · 29/04/2009 11:02

Hi, I started using this method a while ago. Still suffering with spots was wondering if I am using the wrong oil. Can recomend a good one for spots. Thanks

toffeeapple · 29/04/2009 14:05

Cool yeah tigerbear that would be brilliant!
Thanks.

nappyaddict · 30/04/2009 00:38

cedar which oil are you using at the moment? I use grape seed oil cos it is meant to be good for spots.

nappyaddict · 30/04/2009 00:45

just found this

christiana · 30/04/2009 06:48

Message withdrawn

cedar12 · 30/04/2009 12:11

Thanks Nappy and Christiana. I started of using olive oil felt lovely on my skin and did seem to help uneven skin tone but not spots. Since reading this thread I have tried castor oil and almond. The castor oil really cleared up my oily skin but was maybe a bit drying so have been mixing it with a bit of almond oil. Maybe I should try the grape seed oil where can you get it from? Do you think I should carry on mixing it with the castor oil?
Thanks for the link nappy I didnt realise I should be putting it on wet skin.
Over all though its a great method and my skin is better, doesnt feel as sore. Just wish I could get rid of these spots, I thought I would have grown out of them by 30!Would love not to have to wear foundation.

toffeeapple · 30/04/2009 14:32

Thank you Christiana brilliant! The Adaptive is really really good but I've always thought it was too "heavy" for my skin type.
I'll have a read about mineral foundations, I'm sure Bourgeois or Rimmel have got a new one like that? It's probably not as good as Clinique but I think once I start the OCM again my skin will improve and I could do with a lighter foundation.
Nappy you know your link? You're not supposed to wet your face first are you? Not when you do the OCM?

cedar12 · 30/04/2009 15:03

My skin looks a lot better today I think I will stick to the castor oil but try and get some grape seed oil to mix with it. Found some vit e oil in the cupboard today and tried that with the castor oil. I think I mis under stood the link I think it talking about when you use it as a moisturiser.

Rosie29 · 30/04/2009 17:29

has anyone else come out in spots from the ocm?? I usually have few on my chin but now have loads and some large under the skin ones. Not sure if this is a sign it's working or not. Am using the mix of castor and sunflower oil recommended in original link for oily skin.

becksworth · 30/04/2009 18:57

This OCM sounds like a revelation . I really want to get started on it asap, but ... I'm pregnant and have read on the castor oil bottle that it's not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Does anyone know if that warning is only if you actually drink the stuff or if it still applies even if you are just putting it on your face??

cazboldy · 30/04/2009 19:00

I think it just means don' drink it

kittywise · 30/04/2009 19:08

castor oil is supposed to bring on labour if you drink it because the vomiting and runs it induces can bring on contractions.

claireybee · 30/04/2009 19:09

I've been watching this with interest because I have used oils on my face for years, but slightly differently to the OCM.

What I have been doing is using a mix of almond and castor oil or marula and castor oil (5ml castor to 50 ml of the other), massaging into face then using a damp cloth to gently wipe off. Then I rinse.

I've also been doing pretty much the same as the OCM (hot cloth and steaming) but only once or twice a month.

Those of you who were wondering what to do on inbetween days could maybe try my method (well I didn't invent it but it's what I do )-it's exactly the same really just without the steaming so is less deep cleaning for day to day.