8 Reasons why you should NOT do the Oil Cleansing Method

What exactly is “The Oil Cleansing Method”? aka “OCM”. The Oil Cleansing Method is a technique in which you would use an oil or a variety of oils to cleanse your face. While many people rave about The Oil Cleansing Method and how great it worked out for them, on the contrary, this technique takes a lot of trial and error to master which is a risky game you will be playing. Everyone has different results as the results may vary. Today, I share why you should NOT try oil cleansing. So let’s jump right in.

Reasons for why you shouldn’t bother with oil cleansing:

• While there are some who swear by the oil cleansing method, there are just as many who started this skin care method and figured out afterwards that it caused their skin to be worst than when started. Whiteheads were the result for many and some ladies found that they had more acne breakouts than what they started with.

• While some have found some success with the oil cleansing method, it took trial after trial to find the “right” (and it’s still trial and error) combination and types of oil. Why go through all of this when there are plenty of all natural or mostly natural oily skin products that WORK well at absorbing the excess oils that cause acne? Check out the Comedogenic List below.

An oil that has a comedogenic rating of 0 is believed to be non comedogenic and will not clog your pores. And a rating of a 5 is basically guaranteed a high chance of breaking out.

• If you don’t do the oil cleansing method correctly (and remember it’s trial and error), you can cause a case of adult acne to develop – especially if you have sensitive skin.

• Most OCM users suggest using a washcloth on your face. Washcloths can carry so many germs, unless you are using a new clean washcloth daily. Bacteria will flourish in moist environments, especially in things such as a wet washcloth. Keep in mind that washing your face with a washcloth that hasn’t been cleaned could spread the bacteria on your skin or even an infection.

• While natural oils are used to “absorb” excess oils, what about cleansing dirt and debris from your skin? You can’t possibly clean your skin with oil. You need to WASH it with a cleanser for your skin type.

• This method can be very time consuming and not guaranteed.

• There will be a “purging stage” that may last up to 2 weeks or more, where the OCM is clearing all your toxins from the inside. (Many freak out about this) My “Purging Stage” was pretty bad and did not go away right away.

• Lastly, many estheticians don’t recommend this method for a good reason. The constituency of natural oils is very thick and CAN clog pores causing milia (small, kind of hard and white pimples). Natural oils in skin care products have been emulsified to make them a lighter texture for all skin types.
Based on my own experience I really wanted this to work. I was extremely skeptical about using this method at first (because I have very oily-acne prone skin), but after doing some extensive research I was informed that you can indeed clean your face with oil. I began with almond oil, then experimented with mixtures such as castor oil, grapeseed oil along with the almond oil in the recommended usage parts. The first few weeks it left my skin feeling amazing, dewy and moisturized, but then came along the “purge”. I was informed the purge will last approximately two weeks, unfortunately my purge lasted two months. I knew something was not right when I had a rash-like trail of small bumps near my chin.

Purging stages

Then it got even worse! I developed cystic acne all over my chin and forehead.

and worse!

I decided to take a trip to the dermatologist and he prescribed me with Aczone (treatment) and Tretinoin ( a form of retina to speed up the cell turnover). FYI- Skin Cell Turnover is every 28 days.  It took about 4 months for my face to finally clear up. This was definitely an experience for me and one I wont try again.

Have you ever tried the OCM Method? Would you? Please share some tips below on your experience.