well I have been reading the threds and decided to try ocm I have moderate acne,(since 13 yrs old) oily skin and I have redness around wear I have pimples. I did the castor oil and evoo. i have been doing it for three days it is ok I have had about three pimples come up but my skin is smooth and and not that oily. but I do have a little dryness on my cheeks. i was wondering instead of puting oil on after I steam my face i was wondering if i could put a vitamin E stick or a tea tree oil stick any suggestions. aloso wear can I buy EO like lavender(maybe it will calm my redness)peppermint teatree jojobo and grape seed. I t would be great if some one could tell me where I could buy them thanks in advance!!!

Ok, I'm thinking of doing this, but I have a few questions:

1) Can EVOO + Coconut + Lavender work?
2a) For those of us that wear makeup, does the OCM take it off?
2b) I use makeup to even out my skin--will I still need it with the OCM?
3) I'm 16. Has anyone used this with sensitive, oily skin?
4) Can I still use toner?/Do I still need toner?

Thanks!

Edit: I'd still like my questions answered, but in the meantime:
Wow.
I decided to go ahead and do a 75/25 coconut/EVOO with a few drops of Lavender. My skin feels AMAZING. I ended with cold water, rather than toner, because my skin felt like it didn't need it. My skin isn't tight or red, as it usually is after washing. Wow. I still have a few lurkers, but they're smaller, and less noticeable.
Stephanie, I bow down to you.

We don't have a terry cloth or flannel washcloth, where can I get one? Also, when you say flannel, do you mean the pattern or something else? Thanks.

'rora

We don't have a terry cloth or flannel washcloth, where can I get one? Also, when you say flannel, do you mean the pattern or something else? Thanks.

'rora
"Terry cloth" is ordinary towel material - the stuff with little loops. If you have any washclothes at all, they are almost certainly terry cloth.

Flannel is another type of fabric, the stuff that fuzzy pajamas are made out of.

You could cut up an old towel or an old pair of pjs to make cloths to OCM with, if you have absolutely no washcloths at home.

I tried this and it was just okay. Acutally, I think it made me break out more.

kt

To make a very long story (fairly) short, I have severe cystic acne, which is kept (90%) in line by using Clean and Clear (http://www.cleanandclear.com/) products. Since I've added OCM (1/2 jojoba and 1/2 EVOO) to my regimen, my acne has calmed down even more, so as of this moment, I do not have a single active cyst or pimple on my face! :thumbsup: My skin is soft, and the crud that used to build up over time (dead skin, sebum, etc.) is no longer a problem.

My scarring and redness are finally fading away, which the Clean and Clear never really helped with. Big happy smiling Muu for OCM! :rockerdud

Before:
http://www.maj.com/gallery/muuttaa/Skin/1before.jpg

After (pic taken just a few minutes ago, no makeup, just oiled):
http://www.maj.com/gallery/muuttaa/Skin/2after.jpg

(let me know if the pics show up ok, since this is my first time linking pics to the forum)

To make a very long story (fairly) short, I have severe cystic acne, which is kept (90%) in line by using Clean and Clear (http://www.cleanandclear.com/) products. Since I've added OCM (1/2 jojoba and 1/2 EVOO) to my regimen, my acne has calmed down even more, so as of this moment, I do not have a single active cyst or pimple on my face! :thumbsup: My skin is soft, and the crud that used to build up over time (dead skin, sebum, etc.) is no longer a problem.

My scarring and redness are finally fading away, which the Clean and Clear never really helped with. Big happy smiling Muu for OCM! :rockerdud

Before:
http://www.maj.com/gallery/muuttaa/Skin/1before.jpg

After (pic taken just a few minutes ago, no makeup, just oiled):
http://www.maj.com/gallery/muuttaa/Skin/2after.jpg

(let me know if the pics show up ok, since this is my first time linking pics to the forum)

That's astounding! Congrats!

To make a very long story (fairly) short, I have severe cystic acne, which is kept (90%) in line by using Clean and Clear (http://www.cleanandclear.com/) products. Since I've added OCM (1/2 jojoba and 1/2 EVOO) to my regimen, my acne has calmed down even more, so as of this moment, I do not have a single active cyst or pimple on my face! :thumbsup: My skin is soft, and the crud that used to build up over time (dead skin, sebum, etc.) is no longer a problem.

My scarring and redness are finally fading away, which the Clean and Clear never really helped with. Big happy smiling Muu for OCM! :rockerdud

Before:
http://www.maj.com/gallery/muuttaa/Skin/1before.jpg

After (pic taken just a few minutes ago, no makeup, just oiled):
http://www.maj.com/gallery/muuttaa/Skin/2after.jpg

(let me know if the pics show up ok, since this is my first time linking pics to the forum)

Hey! Your doing great. Since when are u OCMing? How long did u take to see these changes?
Its 3 days since i started OCMing. I dont find it to be GRRRReat.....but it sgood. I am so used to washing my face...that im finding it hard to avoid washing. Also, i havent broken out yet. The zits which were under the skin, are comin up and healing verrrry fast.I hope i keep going...
Naj.

I love this website so much...

I've used EVOO off and on for a moisturizer for years, and I love it. So, when I read about the OCM, I just had to try it.

I've been doing it for the past couple of days, and my skin, which is really good (thanks to careful skincare and good genes), is looking fabulous. I have had enlarged pores on my nose (hereditary) that tend to blacken (not black "heads", per se). OCM started clearing them out day one!

And my skin feels fabulous!

I must admit that I am using Lush's Angels on Bare Skin (clay, lavender buds, etc.) in the a.m., simply because I feel the need to do "something" to my face in the shower in the a.m. (Plus, I love the smell of that stuff.) I'll probably let this go at some point.

We don't have a terry cloth or flannel washcloth, where can I get one? Also, when you say flannel, do you mean the pattern or something else? Thanks.

'rora

A flannel is British for washcloth.

To make a very long story (fairly) short, I have severe cystic acne, which is kept (90%) in line by using Clean and Clear (http://www.cleanandclear.com/) products. Since I've added OCM (1/2 jojoba and 1/2 EVOO) to my regimen, my acne has calmed down even more, so as of this moment, I do not have a single active cyst or pimple on my face! :thumbsup: My skin is soft, and the crud that used to build up over time (dead skin, sebum, etc.) is no longer a problem.

