Part 2- Please read Kristy Lee Barker’s previous blog on Chemistry Lesson for the Skin before reading this…

THE “OIL CLEANSING METHOD”…FINALLY!

So this is where the Oil Cleansing Method comes into play (and, for the purpose of saving time, preventing RSI in my fingers and just because I am a massive subscriber to the social media phenomena of using acronyms, I will now refer to the subject of this text as the “OCM” instead of continuously writing The Oil Cleansing Method.

Now I am going to lead with a rather controversial statement (or at least a statement that is considered controversial within the retail cosmetic industry) by saying that cleansing….is far a more important exercise within our skin care regime than moisturising. There, I said it.

With all the knowledge I have armed you with, it should be a little clearer to explain the benefits of utilising the OCM during your nightly grooming and hygiene routine, and for you to understand the far superior benefits of cleansing over moisturising.

I would first like to preface this section of my article by emphasising the importance of only ever using oil on your skin once the sun has gone down. Think about any variety of cooking oil on a hot stove in a pan. What is it designed to do? Think of the sun as the stove, the UV rays are the hot plate, the acid mantle is the frying pan and your sirloin steak is your skin (or chicken or fish or tempeh or bean curd – whatever floats your boat; I mean no discrimination toward my vegans readers – in fact there is definite synergy to the premise of this article, in conjunction with your own ethical lifestyle/s). Anyway, you get my drift, right? If not, I will put it to you in a manner that is as succinct and direct as possible, by saying: DO NOT USE OIL ON YOUR SKIN DURING THE DAY!!!!

Meanwhile, I do, however, wholeheartedly endorse using oil in the evenings as a cleanser, and inadvertently as a moisturiser, too, to wash off the evidence of your day, and to replenish, revitalise, regenerate, rehydrate and repair the damage caused to the skin by all of the components found in the nasty elements of our daily surroundings.

OKAY, SO HOW DO WE DO THIS?

Using the oil in conjunction with a hot cloth (muslin is a great organic substitute as it consists of gentle and natural fibres, however a flannel/face washer will more than suffice) will allow for emulsification (softening) of any make-up that may dwell on and within the superficial layers of the epidermis, and via the steam produced as a result of the heat, will also promote a natural augmentation or expansion of the pores to allow greater penetration of the oil into the skins dermal layers (a whole other chemistry lesson for a whole other day.)

SO, WHERE TO FROM HERE?…

Now this doesn’t mean that all varieties of oil are going to suit all varieties of skin. There are plenty of cleansers which can be found on shelves that consist of an oil based formula, too (British-born beauty industry leader and Facialist to the stars, Eve Lom, is the inventor of a cocoa butter based cleanser that was once described by Vogue as “probably the greatest cleanser of oil time” and is a huge pioneer of the OCM). These cleansers come in a cold compressed form or within a solid based foundation, but finding the right oil cleanser is just as paramount to making the concept work as finding the right contraception is when attempting to manage our hormones. For example, I would not recommend jojoba oil to a person who suffers from acne. This is suited to a dryer skin type, however I would absolutely recommend the OCM to a person with acne, and that’s what’s important to bear in mind. This method will work for absolutely everybody, so long as you find the right fit. Here are some tips on what you can use and how can use it in conjunction with your skin type and skin concerns.

Oily Skin- 1/3 castor & 2/3 of olive oil

Combination Skin- 1/4 castor oil or coconut oil & 3/4 olive oil

Dry Skin- olive oil

IS THAT ALL?

No – I would like to conclude by recommending that you mix your routine up, and intersperse it on a cyclic rotation (bi-annual at the very longest), with alternating ingredients. Ideally our skin is designed to function best when left to its own devices, but unfortunately we do not live in an ideal world. In fact we dwell in fairly harsh climates, and our skin does often require a bit of gentle encouragement, however using synthetic rich products will cause it to become co-dependent. Think of an anti-dandruff shampoo designed specifically to counteract the issue of an excessively dry scalp – wonderfully effective whilst you continue to use it, but subject to prolifically increased dandruff when you cease use.) The very same principle applies to what products you choose to expose the skin on your face to.

edited by: Divine Breen

KLB has 20 years of experience in (all capacities of) the beauty industry. She has such extensive knowledge of the skincare and make up that she has naturally progressed into a training and teaching role. KLB loves her industry because of the impassioned women she gets to work with and enjoys nothing more than helping them towards their journey of empowerment.