Oil Cleansing Method: The Complete Guide
Tired of cleansers that leave your skin feeling dry or tight? The oil cleansing method is a natural way to remove makeup, dirt, and excess oil—without stripping your skin. In this guide, you’ll learn how it works, the best oils for your skin type, and how to get started for a clean, balanced glow.
The Oil Cleansing Method
I know the thought of cleaning your face with oil can be a little scary, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin. However, the oil cleansing method has transformed my skin for the better, and here’s why you should try it!
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I am not a doctor and the statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products mentioned here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your doctor before using essential oils on children under 5 or while pregnant or breastfeeding. Please do not ask me for medical advice. Click here to read my full disclaimer.
I heard about the oil cleansing method years ago. But I was always too scared to try it.
I have struggled with blackheads and excessively oily skin for most of my adult life, and the thought of applying oil to my skin just seemed like a recipe for disaster.
But I was getting desperate. I had tried many different products, but absolutely nothing was helping.
My oily skin made me extremely self-conscious. I had to carry oil-absorbing sheets with me everywhere I went because an hour after applying my makeup, the oil would start to come through.
I reached the point where I seriously felt like the oil cleansing method was the only thing I hadn’t tried, and I just thought, what do I have to lose?
So I did it, and I stuck with it for about 30 days.
After 30 days, I started to notice a shift in my skin. I didn’t need the oil-absorbing sheets at all, and I had hardly any blackheads.
In my opinion, this was nothing short of a miracle, and I’ve been using the oil cleansing method ever since.
I no longer have oily skin, and although I occasionally get blackheads, they’re nowhere near as severe as they used to be.
If you’re struggling with oily skin, blackheads, breakouts, or simply want to switch to a toxin-free facial cleanser, keep reading to learn all about the oil cleansing method.
What is the Oil Cleansing Method?
The oil cleansing method is quite simple. It is when you wash your face with oils rather than soap—only oils and absolutely nothing else.
As I mentioned, it’s very simple and not as intimidating or complicated as it may seem.
How Does the Oil Cleansing Method Work?
Oils actually help dissolve and wipe away makeup, bacteria, and excess oil from your face.
However, oil is also a gentle cleanser, and unlike harsh facial cleansers, it doesn’t strip your skin of the oils it needs.
Benefits of Oil Cleansing
There are several benefits to using the oil cleansing method. The oil cleansing method can help reduce acne, eliminate oily skin, restore balance to your skin, and more.
Another added benefit of using the oil cleansing method is eliminating toxic chemicals from your skincare routine.
The oil cleansing method is 100% all-natural.
The Best Carrier Oils for Oil Cleansing
Below are the best carrier oils for oil cleansing. When creating your own cleansing oil, use castor oil and at least one other carrier oil from the following list.
Recipe suggestions tailored to your skin type are provided further down in the post.
When purchasing carrier oils, make sure they are of the highest quality. Use 100% pure, organic, cold-pressed, unrefined, hexane-free carrier oils whenever possible.
I’ve listed the comedogenic ratings of each carrier oil below as well. Comedogenic ratings are given to oils based on their tendency to clog pores.
They’re rated from 0 to 5. The lower the rating, the less likely it is to clog your pores, and the higher the rating, the more likely it is to clog your pores.
Castor Oil | Comedogenic Rating 1
Castor oil is excellent for cleansing the skin. I recommend using it regardless of your skin type.
It can be a bit drying, though. If you have dry skin, I still recommend using this oil, but use it sparingly. Recipe suggestions for dry skin are below.
If you have oily skin, this carrier oil is the ideal choice for you. This is what I use, and it’s amazing.
Sweet Almond Oil | Comedogenic Rating 2
Sweet almond oil is excellent for all skin types. It’s especially good for oily skin.
Jojoba Oil | Comedogenic Rating 2
Jojoba oil is suitable for all skin types, but is particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin.
Grapeseed Oil | Comedogenic Rating 1
Grapeseed oil is great for all skin types. It is especially good for oily skin.
