Health & Support

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 guess I miscommunicated the mineral oil aspect of what I heard. He meant it as a body moisturizer, not necessarily for your face. I did use it on my face but after a couple minutes it just didn't feel right so I washed it off and replaced it with the vitamin E.

Also I did some asking and the reason he suggests mineral oil over any other kind of oil is that it's less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Most of the oils I've seen on this thread are made from plants so they have a better chance of getting a poor reaction. That's probably a lot of where I went wrong, I have multiple plant, food and various other allergies.

Lisamarie is right, don't use mineral oil on your face or any part of your body that has or is prone to acne. I only use it on my legs, stomach and tushy when they're still wet to help move it around. This really works for my skin as I live in an extremely dry and cold climate. I should have put a little disclosure in that the first time, but I didn't think about it, sorry if it's caused any problems! Also like she suggested I am using a evoo/DAB of castor mix once a week followed by a gentle wash to remove any excess oil and it hasn't killed me yet! Everything in moderation right?

weird- i tried this and it worked really well for a couple weeks but then i finished a bottle of oil (dont worry, it wasnt full to begin with :P) and bought more... after a couple days using the new oil, i had wat seems to be an allergic reaction- i checked the bottle to see if maybe i had bought a dif kind of oil then i wanted but it was the same- extra virgin olive oil...

Not all extra virgin olive oils are created equally.  Each kind is made with different olives.

i have recently bought Dr.Hauschka set for problem skin, and they have an oil instead of a face cream, so this makes sense

Update: I've been doing the OCM for a month or two now on my t-zone 2-3 times a week and it's cleared up my blackheads and white heads! Thanks, jewelsmcblah! :) 

AND my adult cystic acne? GONE! I can't credit the OCM for that (unfortunately)... nothing has ever touched it and since age 21 or so it typically had settled in to a pattern of week long exxon valdez disaster around my chin, once a month, around my cycle. If I'm stressed it got worse.

I went on Loestrin Fe 1/20 4-5 months ago for hormone therapy and by happy accident, I noticed my cystic acne had stopped after the first month or so. I've had other (bad) side effects from the Loestrin, mainly in the first 3 months, including a never ending cycle lasting 3 weeks (!!!!! so much fun) but I have to say, on balance, TOTALLY worth it. YEAH!!!!

Anyway.

Good to hear RWD!  I'm glad your cystic acne has cleared up.  I hate those things.

I'm still going.  The left side of my chin has broken out in two small whiteheads but they went away as fast as they came (it's that time of the month).  Now that it's hot out and I'm sweating more I think I need to start washing my face in the morning and doing OCM at night.  Right now I'm rinsing my face with warm water a couple of time a day and doing OCM at night.  I've also started using an electric tooth brush to rub the oils in really well once a week.  It works well for me but may be too harsh for some people's delicate skin.

Anyone else still doing this?

Interesting.  I may have to try this.  I've had problems since I was about 9 years old, so close to 30 years.  Aside from when I was pregnant, it has never really cleared up, and ALL over-the-counter meds just made it worse (including pro-active).  So far, the best thing I've found is just plain old regular mild soap.  I was skeptical, but I've been doing that for probably 3-4 months and it has helped tremendously (but not 100%).  Still have chin issues, which I've been told is very common for women in their 30's, even those who have always had clear skin up to that point.

I have read this whole entire thread and I am still undecided as to whether i should try this or not.  I went to an esthetician for the first time about 3 weeks ago and she ended up doing extractions because my blackheads and whiteheads are so bad right now. I also have cystic acne, no flare ups right now though. I have another facial appt tomorrow.  First time I was there she told me to NEVER EVER use oil on my face since its so incredibly oily. She said to only use oil free products, no ifs ands or buts. If my skin feels dry only use an oil free moisturizer, and so on.

PLEASE all you others who haven't posted here in a while give your updates!

Hi,   I wanted to suggest that the reason those girls were getting the cystic (painful) breakouts a few weeks into the OCM, was probably from the death of d. brevis colony living under the skin (ie their cheek or chin).  (normal pimples and systic pimples are different from each other, in addition, cystic pimples can also have different causes, most common, probably bacterial from a clogged pore, but, the death of skin inhabitants coupled with inflammation can also attract bacteria causing the same type of thing) They, (those women)  think they should quit the OCM, but instead they should be SURE to add TTO to their mixture and continue on, TTO can not only kill bacteria (staph even MRSA staph), fungus and d. brevis (and folliculorum) mites in the oil gland, but it also can almost instantly stop inflammation, and slow the immune system  slightly so there may be less scarring, (think putting cold water on a burn, because yes, the immune system does kill cells if they are damaged, and that can lead to scarring and scar tissue).   I am suggesting that, in general; the individuals whos mixes includes TTO, are going to all have better results than the ones who do not.  TTO cannot be mixed well with water by normal means and may even scatter on the skins surface (microscopically, as it extremely avoids water ), the Olive Oil CAN mix with the TTO and carry it into the hair follicle, and down into the sebaceous gland, killing harmful organisms there, and emulsifying oxidized (hardened) fats and oils.

