Benefits of face oil

why face oils are the next best thing to happen to your skin! Let's face it: Slathering oil all over your mug sounds a little scary, even if you suffer from dryness in the winter. Who would ever want to add extra oil to their skin?! And why do you need to add another product to your skincare routine? Despite the name, face oils actually make your skin super soft and glowy, never greasy. Some even help fight acne (seriously!). The trick is knowing when to use them—and finding the right one for your skin type. Think of face oils like vitamins for your skin—adding them to your regular beauty routine can make your skin even more gorgeous. But stick to your regular moisturizer and cleanser for daytime and save the face oils for night, after washing your face. That way, your skin gets tons of time to fully absorb and benefit from the super-powered ingredients while you're sleeping. And even though there are options for oily and acne-prone skin, they are still oils, so they can make you look a little shiny. Here's a breakdown of the most common face oils and who they're best for, so you can give this new wonder product a try! Best For Oily & Acne-Prone Skin: Argan Oil Argan oil has been a beauty must-have for a while, but now brands are releasing lighter, matte (read: shine-free) formulas that are perfect for oily and blemish-prone skin. Argan oil even has properties that help treat and prevent acne! Best For Dry Skin: Coconut Oil Coconut is one of the most hydrating oils out there, so it's perfect for dry skin. Plus, it has tons of healthy, fatty acids that make dull, dry skin glow! Bonus: It's an awesome conditioner for curly, frizzy hair. Best For Sensitive Skin: Avocado Oil If you have super sensitive skin, avocado oil is the way to go! It has calming benefits and gets deep into your skin to soothe any itching from dryness or conditions like eczema. Best For Dull Skin & Large Pores: Pomegranate Oil Just like pomegranate juice is a healthy drink, oil from the fruit is great for your skin! It's packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants that make your skin brighter—plus, it helps reduce the size of your pores. Best For Removing Makeup: Cleansing Oils In addition to having out-of-this-world hydration benefits, oils are super-effective makeup removers as well! If you find your face wash is drying you out in the wintertime, switch to a cleansing oil instead. They break up and dissolve makeup and other dirt and oils for a totally fresh face! Have you tried any facial oils yet? Do you have a favorite? Leave a comment below!

Oil your way to good skin

The Benefits of Oils for Your Skin Does applying oil to your skin terrify you with visions of breakouts, blackheads or a greasy oil slick? If so, you’re not alone. But before you forego oils entirely as part of a healthy skin care regimen, read on. It turns out that using oils on your skin (and yes, this includes your face) have some incredible benefits. The key is figuring out which oil is right for your skin type and knowing how to use it. Marula: Known as Africa’s “miracle oil,” Marula Oil has been revered among African women for centuries for its powerful moisturizing and anti-aging benefits. Extracted from the fruit kernels of the marula tree, this precious and highly prized oil from Kenya nourishes and deeply hydrates the skin while protecting it from those damaging free radicals that accelerate aging. What makes it so effective? For one thing, it’s super-rich in fatty acids and Vitamins E and C. And for another, it has higher levels of antioxidants and Omega Oils than Argan Oil. But the proof is in the using. Marula Oil has been shown to visibly reduce the look of wrinkles—from crow’s feet to those “parentheses” that frame the lips. The way to get the best benefits of this light, non-greasy oil is to use it sparingly. Day and night, massage just two or three drops on your face, neck and décolleté as a stand-alone moisturizer or layered under another facial moisturizer, if your skin is on the drier side. Grape Seed Oil: Another oil known for its great anti-aging benefits, Grape Seed Oil is light, absorbent and helps to regulate your skin’s natural oil production—making it ideal for oily skin. Found to lighten age spots and pigmented skin caused by UV rays, Grape Seed Oil has been shown in scientific studies to have more linoleic acid than most oils, as well as more antioxidant power than Vitamins C and E. Plus, biochemists researching the health benefits of this oil have found that it contains Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (also known as OPCs)—another class of flavonoid complexes that act as antioxidants in the body. In addition to their antioxidant abilities of fighting off free radicals, OPCs also stabilize Collagen and maintain the skin’s Elastin, for a visibly firmer appearance. Use Grape Seed Oil directly on your body to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and