Oil Cleansing Mistakes You May Be Making (And How to Fix Them!)
Oil cleansing is still relatively new in the United States, and many of you are still getting the hang of it! (If you don’t know anything about oil cleansing, read this first!) Once you find the routine that works for you, we think you’ll find the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) to be a simple shortcut to clear, dewey skin. Our facial cleanser routine (read more about that here) works well for many people, but we’re all different! If you aren’t loving the OCM yet, try troubleshooting your issues below. Here are some of the top snags you might run into with oil cleansing and how to fix them!
I just started oil cleansing and my face feels so greasy: Two issues could be at play here. First, you might be using too much oil. We recommend half a dropper of our cleanser. Don’t slather your face in oil. Instead, focus on applying the oil in an even layer by massaging in circles for several minutes. Second, if you’re new to oil cleansing, your skin might need a few weeks to adjust. Overtime, your face’s oil production should even out to that perfectly-moisturized-but-not-too-greasy happy place.
I’m oil cleansing but my face still feels dry: There are many factors that can lead to dry skin—allergies, humidity levels and weather, dehydration, or the type of makeup you use. But regardless of outside factors, oil based skincare can help! For many people, oil cleansing gently moisturizes their face, leaving soft, but not greasy skin. But for some of us, our skin still feels dry. Many people like to finish their nightly oil cleanse with a few drops of moisturizer to make their skin feel extra soft overnight. If you find you’re prone to dry skin (or want to combat extra dryness in winter months), you may want to moisturize both after cleansing at night and again in the morning before applying any products or makeup.
I’m oil cleansing and have facial redness: Many people find oil cleansing reduces skin irritation, but everyone is different! First, consider when the redness began: before you switched to oil cleansing or after? If you’ve noticed facial redness for a long time, consider the other skincare products or makeup in your routine. Slowly rotate one product out of your lineup at a time and see if you notice a difference. Second, make sure you are using a high quality, high SPF sunscreen every day. I know, it’s hard to remember, but your skin will thank you! Third, make sure your skin is properly moisturized. Dry skin can be easily irritated and lead to redness! Fourth, be careful how you exfoliate. Facial scrubs and brushes were all the rage for a while, but they are far too harsh for most people’s skin to handle. Skin should be gently exfoliated. Use a warm washcloth to slowly wipe away oil from your face. If the washcloth feels too scratchy, try switching to a microfiber cloth for cleansing. Another option is to add some more frankincense oil into your routine. We recommend using our Wrinkle Roller twice daily; the frankincense naturally soothes irritation and reduced redness. If all else fails, it may be time to see a dermatologist. Some types of facial redness are caused by medical conditions that a doctor can help treat!
I’m oil cleansing and I’m still noticing acne: First, make sure you are doing a thorough job of removing all the oil from your face at the end of a cleanse. The best way to do this is to wet a clean washcloth with the hottest water that feels comfortable and place the washcloth on your face. Let the washcloth sit on your face until it cools (1-2 minutes usually). Slowly wipe away all of the oil. Second, make sure you aren’t introducing bacteria to your face. Clean your pillowcase, washcloths, makeup brushes, and beauty blenders often! If this doesn’t seem to help, try adding some spot treatments to your routine. We love our acne roller which contains a blend of oils specifically made to fight bad bacteria that causes acne.
We hope this helps you on your Oil Cleansing Journey. We’re so happy we made the switch to the OCM and love sharing it with others! Still have questions? We’re always eager to assist you with your specific skincare dilemmas. Drop us a line at anniejamesproducts@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram or Facebook!