My scarring and redness are finally fading away, which the Clean and Clear never really helped with. Big happy smiling Muu for OCM! :rockerdud

Before:
http://www.maj.com/gallery/muuttaa/Skin/1before.jpg

After (pic taken just a few minutes ago, no makeup, just oiled):
http://www.maj.com/gallery/muuttaa/Skin/2after.jpg

(let me know if the pics show up ok, since this is my first time linking pics to the forum)

The difference is incredible! How long did it take to see those results?

Thanks everyone for your kind words!

naj and rossjen: I started OCMing just over three weeks ago, before my shoulder surgery. I knew that after my surgery, washing my face my normal way was going to be difficult to impossible. So, I started OCMing to get used to the routine and see how my skin reacted. My skin loves OCM!

I can't tell you how ecstatic I am that the redness in my face is fading, my skin is getting smoother, I get very few pimples and blackheads, and acne scars are much less noticeable now. I'm not so self conscious about my skin anymore, thanks to OCM :grin:

Hi Muuatta!
Nice to know ur seeing these great results so fast. Its 4 days since i started OCMing and the blackheads on my nose have reduced. The whiteheads on my cheeks have also started decreasing which never happened inspite of all my previous rigorous washing...Thanks to OCM.

I haev a question. I wantt o know what are the most appropriate steps to follow while having a facial (with OCM).I am confused...
Naj.

I just realized I've been doing it wrong. I've been OCMing in the shower, and wetting my face before the oil went on. Nonetheless, I've also experienced a marked improvement in the redness of my skin where my old healing acne is.

It's been about 5 years for me going *mostly* no soap on my face.

I can vouch that if you stop using soap your skin will be clearer and softer and I cringe everytime I HAVE to use it (make-up or actual dirty face).
I used to get nasty breakouts AND dry skin with soap. I still get some pimples, but they almost always go away in 24 hours by themselves.

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this!! :cloud9:

PS. OCM might make you have to change your pillow case more often to stop break-outs. for some reason since I stopped soaping I break out on my sleeping side if I dont change my pillow case a lot.

Its 13 days since i started OCMing and my skin is really soft and actually glowing. But it hasnt decreased my whiteheads. Is there anyone on this thread who has been OCMing for more than a year. Does OCMing clear your skin inside out? How long does it take to see a really good change in the skin?

Doesnt it harm the skin to steam it daily?
Thanks,
Najju.

Very interesting indeed..!
I'll have to try this out right away.. 8)

Hey Baiken...I hope u tried OCMing...
I read your long hair journal and have a question. What is CO?
Thanks.
Naj.

Hey Baiken...I hope u tried OCMing...
I read your long hair journal and have a question. What is CO?
Thanks.
Naj.

Naj,

CO is Conditioner Only. It is a method of washing the hair without using a drying shampoo. You use a light condish instead, leaving it on for a while so that the gentle cleansers in the condish can work, then rinse it out. Your hair is (for most people) just as clean as if you'd used shampoo, but twice as soft

EDIT: I have also heard people use conditioner as a body wash ... but I don't know the context of CO in Baiken's journal so I will assume it is Conditioner Only.

HTH :grnbiggri

Hey Baiken...I hope u tried OCMing...
I read your long hair journal and have a question. What is CO?
Thanks.
Naj.
In the context of this thread, CO could also mean castor oil (likely), or possibly coconut oil.

In terms of hairwashing, it means Conditioner Only.

Hey Baiken...I hope u tried OCMing...
I read your long hair journal and have a question. What is CO?
Thanks.
Naj.


Hi Naj!

Yes, I did try OCM, and it seems to work well for me! I'll have to give it a few weeks though, just to be on the sure side.

- rawtoast & Ursula both assume correctly. In my journal I wrote about condition only-wash - 'CO'.
- Castor Oil in this thread is also CO, but that was not what I refered to in my journal! 8)

/baiken

Hey Rawtoast, Baiken, Ursula...thanks for ur replies.
I read about Conditioner Only washing...and found it quite amusing...should try it.
Baiken, may i know what you are using for your hair right now?Your hair looks great!
Naj

I tried this for the first time yesterday, after I was done, my skin was looking so "rosy" is that a word? It felt kinda tight after I was done soo I put on nightcream.
How often do you do this every night or every morning and night?
Why is the skin tighter afterwards?

Hello!

Georgy - I am not an expert at this yet as I have only been using the OCM method for a few weeks now but I have found that every other night works for me. I don't really have time to do it every day and it seems that using just water the rest of the time is fine.

The skin is a little tight afterwards probably because, as was suggested elsewhere (in this thread maybe?), the oil you use "chases" the oil from your pores and "dries" your face. The good news is that this means you rinsed your face off well and should not have any trouble with breakouts or anything that a few people have experienced after trying the OCM and not getting all the oil off.

Have fun experimenting!

-firstwomantomars

Just was wondering could I just use olive oil only? Or something else other than castor oil? Sorry, just don't want to use castor oil while pregnant, and want to find something that will work just as good :)

My skin is very strange one minute it is dry, and flaky, next it is oily, and breaking out. I sometimes get cystic acne, but not too often, my concern is my pores get clogged, and my nose is very prone to blackheads, which I can nevr find anything to help them. And I hardly wear any makeup. I could see being blocked by makeup, but I use concealer very sparingly.

Any suggestions?
Thanks, Renee

Just was wondering could I just use olive oil only? Or something else other than castor oil? Sorry, just don't want to use castor oil while pregnant, and want to find something that will work just as good :)

My skin is very strange one minute it is dry, and flaky, next it is oily, and breaking out. I sometimes get cystic acne, but not too often, my concern is my pores get clogged, and my nose is very prone to blackheads, which I can nevr find anything to help them. And I hardly wear any makeup. I could see being blocked by makeup, but I use concealer very sparingly.