saggy skin. Although the oil is often found in many cosmetic products, you can also add one to two drops of Grape Seed Oil to your face moisturizer to enhance its effectiveness. Olive Oil: Olive Oil is more than just a condiment. Once referred to as “liquid gold” by Homer, Olive Oil has been used as a beauty and skin care remedy by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Egyptians and Romans. Today, it’s still prized for everything from erasing stretch marks and minimizing wrinkles to anti-aging therapy and deep hydration. One reason Olive Oil is so effective is that it’s rich in antioxidants, such as Vitamins A and E, polyphenols, phytoserols and the rare compound, Hydroxytyrosol, all of which help repair skin and neutralize the free radicals that cause skin damage. These antioxidants have a natural ability to stimulate cells and bring skin back to a firmer, healthier state. Applied to the face or body, Olive Oil will penetrate deeply and create a protective barrier that traps moisture without clogging your pores. And because it’s gentle and non-irritating, it’s a good choice for sensitive skin, though people with very dry skin should avoid using it. Olive Oil can serve many skin care purposes: As a nighttime facial moisturizer, Olive Oil can be applied sparingly to cleaned skin. Mixed with sugar, it makes an excellent exfoliating facial scrub. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil with a few drops of an essential oil like lavender to the bath for a fragrant, hydrating soak. Actress Emily Blunt once told Allure magazine that she soaks her face in Olive Oil to soften her skin. If you’re prone to acne, you might want to proceed with caution (though Olive Oil has also been touted as a great treatment for acne as it doesn’t clog pores.) As a skin care remedy—the same as when using it as a condiment—100% cold-pressed, extra-virgin Olive Oil is best. Argan Oil: Extracted from the kernels of the argan tree, Argan Oil is one of the rarest and most expensive oils in the world. Berber women have used this precious oil for centuries to nourish and protect their skin. Abundant with super-high levels of Vitamin E, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, it’s excellent for repairing cell membranes, preventing premature aging, reducing inflammation and retaining moisture. Argan is also rich in proteins, which help tighten the skin, minimize wrinkles and improve elasticity. Experts believe that Argan Oil can also help with many skin conditions, from dry skin patches to psoriasis, eczema and acne. Argan Oil can be found in some skin care products, though many people look for it in its pure form. If you have pure raw Argan Oil, a few drops can be applied to clean skin at night as a moisturizer. It’s non-greasy and non-oily, absorbing easily into the skin. Black Currant Oil: Derived from Black Currant Seeds, this centuries- old health tonic is wonderful for skin that has undergone some sort of trauma—for example, post-laser treatment, or even for someone with wind-burned skin après a day on the slopes. Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps slow down the skin’s aging process and is wonderful for repairing damaged tissues, healing scars and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It even helps minimize symptoms of psoriasis and eczema. A word of caution: Allergic reactions to Black Currant Oil are possible, so check with a professional before using. Rose Hip Seed Oil: Rose Hip Seed Oil is one of the best oils available for anti-aging and skin rejuvenation. Packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, it helps delay the effects of skin aging, promotes cell turnover and boosts Collagen production for firmer, smoother skin. In addition, it’s ideal for minimizing the appearance of scars, stretch marks, age spots and hyper-pigmentation. Rose Hip Oil is known as a “dry” oil, which means that it soaks into the skin easily without leaving a greasy residue. This oil deeply hydrates and can be used straight out of the bottle—even on sensitive skin. It’s not, however, recommended for use on acne prone or very oily skin. Chamomile Oil: Just as chamomile tea is known for its relaxing, stress-relieving properties, Chamomile Oil is excellent for calming the skin. A great choice for people with sensitive skin, Chamomile is a natural skin soother, calming irritations, redness, sunburn, windburn and bruises almost immediately. In addition to its calming abilities, Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties make it an ideal choice for people suffering from rosacea or broken capillaries, as well as for treating acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, burns and redness. As Chamomile is a member of the ragweed family, people with allergies to ragweed should avoid Chamomile Oil. To make sure it’s okay for you to use, test patch the oil by dabbing a drop on your wrist for a day to see if you have any allergic reactions.

