The oil cleansing method is a natural alternative to facial cleansers that is both gentle and effective. In short, it involves washing your face with oil.

Still here? Good, now we can get to the part where I explain this strange idea. The oil cleansing method is a four-step process.

Step 1: Rinse face with water.

Step 2: Massage face with oil 1-2 minutes, including eyes/eyelashes to remove makeup.

Step 3: Steam your pores for 10 seconds with a hot wash cloth applied to the face.

Step 4: Wipe the oil off your face with the warm wash cloth and pat dry.

To be perfectly honest, the process also works with less massage time, and no hot water at all, but for best results, it is better to take the time to complete the full process.

So what is this mysterious oil that can be used to clean the face? castor oil is the base ingredient and is usually mixed with olive oil, but it could be mixed with any of the following carrier oils, according to personal preference and/or skin type and requirements:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
Jojoba Oil
Sweet Almond Oil
Avocado Oil
Apricot Kernel Oil
Grape Seed Oil

The ratio of castor oil to carrier oil will depend on your skin type, and may need adjusted after months of use.

Oily Skin: 30% Castor Oil, 70% Carrier Oil (3 Parts Castor Oil, 7 Parts Carrier Oil)
Normal Skin: 20% Castor Oil, 80% Carrier Oil (1 Part Castor Oil, 4 Parts Carrier Oil)
Dry Skin: 10% Castor Oil, 90% Carrier Oil (1 Part Castor Oil, 9 Parts Carrier Oil)

In addition, a few drops of essential oil can be added to scent the mixture as preferred.

Raw, organic honey and baking soda, mixed on the spot in the palm of your hand, can be used as a gently exfoliating facial scrub. Ground oats and honey, or cornmeal and honey, are other popular options, and yogurt and/or banana make good facial masks.

Coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil and jojoba oil are good follow-up options to moisture your face after cleaning and/or overnight.