Any suggestions?
Thanks, Renee

I use:
75% Coconut
25% EVOO
Honey + Lavender

I'm thinking of using castor oil, actually, but I hope that recipe helps. I also do asprin masks, and that helps a great deal.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

I use straight olive oil most of the time

For how long is it advisable to leave the oil mixture on my face after i massage it in? In the mornings i normally massage in the oil and do my other chores for about 10-15 mins. Is it ok to leave the oil on my skin for so long?
Its been 18days since i staretd OCMing. Initially my skin was ok but for the past 2-3days i see tiny inflammed zits on my skin. Is that because i am leaving it too long or is it just coz of the adjusting process of my skin.
Can it be that the subsurface zits are coming up with skin renewal and my skin is cleaning itself inside out. If so i really dont mind...
I already have oily skin(was superoily but its reduces since i started OCM) and am very prone to zits and black n white heads.I treat my zits with LavenderEO and its working fine. The zits r not much of a prob but why all of a sudden?:rolleyes:
Any opinions what could be causing the zits?
OCM twice with 75:25 castor oil and olive oil+Lavender n LemonEO.

^^ I had the same thing happen to me. Don't let the breakout worry you too much. I started OCMing around 3 weeks ago and my skin has finally calmed down. I give my skin around 4 weeks to get used to a new product or regime.

hi, I am really new and I would like to try this OCM but as I read all of the threads there are so many recipes and suggestions I don't know where to start. I have that t-zone of oil and then the sides of my cheeks seem bumpy and dry. I would like to try this... if anyone has any ideas.

i haven't tried this yet, but am really excited to! the ingredients are so cheap, it's amazing. i always see them in racks on the ends of skin care aisles and nobody knows what they're for! i just have a question about the steaming. i don't use a hot washcloth to steam my face. i boil water and pour it in my wide tupperware bowl. then i sit down on my couch with the bowl on my coffee table and i drape a towel over my head and the bowl. it's a little greenhouse that's very dark and relaxing. i just close my eyes and let the steam do its work for a few minutes. is this okay to do with the oil cleansing method?

Okay, I started the OCM tonight. I read this thread last night when I joined. I'm anxious and nervous at the same time. The mixture I'm using is 50% castor oil, 25% Vitamin E oil and 25% extra virgin olive oil. Here's the process I used. I had on a full face of makeup. I squeezed a half dollar sized amount of the mixture in my palm, rubbed together until it was warm then massaged it all over my face. Lightly rubbed it over my eyes and mascara to remove my eye makeup. I guess I massaged a totaly of 3 to 4 minutes. Then I placed a hot, wet cloth over my face to break it all down. I was gentle and rinse four times. Then I reapplied a dime sized amount of the mixture to my face to ensure I had removed all dirt and makeup. I rinsed approx. 4-5 times. I patted my face dry. Immediately applied my eye cream and waited to see if I needed moisturizer. 30 mins later, I felt a little tight and my cheeks felt dry. So I did use moisturizer. I was a bit surprised to find that my cheeks and jawline were dry since that is where I tend to have the most breakout! I figure that's where the most "bad oil" and dirt is. Color me confuddled and confused

Should I use this method twice a day? I normally use Purpose soap by Johnson & Johnson. It is a God-send. It has helped me tremendously these last couple of months!!! I'm wondering how I should change up my skin care regimen...

Welcome to the wonderful world of OCM carolina-girl-1! Isn't it weird that your skin can be dryer after cleaning it with oil!? It sounds like you did it perfectly. I only do the OCM once a day (sometimes even every other day, if I'm really lazy) and I just use water only for the other times. I can't say that this has cleared up my skin (and it's in terrible shape right now) but it certainly hasn't made it worse, and I know that the problems are caused my hormones and stress, not what I'm putting on my face.
jamie630- Your steaming method is a very good one! I love to steam my face. I think your method would work perfectly. I've been experimenting with steaming before oiling up, and steaming with the oil on, and i think I prefer to steam all oiled up. The oil just slides off afterwards, and my skin feels so good! I wish I had the time to do a full steam more often!

Thank you dancingmegs!! I've been reading as fast as I can in this area (skin & nails). Alot of interresting reading here!!! I did forget to mention that I rinsed my face with cool water quite a few times before patting dry. Wanted to be sure my pores were closed. I thought of using the steam method, but I'm skiddish about using new methods of cleansing. My skin is so extremely sensitive and prone to excessive breakout! I've never had this much trouble with my skin. I can only figure that mine, as well, is hormonal. I'm on my way to 30. I guess my body is changing. I am supposed to see a dermatologist in a couple of weeks to determine if it's an internal/hormonal issue or if it's just what it appears to be, acne. Hahaha. I feel like I'm going through puberty again! I must admit, I'm a product junky. I've tried so many brands and spent soooooooo much money on skincare. So far, ProActiv has worked the best. My second choice would be Merle Norman's skincare line for oily/acne prone skin. Miracol is a great product. But, nothing works for me now. I think my skin has become immune to these products. At the recommendation of a good friend of mine who works for Lancome, I started using Purpose soap by Johnson & Johnson just a couple of months ago. So far I can tell I have less cysts forming on my skin. But, I still have them. They're quite painful and stick around for a week or more at the time. Let's hope this is helpful! I'll try anything to get this under control!!! <crossing my fingers>

I finally decided on a recipes after reading so many of everyone else. I used 50% Caster, 25% teatree, 25% warm honey. I steamed first then put it on and steamed more and massaged it in for about 3-4 minutes, then with a warm cloth I steamed it off, cool rinse and pat dry.... sometimes i use a little aloe gel after... My skin feels great and I didn't even break out this month when my little friend came.... I do read alot of you describing feeling little plugs or something as you massage but I didn't..... If anyone has anyother ideas please let me know.

Joan

Thank you all so much for introducing me to this method! My mom and sisters thought I was nuts when I told them I intended to wash my face with oil a couple of weeks ago, but now they're doing it, too. We all love it. My only gripe is that I haven't experienced the little plugs coming out, and both of my sisters have. But...yeah, that's not exactly a major complaint. ;-)

I use only evoo now, and throw in 50% CO every once in a while. I found it to be too drying to use regularly. (And that still makes me laugh--the thought of having dry skin after I've slathered oil all over it.) I also keep some baking soda on hand to exfoliate the troublesome spots--otherwise I have little bits of dry skin that don't come off with just the oil.

I use the EVOO as an eye makeup remover so I guess it would get the dirt , too.

Wow, I just love this. Thanks to the original poster, Stephanie, for all the info.

I have seen a marked improvement in the size of my pores even in the week I've been doing this. AND no that-time-of-the-month pimples at all! I haven't gotten any new pimples since starting this, and that is really something.

I use 3/4 jojoba and 1/4 EVOO, and it really works to bring out the hard plugs. My skin is really glowy, and no more dryness problems.