Argan Oil | Comedogenic Rating 0
Argan oil is suitable for all skin types and is especially great for aging skin.
Avocado Oil | Comedogenic Rating 3
Avocado oil is really great for dry or aging skin. However, it does have the highest comedogenic rating on this list, so if you have acne-prone skin, I would recommend avoiding this oil.
The Problem With Coconut & Olive Oil
Many people recommend using olive oil or
Coconut oil and olive oil can clog your pores, which is why I don’t recommend using them for oil cleansing.
I personally don’t use
With that being said, I know of people who use coconut and olive oil on their faces and love it, without any issues at all. If that’s you and you really want to use one of those oils instead, go for it.
Otherwise, I would stick to the oils listed here. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and all the oils on this list are great options!
The Best Essential Oils for Oil Cleansing
Essential oils aren’t necessary when creating an oil cleansing mixture. The carrier oils listed above will work just fine on their own.
However, essential oils do provide additional skin benefits.
You can read my post, best essential oils for skin, to learn more about which essential oils might work best in your oil cleansing recipe. A few quick suggestions are below.
- Acne-Prone Skin | tea tree oil, lemon oil, lavender oil
- Aging Skin | frankincense oil, rose oil, myrrh oil
- Dry Skin | ylang ylang oil, sandalwood oil
- Oily Skin | tea tree oil, rosemary oil, neroli oil
When selecting your essential oils, ensure they are 100% pure.
There are many essential oil companies that sell high-quality essential oils. I used to use Young Living oils exclusively, but I just couldn’t afford to use them anymore.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover several brands that sell amazing, high-quality essential oils at very affordable prices.
I love Eden’s Garden, Plant Therapy, and Simply Earth. All of these brands sell high-quality oils at very affordable prices.
If you decide to buy from Simply Earth, you can use the code HAPPYHEARTFREE to receive a free $45 Simply Earth gift card with the purchase of your first recipe box.
If you are unfamiliar with Simply Earth or their recipe box, you can check out previous boxes here.
If you order now with the code above, you will receive the recipe box, a big bonus box, and a $45 Simply Earth gift card—all for only $29.99 (new customers only)!
How to Make Your Own DIY Oil Cleanser
Unfortunately, I don’t have a one-size-fits-all oil cleansing recipe. That’s because everyone’s skin is different, and what works for me may not work for you.
However, I will explain to you how to create your own DIY oil cleanser that works best for your skin.
But first, you’ll need to choose a container to store your oil cleanser. I recommend a 4-ounce glass bottle.
Once you’ve chosen your container, you’ll need to identify your skin type. Is your skin oily, dry, normal, aging, or acne-prone?
Once you have your container, follow the suggestions below according to your skin type.
If you decide to use essential oils in your oil cleanse recipe, I recommend choosing one or two from the list above based on your skin type and adding a total of 10-20 drops per 4 ounces of carrier oil.
Dry Skin
Use one part castor oil and two parts of another carrier oil of your choice, ensuring that you select a carrier oil suitable for dry or sensitive skin.
Oily Skin
Use two parts castor oil and one part of another carrier oil of your choice, ensuring that you select a carrier oil suitable for oily skin or all skin types.
You can click here to get my exact oil cleanser recipe for oily skin.
Aging Skin
Use one part castor oil and two parts of another carrier oil of your choice, ensuring that you select a carrier oil suitable for aging skin or all skin types.
Acne-Prone Skin
Use one part castor oil and one part another carrier oil of your choice, ensuring that you select a carrier oil suitable for acne-prone skin or all skin types.
Normal Skin
Use one part castor oil and two parts of another carrier oil of your choice, ensuring that you select a carrier oil suitable for all skin types.
Once you’ve gathered the carrier oils and essential oils needed, simply add them to the container of your choice and blend well.
Keep in mind that the ratios above are just suggestions. You might need to adjust them once you see how your skin reacts.
If you’d like, you can start with a minimal amount. Try one or two ounces and see how the mixture works for your skin before making a larger quantity.
