January 24, 2014
DIY Oil Cleansing Method + Skin Toner
As you probably know, I love making my own cleaning products. I also enjoy making beauty products. Like the cleaning products, they have to really work and be worth the time for me to actually make them and more importantly they have to be safe. Today I’m sharing two quick, easy, and awesome beauty products you can make in a couple minutes with all-natural and safe ingredients you’ll want to put on your face.
Have you heard of the oil cleansing method for washing your face? Have you tried it? I tried it a couple years ago with olive oil and it made my face feel greasy so I went back to my regular face wash. Then a few months ago I read this post from my friend Andrea Dekker. Her approach was different from others that I’ve read about and/or tried and her skin looks amazing. So I went straight to Amazon to order the oils she used and the rest is history. (Please note: I’ve been using this method for almost 3 months and my skin has never looked better.)
You can use a variety of different oils, depending on what you have available to you and what your skin type is. I did a little research on the oil cleansing method and decided to use a combination of castor oil and sunflower oil (per Andrea’s recommendation).
I have combination skin so I mix up 2 parts castor oil to one part sunflower oil. If you have normal skin you can mix up equal parts castor and sunflower oils. If you have dry skin, mix up 3 parts sunflower to one part castor oil. The sunflower oil is more of a moisturizing oil and the castor oil is more of a cleansing oil. The castor oil breaks up any oil and makeup on your face and gently exfoliates as well – who knew!
Here’s how I use the oil cleansing method:
- Wet a washcloth with water as hot as I can stand and hold on my face to steam my pores.
- Add a dime-sized amount of the oil to a very hot, wet (but rung out) washcloth.
- Rub into my skin to completely cleanse skin.
- Rinse the washcloth, use the clean/rinsed washcloth to rinse my face, rinse again if necessary, and pat dry.
That’s it and it’s really like a spa treatment – you’ll love it!
I pour the oils into a small travel size container – mine are from the toiletry sample/travel section in Target. I just guess-timate the amount, pour, give it a little shake and that’s it. It’s so easy! I added a little washi tape and a clear label from my label maker to make it a little cuter. I keep one bottle of the cleanser in the shower and the decorated one stays on my bathroom sink. I also added a basket with washcloths to the counter to make washing my face even easier. I let the cloth dry overnight and toss it in the wash. I haven’t found that the oil leaves any residue whatsoever on the washcloths, but I wash all my white towels on HOT with this recipe of detergent and I use oxygenated bleach powder to keep them white.
If you want to take it a step further you can mix up a little (or in this case transfer to a different container) a little all-natural skin toner. Witch Hazel is a natural astringent – it works best on normal, combination, and oily skin. I always have witch hazel on hand because I use it in homemade wipes and hand sanitizer and I love it as a toner. Witch hazel has an interesting scent – not great, not terrible. I add less than a drop of peppermint essential oil (therapeutic grade) to my container to add a little refreshing scent and tingle.
Dawn Says
I use witch hazel all the time, only cheap witch hazel smells kind of gross. Thayers brand found at health food stores smells good actually but it’s significantly more then a drug store price.
Leanne Says
Thanks! I need to try this! Pinned!
JaxG Says
I made a new year’s resolution to start DIYing my cleaning and beauty regime, and I just started oil cleaning this last week. Wow. I’m in love. I have always had sensitive, dry skin, but with T-zone problems (I’m 36, and it’s been the same since middle school!). This is the only facial cleaning method I’ve tried (minus one waaaay too expensive one I bought ten years ago while feeling flush) that doesn’t make my face feel stinging or dry afterwards. After a week I had no more blackheads on my chin, which I had long ago decided were permanent. I use just apricot oil (I tried it mixed with castor but found it drying) and sometimes I put a combo of apricot, argan and a couple drops of rosehip on afterwards as a moisturizer. It feels really nice! I can’t remember the last time I was excited about a beauty “product,” but this I can rec wholeheartedly to other people.
Your site is cool! I’ve been enjoying checking out the articles over the last couple weeks. Thanks for all you do. 🙂
Elizabeth Says
Love this! Glad you are sharing some more eco-friendly ideas!! 🙂
michelle Says
I use witch hazel as a toner as well, but I mix it with the juice of 1 lemon and a little water in the same Target container. The lemon juice is a brightener. My skin feels great!
Tamara Says
Michelle, I like your lemon juice suggestion. What’s your ratio of witch hazel, lemon juice and water?
Jaime ♥ Raising up Rubies Says
this sounds so awesome… just put the ingredients on my list, can’t wait to try!
