Oil Cleansing Myths + The Truth Behind This Beauty Trend

This is a 2-part series on the Oil Cleansing Method. This post is all about the oil cleansing myths you may be believing (they might be surprising!) and the truth behind it all. Check out Part 2 to find out how to oil cleanse and the OCM mistakes you might be making.

Cleansing your skin with oil isn’t just a topic that’s trending, it’s truly the key to clean, balanced and healthy skin. Several skin issues people experience can be significantly improved by simply cleansing the skin properly. Because we’re such BIG believers in the power of the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM), we want to disprove the myths you may be believing and give you the truth behind this beauty trend.

"Soaps, scrubs + suds will cleanse my skin best."

Conventional cleansers, soaps and scrubs are actually loaded with ingredients that can worsen sensitive skin conditions, cause premature aging and aggravate acne. Sulfates, phthalates, fragrances + PEG compounds are irritants and allergens which strip skin of its own natural (and very beneficial!) sebum production.

Skin that's stripped with scrubs, harsh cleansers or chemicals (which sadly, is often the go-to skincare protocol) can go into a state of shock and start to over produce sebum to make up for the lack of oil. The outcome? Excess oils and even more acne. Cleansing with these kinds of ingredients daily disrupt the skin's delicate acid mantle and is not only damaging to the skin, but dangerous to your health.

One way to ensure you’re cleansing sans chemicals and damaging detergents (aka surfactants + sulfates), is to start oil cleansing. Instead of damaging skin, you'll be delivering nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants and beneficial fatty acids to strengthen and rebuild skin.

"Oil clogs my pores and makes me breakout."

First of all, we want you to know, we validate your feelings. And still, we want to encourage you to give the OCM a second chance. While certain oils may not beneficial for your skin type, several actually are! It's super important to use the correct oils for your specific skin conditions - as well as the ratio of castor oil (deeply cleansing) to other nourishing carrier oils. The combination of these oils help to restore balance and strengthen the skin barrier, without disrupting your skin’s pH levels. We've been blending oils for years to find your skin's sweet spot, so you can finally kiss your oil-blotting sheets goodbye.

Oil-rich skin? Look for a cleanser made with a blend of oils (try tamanu oil, sunflower oil and jojoba oil) known to detoxify + dissolve impurities without stripping the skin and forcing it to over-produce sebum (which can lead to a cycle of ongoing breakouts). Dry or mature skin? Apricot kernel oil, rosehip seed oil, and avocado oil are age-defying oils known to detoxify the skin + deeply cleanse skin without over-drying, so you're left with a complexion that's clean and nourished. And normal or combination skin types respond best to a blend of balancing + purifying oils such as pomegranate seed oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil.
 

"More is better."

Over cleansing (especially with a chemical-filled cleanser) can actually breakdown + weaken the skin barrier - leading to dry, dehydrated and damaged skin. So when it comes to cleansing, less is more. Even with the OCM this is a potential mistake. Over cleansing won’t actually control your acne. Cleansing just once a day before bedtime is sufficient for healthy, balanced skin.

You may have heard you must cleanse your skin in the morning, or maybe you want to feel clean and sweat-free after your sunrise workout session, but washing your face first thing in the morning may not be the best option for balanced skin. Start your mornings by simply splashing your skin with warm water, spritz this antibacterial mist on an organic cotton round and sweep across skin to cleanse + refresh.

Our advice? Let your skin guide you. Take note of how your skin feels after cleansing. Does your skin feel tight? Alternate between the deep cleansing oil with a gentle, mild goat milk cleansing bar and spritz some complexion mist to replenish skin + boost hydration after cleansing if your skin is still thirsty. Skin feeling soft and balanced? Keep up the good work, you’ve found a cleansing routine that works for you!