I am sold!! (and I was really skeptical too)


:flower:

Thank you Stephanie for posting about OCM!
Just wanted to say that I only wash my face with the OCM nowadays!
I think it is fantastic! I still get some breakouts though :(, but it is nowhere close to what it used to be, so that's good. :)
I use EVOO + 1-2 drops of Tea Tree Oil, at least once a day (preferably in the evening, before bedtime.)
I use a few drops of jojoba oil to moister my skin afterwards.

yseult - thanks for sharing your mix! I will definitely try adding jojoba to my mix now after reading your post, since I have found it hard to get those 'plugs' out. :bigeyes:




Baiken, may i know what you are using for your hair right now?Your hair looks great!
Naj

Hi again, sorry for the late reply.., I didn't see your question until now! :oops:

Many thanks for your compliments on my hair!:)
I have had som issues with it since it has been damaged earlier (approx. 2 years ago.), if you wish to, you can read the more detailed version of my 'hairy history' in my journal (link below my siggy-pic).

I have tried most things on my hair, and I am still not quite sure what works for me.
Since I started condition only-wash, I found that the conditioner I used was not that good as I first had thought; Hence, I do not CO any longer, I shampoo once a week as before. If I find a good/cheap conditioner I may start COing again.

Hope this answers your question!
:D

yseult - thanks for sharing your mix! I will definitely try adding jojoba to my mix now after reading your post, since I have found it hard to get those 'plugs' out. :bigeyes:


Good! you're welcome. I hope it works for you. I experienced a whole lot of unplugging at the beginning, and now less so-- perhaps pores are cleaner overall?

My skin/ hair just loves jojoba. good luck with OCM :)

I just want to thank everyone who has posted to this board. Because of all your wonderful help, I now have the clearest skin I've had in a LONG time. :rockerdud

So I ran out and bought some castor oil, mixed it with the olive oil and gave it a shot. It made my skin baby soft! It left me with almost exactly the same feeling/softness as my expensive cleansing lotion by Yonka so I look at the ingredients in it and there it is "castor oil"! It's a mix of castor oil and mineral oil! So if anyone uses Yonka Cleansing Lotion, you can just do the OCM for a lot cheaper!

OK, I haven't read this thread all the way through, but I read enough to be curious and am feebly working on my own skin care routine. I'm 35, still have acne but can't use normal cleansing products because although I have oily skin, those products dry my skin up terribly and make them burn. So I used to walk around with oily flaky skin despite using a gentle scrub religiously and moisturizing with Oil of Olay afterwards. Since I've started OCM - about a week ago - I've developed a love-hate relationship with my oils. I love how it's made my skin so soft (which I'm sure will certainly help play a role in preventing pimples and improving crud removal) and gives it such a rosy glow. I usually just look red and abused. This stuff is great. However, I'm breaking out horribly, but I don't know if it's due to OCM or if I would have anyways. The OCM has helped with blackheads wonderfully, but hasn't prevented me getting any white heads or cysts nor is it helping with healing any existing pimples yet. I'm also not getting the feeling that any plugs are coming loose when I massage the oils in.
At the moment I use about 75% CO with 25% jojoba oil. I massage this onto my face and let it soak for up to 30 minutes. I then apply a hot wash cloth about 4 times, gently wiping my face off when it cools. Since my skin feels dry and tight afterwards I've taken to using a bit of argan oil to moisturize since it's supposedly good for acne prone skin. I'm still testing it and will post more on my results in a few weeks.

I just came across this thread and I'm trying this tonight. I'm so excited after reading about the good results others have had!

I've been using this method for about 6 wks with great results! Originally found it on another board, that referred to this site. I have to add my thanks to Stephanie and the rest of the posters, too!

My mix is about 50% CO (from health food store) and 50% EVOO with a couple of drops of lavender eo. I dip dry fingers into the jar of mixed oils and rub it between palms to "warm" the oil up and then I start little circles all over face/neck. I do this for about 2-3 minutes. It feels great and is very relaxing. I then wipe off some of the oil with cotton makeup remover pads. Then I take a regular washcloth in warm/hot water wrung out and place over face - repeat a few times and then I start removing the oils. I rinse the cloth at least 5x - to be sure that I am removing all oils. (One time a day - usually night --in the am, I just massage with water or use the oatmeal scrub).

Aspirin masks were too drying for my skin, although for many that OCM, they work wonderfully well. Instead, about 2-3 times a week, I scrub with a mix of oatmeal/cornmeal/powdered milk (put into blender until powdery) and then applied with dampened fingertips and then massage gently with fingertips using little circle motions.

I think part of the success is the amount of time I spend massaging the mug! It definitely increases the blood flow far more than doing a quickie swipe with a washcloth!

I do have washcloths especially set aside for OCM, and even if I have to replace them every so often, it is a small price to pay for such great results!

Between using OCM and BE makeup (1 year), I no longer use moisturizers, although I had been using them since I was about 20 and I'm 46 now!!

OK, after reading this WHOLE thread through yesterday I finally decided to try this system. :smile: I did it last night and was expecting to wake up with very oily skin but it didn't look that bad. I loved the feeling of the hot washcloth on my face. My skin felt really clean and soft after, and not tight as usual.

My skin is naturally greasy, I hate it. Anyway, I usually use a facial wash for oily skin followed by a salycilic acid moisturizer by Loreal. (Pure Zone) So it seems I'm stripping my skin and this is why it's producing so much oil. :rolleyes: I'm going to give this a try and see what happens. I've about had it with blemishes. :twisted:

I just started doing this--it's great so far. I am using coconut oil though; I found that the CO/EVOO actually burned. My skin is so soft and even, and the red patches/broken out areas (yes, I have rosacea) are less apparent.

Thanks again for the great advice.

Michele (Shell)

wow, I find this fascinating. I stopped washing my face with soap a while ago because I was sure it was just making my breakouts worse, I was right, my skin is still not happy though because I wear alot of sunscreen every day rain or shine and water only does not get it off, maybe castor oil will cleanse my skin, I think I'll try this it sounds wonderful.

I've been doing the OCW Method for about 2 weeks and I love it. My husband also noticed that my face isn't as blotchy. I mixed 50/50 CO from the health store with regular OO. Now and then I put a little lotion on my face before I put makeup on, but it feels wonderful. When I run out of lotion, I'm gonna try more oil for moisturizer...