Hydrate your skin

Skip the long, steamy showers and opt for shorter, cooler sprays. Long, hot showers strip skin of its moisture and wash away protective oils. So limit showers to 10 minutes and keep the water cool. Check the dryness of your skin by scratching a small area on your arm or leg with your fingernail. If it leaves a white mark, your skin is indeed dry and needs both moisture and exfoliation (i.e., removal of the outermost layer of dead skin cells). Treat your neck and chest like an extension of your face. Your neck and upper chest area is covered by very sensitive skin, making it a prime spot for telltale signs of aging such as dryness, sun spots and wrinkles. To keep this area youthful, use facial cleansing creams that hydrate and cleanse gently rather than deodorant soaps, which can be drying. Top it all off with a good facial moisturizing cream. If this area is extra dry, use a facial moisturizing mask twice a month. Run a humidifier every night to moisturize the air in your bedroom. Not only will it ease itchy, dry skin, you’ll be able to breathe the moist air more easily. Keep your beauty products clean and simple, particularly if you have sensitive skin. Stay away from products with colour, fragrance, or those that produce bubbles or have “antibacterial” on the label. These can all irritate skin. For soft, young-looking hands and feet, slather on moisturizing cream and then slip on thin fabric socks and gloves while you sleep. Tone your skin with a sage, peppermint and witch hazel combination. Sage helps to control oil, peppermint creates a cool tingle and witch hazel helps restore the skin’s protective layer. Combine 4 ounces of witch hazel with 1 teaspoon each of sage and peppermint leaves and steep for one to three days before applying to your skin. Use a loofah daily to keep ingrown hairs and scaly skin under control. While in the shower, gently scrub bumpy or scaly skin with a circular motion to remove dead cells. For extra-smooth skin, sprinkle a few drops of an alpha-hydroxy product on the loofah before scrubbing. Use unscented baby powder to keep areas where skin meets skin—like the inner thighs, underarms, beneath large breasts—clean and dry. This is important to prevent a common skin condition called intertrigo, which occurs when such areas remain moist, fostering the growth of bacteria or fungi. If you’re gearing up for a day in the sun, steer clear of scented lotions and perfumes. Scented products can lead to blotchy skin when exposed to the sun. Smooth aloe vera gel over extra-dry skin. The acids in aloe eat away dead skin cells and speed up the healing process. Cut off an end of an aloe leaf, split open, and spread the gel on the dry area. Plunk your rough, dry elbows into grapefruit halves. First exfoliate your elbows in your bath or shower, then cut a grapefruit in half and rest one elbow on each half, letting them soak for 15 minutes. The acid in the grapefruit provides extra smoothing power. Go for a run, ride your bike, work out in the garden on a hot day—anything that gets you sweating. Sweating is nature’s way of eliminating toxic chemicals that can build up under skin. Plus, regular exercise maintains healthy circulation and blood flow throughout your body, including your skin. If you’re exercising outdoors, though, remember to wear a sunscreen on your face that protects against UVA and UVB rays, or a moisturizer with sunscreen protection. Switch moisturizers every time the seasons change. Your skin needs more moisture in the winter than in the summer. So the same day you bring those sweaters down from the attic for the winter, buy a heavier moisturizer. When you trade in the sweaters for shorts, switch to a lighter one. Avoid these three skin destroyers: Smoking, tanning salons and sunbathing. All three will age your skin prematurely. For double skin protection, apply a cream containing vitamin C to your face over your sunblock. The cream helps prevent facial skin damage, dehydration and wrinkles. Also try skin creams containing vitamin E or beta-carotene. Use a spritzer with rose, sandalwood or bergamot essential oils mixed with water. These oils are great for hydrating the skin. To create a herbal spritzer, mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a small spray bottle and spritz on your face whenever your skin needs a little boost. Your skin is more pliable when it’s hydrated, so a spray helps stave off frown lines and general movement wrinkles. The hydrator also keeps pollutants out and keeps your skin’s natural lubricants in. An added bonus: Your makeup will stay on longer and look more natural. Clean your face and