My luxurious, non-toxic, budget-friendly skincare routine.
I want to share with you one way that I have reduced my toxin exposure from self-care products. Honestly, I love my routine so much as I truly feel like I am pampering myself in the process!
Read on to find out just what this surprising routine is…
Over the years, I went through SO MANY different brands of facial skincare products trying to find something that I liked and that WORKED for me. I used to have a mix of acne prone skin and SUPER dried out areas.
What I’ve realized, though, is that the types of products I use are not the ONLY factor in improving my skin. One of the best things I did for my skin was to eliminate foods to which I was sensitive, such as dairy. The other thing I did was start emphasizing even more nutrient-dense foods because good skin really does start from within. Our gut and hormonal health are often reflected through our skin. And, since sleep and stress affect everything, I often notice when my sleep habits or stress levels are better or worse through my skin as well.
Our skin is our largest organ and it is one method our body uses to detox. That being said, it can be one of the last areas to show improvement once we start cleaning up our diet and lifestyle. Our skin, being directly exposed to the outside world, can also be impacted by so many different things– the weather, environmental toxins, laundry detergents, foods, stress, sleep habits, sweat, and of course the products we use directly on our skin. We want to be sure that when we start making changes in our health routines that we allow ample time for our skin to respond. There are also times when we will see a slight worsening before we see improvement. Notice I said slight, though. If you make changes that cause your skin to change drastically in a negative way, I would reconsider immediately.
So, let’s get to this super simple, nourishing facial skincare routine I’ve come to love!!
You may not believe this…. It’s called the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). YES- I use OIL to cleanse my face! And it feels downright luxurious! I love that when I get done cleansing, my face feels nourished! It’s not greasy, but it’s also not dry! Most times of the year, I don’t need any other added moisturizers. I tend to be a minimalist and haven’t (yet) found other products that have felt totally worth the effort and price to include on a daily basis for skincare.
The reason the OCM works is because oil dissolves oil. The clean oil you apply to your face will dissolve the dirty and hardened oils already on your face and in your pores. Applying a warm wash cloth afterward helps to open your pores and soften and remove the oils. What’s beautiful is you’re not harshly stripping all the oils from your face, leaving it feeling really dried out. Instead, this method allows the oils your skin naturally produces to come into balance.
Okay, so what oils would I use?
You want to choose an oil or, more likely, a blend of oils to create your cleansing product. You can also add some essential oils to it if you desire. Talk about pampering!
Castor oil makes a great base and can be adjusted up or down based on your skin type. It has both astringent and antibacterial properties. You would use more for oily or acne prone skin, and less for dryer, more sensitive skin. I started out using more and as my skin has adjusted to the OCM, I’ve decreased the amount I use. Do make sure you don’t ONLY use castor oil on your skin, as it is too astringent and drying for that. Choose another oil or two to add to it.
A few options include:
I wouldn’t suggest beginning with coconut or olive oil. These two oils tend to be more problematic than helpful for most people. You will find some people who love them for oil cleansing, though.
Make sure to choose quality oils, like those that I’ve linked. You want to get organic, cold or expeller pressed, and hexane-free oils. Hexane is a solvent used in oil extraction (and for other industrial purposes), which can have negative effects on the workers using the compound and may damage the oil as well.
The oils I personally use.
I use a blend of castor and jojoba oil, with frankincense and myrrh essential oils (I use Young Living Essential Oils, as linked, for their superior quality). I usually use a combination of about 1/4 castor oil and 3/4 jojoba oil. I add them to a 2 or 4 oz dark glass dropper bottle. Depending on which size bottle I’m using, I’ll add 4-6 drops of each essential oil. I’ve also started adding a little black cumin seed oil to my blend as well because it has so many amazing benefits!
How do you perform the oil cleansing method?
- Take about a dime to penny size amount of your oil blend and rub/massage it into your face with clean hands. Oils make a great make-up remover too, so no other products are needed for that.
- After a thorough facial massage, wet a cloth with very warm (though not too hot) water. Place the cloth over your face and allow it to steam. Reheat your cloth if necessary and repeat.
- Gently wipe your face with the cloth and allow your face to air dry. I promise, you’ll love how wonderful your face feels once it dries.
How often?
I use the OCM every night before bed. I don’t feel the need to repeat it in the morning. Sometimes I do add a little of my oil blend to my face in the morning, but I don’t cleanse with it. I just allow my skin to soak it right up!
If you give this method a try, don’t forget to give your skin a week or two to adjust. Again, trust me, I think you’ll find find it quite luxurious! And if after a period of adjustment you don’t feel like your skin is loving it, try a different oil blend or ratio. Mix only small amounts at first until you find what works best for you! I can’t wait to hear how much you love this self-care method! It’s such a great way to get rid of toxins in your skincare routine!