If your skin starts to become super dry, I recommend reducing the amount of castor oil. If it becomes too oily, I recommend increasing the amount of castor oil.
It will take some time for your skin to adjust to this new way of cleaning. So if you don’t see the results you were hoping for right away, don’t give up. Give it at least 30 days and make adjustments as needed.
How to do the Oil Cleansing Method
To perform the oil cleansing method, add about a dropper full of your oil cleansing mixture to your hands and gently massage it into your skin.
Work it gently into the skin for a few minutes.
Then you’ll want to get a clean washcloth wet with hot water, ring it out, and drape it over your face to allow the steam to loosen up the dirt and bacteria.
Once the washcloth has cooled, use it to gently wipe away the oil from your face. Make sure to remove ALL the oil.
If you have a lot of makeup on, you may need to repeat this process 2 or 3 times.
The first few times are just to remove the makeup, and the last time is to actually cleanse the skin.
Does the Oil Cleansing Method Really Work?
I am a firm believer in the oil cleansing method. Not only did it help me ditch a ton of toxic skincare products, but my skin has never looked better.
It doesn’t work for everyone, but if you’re struggling with skin issues, I encourage you to give it a try.
I wish I hadn’t waited so long to make the switch.
Is the Oil Cleansing Method Suitable for Oily Skin?
Based on my personal experience, I would say absolutely yes! I honestly thought I would have to deal with oily skin for the rest of my life, and now my skin is completely oil-free.
I think my skin was producing so much oil because I was drying it out with soaps and products containing harsh chemicals.
The oil cleansing method helped restore balance and moisture to my skin.
Can Oil Cleansing Cause Breakouts?
When you first start using the oil cleansing method, your skin might go a little berserk. By berserk I mean you might experience some breakouts.
I personally don’t recall experiencing anything particularly unusual. Maybe a pimple here or there. However, I have heard stories of people who experienced severe breakouts when they first started using the oil cleansing method.
Keep in mind that many of these people used
In my opinion, the long-term benefits of the oil cleansing method strongly outweigh the short-term adverse side effects that you might experience as your skin adjusts.
If you do experience breakouts, I recommend sticking with the oil cleansing method for at least 30 days. Most of the time, breakouts are only temporary, and by the end of the 30 days, your skin will likely be looking better than ever.
But that isn’t always the case for everyone. If, after 30 days, your skin hasn’t improved, you may want to adjust the oils you are using. Maybe try a different carrier oil.
If, after another 30 days, your skin continues to experience issues, you may want to consider discontinuing the oil cleansing method altogether. Unfortunately, the oil cleansing method doesn’t always work for everybody.
How Often Should You Oil Cleanse?
You can oil cleanse in the morning and at night if you prefer. The more often you do it, the quicker you will experience the benefits.
When I first started oil cleansing, I oil cleansed every single night. I don’t wash my face in the morning. I usually just rinse it off in the shower or wipe it down with a wet washcloth.
I noticed, very early on, maybe a month or two after I started oil cleansing, that whenever I used soap on my face, my skin would react negatively. It would get extremely oily again.
So I pretty much stuck to oil cleansing for about a year. My skin has balanced out significantly since then, and I can now use soap on my face occasionally without any issues.
It has to be natural soap, though. The only soap I use is African black soap, and I use it only 1 or 2 times a week.
And the only reason I use soap on my face at all is because it’s quicker. Oil cleansing can be kind of time-consuming, and to be honest, sometimes I just get lazy.
Final Thoughts
The oil cleansing method is a simple, nourishing way to cleanse your skin while maintaining its natural moisture balance. By choosing the right oils for your skin type and sticking with a consistent routine, you can gently remove impurities, dissolve makeup, and support a clearer, healthier complexion.
Whether you’re new to natural skincare or looking to simplify your routine, oil cleansing is a gentle and effective ritual your skin will thank you for.
Do you have any info on rosehip seed oil, I use this in my anti-aging blend I make for my facial serum. It does have a tendency to make my hair around my face oily.
I really like rosehip seed oil. It has a low comedogenic rating and it is amazing for the skin!