neck with a natural cold cream and follow with a rosewater and glycerin rinse twice a day to remove skin-damaging pollutants. Keep your hands off your face! Because your hands touch so many surfaces, they are a magnet for dirt and germs. Rub your eyes, stroke your chin, cup your cheek and you’ve transferred everything on your hands to your face. Stop with one glass of wine or one alcoholic drink. Overdoing it enlarges the blood vessels near the surface of your facial skin. Never rub your eyes—apply compresses instead. The skin on your face is extremely delicate, especially under your eyes. So use a very light touch on your face at all times. If your eyes itch, apply a cold compress or washcloth to the area, or try a cotton pad moistened with toner or witch hazel. Found this article informative? Subscribe to our magazine today and receive more Best Health exclusives delivered to your door!

tips and tricks to hydrate your skin

The best tips and tricks to hydrate your skin Hydrated skin equals happy skin. And there's nothing worse than feeling parched, especially during the hot, summer months. But what does it actually mean to have dehydrated skin, what does it look like, and how can you quench its thirst? We've got the best tips, tricks and treatments. There isn't a woman on the planet who wouldn't like to boast flawless, beautiful skin. Unfortunately, the reality is we're different, our skin reacts in different ways, and we haven't all got Eve Lom on speed dial. Unless you've got the genetic makeup of Halle Berry, Julia Roberts and Jessica Biel (combined), then great skin pivots on a three-sided triangle made up of firmness, smoothness and hydration. With hydration playing the most important role. The skin matrix Imagine your skin cells as a network of strands that work much in the same way as the basic structure of a house. What would be the main frame of your home is the equivalent of the role of collagen and elastin in your skins matrix. And, as your house needs windows, and floors and ceilings, your skin also needs fillers or cushioning to support the whole structure. Within this cushioning, your skins cells contain natural chemicals which make up your Natural Moisturising Factor, or NMF. Water binds itself to your NMF, which then in turn hydrates your skin. The production and health of your NMF is what makes your skin well balanced. As skin is the biggest organ of the body, and mostly made up of water, it would be easy to point the blame finger at a lack of water when it comes to dehydration. Just losing two per cent of the body's water volume in a day can lead to mild dehydration problems. However, if you are dutifully drinking your two litres a day, your skin could still become dehydrated thanks to a number of internal and external factors. "Declining hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone can result in loss of collagen and skin elasticity, cause a thinning of the skin, making it more prone to dehydration," that drinking alcohol, coffee and smoking can put oxidative stress on the skin, which in turn makes the skin prone to dehydration and wrinkles. Dr Vandana Rajesh Kadam, Dermatologist at Kaya Skin Clinic, agrees but says that there are also external dangers to watch out for. "Environmental conditions - over-exposure to the sun, cold and wind - are responsible for dehydrated skin," she says. Dr Kadam also suggests that taking long hot showers or baths can contribute to dehydrated skin as it draws moisture out of the skin. Solen Marie, product development manager for Dermaglow, believes that ageing is the biggest concern when it comes to your hydration levels. "There are a lot of factors that cause dehydration of skin. Ageing, of course, is the main one," she says. And along with environmental factors, Solen also says that aggressive cleansing methods and strong active ingredients in the products you use causes the protective skin mantle barrier to be disrupted, increasing your skin's chances of dehydration. So your twice-a-week exfoliation could actually be doing more harm than good! Telltale signs "You'll instantly know if your skin is dehydrated," says Angela Turovskaya, spa manager at Nivea Haus. "You'll notice it first around your eyes which will show fine lines." Angela says that, especially here in the hot climate, air conditioning is one of the biggest factors to affect the skin's hydration levels. Skin regenerates itself at night and when you sleep in a heavily air conditioned room, any moisture in the air is being instantly sucked up. Combine that with lack of sleep (not getting your eight hours a night), and your skin will soon start to