Oatmeal
★★★★★
(London, Ontario)
03/26/2013
Oatmeal and Baking Soda Scrub
★★★★★
(Chicago, Il)
05/14/2010
(Lorimor, Ia, Usa)
05/15/2010
Tee, I just grab a handful of oatmeal from the box and mix in enough baking soda until it kind of looks good. I keep it in a container and when I'm in the shower I just rub this into my face like any facial scrub. I do this twice a day, but I have pretty tough skin and also very oily. If you have any acne, it may tingle a little. I love the results! I'm also trying it on my cellulite on my legs. We'll see?!?
(Lorimor, Ia, Usa)
05/15/2010
Tee, I forgot! I don't let it sit on like a mask. I just rub it in good and then rinse off. Hope it works for you!
Oatmeal Scrub
★★★★★
Oil Cleansing Method
★★★★★
Oil Cleansing Method
★★★★★
I have always had perfect skin... and then I had my baby who's now 2 years old...and suddenly I have skin like a teenager. This has been pretty rough for me, considering I am over 30 years old. I've always had great skin and suddenly having to deal with this has been difficult.
When I became pregnant I more or less swore off all the store bought skin care. Which is ironic because I am a cosmetician and make-up artist.
Oil Cleansing has been AMAZING for me...it took a little while to find the right combinations of oils for my skin. I have pretty normal skin that borders on slightly dehydrated. I'm a make-up artist, so I wear make-up almost every day. I'm not a fan of concealer/foundations so I rarely wear those but I ALWAYS wear at least mascara and blush. I hate having to use a make-up remover and then a face wash - I want it gone in one step. I've also always had black-heads on my nose. Tiny little black/brown/grey dots on the sides of my nose...driving me crazy.
So my mix (in a 3 oz bottle) is approx. 40% Castor Oil, 30% Olive Oil, 30% Coconut Oil, a few drops of Rose Hip Seed Oil, 3 or 4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil, and about 10 drops of Sage Essential Oil. I put about 3 pumps of this oil onto my dry face and massage for about 3-5 minutes. Then I soak a washcloth in hot hot water and squeeze out the excess. I bring it to my face and let the steam rise up out of the washcloth and as the washcloth cools I bring it closer to my face until I have it pressed against my face while still hot (but not too hot). I leave it there for about a minute then gently wipe the oil off. I repeat this process another 2 times until all traces of oil are removed from my face.
The week before my period I will add an extra couple of drops of either Sage Essential Oil into the mix in my hand or a couple of drops of Lemon Essential Oil for extra deep-cleaning.
After I pat my face dry I will use ACV as a toner. I moisturize with a mixture of about 60% Jojoba Oil, 39% Coconut Oil and 1% Sage Essential Oil. I use pure Olive Oil or Jojoba Oil around my eyes, and then seal that in with an organic home-made lip balm (you can use a store brought brand, just make sure it's all-natural/organic and free of mint).
I am completely wrinkle free, have an even and bright complexion. I don't wear sunscreen (as I don't believe in those chemicals), except when I go to the beach, in which case I *may* wear an all-natural sunscreen that uses Physical Sunscreens (Zinc Oxide/Titanium Dioxide) and a wide-brimmed hat.
The break-outs I've been dealing with are clearing up, THANKS TO THIS WEBSITE. I have been doing the Turmeric Masks, drinking ACV as well as using it as an astringent twice a day, I just started incorporating Blackstrap Molasses into my routine as well (internally AND externally). I just started with Organic, High-Lignan Flax Seed Oil from the refridgerated section. I am drinking at least 8 cups of water a day (I have been for a while) and am a pretty healthy eater...most of my meals are cooked at home from scratch and we rarely eat junk (we follow the 80/20 rule - healthy at least 80% of the time).
Thank you Earth Clinic (and everyone who contributes) for teaching me how to holistically take better care of me and my skin!
Oil Cleansing Method
★★★★★
[11/21/2009: Editors Note: The author of Oil Cleansing Method just notified us that the entire post had been copied without permission from her website. For the original article on the Oil Cleansing Method, please refer to: http://beauty-treatments.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_oil_cleansing_method]
(Binghamton, New York)
04/28/2009
★☆☆☆☆
I tried the oil cleansing method for about a month. It did not work for my skin, fairly balanced, normal skin with a slightly oily T-zone. I combined olive oil and castor oil (1/2 a drop of each), applied to my face, then steamed my face with a hot wash cloth for about 5-10 minutes. I then used the damp wash cloth to wipe away the excess oil. I did this process 1x per day at night and used olive oil soap in the morning. My skin absolutely glowed...for four days. AFTERWARDS, my skin broke out like never before! Hard cystic acne that hurt to the touch! Yikes!!! I actually contemplated going to the dermatologist it was so bad! I figured I was using the wrong combination of oils for my skin, so then I tried jojoba and castor oil for three weeks. This oil combination improved the condition of my skin, but not significantly.