So I give.. What is TTO?

Original Post by dove2424:

So I give.. What is TTO?

tea tree oil?

Yes, Tea Tree Oil.  But there has to be more consideration on the oil, there has to be a better choice than food grade olive oil (blackheads are considered to be caused by oxidated oils,  oxidated oils become thicker and can cause the clogging, and olive oil can oxidize, it happens). 

But for the TTO, the idea is the same.  A person needs to be able to clean into the pore and find a decent way to do it, TTO is known to provide all of those solutions, its just a matter of getting it into the deep folicle and glands safely and effectively.

I think for safety's sake TTO should be considered like a medicine, as when it was discovered, it was used medically for serious wounds and I believe pre and post surgery disinfection (approx in 1800s.)

That means, you dont just go and expect it to play nice with your skin.  It might cause redness or irritation, one has to be very careful and procede with caution.

yea ive pretty much read the entire thread too.

 

so i tried this last night for the very first time...and i woke up this morning to dewy skin w/ no new breakouts!! =) very exciting.  of course im not 100% sure about it yet cuz ive only done it once but ill keep you guys updated if you want!! 

Tea tree oil is a must for me, but of course I use it for everything.  I even mix TTO with my shampoo to get rid of my dandruff.  I love that stuff.  Too bad it stinks.

UPDATE:

It's been awhile since I've updated.  Oops, sorry.  Anyway, I've found that I need to wash my face in the morning now that I get all sweaty during the day.  I've been using Cetaphil just because I have a butt load of it and it's too time consuming to do OCM in the morning.  Water alone wasn't cutting it.

I still love OCM.  It's still working.  I'm still only using Evoo, Castor, and TTO.  Still using the toothbrush.  Still goin' good!

Not sure if anyone is still reading this, but I thought I'd update anyway.

So, I've stopped using OCM for about 3 weeks now.  I'm going back.  My face is oily, my pimples are back, the redness of old blemishes are back, my pores are clogged, my skin isn't bright and dewey, it's just awful!  Facial cleanser sucks!  Really.  Maybe if I just used regular ole' cold processed soap it wouldn't be so bad but liquid facial cleanser is just awful.  I can't believe I've used that crap for years.  No wonder I always hated my skin.  That stuff wrecked it.

So, Jewels, why did you quit using OCM? What prompted that? I thought it was working well for you? I'm trying this out tonight. Last night I did just EVOO since that's all I had in the house and my skin looked great this morning. I'm excited to try the EVOO with Castor and Tea Tree tonight!

I don't have many towels and it costs like $4 to do a load of laundry in my building.  I was running out of clean towels before I had a load ready and I can't justify spending 4 bucks to clean a few hand towels.

Stupid reason, right?  I'm headed to the dollar store to buy some cheapo hand towels, lol.

LOL! Good idea! I'm definitely trying this tonight. I hope I have as much success as you at this!

Hey Jewels-

Since we both have very oily skin, could you tell me what your full skin care regimen is? Do you use any cleansers other than the oils? Toners? Moisterizers? etc? and if so, how do you apply? Are they all natural? Thanks again for all of your help!

I used my blend of castor 40%/EVOO 60% and a few drops of TTO last night and this morning. My face feels really good but a little oily, I may add a little more castor to the mix tonight to see if that helps with the oilyness, what do you think?

During the summer is was wash with Cetaphil and use Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture in the morning and OCM at night.  I used those products because I already had them.  I was sweating a lot all summer and water only in the morning and OCM at night wasn't cutting it.

I should add that I do not typically wear makeup.  I don't because my face is oily and it's like makeup just slides right off it.  I hear a lot of people who do the oil cleansing method use mineral makeup.  There are a lot of sites out there and some even offer free samples.  If you use tradional makeup (anything from CoverGirl to MAC) it might be worth looking into the mineral kind.  I can't personally vouche for it though.

The only "toner" I've ever used has been witch hazel with tea tree oil and lavender.  Back in my late teens I used tto soap from GNC with the "toner" and that worked quite well at keeping pimples at bay.  They stopped making the soap.  I think it was castile with tto but not sure.  My face smelled funky all the time though.

Yeah, I'd try bumping the castor up a bit.  Maybe like 50/50 and a few more drops of tea tree.  Make sure you are spending plenty of time rubbing it in and wiping it off.  While I was doing I found it was hard to do in the shower and I wasn't getting as good results, so I began doing it after my shower.  That worked much better.

Try to give it at least 2 weeks before you give up on it.  The skin needs to adjust to it.

Just realized I could be a tea tree oil saleswoman.