show the early signs of ageing combined with puffy eyes. "Many of the symptoms of dehydrated skin mimic dry skin," says Dr Kadam. "This might include a rough, tight feeling with little elasticity and incessant itching. You may also experience flaking or peeling, redness, coarse thick ashy skin, and in extreme cases, you may get cracks which can bleed on occasion," she says. However, dehydrated skin is not to be confused with dry skin. Dry skin is the condition of your skin, much like oily or combination skin. Dehydrated skin is what can happen to the condition of your skin. So, if you have dry skin it doesn't necessarily mean your skin is lacking in moisture, but if your skin is oily, it is more likely that it is dehydrated. Your oil glands produce even more sebum at the first signs of dehydration, so often if you're using products to combat oily skin, again you're probably doing more harm than good. By using treatments to dry out your skin, you won't be putting back any of the much needed moisture. "My advice is to identify the reason for dehydration and take the appropriate corrective actions," says Solen. She goes on to advise reviewing your beauty regime, making sure you are using the right products to target hydration. Have your skin analysed - available in most department stores - to understand your skin's needs. Treat it right One of the main ‘fillers' in the skin's matrix is known as Hyaluronic acid and plays a major role in the skin's rejuvenation process. It holds moisture, regulates tissue repair and helps to keep the skin supple. It's an ingredient most skin care experts recommend you look for in hydrating products. "Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water," says Dr Kadam, "making it super moisturising!" Turovskaya agrees on using water-based products to boost hydration, but only recommends using them as part of your morning routine. "Skin, like us, needs food. It needs vitamins and nutrients," she says. "So it's important to use your oil-based, more nutrient-filled products at night when your skin is at its most regenerative and can soak up the benefits." Aside from your daily moisturiser, Turovskaya also recommends choosing a shower cream rather than a gel as creamy-textured washes contain oil and have more nourishing properties. You could also try sleeping with a humidifier when you have got your air conditioning on as it helps stop the dry air from drying out your skin. Filling a bowl with water and putting it in your bedroom overnight will also do the trick as the air conditioning will dry up the water from the bowl rather than your skin. Aside from topical aides, one of the main ways you can keep your skin hydrated is through what you internally ingest. Dr Naina says, "There is no hard evidence to say we need eight glasses of water a day, but we have so many factors that can easily lead to dehydration, that this is a good benchmark to aim for. Just one cup of coffee can lead to significant dehydration!" Dr Naina recommends drinking half your body weight in water a day. So, for example if you are 140lbs, then she recommends loading up on 70 ounces of water (approximately two litres). She also believes that the quality of our drinking water has a lot to do with how we feel. "A lot of water can be acidic and can cause increased oxidative stress on the body. I would recommend San Pellegrino, Evian or Fiji water," she says. The good"Some foods are as much as 90 per cent water, making them an excellent choice to stay hydrated, especially in the summer months," says nutritionist Michelle Gelok. "Most fruits and vegetables are naturally high in fluids, and offer the additional benefit of fibre, vitamins, minerals as well as antioxidants." "In terms of the best hydrating drinks, water comes out ontop - it hydrates the body andis naturally calorie- and sugar-free," says Michelle. "If you have trouble drinking plainwater, mix things up a bit by adding freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice, or make your own calorie-free iced tea, by steeping herbal tea bags in a pitcher of cold water." The bad "Keep in mind that while most beverages contribute to your daily fluid intake, not all beverages are equal," says Michelle. "Avoid drinks that offer empty calories, they don't offer any benefit in terms of nutrition. Sweetened coffee, as well as fruit juice with added sugar should also be limited." According to Michelle, any foods very high in sodium will naturally draw water from your body, possibly contributing to dehydration. Limit your intake of these foods, such as crisps, fast food and many packaged foods - canned soups, frozen