Heather Says
So what do you use as a moisturizer?
Chris Says
My son has been struggling with acne for about the past 12 months with it getting steadily worse month after month- even on antibiotics and prescription cream! It has been 3 days of Oil Cleansing and I am completely blown away! Thank you so much for sharing!
Yami Richardson Says
Do you wash your face twice a day with the oil?
Patty Says
I have never used the oils before but I am going to try them. At 66 and having had some health issues and poisons put into my body, my skin, even after several years, looks old and tired, no color, no life. It can’t be worse than it is now, I still have breakouts. Anyway, I have used Witch Hazel since I was living with my grandmother. She used it for everything, now I do. Witch hazel is a wonderful astringent, disinfectant and it is great for bruising and bumps. It takes soreness out of sprains and all kinds of muscular injuries. It is soothing and is great for headaches when put on a washcloth that has been in the freezer, it helps remove the strain of a headache, also good to put on the back of the neck. I won’t be without Witch Hazel, ever. I carry some in my purse, in my car and it is under both sinks and in the medicine cabinet.
Andrea Says
I have rosacea, so I try to stay away from using hot water on my face and certain products that might irritate. Any idea how this might affect it? Thanks!
Becky Says
Post authorYou could still use this with warm water….
Rebecca Says
I can’t wait to try this and will be placing an order soon for the oils. I’m wondering though where you got the wire basket for your washcloths? I’ve looked high and low and can’t find anything like it.
cheryl Says
GREAT IDEA! Why couldn’t you use 100% sunflower oil in the baking aisle?
Becky Says
Post authorYou could use that 🙂
Caroline Says
I started to use this oil method yesterday…..i can see the difference and my skin feel soft and brighter……but i used cooking sunflower oil because i don’t have olive oil at the moment.is it safe?
Becky Says
Post authorDefinitely! If it’s food safe it’s face safe 🙂
teejay Says
hi.i am glad that you came up with this easier ocm.this can save much time and effort compared to the conventional one.may i ask what comes after your toning with witch hazel?what do i need to use as a moisturizer?after your reply i would start this right away.thank you.God bless!
Becky Says
Post authorI use a purchased moisturizer 🙂
Erica Says
I am in the first stages of using the oil cleansing method and am trying to ge the right balance of oils. I am very excited however this causes me to overthink decisions related to the protection of my skin. I understand the 1st step which is oil cleansing and the 2nd step is toning, but after toning do I put oil on my skin for the moisturizer (3rd step)? Thanks!!!
Teresa Says
I agree with you. I use the OCM face wash and my face has never looked better. Even if I do say so myself. It is softer and clearer than it has ever been. I also use toner but will be making your version soon. I am almost finished with the one that I had made. And I use a little homemade moisturizer with a few drops of Young Living Frankincense essential oil and a few drops of Melaleuca Alternifolia (better known as Tea Tree Oil). And I can tell when I don’t use this particular face wash as my makeup doesn’t go on as smoothly and looks cakey to me. And I start breaking out. The OCM cleared up my face. My face wasn’t broken out all that much but I do still break out now and then. I use Castor Oil and Coconut Oil. Love It!
sh Says
Whr I get witch hazel in india
Becky Says
Post authorI’m not sure – maybe a drugstore?
Melanie Says
I have rosacea which means I have to be very careful about the products I use on my face and I have to adjust my skin care routine based on what my skin is doing that freaking day. I do enjoy oil cleansing when I am wearing full face makeup but when I use it I use straight coconut or a coconut argan mix, I use a double cleanse method, which means using a foaming cleanser after the oil cleanse. I use witch hazel often but I have found a micellar water (Simple, from Target) works well when my face is reaaaally having a flare up.
I also use rosewater during the winter as a toner when my skin is dry. It provides gentle toning while also providing AHA to counter the redness and flaking that happens for me during the winter. I will mix up half rosewater and half witch hazel when I am combination.
I am so glad to see you use this stuff too 🙂 People tilt their heads at me when I say I make my own skin care products, but with my skin, it’s been a requirement!
I also use the korean layering method when applying moisturizers and serums. 😉
ytc Says
Cn I use baking soda and lemon paste before ocm???? I hv bad scar
Becky Says
Post authorSorry, I’m not sure…
Autumn L Chandler Says
Do you use this morning and night? And also do you user the toner both times as well? Thanks!
Becky Says
Post authorYou can use it as you’d use normal face wash with toner 🙂