I have since discontinued use of the oil cleansing method as I find it does not work for my skin. I have resumed my use of oil free cleansers and my skin is starting to clear up, however it still has quite a way to go before it returns to its "normal state"!
I still use jojoba oil as a light moisturizer for my face with good results.
(Fort Wayne, In)
02/25/2016
★★★★★
I actually had very similar results with OCM as my skin looked fabulous for a week or so then out of no where it was break out city. It was worse than ever before. I find that when mixing organic jojoba oil with my essential oils - lavender, tea tree, geranium, frankincense or a combination -my skin is much more clear and radiant. I also use an organic facewash and ACV with equal parts water as astringent.
(Chicago, Il)
09/28/2009
★☆☆☆☆
Well I wasn't so lucky with the oil cleansing method. I wanted to know is there any kind of tool or product that can just suck the junk from under my skin. I saw a pore cleanser advertised a few years ago any recommedations? The stuff is like stuck in my skin til i squeeze it out and it stinks bad. I also have patches of these tiny bumps they never seems to go away on there own. Is there a name for this condition or is it just acne?
(Austin, Texas, USA)
09/30/2009
★☆☆☆☆
the oil cleansing method did did not work for me either. it ended up making my skin drier (i guess it really does remove oil) and also gave me cystic pimples too.
what helped me a lot - was to start using a tiny bit of baking soda and a wet face to exfoliate. then i use very diluted ACV afterwards to balance my skin back out.
after a few days of this my cystic pimples started clearing up. some are taking longer.
i think that why the oil cleansing method doesn't work for everyone is that you are actually massaging the oil into the pores and some pores are too small for it to come back out very well...
even with the steaming hot washcloth i still has this problem :(
i thought about steaming my face to try and get rid of the cystic pimples and it did help when i did it with water alone or a little ACV over a pot and then used a washcloth on my skin - or did the baking soda afterwards...
(Nw, Ohio)
10/06/2009
For those of you that have experienced acne breakouts from the oil cleansing method, this is really a detoxing period or reaction brought on by doing the OCM. What is happening is the oils are pulling toxins and debris out of the layers of the skin. If you keep it up it will eventually subside because it will have pulled all the gunk out over time. Also, to the one who used soap in the morning and OCM in the evening...using the soap is just defeating the purpose of doing OCM. What I do is do the OCM in the evening which also helps remove any makeup that was worn, then I just use a warm wet washcloth in the morning. Overnight there hasn't been much to contaminate my skin to warrant using much else on my face and it doesn't strip the skin of its natural oils.
(Nashville, Tn)
10/12/2009
★★★★★
For a few months now I have been using this method and it has really worked for me. My skin is softer, smoother, and is clearer. I have always have problem skin and now at 36 yrs old I feel like I have found something that really works for me and is less expansive.
In the morning, I clean my face with witchhazel using cotton ball; then use warm damp cloth over face and neck. Sometimes I use BORAX when my skin feels oily, just sprinkle a little and add water to make paste, then rub on face and splash it off with warm water. The borax paste also works like an exfoliant.
At night, I rub VCO on face and neck. Wipe off with tissue, then use warm/damp cloth.
After cleaning, I moisturize with jojoba oil both day and night. In the daytime, I add sunscreen to my routine.
Recently I have tried the mask using honey and milk (a recipe I found here on EC) and I love the way the mask makes my skin feels. Soft and the lines are less noticeable.
I used VCO as a moisturize and found it was not hydrating enough for my skin. But I love it a cleanser. I even take 1 TBSP VCO internally every day and I feel like I have more energy and my skin feels clearer also. Oh, one more thing, yes, I did break out during the first week of trying this method. I think it was due to the impurities coming out of my skin.
Good luck and hang in there if you do break out some. Your skin is just detoxing itself.
(Everywhere, Usa)
06/23/2011
★☆☆☆☆
(Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
01/18/2012
Be really careful with the oil cleansing method. It depends on what kind of skin you have. I have bad skin, always prone to breakouts and lots of oiliness. My skin just does not naturally slough off the dead skin cells and oil accumulation the way it's supposed to. I was really excited try the oil cleansing method. I used a mix of castor oil and grapeseed oil. For two weeks my skin glowed. Then disaster!
I had the worst case of cystic acne I've ever had in my entire life (take it from somene who's had to deal with zits her entire life, and still I have never had anything like this). It happened on my chin, along with lots of tiny little bumps elsewhere on my face. It took 4 months before the acne finally calmed down, and another 6 months for it to clear completely. It's now been over a year and I'm still wary about breakouts on my chin.