pizza, processed meat and canned vegetables. Michelle says you should also be wary of condiments high in sodium as well, including soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and hoisin sauce. Oranges Berries Courgettes Tomatoes Cucumbers Grapes Lettuce Peaches Watermelon 10. Celery Change your daily habits Drink fluids with every meal and snack to boost your intake. Carry a reusable water bottle with you at all times - it'll make it easier to drink up when you're thirsty. Keep a water bottle on your desk, you're more likely to drink water if it's close at hand. Drink before, during and after exercise to prevent dehydration, especially when exercising outside. Drink a full glass of water when you feel hungry - often we confuse feelings of hunger with cues that our body needs more fluids. Taking supplements like vitamin E and Cwill help your skin'scells hold more moisture and elasticity. Swap your regular morning latte for a green tea, which contains catechins and potent antioxidants alongwith the water to keep skin hydrated. Stock up on Omega-fatty acids by adding salmon, mackerel, almonds, walnuts and flaxseed to your diet, which will give your skin that fresh, dewy glow.

The oil cleansing method

The Oil Cleansing Method Clear, glowing, dewy-looking skin, free of blackheads, pimples, cysts, and other imperfections seems to be an elusive goal. The booming skin care industry would have you believe the same with their claims of the need to rid your skin of oil completely and apply burning chemicals in order to avoid these imperfections. Modern society has been so strongly influenced by these marketing claims that some find themselves washing the delicate and easily-inflamed tissue of their facial skin with "grease cutting" or "antibacterial" dish and hand soap only to find that their skin condition worsens. The anxiety that rises when yet another pimple flares up or another painful lump begins forming beneath the skin sends many into overdrive in attempt to counter the impending damage, but does it ever work? Does the panicked scrubbing, disinfecting, and drying ever work? Why is it that if something works for a few days, or if you get lucky, a few weeks, the long term brings the blemishes back? The cycle seems endless. It's exhausting. It's painful. It's embarrassing. It's expensive! The reasons we have so much trouble with mainstream skin care products are numerous, but two reasons, in particular, lead the pack. These products strip the oil out of our skin, leaving our largest organ trying to repair itself by replacing the oil stripped away. This leaves us in a cycle of being tight and dry followed by the inevitable oil slick. Each time we strip the oil away, our skin over-compensates for the lack of moisture by creating more oil. On top of the drying effects, these products are highly-scented. Fragrance is one of the top skin irritants and strangely enough, even the so-called "unscented" products usually contain fragrance. See for yourself and check the labels. Dry, irritated skin replaced by oily skin, inflamed and trapping debris? If we know what our body is going to do and understand the process, we can then understand what it takes to control it and achieve the results we want. Clear skin is attainable. Getting right down to basics, when cleansing and moisturizing your skin, it is imperative that you keep in mind that oil dissolves oil. Your skin naturally lubricates itself with oil, and as we are creatures of adaptation, one can believe that if this weren't the appropriate built-in care for ourselves, our bodies would have adapted to suit the need. If you've been battling your skin for long, you're probably recoiling at the mere thought of applying oil to your face. You can imagine the slick, greasy, clogging feeling of smearing sludge all over your face. If you stay with me and read the rest of this article, that mental image will be replaced by a more comforting, Zen-like image of a relaxing spa massage. I promise. Let your curiosity get the better of you, read the article, then decide if you should give this method of skin care a go. Do not be afraid of applying oil to your face. Oil, alone, will not bring you blemishes. Pimples, cysts, zits, blackheads, whiteheads...these are a result of several different factors including hormones, bacteria, dead skin cells and the buildup of these factors. Your skin naturally produces oil because it needs it. It is not a malicious force to be reckoned with; it is there for the benefit of your skin, allowing your largest organ to function properly. It is naturally occurring. Not only does your natural oil help lubricate, it