Natural beauty…

I could spend all day in my local Organic Harvest, especially in the soaps/oils isle. No kidding. This week I purchased ingredients to make homemade face wash.

I’ll admit it. Up until about a month ago I used Proactiv face cleanser. It worked, left my face feeling clean, all that good stuff. But the active ingredients in Proactiv were basically bleaching my skin. Why didn’t I stop using it sooner? I’ll blame this one on my own stupidity.

So, here we are with a natural face-cleansing regimen that I like even better.

Homemade face wash… The oil-cleansing method (OCM)  (found at Simplemom.net)

Ingredients:

• Castor Oil (I purchase mine at Organic Harvest)
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) (purchase at any grocery store) 

Directions:

1.  Make your cleanser: There are 3 different combinations for this recipe depending on your skin type. Choose the best fit for your skin, mix the oils in a small bottle, and shake it up. Simple-dimple.

• Normal skin: start with a one-to-one ratio of castor oil and EVOO
• Acne-prone or oily skin: try three-parts castor oil to one-part EVOO
• Dry skin: start off with one-part castor oil to three-parts EVOO

Experiment and find what ratio works best for your skin.

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2.  Gently rub it in: Pour a quarter-sized drop into your palm, rub your hands together, and slowly massage it into your face. Do not splash your face with water first, apply to dry skin. Don’t scrub – just rub.

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3.  Steam your face: Wet a wash cloth with hot water and put over your face until it’s about room temperature. This is steaming out your pores, removing the impurities and dead skin cells. It will take a minute – lay back and enjoy.

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4.  Wipe off the oil: Take the wash cloth, rinse and wring it, then gently wipe off the oil. Your face will feel softer immediately!

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So you’re thinking…

“You want me to clean my face with oil?!?!”  Think about it this way – When skin’s natural oils are removed, the body’s reaction is to compensate by producing more oil, much like shampoo does with our hair. Or if your skin is dry, it’s because all the oil has been stripped away, and your body doesn’t compensate by replenishing it.

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If you’re still not convinced, here’s a quote from acne.org…

“Oil dissolves oil. One of the most basic principals of chemistry is that “like dissolves like.” The best way to desolve a non-polar solvent like sebum/oil, is by using another non-polar solvent similar in composition: other oils. By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables and fruit that heal, protect and nourish your skin. When done properly and consistently, the OCM can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne–while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.”

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Enjoy the benefits! I have only been using this method for a few days and my skin already feels softer and looks brighter. I do this once a day, at night just before bed.

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My nightly routine... pure castile soap, witch hazel, OCM (in that order).

Other Natural face-cleansing ideas…

• Witch Hazel – this is a natural toner that is a blend of oils & teas. It reduces redness and blotchiness, removes impurities without irritation, and helps restore skin’s natural moisture balance.
• Tea Tree Oil – Tea Tree is a natural antiseptic and is great for clearing up acne. Add a few drops into your OCM mixture. A little goes a long way.
• Use a natural soap – I used to be an avid Dove user. I do believe that their soaps are milder than many others, but recently I have switched to pure-castile soap. I use the Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps brand.
• Experiment with other carrier oils – Castor and EVOO are carrier oils. Other carrier oils to try for oily skin are jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and flaxseed oil. For dryer skin, try almond oil and evening primrose oil.