I've been doing this for about a week now and am really enjoying it. I used to have dry, flakey skin after washing my face, even after using Cetaphil. Most moisturisers would cause acne. By the end of the day my face would be greasy. Now my skin is soft and moisturised, and no oiliness at all. Even my make-up looks better now that I have a smooth "canvas".

I'm using the oil cleanse (25% CO/75% EVOO) in the evening and usually just water in the morning. I apply a very small amount of EVOO as moisturiser afterwards.

So I finally tried OCM ... and I love it! I even got my husband to try it out. He has always had bad acne so we were a little nervous, but it seems to be working fine! Yay! :cloud9:

I'm not using any kind of other cleanser at all just warm water in the morning with a light scrub with the washcloth and OCM at night. It feels so good to know that I'm not using any harsh cleansers on my face anymore. And I don't feel like I need a moisturizer anymore either. I may never have to buy facial cleansers/masks again!

:rockerdud

Well I read this last night and tried it with a mixture of hemp and shea butter lotion bars from chagrin valley (they melt into an oil), my skin felt awesome after the hot towel. today I went out and got some castor oil and organic EVOO and I tried it all over my husband's back, arms, neck and face, I noticed some plugs coming out and his skin looks great now. I'll definately be doing this for cleansing my body as well, I cannot wait to try this tomorrow on my face!

I've been using CO on my face to remove my sunscreen each night and it's working well to get it off, I do have a couple more pimples today but not bad (probabbly just my skin adjusting or I didn't get all the dirty oil off) I already like this method and will keep doing it. I also noticed, I think, a few plugs come out. I'm note sure but I think they did.

I've been intriged by this method since I joined this board, and I finally picked up some castor oil today!! I will be trying it tonight and will report back. My face has been feeling very tight after I wash it and moisturizers usually make me break out, so hopefully this will work! :rockerdud

I recently ran out of face lotion and I've been using my Jojoba oil as a moisturizer on my face, my hands, everywhere! It works excellent! I think it makes my eyelashes pretty full too. so maybe some of you might want to try conditioning your eyelashes with jojoba oil overnight.

Has anyone tried OCM on their hair?

I've been using the modified version of OCM (adding polysorbate-80 and PEG-7 to my oils) and so far, so good. Someone on another board mentioned trying it on their scalp with good results. I'm a little hesitant to try it (I've had some bad (really bad) hair experiments gone awry, so I'm a little gun shy.

ka

I've used 50/50 EVOO and CO for the last two nights. After I do the massage, I wash my hands with soap so I can feel any residue on my face, then wipe with a very warm washcloth until I can feel a "squeek" with my fingers.

Last night in particular, I could feel my skin tightening afterwards as if I had egg-white on my face. Is that normal?

Today I feel as if my skin is dry...but it's dewy and soft to the touch. Is *that* normal...to feel like your skin is drier than it is?

I've read that many of you ladies use crushed aspirin with honey as a BHA face mask. Is there anything home-made that will work as an AHA product?

For background, I have redhead skin...quite fragile and overly sensitive. I had chronic acne as a teenager (likely from make-up and skin products) and excema. I generally have found that leaving my face alone, not using make-up and washing it only infrequently, worked the best, but it did leave me susceptable to blocked pores. I don't slough off cells properly, and if I get a blemish, it's around for a couple of weeks in one form or another. I'm probebly combination, as I've been known to flake on my cheeks, but my forehead and chin can get a bit oily. A few years ago I used a routine of cetaphil lotion and an oil of olay moisturizer with AHA. That kept both aging and break-outs in check while I kept it up. The last couple of years of stress have been rough on my skin, and I'm getting lines at a really accelerated rate, and since I'm turning to organic food and products I can't find anything to help my skin that doesn't break me out. I tried an organic oil/wax/EO commercially-produced moisterizer and I've tried Coconut oil...both gave me an enormous zit or two! Maybe I used too much?

Milaandra

I've been trying recently to figure out how best to treat my skin since it has apparently decided to become "combination" skin - somehow dry and oily all at the same time. So when I saw the reviews of the OCM...

Well, I've been using straight EVOO morning and night for the last two days, and my face is already looking clearer! :grin: It makes me want to wash my face several times a day, because it feels so good afterwards.

I might try picking up some CO next time I see it, and in the meantime I think I'll also try some of the jojoba oil I already have. But wow. Who would've guessed that oil would be such a good cleanser? Okay, the Romans did over 2000 years ago - they cleansed their whole bodies with oil. And I've read some of you do that too - I might just try that next.

I love LHC! :inlove:

I just tried the oil cleansing...

First I gave my hubby a facial. I used castor oil and jojoba. He has very clear skin exceot for his nose. On his nose he has the biggest collection of blackheads I've ever seen. Some become cysts eventually. I have noticed the plugs are enormous... as wide as 1mm and a bit longer! *weird* Anyway, I massaged the oil in for about 15 minutes. I didn't feel any of the plugs but one was easily hooked with a nail. sorry, TMI? After wiping with the steaming flour sack his skin felt and looked very smooth.

Next I tried this on myself. (I am no guinea pig hahahaahahahaha... jeez how is that spelled???) I have a lot of acne issues. I have had to use either differin, aveda, trenotin, sulphur washes, and finally benzamycin since I was 13. Of course my skin is often flaky, but with blemishes or even red and burnt. I keep wondering when my skin will grow up! I used the same oils, but did not massage them in for very long. Afterwards, my skin felt too dry. I was about to shower, and I decided to try again with tea tree oil because I forgot it the first time. After the shower I found my face was still quite dry, but not visibly. I applied the usual benzamycin * I LOVE THAT STUFF* and so far it looks smooth and the colour is very even. It feels dry, but no more than when I use soap. (I rarely use any soap on my face. I find it looks better if I do not.) hmmm, It feels smooth too actually.

Wow! Four days now and last night I could feel plugs coming loose! And, maybe I'm imagining things...but I think it's actually *reversing* age lines. I've always understood that lines can't be made better, you can only try to avoid further damage...but I swear the lines I have are getting fainter!!

For the ladies who wanted to know about make-up on their washcloths, if I'm wearing make-up I start with a little straight EVOO and wipe with wet cotton pads. That removes the make-up, so the oil method is happening over essentially bare skin. Keeps my washcloths (which match the rest of my bathroom) from getting nasty.