I use a simple oatmeal soap to wash with, I tone with alcohol-free witch hazel and I moisturize with a light cocoa butter moisturizer. I use a small amount of moisturizer, just enough to hydrate my face. My face is quite clear now. I try to drink lots of water. The oil cleansing method was just not for me. It's for people who don't need to wash their faces that often because their skin naturally sloughs off the dead cells quickly and for those whose faces don't produce excessive amounts of oil to begin with. All I felt after a couple of weeks was buildup on my skin. By this I mean I would be rinsing my face with water and when I rubbed it gently, it felt rough and grimy. I persisted with OCM, thinking that eventually it would help. It did not, it made things worse. Believe me, I used warm washcloths and steamed and wiped gently until all trace of oil was gone after each cleansing, and then showered after. So no, I did not leave traces of oil on my face. And I only did it three times a week, in the evenings so it wasn't excessive. The oil cleansing method is not for everyone. I definitely need to wash my face every day to take away a day's worth of makeup, dirt and pollution. Gentle cleansing is the key, not harsh soaps and alcohol loaded toners but not OCM either, at least not for someone with my skin type.
(London)
04/11/2012
★☆☆☆☆
I tried the oil cleansing method using 50% olive oil and 50% castor oil. I started breaking out (where before I had not much of anything). It continues now even though I haven't put any oil on my face for the last 3 days. I woke up with yet another spot forming.
I wanted to try it because I used to use Ernest Laszlo's oil on my face ages ago. It left my face in such good condition - but it was expensive to keep doing that regime. I was originally pleased to find this method again, only that it really doesn't work - at least the oils that I'm using don't work. If anyone knows the oils that were in The Ernest Laszlo bottle, please let me know. Otherwise, beware!
Now, I just use ACV to target the spots, and it's taking time to deal with them. I didn't have so much before this oil cleansing - so I feel like I'm backpeddling big time!
(London, Uk)
04/11/2012
Active Phelityl Oil is one of Erno Laszlo's original products and was formulated by himself. It consists of ten different oils with different properties, I. E.
Chaulmoogra Oil = calming, anti-inflammatory
Safflower Oil = mattifying
Apricot Kernel Oil = Omega 3 fatty acids
Lecithin = anti-oxidant
Avocado Oil = Vitamin A
Grapeseed Oil = Vitamin E
If anyone else knows the other oils, do let us know. Thanks!
Oil Pulling
★★★★★
Oil Pulling
★★★★★
(Sav, Jamaica)
07/29/2009
Oil Pulling
★★★★★
Oil Pulling
★★★★★
half of ripe avocado,
tablespoon of honey,
heaped tablespoon of oat bran
tablespoon of ACV
Mix well, and take a dollop of the mix, rub over face, neck (avoid sensitive eye area) for about 10 min. This leaves my skin feeling tingly fresh as well as so soft and moisturized. N.B While face is still damp apply moisturizer (coconut oil, or a mixture of coconut oil and aqueous cream). This is essential as it forms a barrier and helps trap the moisture in your skin. I believe you should see favourable results after a week. I use the mask only at night through and about twice a week. Enjoy! I put any leftover mask mixture in a tight container and place in fridge, but for no more that a couple of days. It usually keeps. Funny enough I also started oil pulling at night before going to bed, and then brushing. This morning I woke up as I had just brushed my teeth!
Olive Oil
★★★★★
(Chicago, Il)
04/15/2010
I want to start back using olive oil for my acne and scars. Does it really last forever?? Cuz I have some that I've had for about almost a year. I dont know how to tell if oil has went bad. I also have some old sesame seed oil that I want start back oil pulling with. But I dont knw if it's still good. How do you tell if your oils are no longer any good????
Olive Oil Facial Massage, Castor Oil Mosturizer
★★★★★
(Lansdowne, Pa)
03/26/2012
I too have been using the oil cleansing method for about three weeks now. I use grapeseed oil/castor oil or sweet almond oil/castor oil combination and then moisturize with sweet almond oil or castor oil afterwards. I did not have breakouts before and I did not pay much attention until last Friday I had to take a second look in the mirror. My face was glowing. My husband always told me that my skin looked wonderful but the oil cleansing method certainly made me take a second look at my face. I only massage the oil on my face for about 2 to 5 minutes maybe three times a week.
Olive, Coconut, Avocado Oil
★★★★★
Omega 3 Oils, Magnesium
★★★★★
Omega Oils: 3, 6, and 9
★★★★★
(Abbotsford, Bc, Canada)
09/08/2012
I've also noticed an improvement in my skin since taking Omega 3 oils. I wasn't really taking them for skin but I noticed that some old body acne that wouldn't go away was starting to recede. I've been taking them for a month now.
I'd recommend 2 things: 1- make sure you're taking a pharaceutical grade for best results. And 2- look into mega dosing. I'm on a 2 week kick of taking 10-15 grams of Omega 3's daily with no adverse affects; well some gas and bloating but I can live with it. North Americans are so deficient in Omega oils that I think it's beneficial to mega dose when starting out, unless your body has adverse effects. Then taper off to normal dosing after a while.