also heals, protects, and moisturizes your skin so that it may function properly. Properly functioning skin is beautiful, clear, and glowing. Learning to work with your skin, not against it, will save you tremendously. While we're talking about clarifying your skin externally, we must also touch on the internal aspect. WATER! Drink no less than 8 glasses of water a day. If your skin has issues with blemishes, drink up! Water will help release and remove the toxins from within, lessening the load on your skin to push the toxins out. Carry a bottle of water around with you throughout the day so water is always available. Now, to the main point of this article. The basic concept of this skin care and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores. The steam will open your pores, allowing the oil to be easily removed. Should you need it, the smallest drop of the same oil formula patted over damp skin will provide the necessary lubrication to keep your skin from over-compensating in oil production. We will need two oils. The first, and most importantly, is Castor Oil. If you don't have this medicine cabinet staple already, it can be found online or in the laxative section of your grocer or drugstore - usually bottom shelf. Castor Oil has potent anti-inflammatory properties, but is also healing and cleansing, which is why we're focusing on this oil as our primary oil. Castor Oil has been the focus of many books and medical discussion because of its seemingly "magical" healing properties. As quoted in The Oil That Heals by Dr. McGarey, he states, "Castor oil will leave the body in better condition than it found it." Though it may be our most important oil, we won't be using it in the amounts that we will the other oil (or combination of oils for those who want to take this a step further). A little bit of Castor Oil goes a long way and too much will leave you, surprisingly, with dry skin. Since Castor Oil is so thick and its cleansing properties so strong, we need to dilute it with another oil, thinner in consistency, but no less nurturing to the skin. Sunflower Seed Oil has become my personal favorite, though in the past, I've suggested Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Both are wonderfully caring oils for skin application, but I've found that Sunflower Seed Oil has a more luxurious feel for massage. It sinks into the skin better, aiding the castor oil in transportation deep into the pores and allowing it to draw the dirt and grime to the surface of your skin where it can be wiped away. The essential fatty acids, though they are not naturally occurring in the body, are a necessity for the health of our cell membranes. These acids help restore the skins natural moisture balance and help prevent unnecessary dryness. The secondary oil that you choose is entirely up to you and should be determined by your skins needs and the properties of that oil. Choose from natural, cold-pressed vegetable oils, as these have nutrients, vitamins, and fatty acids that mineral oil and other refined oils don't. You may even have these oils in your kitchen, as they're used for cooking, as well! For the sake of explaination, from this point on, we'll say "Sunflower Seed Oil" in place of "Secondary Oil." Remember that Sunflower Seed Oil may be replaced by your vegetable oil of choice. Your Personal Oil Blend The starting point for creating your own, personalized skin cleansing oil blend is knowing your general skin type. Those with dry skin will want less Castor Oil. Those with oily skin will want to blend in more. Finding your perfect combination of oils will probably take a little bit of trial and error, so start with very small batches. Once you know what your ratio of oils looks like, you'll be able to blend much more at a time for convenience. Some suggestions in creating your blend of deep cleansing oil: Oily Skin: Try a blend of 30% Castor Oil to 70% Sunflower Seed Oil. Balanced Skin: Try a blend of 20% Castor Oil to 80% Sunflower Seed Oil. Dry Skin: Try a blend of 10% Castor Oil to 90% Sunflower Seed Oil. You can vary these percentages to match your own skins needs. If your skin feels too dry, you'll need to use less Castor Oil and replace it with more Sunflower Seed Oil. Keep in mind that Castor Oil is the drawing, cleansing, and purging oil for your pores. The Sunflower Seed Oil is to dilute the Castor Oil in viscosity (thickness) and additionally provide moisture, nutrients, and other benefits. My own, personal blend, for my sometimes oily, sometimes dry, frequently flakey, and easily irritated skin is about 25% Castor Oil to 75% Sunflower Seed Oil. I mix and store