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 thinking about trying this.  I've always had awful acne and generally difficult skin, that resisted 5 prescription medications, and plenty of non-prescription ones.  What I'm doing now made it loads better, but it's not improving anymore, and I'd like to get rid of the rest.

Should I keep using my acne medicine (Nutrogena Hydrating Acne Medicine, twice a day) after doing the oil thing?  I usually use sunscreen (oil-free, all natural) every day, too, do you think that'll interfere too much?

I'm going to continue with the sunflower oil until Tuesday, I'll share those pics then, and then try olive oil since I'm not noticing a dramatic change. Skin's a bit softer, and I *know* all my makeup's coming off, but otherwise, dunno. Want to try the olive oil :)

I just went to Whole Foods and got Jojoba Oil, Grapeseed Oil and Sunflower Seed oil. I'll go to walmart later and get the castor oil. The jojoba was expensive and it contained vitamin E already in it. The pure organic kind was a few dollars more. I asked the rep what other ingredient was and she said Vitamin E. I hope these are ok to use. The site that the original poster says to use sunflower seed oil instead of evoo now. I'm excited. I plan to try this tomorrow night after I party. I'm from Kentucky and its the Derby here now. I was tempted to get lavender oil and eucalyptus oils. There's so many to choose from. There was this grapefruit oil that smelled good. I hope I get it right. I would love to get rid of black head forever. I wonder if this will work on my back. I know I got some blackheads back there too. I'll keep you posted!

Edit: Will this work for blackheads on my chest as well. I seem to get these in the summer. It's weird. If I pick at them they get inflamed and leave a scar. I hate unclear skin!! Why does it have to be like this?

went to target yesterday to buy the castor oil...they didnt have it =( will try walmart today.  I'm looking to get rid of black heads and also just all round smoother skin which leads me to my question.  would this work on my hands??  i have rough hands and cant find ways to get them smoother.

I am also having trouble tracking down castor oil.

QUESTION: I hate washclothes. With a passion. Can I do this in the shower instead? Would that create enough warmth/steam?

i was quite excited about trying the Oil Cleansing Method & decided to google a little on it. stumbled upon this article though. :/ what do you guys think?

I don't know what to think about that article. I've done some research too and I'm find that some people are breaking out from the EVOO. Others who did not use the EVOO had not broke out. Those people used oils such as jojoba and grapeseed and avocado, etc. When I try it I'm not going to use the EVOO because I do not want to take the chance. It may not break me out but I don't want to risk it. I've had pretty much clear skin for a while and I want to keep it that way, but I also want to clear my skin of the pesky blackheads that irritate me so much that I try to extract them out and do more damage to my skin for the most part. It's almost like the ones up under my ear right on the edge of my jaw line are being held back by a person with a rope tied around it because it's almost impossible to get them out. I even went to my cosmetic skin care center and she/the professional could not even get out this stubborn one on my jaw. She said that maybe I have a hair underneath there but I'm not buying it. They are just evil!

They didn't use castor oil in their little experiment!  Castor oil is what is doing the cleansing.  It’s the “soap” ingredient to OCM.  Basically, they didn’t wash their face at all and only used a moisturizer.  Yeah, I imagine I’d break out too if I didn’t wash my face.  D’uh.

LOL oh yeah they didn't did they? that's interesting

I guess they didn't research much.  I feel sorry for the 4 friends that got suckered in to doing that.

I just tried it....i did a 50/50 with extra virgin olive oil and castor oil.  i think the olive oil maybe a lil to thick for me... so i'm still going to experiment.  BUt overall is great!

Lilreenz, castor oil is really thick too.  Maybe you need a 60/40 EVOO/Castor.  That would cut the thickness a little. 

No real updates from me.  I'm still working on those chin blackheads.  I'm not sure those little buggers are ever coming out. 

jewelsmcblah, 

thanks!  i just tried castor oil and grapeseed oil....not really liking the way my face is feeling right now...think i might go back to the EVOO.  I guess its all about experimenting and getting the right mixture.  

 

I did this for a week.  I have acne prone skin so I went with a 75 Castor Oil to 25 Extra Virgin Olive Oil... Honestly, my skin has not been this bad since before I took accutane for a year when i was 14 years old.  Maybe I need a different ratio, but right now, I'm switching back to my products that worked a bit better.  I am taking my college grad portraits next week and I don't want this to be how I look in those pictures.  I really did want this to work for me

Sorry it didn't work right for you fatttyj.  Did you find your skin getting dry?  That much castor oil would most likely dry your skin out a lot.  Maybe that was your problem.  You can always try it again with a different ratio after your pictures.

I am doing a switch -- I alternate one day with 25% castor oil, 70% EVOO, and 5% tea tree oil -- the other day is a 25-75 ratio without the tea tree oil.  It's hard to tell how it's working -- I'm old and my face shows every year (especially those I smoked) -- but it seems to be in better shape.

I'm still breaking out pretty bad, but its only been a week so I think i'll give it some more time.  About mid week I did increase my castor oil and added tea tree oil.  My skin doesn't feel dry at all.  jewels, you said that you've used tea tree oil previously...I read somewhere that you can apply it directly to your face with a cotton ball to clear up acne.  Have you tried this?  I think I might try it on my really broken out areas.

Yep, you sure can!  I still use straight tea tree as a spot treatment when I have a flare up, stupid hormones.  It works better for me than any regular acne products.

I've been doing this for about a week and so far my skin is doing well. The blackheads on my cheeks and nose seem to be slowly disappearing...yea! I also like the fact that this is prettty affordable :) My current mixture is 25% Castor Oil and 75% EVOO...so far so good.

Oh, for those that can't find Castor Oil...I found mine at Walgreens (drug store), it's next to the vitamins and fiber supplements.