In the mornings, my son and I walk to school (via the park so we can visit his favourite duck) and the chill in the air while bracing, dries out my skin. I had heard about the Korean oil cleansing method and decided to try it for myself.
The oil cleansing method is reputed to balance sebum levels and is apparently beneficial for sensitive, dry, mature and acne-prone skin.
Perfect!
Korean Oil Cleansing Method
You will need
- Cleansing oil. I used Grapeseed oil as it is light and will not clog pores.
- Cotton flannel or muslin cloth.
Method
Put 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil in the palm of your hand, and apply with your fingertips to your face and neck.
Gently massage the oil into your skin for two minutes to remove makeup and dead skin. The oil will penetrate your skin.
Dampen your washcloth with warm, not hot, water and wipe away the excess oil. Your face should not feel greasy.
Pat your skin dry and continue with your moisturiser.
It all worked well for about a fortnight and then…
Breakout. Big breakout. Ugh.
I liked how the oil cleansing method worked to keep my skin hydrated, but the breakouts were an issue. Apparently, oil cleansing, then cleansing with a foaming cleanser (known as the double cleanse) will remedy the problem.
But quite frankly, I couldn’t see the point of oil cleansing if I was only going to strip all the oil away with a soap cleanser!
So it was time to experiment! I had the ingredients on hand in my home apothecary. Have you read my Guide to Creating Your Home Apothecary? it is free to download from the Subscriber Resource Library. All you need to do is sign up today and I will send you the password.
And I’m pleased to say, I have found the solution that works for me! Let’s look at the ingredients…
Grapeseed Oil
I prefer Grapeseed oil in my skincare because it is non-greasy, readily available and has doesn’t have a strong odour. Grapeseed oil is moisturising, and is non-comedogenic (will not clog your pores). Grapeseed’s benefits for your skin are well documented.
Castor Oil
Thick, viscous castor oil can cause a reaction in sensitive individuals, so be sure to do a patch test. The astringent, anti-inflammatory and healing properties of castor oil can be attributed to its ricinoleic acid content. The benefits of castor oil for use on the skin for its healing, moisturising and anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties are well documented.
Emulsifying Wax
If you recall your primary school science experiments, oil and water do not mix unless another ingredient acts as an emulsifying agent.
There are two basic types of emulsions, water in oil and oil in water. A water in oil emulsion has a greasy texture, like butter. An oil in water emulsion is like milk, mixable with water, non-greasy, and can absorb water.
The emulsifying wax in this recipe allows the oil molecule to be encapsulated by water molecules. You can find vegetable sourced emulsifying wax online, health food stores or pharmacies.
Luxurious Soluable Oil Cleanser
You will need
- 200ml Grapeseed Oil
- 20ml Castor Oil
- 30g vegetable emulsifying wax
Preparation
Blend the oils together and add the emulsifying wax.
Warm the mix gently over low heat until the emulsifying wax has dissolved.
Decant your oil into a clean, dry bottle. I use a recycled pump-bottle that has been thoroughly washed in hot soapy water.
Castor oil goes rancid relatively quickly, so keep your oil in a cool dark place (the fridge is perfect) and use within 3 months.
To use
Use your luxurious soluble facial oil as per the Korean Oil Cleansing Method.
When you remove the oil with the damp washcloth, the water will emulsify with the oil and remove the dirt and excess oil cleanly and easily from your skin.
I like to follow this soluble oil cleanse method with a few spritzes of my Witchazel, Aloe and Rose Facial Spray.
Moisturise as usual.
Of course, you can make any oil a soluble cleansing oil this way, so if you prefer jojoba or almond oil over grapeseed oil try that instead.
Have you tried the oil cleansing method? How did it work for you? I would love to hear from you, leave a message below.
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