I think the washcloth is providing the exfoliation my skin desperately needs, as well. I'm really impressed with this! If I'm seeing results after four days, I can't wait to find out what happens next month!!

I have been using this for a week - castor oil with a little bit of jojoba. I massage the oil onto my face (really well). I then take a very hot washcloth and put it on my face until it cools. I do it a second time and then I gently wipe away the oil, spritz my face with aloe juice that has a little jojoba in it and then use a moisturizer. Before I started this, my face was usually an oil slick by noon - not anymore! My face stays nice all day long - not oily nor dry - just right as baby bear said :lol: .

So this is part question, part story-sharing.

I was using grapeseed and jojoba as my oil mix with no trouble. But I was only OCMing twice a week.

Since it's winter I stepped up the OCM and my face got a bit dry and red.

I'm thinking 3 things:
1) I heard the grapeseed oil can make you more photosensitive. Can someone verify this. If so, maybe I had a slight sunburn/windburn? (I'm bad about sunscreen in the winter.)

OR

2) the grapeseed was rancid? The bottle was bout 9 months old. I was down to the last couple of drops.

OR

3) I simply had a reaction to the grapeseed (even though it was not rancid)

Soooooo

I OCMd a little less frequently, but I used olive oil, aloe vera juice (Lily of the Desert) and jojoba oil. I also made sure to use my sunscreen. And finally, I'm keeping most of the oils (except for the olive) in the fridge. I'd like to try grapeseed again in the near future, b/c I used it for so long with no trouble. But I can wait on that.

My face is much better and I like this new olive/aloe vera/jojoba mix much better. I felt more bits dislodging with this massage mix and my face just looks better. Could be the healing properties of the aloe vera, but for whatever reason it's working! :grin:

My skin gets irritated if I OCM too frequently, no matter what oil I use. And if I get lazy about changing to a fresh washcloth I break out, too. :oops: In winter time I've been moisturizing my face by rubbing a small drop of jojoba on wet hands and smoothing that on my face after a shower. It absorbs right into my skin and doesn't leave it oily.

The shelf-life of grapeseed oil is 10-12 months, so it's quite possible it could have gone rancid. I would think you would notice a different odor, but maybe not.

My skin gets irritated if I OCM too frequently, no matter what oil I use. And if I get lazy about changing to a fresh washcloth I break out, too. :oops: In winter time I've been moisturizing my face by rubbing a small drop of jojoba on wet hands and smoothing that on my face after a shower. It absorbs right into my skin and doesn't leave it oily.

The shelf-life of grapeseed oil is 10-12 months, so it's quite possible it could have gone rancid. I would think you would notice a different odor, but maybe not.


I didn't notice any different odor to the grapeseed, but it is possible.

I was however OCMing more frequently, like almost every day. So that could have been part of it. But I then used the new mix for 3 days in a row, because it was so soothing to the dryness (which was itching it was so dry).
So :undecided I dunno.

If it was the grapeseed, I think I'm going to need to test it again. Of course, this is a brand new bottle I'm keeping stored in the fridge, just in case. So if there is no reaction it is quite possible the old batch was rancid.

I use a fresh washcloth each time I OCM. I took one of dd's old flannel baby blankets (those cheap ones that come in a pack of 2 or 3) and cut that up. I found it was much softer on my face than a regular terry wascloth. Also it's much thinner so while it doesn't hold the heat that long, I don't worry about having too much heat on my face for too long. I just steam with the washcloth 2 times or so.

I also rinse A LOT. About 20 times, starting with warm gradually adjusting the temp to cooler, so I end up with a cool rinse. I'm a bit paranoid about getting the oil off. But so far, so good.

Now that I've chatted wayyyyyyyyyyyy too much and said more than anyone probably wants to know, I'm going back to my lurk hole for a bit.... :wink:

Very interesting...I sometimes put oil on my face but I didn't know some oils can clean. I'll try it one of these days.

I've just started cleansing with just olive oil. So far so good- my skin's really soft, and the lines on my forehead appear smaller. I'll see how it goes!

Here's a link to a cleansing with olive oil thread on another website, in case anyone finds the additional information useful:

http://forums.handbag.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=204440

I've just started cleansing with just olive oil. So far so good- my skin's really soft, and the lines on my forehead appear smaller. I'll see how it goes!

Here's a link to a cleansing with olive oil thread on another website, in case anyone finds the additional information useful:

http://forums.handbag.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=204440
Sian100 I have found that the lines on my face have gotten less and less obvious. I don't have too many lines, just a few around my eyes from the squinting that I do outside. LOL But they have shrunk until they are now "fine" lines and not large ones! Yippee! Moisture is wonderful. I guess that staying out of the sun for the most part has helped too, as most tell me that I have never looked my age. It is good to know that others have experienced similar results! :smile:

I've been doing this for a week now. Wow. My face is no longer oiling back up halfway through the day and my evil oily nose has started to clear up nicely. I've been alternating between coconut and jojoba oil. My skin sucks up the coconut like crazy, I'm thinking of adding a bit of aloe gel to the mix since it's so bloody dry here that adding some more moisture can't possibly hurt. DH leaned over to give me a quick kiss the other day and said, "Oh, your face is so soft". I guess it must be working!

I haven't tried the OCM yet, though I'd really like to, and probably will as soon as I can pick up some castor oil. But I wanted to share something. I have a prescription face wash that I use in the shower when I remember, and it always helps my acne. The other day I was looking at the ingredients, because I was curious, and while the "active ingredient" was benzoyl peroxide, one of the additional ingredients was... you guessed it... castor oil! I grinned when I saw that. Obviously everyone doesn't think oil is bad for the skin.

I don't tend to get acne anymore, though I do get the odd nasty zit from time to time. I do, however, have pretty awful blackheads and clogged pores. I'm hoping to get out tomorrow to pick up some CO to give this a try.

Okay, a question. If CO is so good for getting the crud out of your pores, would it be beneficial to leave it on my skin for a long period (say, an hour) as a type of facial?

Been doing OCM for 3 days now. I'm not going to count the first day since I didn't have CO yet. So far, so good.

I've been doing OCM for a while now and I love it. I usually only use it to remove my sunscreen, so I use it each night after I've been outside. If I stay in I just use fresh water to rinse my face with. I still have some acne but it's better than ever now and my blackheads really are clearing up. I love this, it makes my skin so smooth!

