You may or may not have heard of oil cleansing, but not to worry! We're here to help guide you through the process and answer questions along the way.
So what is oil cleansing anyway?
This nourishing skincare practice is a modern take on two separate ancient practices - one also goes by the name of "double cleansing", originating in Japan & Korea in the early 14th century, and the other from ancient Roman bathing practices, which included rubbing olive oil over the skin before and after submersing in a hot bath. The theory of efficacy for both practices continues to ring true today, with like attracting like.
This means that when you cleanse the skin with oil, it also attracts other oils to the surface and clings to it like a magnet. This wonderous effect allows your skin to be gently stripped away of dirt, bacteria, residual makeup, and excess oils naturally produced by your skin, and is safe for all skin types regardless of age, health, or complexion. It is an exceptionally gentle way to cleanse for those who have extremely sensitive skin, or for those who may be struggling with painful or irritating skin conditions such as eczema, acne, boils, hives, or psoriasis.
The beauty of oil cleansing is that it gently cleanses the skin without completely stripping it of all its beneficial bacteria, healthy skin cells, or natural and protective oils, as many other skincare products tend to do. There is often a plethora of unwanted (and unknown) ingredients in most commercially-available skincare products, which can be too harsh for our sensitive facial skin, and often cause allergic reactions or aggravate pre-existing skin conditions.
So how do you go about oil cleansing?
It's easy as 1-2-3:
Add a few dropperfuls (between 1-2 tsp) of your favourite oil (we love jojoba, argan, or sweet almond) to your dry face, massaging upwards in a circular motion for about a minute.
Wet a clean washcloth with very warm water and wring out excess water until it is moist but not dripping, and apply to face.
Wipe face in a circular motion for about a minute, flip over the cloth, and wipe again.
That's it! Your face will now have a fresh, plump, moisturized glow and be squeaky-clean. Some folks like following the traditional Japanese method of double-cleansing, and will continue on with a second wash using another cleanser after their initial pass with the oil, but unless you are wearing a lot of makeup or thick skincare products (like sunscreen) on a daily basis, we find this to be unnecessary. Though oil cleansing should leave a nice fine layer of natural moisture on your skin, if you find your face is particularly thirsty, you can feel free to add another few drops of oil as a finishing touch after drying off.
Feeling extra luxurious with your skincare routine? Try any of Flourish Apothecary's beauty oils (or face serums) as an oil cleanser, which will leave your skin not only feeling refreshed and moisturized, but smelling divine as well! So go ahead and get cleansing the way nature intended.
Flourish Apothecary of Victoria, BC is a woman-owned online herbal shop specializing in organic and wild-crafted natural health products. Each product is hand-crafted from freshly harvested medicinal herbs on Vancouver Island. We believe in planet before profit, and emphasize sustainable business practices to ensure we can deliver the highest-quality goods without having a negative affect on the planet.
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