Got pesky blackheads? Slather oil on your face!

Sounds counterintuitive doesn't it? It's called the Oil Cleansing Method. I've been doing it for a week now and I notice a big difference in the look and feel of my skin. I've had blackheads on my nose and chin since I was about 12 years old and I could never get rid of them. I'd wash my face and they'd be right back. I could still see them. Even masks didn't really work. With using this oil stuff they are starting to go away! I keep running to the mirror to check and yeah, it's seriously working. My pores are still big, so I have empty holes in my face but I suspect that will change once all the gunk gets out.

I have acne prone skin that's oily, dry, and normal in some spots. Though I haven't had a problem in awhile, I get cystic ance too. It's only been a week but so far so good, no pimples no nothing execpt glowing skin and empty pores.

I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil (yes, the stuff you cook with) mixed in with a little Castor Oil (yes, the stuff that makes you poop). I also mix in a little tea tree oil because that's always helped with my skin.

So who's going to try this?

http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/
http://www.thebeautybottle.com/index.php?opti on=com_content&task=view&id=6&Ite mid=2

edited to add the following

Okay, for those of us who are having problems here are some Trouble Shooting tips.  I would add this to the first post but since it's been edited by a mod it won't let me.  Boo.  Maybe I'll add it to my second post. 

Anyway, everyone's skin is different.  You have to find what works for your skin.  Same thing when you use commerical facial cleansers...you have to figure out what works for you.  If you're having breakouts that you believe are related to OCM try these Trouble Shooting Tips:

1.  Your skin doesn't like EVOO (or whatever oil).  Try different oil.

2.  Your skin doesn't like Castor Oil.  Does it work without castor oil?  Some people do a modified version of OCM without castor.  Some people have luck with just EVOO or Jojoba (or whatever). 

3.  Your skin doesn't like the ratio of EVOO (or whatever oil) to Castor.  Change your ratios around.

4.  You're not spending enough time rubbing the oils in.  Give it at least 5 minutes.  Take some you time and enjoy.

5.  You're not getting enough dirty oils off your skin.  Spend more time with the rag on your face and take more care to get the oils off.

6.  Your skin does not like your washing off technique.  Lay a hot rag across your face.  Hold it in place.  Let it sit there until it cools a little.  Gently wipe your face.  Repeat.  Don't scrub.

7.  Your skin doesn't like the hot rag approach.  Try doing OCM in the shower and forgo the hot rag.  Instead, rub your oils in for AT LEAST 5 minutes then wash with water only.

8.  You're not soaking your wash cloths in dish soap and very hot water for a long time before sending them through the washing machine.  Laundry detergent cannot get the dirty oils out of your rags.  Dirty oil rags can cause you to break out.  Only use a rag once. 

9.  Your skin is too dry.  Try using plain EVOO (or whatever oil) as a moisturizer.  Or try bumping down your % of castor oil.

10.  Are you over washing your face?  Are you using your normal harsh cleanser in the morning then doing OCM at night?  Try washing your face with just water in the morning.  It's not gross, trust me.

11.  Are you under washing your face?  Are you washing your face with water only in the morning and doing OCM at night?  If you have time, do OCM in the morning and at night.  If you don’t have time, try using a light cleanser in the morning.  Look for one that's oil based.  You could probably find something good at a health food store.  

12.  Are you doing OCM everyday?  Try doing it only once every other day.  Maybe everyday is too much for your skin.

13.  Are you NOT doing OCM everyday?  Maybe you should try it.

14.  Maybe your skin needs extra pimple busting power.  Try adding a few drops of EO to your mix.  I highly recommend tea tree oil.  Other all around skin helpers include lavender, rosemary, geranium, and rose.  Do some research and see what might help you.

I'm glad it's settling down Blinx.

Jules, it does make skin feel great doesn't it

I'm definately going to try this! I'll stop by walgreens on the way home for the castor oil.  I don't breakout that frequently, but I do have blackheads on my nose, cheeks, and chin...I'll keep my fingers crossed that it helps ;)

I'm so scared to try this. I swear I have the oiliest skin on the planet. Nothing stops the oil. I've had cystic acne in the past too. I've tried everything. Currently what I'm using is working pretty well. I use Tazorac at night and glycolic n the mornings, moisturizer and hydroquinone because I scar very easily. My biggest problem lately is trying to extract my blackheads and irritating my skin to the point where it causes a pimple and then a scar. I hate the blackheads around my nose. I can never get them all out. They are constantly there. It's the Kentucky Derby where I live so that means many parties, so I'm trying to hold off on trying this until after it's over for fear that I will break out. I've gone so long without a real breakout and I don't want to do anything to bring one on. But I'm curious to try this and the more I read and think about it the more it does make since. I will go and buy the oils tomorrow and see what happens.