I've been doing this for approximately a year now. I use just jojoba oil and I take it off with a warm flannel. My skin has never been better. It's by far the best cleansor I've ever used.

I started doing it, as my skin was becoming increasingly dry and sensitive, so much so that almost everything I bought I had a reaction to and this forced me to look at more natural alternatives. I'm so glad I did! It was a real blessing really, if my skin had just been a bit iffy, rather than seriously sensitive then I'd have plodded on throwing good money after bad using products that didn't suit my skin.

I really love jojoba as a cleansing oil. (My skin profile btw is very fair, small pored, celtic, thin skin that tends to get dry, but will breakout occasionally if my hair gets greasy!)

Well, I've been doing this for two weeks now, using just EVOO, and I have to say its the best cleanser I've ever used- gets off all my make up, and doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or oily- just soft.

Will update on my progress- also may start using the castor oil mixture, if I get round to buying some.

I'm glad you've seen an improvement in your fine lines too, SimplyLonghair. Mine do appear to have reduced.

Okay, a question. If CO is so good for getting the crud out of your pores, would it be beneficial to leave it on my skin for a long period (say, an hour) as a type of facial?

Been doing OCM for 3 days now. I'm not going to count the first day since I didn't have CO yet. So far, so good.

Kimberlily, I've been pondering your question and I'm not sure if it would be good to leave CO on that long. When you use it in OCM, you're massaging and then applying steam heat. If you let it sit, the oil would cool to room temp and might be harder to wash off. It might end up clogging your pores instead of cleaning them.

Just my thoughts. If anyone has accurate info, I'd love to hear it, too.

I tried the OCM method as described here (OCM then steam) but it didn't work for me and my skin got irritated. However, I liked how the OCM got out some of the blackheads so I've been experimenting with it.

This is what I came up with:

1. OCM counting to 300 (gets some gunk out but doesn't irritate my skin)
2. Wipe the oil off with a wet warm cloth (absolutely no steam)
3. Apply honey on face and let it sit 15 minutes
3. Wash honey off
4. Apply Bepanthen (B-vitamin cream)

I try to do this every day but if I'm in a hurry I'll just massage honey on my skin and then wash it off. I've not done this routine very long but my skin seems to like it so far :)

I used EVOO this morning to wash my face with. I am going to get some CO tomorrow and try a mixture of these. Does this help with dark spots too? I have noticed dark spots and wrinkles starting to appear on my face and it is very distressing. I also suffer with adult acne, so I am praying this method of washing will take care of my problems. Also, does this method take off waterproof sunscreen and foundation? One more question, what could I apply to my face for a moisturizer after the washing?

Tonight I tried the Oil Cleansing Method. Before getting in the shower, I put olive oil on my face and massaged it in for 3 minutes. Then I got in a hot (as hot as was comfortable) shower and massaged my face with a wet paper towel. As far I could tell from this thread, I was supposed to rinse the towel in hot water and continue to massage until my face no longer felt oily. So I rinsed it and continued to massage. And rinsed and massaged. And rinsed and massaged. I don’t know how long I did this except that it was a lot longer than 3 minutes.

I tried rinsing my face directly with hot water. I tried washing the paper towel with soap. I tried using a washcloth. I kept rinsing and massaging, rinsing and massaging. By then I’d used up most of the hot water, so I gave up and got out.

After my face dried, I made my brother touch it and he said it still felt oily. Also, my face feels like I scrubbed it something fierce.

Has anyone had a whole lot of trouble just getting the stuff off?

Tonight I tried the Oil Cleansing Method. Before getting in the shower, I put olive oil on my face and massaged it in for 3 minutes. Then I got in a hot (as hot as was comfortable) shower and massaged my face with a wet paper towel. As far I could tell from this thread, I was supposed to rinse the towel in hot water and continue to massage until my face no longer felt oily. So I rinsed it and continued to massage. And rinsed and massaged. And rinsed and massaged. I don’t know how long I did this except that it was a lot longer than 3 minutes.

I tried rinsing my face directly with hot water. I tried washing the paper towel with soap. I tried using a washcloth. I kept rinsing and massaging, rinsing and massaging. By then I’d used up most of the hot water, so I gave up and got out.

After my face dried, I made my brother touch it and he said it still felt oily. Also, my face feels like I scrubbed it something fierce.

Has anyone had a whole lot of trouble just getting the stuff off?
I know how you feel. I have used this method of washing twice only to feel like I can't get the oil off. I didn't use a paper towel though.I used a wash cloth. Maybe a little of the oil is supposed to be left on skin? I don't know. I am going to get some CO today and mix it with EVOO and see what happens.

I used EVOO this morning to wash my face with. I am going to get some CO tomorrow and try a mixture of these. Does this help with dark spots too? I have noticed dark spots and wrinkles starting to appear on my face and it is very distressing. I also suffer with adult acne, so I am praying this method of washing will take care of my problems. Also, does this method take off waterproof sunscreen and foundation? One more question, what could I apply to my face for a moisturizer after the washing?

sandrak-
I've been using this method for a few weeks, and I have to say my skin looks much better than it ever has. I use 75/25 CO/EVOO plus a few drops of lavender and tea tree oil. I use a lot less than what the article originally called for- I use about a 1/2 dollar amount. I think it just takes some practice to get the oil off- but some will remain in your pores for conditioning etc.
My usuall routine is this, a run of witch hazel on a cotton, and followed by aloe gelly.
For extra help with the acne I do an aspirin mask- take a couple of tablets of uncoated aspirin and disovle in witch hazel- spread paste on face, let dry, wash off.
I've also switched to MMU (see thread in this forum) which I think is helping. But when I did wear regular makeup- it all came off.

I do this method of cleansing as well. You can see my age above, and I have no lines, no wrinkles. My skin was oily until I started cleansing this way. Now I have very tight pores, no breakouts or dry patches. I use a 75/25 of EVOO/organic pumpkinseed oils.

An important step in the routine is the steaming with a very warm, soft cloth. Let it stay on your face until it cools, then warm it up again to gently wipe off the oils. I usually repeat with a smaller amount of oil, steam, and wipe off. You may need to rinse your cloth an extra time or two. Then use some cold water when you're done.