my mixture in a clean four-ounce flip-top bottle for convenience. When you go to replenish your oil blend, I suggest cleaning your bottle thoroughly with dish soap or the dishwasher. Better yet, if you can replace the bottle, this is ideal. We want to be extremely cautious in introducing bacteria to the bottle. The Oil Cleansing Method First and foremost, this is typically done in the evening, prior to bed. There should be no need for deep cleansing in the morning if you're waking up with skin cleansed the night before. In the morning, a quick wipe with a warm washcloth should suffice. We don't want to overcleanse our skin as this will serve only to irritate and cause more oil production. The objective of using this method is to deep clean while balancing our skins oil production at the same time. You'll need a soft washcloth, your oil blend, and hot, running water. Pour a generous puddle of oil into the palm of your hand. Roughly, the size of a quarter, but more is acceptable. Rub your hands together to warm the oil and smooth over your face. Begin massaging the oil into your face. This will remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities, so there is no need to use a makeup remover or wash your face prior to the massage. I've found that this removes even my stubborn waterproof mascara and concealor. Using slow, firm motions across the skin, massage the oil deeply into your pores. Take your time and focus on your problem areas. You want the oil to work into your pores so that blackheads and the like can be dissolved and steamed away. As you're massaging, let your mind drift off to something calming and breathe deeply. Take this time to relax and release some of the stress that your body is harboring. Sit down, breathe deeply, and take your time. Give the oil enough time to work on dissolving the impurities in your pores and give yourself enough time to unwind. Picture what your face would look like if it were completely clear and free from blemishes. Focus on that image and know that it is attainable. Trust that it is attainable. Accept that it is attainable. You can have clear skin, free of blemishes and you will have clear skin, free of blemishes. Focus on perfect skin and breathe deeply. Once you're satisfied that your pores are saturated and you're feeling calm, pick up your washcloth and soak it in clean, steamy water. We want the water to be warm enough to open your pores and remove the oil. Cool water will not open your pores, nor will it remove the oil efficiently. We're not scalding our skin, we're steaming to coax our pores to release the oil carrying the impurities. We're essentially steaming our skin as an esthetician would, but without the luxury of a steam machine. Hold the washcloth to cover your face. Allow it to stay until it cools. You will feel your pores releasing the impurities. Wipe the oil gently away and rinse the washcloth well in hot, running water. Hold the washcloth to your face again, allowing it to cool. Wipe gently, rinse well, and repeat two or three more times. Avoid any temptation to scrub, as you'll find it's completely unnecessary and your skin will be soft, smooth, and free of flakes without the additional manual exfoliation and irritation that will result. Impurities, dead skin cells, and bacteria will be gently swept away. Have no fear of the oil, as the steamy washcloth will remove it. The Castor Oil, though it is an oil, will help with the removal of the other oils, as well. It is our main cleansing oil and is easily removed with warm water. If your skin feels tight, take a tiny drop of your oil blend, rub it between your clean, damp palms and pat it onto your damp skin. Gently massage any oil residue into your skin so there is no film of oil left sitting on the surface. Your skin should now glow! This deep cleansing method should be done regularly, but not too frequently. You'll know if you're deep cleansing too frequently by the dryness that your skin will exhibit. Don't be surprised if you find you've unblocked an oil flow for the first few days. Once you remove the plugs from your pores, they will begin functioning properly again. Perfect skin won't happen overnight and while it should take a few massages to achieve your goal, you should notice a huge difference in your skin after the first deep cleansing massage. Give your skin a few days to adjust and adapt to being clean and clear of blockages; understand that the new oil coming from your skin is actually a good sign and will balance out very shortly. You'll find redness and irritation subsiding. You'll find your skin losing that "congested," and thick feeling.