Here's a video with someone doing OCM.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iQo60y912g

I would like to know if I should still use glycolic on my face if I try this OCM? I had some hair oil that has a mixture of jojoba, olive and some other oils and I wanted to try it last night but I didn't because I was afraid there was some other chemicals in it that may irritate my skin. I'd rather go buy the pure oils instead today. I hope this works. I feel that it will and I pray that it will.

What else should we be using to fight the signs of aging as well. My dermatologist told me that the retinol based products are the best and glycolic will help exfoliate. Also what about glycolic peels? Can I still get those?

tried this for the first time last night. my skin does, indeed, feel softer and and more supple.

Pond's cold cream is based on the same idea, but it contains mineral oil, which the author states is not as good for the skin as castor oil.

Sorry for so many replies but where do you get these oils such as jojoba, tea tree or eucalyptus or avocado oil?

health food stores or organic stores carry jojoba, tea tree or eucalyptus. Grocery carries avocado and the requisite castor oil.

Why is grapeseed oil better. I'm researching and finding out that it is.

Also I'm hearing that the EVOO is breaking some people out. And the jojoba oil is causing red splotches. I need to figure out which combination I should start with. I'm afraid of getting it wrong.

Original Post by jewelsmcblah:

You massage the oil in for as long as you like.  Like 5 minutes or so.  Then you steam your face with a hot wash cloth and wipe the oil away.  Don't use a cleanser or soap afterwards.  That would defeat the whole purpose.  Let it be.  You're actually cleaning your face with the oils.  OCM has made me less shiny.

 OK sorry if this question has already been answered. When do you / do you ever just wash your face? Like with organic cleanser or soap or whatever?  Or does the oil do this for you? I am wondering about things like eye makeup, etc.

My mix:

25% Castor Oil
75% EVOO

Splash of Vitamin E oil, as well, in hopes of evening skin tone.

Amy: The links in the OP answer those questions.

Another video on the OCM -- I'm not posting because I think OCM is bad, 'cause I am trying it and love it so far, but rather because she brings up some good points that make sense regarding skin sensitivity and weather.

Nenewa, everyone's skin reacts different.  I haven't a had a problem with EVOO.  I haven't tried any other oil besides EVOO.  I really don't know enough about glycolic acid to answer that question.  Maybe Lisa will swing back through this thread.  Honestly, I would give OCM two full weeks without using glycolic acid.  Once you see how your skin reacts to OCM, then you can decide if you want to do all that other stuff.

Amy, I haven't washed my face with soap or anything like that in about two weeks.  The oils used in OCM will take off makeup (and eye makeup) so there is no need to wash before using the oils.  The oils are actually cleaning your skin similar to what a soap would do (but way more gentle).  If you wash with soap and then do OCM (or wash with soap after) you are washing your face twice and over washing can cause a lot of skin problems.

Thanks for posting that Coach!

This sounds sexy. Next time I'm in town I'll pick up these oils and see how it goes. I can't wait :D

I don't usually get bad skin thats noticable but I always have a lot of small blackheads on my nose and cheeks. No one else really notcies but I can't stand which causes me to pick which makes it look like I have red puffy acne. The blackheads on the nose have been there since I was 12 so heres hoping this works well for me.

I favorited this page by the way :D

ok, I've done OCM for the past three nights, and today was day 3 waking up with NO blemishes at all! i usually break out very regularly, just minor ones, but still annoying. i swear the pores on my nose are already looking way better also!

i've been washing in the mornings with a natural cleanser i got that contains...OILS! i've always stayed as far away from anything with oil in it as possible, but it's been working great.

my skin is glowing, feels great, is not more oily than usual and is blemish free! i can't wait to keep going with this!

Yay Jules!  That's so good to hear.

Today I mixed some sugar in my oils to do a sugar scrub.  Oh man, that was fantastic!  My skin feels so smooth and soft.

this sounds soo good, def will try it.  do you apply anything to your face after, toner or moisturizing cream?

I've done it twice now...and so far so good! My face feels amazing and the oil feels great when I massage it in.  I bought a plastic travel bottle and put in 3 parts EVOO and 1 part Castor Oil. 

=D I stopped by Superstore this afternoon and bought some Castor and sunflower oil; I think I'll mix up a bit of it soon, but I'm not really sure what kind of skin type I have. I know it's not dry, but how oily does your skin have to be before it's no longer 'normal'? Because everyone's skin is at least a bit oily unless it's dry, isn't it?

xD I'm probably over-thinking this.

Sounds like you are over thinking it;)  You would know if you had oily skin.  Just use the recipe for normal, and then adjust if you need to after a few applications.

lilreenz, I don't use a toner or moisturizer afterwards.  If I thought I needed a moisturizer I'd use plain EVOO.