Living Naturally Tip #2: 'Wash' Your Face with Oil

Don't run away screaming!

It's a real thing to clean your face with oil, and it makes real sense. Your face produces oil, and like dissolves like. So massaging oil onto your face will dissolve excess oil, bind up dirt (there's a pH thing going on here), and moisturize at the same time.

So, what, you just rub oil on your face?

Well, yes.

The type of oil varies, and the best way to discover your skin's favorite is to experiment a little. Start with oils you have at home: olive, coconut, nut oils, grapeseed, sesame, castor, even argan or jojoba if you have it for your hair. Use single plant oils so you know how each reacts. (You can blend later). Use organic whenever you can, as this is sensitive skin.

Wet a washcloth with warm water and rub your face to soften and warm it up. Pour a little oil in your hand. (This is not an exact science. Too little and you won't feel oil smoothing around your face. Too much and it'll drip so you'll have to clean the bathroom. You'll figure it out.)

Then, "wash" your face with your hands! Massage the oil in and enjoy the pampering.  Rewet the washcloth and hold it over your face to 'steam' it a little, when you're done. Then use the washcloth to wipe excess oil and dirt away (choose a washcloth that can become your dedicated oil cloth.) Enjoy your smooth, healthful glow. You can even use a little more to re-moisturize after wiping your face off.

Benefits to oil washing include: reduced blemishes, as blocked or dried oil ducts are dissolved. Moisturized skin. Thorough makeup removal. No dryness or stripping of skin thanks to soap removing all oil. Happiness with your new, crunchy, skill.

My Favorite Blends

Makeup Remover
1 part organic UNTOASTED Sesame oil
1 part (or less) Castor oil

Rub them together in your palms and apply. Pay attention to eyes and lashes to get makeup off. Sometimes I'll dab a cotton swab on the oil before I start massaging to clean off my eyes, sometimes I forget and use my gentlest fingers. It's a good idea to remove contact lenses first.

Exfoliating Oil Wash
1 part Coconut oil
1 part (or less) baking soda
a drop or 2 of essential oils, optional

Scoop the Coconut oil into your storage jar. Soften the Coconut oil if your house is cool by placing it in a warm place -the stove, a heating vent, near a lightbulb. Add the baking soda and essential oils if using, then mix to form a paste. I keep this one in the shower.

Exfoliating Oil Wash