This may sound like a bold claim, but I have perfected oil cleansing for acne. This is the absolute best way to cleanse your face if you have acne, and my new technique is quick, simple and affordable. If you are nervous about putting oil on your face (because, I get it, I have been there) worry no more. My technique is going to put your mind at ease while healing and nourishing your skin.
But before I tell you exactly how to execute this divine ritual, let’s back up so I can explain why it is so beneficial for our skin. If you would rather watch my video instead of reading my blog, scroll down!
Why oil cleansing for acne?
Think of making a salad dressing. When you add olive oil and sesame oil together, they blend easily. If you then added water it wouldn’t blend together at all. In fact, the water would separate from the oil.
The same thing happens when you add oil to the face. It combines with the oil on the surface of your skin and when you wipe it off, you remove all the dirt and grime along with it. Women have been cleansing their face this way for millennia. But most importantly, when you clean with oil, you nourish and repair the moisture barrier of your skin.
Water-based cleansers, on the other hand, require chemical additives to help them emulsify and remove dirt and grime. Often the chemicals that are added to help the water-based cleansers remove oil, dirt and grime damage the skin’s moisture barrier.
What is the moisture barrier?
The moisture barrier is the top layer of your skin, and it looks a bit like a brick wall. The keratinocytes, or skin cells, are the bricks. A lipid layer of fatty acids and ceramides are the mortar. This brick wall, or moisture barrier, keeps moisture in and toxins out. It also forms the acid mantle, which is a slightly acidic pH that works to kill microbes that might try to penetrate the skin.
When the moisture barrier has been compromised the skin is more prone to redness, irritation, itchiness, break-outs, scarring and infection. It is critical that the moisture barrier is functioning properly to help prevent acne and scarring. Otherwise, acne will become worse and a viscous cycle will ensue.
How is the skin’s moisture barrier compromised?
Most acne products on the market contain chemicals that damage the skin’s moisture barrier.
Foaming cleansers, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, topical antibiotics and medications, toners and treatments can all damage the moisture barrier, leaving the skin more vulnerable to acne, inflammation and scarring. This creates a viscous cycle of making acne worse and worse.
In order to fully heal your acne, you must stop using harmful products on your skin! You also need to heal any internal imbalances that are contributing to acne (that is the real secret).
What should be used to cleanse the skin?
If you have acne, cleanse the skin with jojoba or argan oil. Both oils have a low molecular weight, which means they will not sit on top of the skin and cause congestion. Many oil cleansing sites recommend using coconut oil, olive oil or castor oil to cleanse the skin. In fact, these oils have a very high molecular weight, and they will aggravate your acne.
I then add lavender and tea tree essential oils to my cleanser. Both essential oils have been clinically proven to help heal acne as they have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial actions. I fill a 50ml bottle (almost 2 ounces) with either jojoba or argan oil and then I add 20 drops of both lavender and tea tree essential oil.
What is the amazing new technique?
Use a micro-fiber cloth. This is so amazing, and I am so excited to share it with you. In the past, I have always used two steps when oil cleansing. First I would apply the oil to a facecloth and wash my face. Then I would apply a layer of Manuka honey. I loved this method, but the new method is so much better and easier!
I discovered micro-fiber cloths for the skin a few months ago. A friend of mine gave me a product that her friend was selling, called the ‘Faceoff Cloth’. I didn’t try it out right away, because the cloth claimed it could completely clean your skin with just water. I, of course, was thinking about my moisture barrier and didn’t buy the ‘just cleanse with water’ thing. But then, a few weeks later, I decided to try the micro-fiber cloth with my oil cleansing. Sold.
The facial micro-fiber cloths have a unique weave of thin micro-fibers that extract dirt, grime and oil from the skin. You can actually feel a slight resistance as you wipe the damp cloth across your face. And after cleansing, the cloth is filthy! That always makes me feel great.
Bonus: the micro-fiber cloth can be used for 3 months, which is totally eco-friendly. Just wash with soap after using it, hang it to dry and it will be ready to go the next time you need it!
What is the step-by-step method for this new oil cleansing method?
- Wet the micro-fiber cloth, wring it out
- Add your facial cleansing oil to a corner of the micro-fiber cloth
- Wipe your entire face with the oiled part of the cloth, gently massaging it into the skin
- Then, using the clean corners of the cloth, wipe your face again, removing any remaining traces of dirt, make-up and oil
- Continue wiping until the cloth is clean when you wipe
That’s it! It takes just a few minutes and your skin will not have an oily residue when you have finished wiping with the micro-fiber cloth. I promise.
Please don’t let your acne fear stop you from trying this amazing method to cleanse your skin. It can truly make a huge difference in your skin.
Xo,
Dr. Stacey
P.S. – If you would like to try the Faceoff Cloth (which is the brand I use), go to www.faceoffcloth.com and type in the passcode ‘Beauty’ at checkout for a special Naturopathic Beauty discount!! xo
