How did Oil Cleansing begin?
Did you know oil cleansing dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans?
They would rub olive and other oils all over their skin and then scrape it off, along with all the dirt and grime of the day, with an instrument called the stigil. They would then jump in the bath and soak off. Soap was not produced on a wide scale until the Industrial era so people made do with natural oils. As well as cleansing, oils such as almond and olive were also used as facial oils.
They were anti aging, softening, improved complexion and, combined with honey, helped fade spots, according to Pliny the Elder. The ancients certainly knew what they were talking about! Before the Greeks and Romans, the Egyptians used castor, olive and sesame oils in their beauty regimens and the Aboriginal people used emu oil.
What is Oil Cleansing?
As you may have gathered, oil cleansing is simply cleansing with an oil. It is based on the principle of like dissolves like:
- Oil dissolves Oil.
Today, we have access to a huge variety of fabulous facial oils to cleanse dirt and makeup off our faces, which is a much gentler and more skin-loving way of removing makeup and dirt than harsh, chemical-laden makeup removers and cleansers. The oil easily dissolves oil-based makeup, mascara and foundation, leaving your face conditioned and replenished. Even if you don't use it to remove makeup, massaging oil into your skin before bed is a lovely routine for clean, soft and nourished skin. You will be guaranteed to wake up with a soft, plumped, dewy complexion in the morning.
Is Oil Cleansers better than Makeup Removers?
Typically we would use harsh chemical makeup removers and skin cleansers (full of chemicals too if you read the label) which rub off your skin's natural oils along with the makeup and dirt. This is disrupts the skin's natural balance and leaves our skin feeling tight and dry. We would then apply a moisturiser (more chemicals if it's a conventional store-bought one) to try and moisturise and replenish our skin.
Cleansing with oil cuts out all toxic baddies and wipes away dirt and makeup while nourishing our skin, all in one swoop.The oil dissolves and loosens dirt and impurities on our skin and in our pores; once wiped away it leaves your face clean, moisturised and glowy, replenished with natural, good-for-you oils.
Oils For Different Skin Types
Not all oils are suitable for all skin types, however. Depending on your skin type, use the following guide for creating a cleansing oil blend.
Oil Cleansing for Dry Skin:
Try heavier, more nourishing oils to deeply moisturise your skin, such as:
- Olive Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Apricot Kernel Oil
- Rosehip Oil
- Camellia Seed Oil
- Squalane
- Meadowfoam Oil
- Baobab Oil
You can add in a drop of rose, geranium or lavender essential oil for extra nourishment.
Oil Cleansing for Mature Skin
For mature skin you want to get as many nutrients and good oils in as possible so blend together multiple oils. Try these nourishing oils:
- Avocado Oil
- Olive Oil
- Rosehip Oil
- Pomegranate Seed
- Sea Buckthorn Berry
- Apricot Kernel
- Carrot Seed Oil
- Squalane
- Borage
- Evening Primrose
- Red Raspberry Seed
- Meadowfoam Oil
- Baobab Oil
Add in some rose, frankincense or myrrh essential oil or even some vitamin E oil.
Oil Cleansing for Sensitive Skin
One would use gentle oils, like:
Chamomile essential oil, lavender and geranium are soothing additions for sensitive skin types.
Oil Cleansing for Oil Skin
Avoid coconut, avocado, olive and castor oil as these oils may clog pores and cause increased oiliness and skin problems. Rather try lighter oils such as:
Add in some tea tree, lavender oil or grapefruit essential oil to combat oiliness and pimples. Follow a 'thirds' ratio for making up your oil cleansing blend. For example: 1/3 jojoba, 1/3 grapeseed, 1/3 sweet almond + 1 drop of essential oil.
Oil Cleansing for Normal Skin
Technically you could use any oil, but these oils are great:
Oil Cleansing for Combination Skin
For combination skin, consider:
Follow a fourths ratio of oils, eg. 1/4 argan, 1/4 red raspberry, 1/4 hemp and 1/4 tamanu, plus any essential oils. You can also add in some vitamin E oil.
Oil Cleansing for Problem Skin
Try oils blended with antibacterial and acne-fighting tea tree and lavender or even lemon. Jojoba oil is a good choice as a light carrier oil. Meadowfoam oil is also nice, as is red raspberry seed oil, evening primrose and borage seed oil.