I'm thinking about adding a bit of the castor oil after reading this article. I'll update if I do.

Today, a couple of hours after I had cleaned my face, my husband gave me a kiss on the cheek. He stopped, did it again and said "Wow...your skin is so soft...it's like kissing a baby's bottom..."

Can't ask for better than that!

Today, a couple of hours after I had cleaned my face, my husband gave me a kiss on the cheek. He stopped, did it again and said "Wow...your skin is so soft...it's like kissing a baby's bottom..."

Can't ask for better than that!
Makes me wonder how many baby bottoms he's kissed. :lol:

We now return to regular programming...

I'm breaking out right now :( Not huge zits, but they're bothersome. Hoping it is just old stuff coming to the surface.

I'm breaking out right now :( Not huge zits, but they're bothersome. Hoping it is just old stuff coming to the surface.
I know exactly what you mean. I am breaking out worse now too. I am going to stick with the method for a while and see what happens though because my face is softer. For the ones who use this cleansing method what kind of moisturizer do you use? Will me putting a little of EVOO and CO on after the cleansing break me out?

sandrak, I don't really use any moisturizer afterwards. Sometimes a bit of my shea/coconut oil mixture, but not until an hour or two later. I often don't use anything else. Are you doing the steam with a warm/hot cloth? Which oils are you using?

About every 2-3 weeks I do a french clay scrub and mask. I had oily skin when I started doing oil cleansing, but it was so long ago that I can't recall how soon my skin was normalized. I know it didn't take long. I don't wear any face makeup. I don't know if you do or not, but I would do a repeat if I wore makeup. I usually do a light repeat, anyway.

sandrak, I don't really use any moisturizer afterwards. Sometimes a bit of my shea/coconut oil mixture, but not until an hour or two later. I often don't use anything else. Are you doing the steam with a warm/hot cloth? Which oils are you using?

About every 2-3 weeks I do a french clay scrub and mask. I had oily skin when I started doing oil cleansing, but it was so long ago that I can't recall how soon my skin was normalized. I know it didn't take long. I don't wear any face makeup. I don't know if you do or not, but I would do a repeat if I wore makeup. I usually do a light repeat, anyway.
Yes, I do the steam with the hot wrag. I am using the EVOO and CO. I wear foundation but I hope that my face will improve enough for me to stop using foundation. I see that you use some coconut oil at times. This won't break my very acne prone face out? Sorry for all the questions, but my face is really going down hill lately and I better get a hold on things while I still can. Any suggestions on how to lighten dark spots? I have 2 on the left side of my face that recently appeared.

Sandrak-
For the first week or so, of OCM my face really broke out as well. I read somewhere, not sure if it is true, that pimples take two to three weeks to actually form. So if it is true, your pulling the impurities out faster (hence more pimples) than what would have happened. In the three weeks I've been doing this and the aspiring mask, my face has never looked or felt better. Quite of lot of my redness is gone.

sandrak, I have never had a problem with coconut oil breaking my skin out. I use organic virgin coconut oil, and mix it with unrefined shea. I apply it LIGHT, and on moist skin. I wrote on another thread about using a rosehip seed oil/coconut oil to lighten some sun damage spots on my upper chest and shoulders. It has taken awhile, but the spots are barely visible now. Of course I have somewhat dark skin. I've read that if you mix lemon juice with certain oils that it will fade out spots quicker.

If you use makeup you might want to do the oil cleansing twice, but I would go lighter on the oil. Don't use so much that it's hard to get off, and have your cloth very warm, but not hot. It's really important to make sure you get all the makeup out and off your face. Maybe an occasional clay mask would help, too.

About leaving those oils on for a long time, I wouldn't. They are just too heavy, at least for me. Just think of them as a cleanser.

Thank you. I will get some shea and try this.

sandrak, you're welcome. I hope it works for you.

I do a variation of the OCM since about one year.

First I use the oil all over my face and on my neck. At the moment I use a mixture of EVOO and CO, about 70% EVOO and 30% CO.
In the past I've used different kind of oils ... grape seed oil, corn oil, sweet almond oil and rape oil ... whatever I have at hand.

After massaging the oil I use a very mild handcrafted soap oder just plain olive oil soap.


I tried the OCM the way it is described in the article but my face doesn't like the steaming.
I can only do that from time to time but not on a regular basis.

Makes me wonder how many baby bottoms he's kissed. :lol:

We now return to regular programming...

<grin> My initial reaction was to make a joke about diaper odours...

Wow, I've never heard of this, but I'm definitely intrigued. I've been wondering if there was an effective way to wash my face without all the chemicals I usually use. Thanks!

Just a quick question to the OCMers out there who also use makeup - do you OCM in the morning AND in the evening? Or just once a day?
The reason I ask is that I want my face to be clean before I apply makeup, and I want to clean all the makeup off in the evening, but I was under the impression that most people here just OCM once a day and just use plain water for the rest. Or did I just understand it wrong? :grin:

I OCM at night only. In the morning I rinse with water, some days an aspirin mask and somedays witch hazel. I wear MMU.
See what works best for you, but for me the OCM method is a bit time consuming for morning routine and my face doesn't need a heavy washing after sleeping.

I have been using products from a Japanese company called DHC for several years now. The basis for many of their products is olive oil. I stopped having breakouts, (yes, I know I am too old to have breakouts, but...) my skin is in pretty good shape. I cleanse with their oil and then use a mild soap afterwards. I have been extremely happy with this company.

I may skip the soap and see if just the cleansing oil will do the trick.

You are absolutely right about oil dissolving oil. It is true.

I will give this homemade routine a try. Hey, if it works as well I could save some money. :wink:

~~Mona~~

This is FASCINATING! I've been skipping the skin and nails folder, but decided to pop in and found this. For the past 15 years I've been 'eh' on taking care of myself, and now I'm sure hubby is wondering who this woman he wakes up next to is. I mixed up a frizzing spray and he said 'my wife, the alchemist'! :)

I really wanted this to work. :(

But I have come to the conclusion after two weeks that this isn't the best method for my skin. My breakouts went through the roof and I now have rough bumpy patches to try and clear away. I'm not talking a zit here and there, I might have to see a dermatologist to undo the damage.

I'm glad I at least gave it a shot though. Now to re-build tolerance for ProActive... =p

Edit: apparently I didn't give this enough time, so I'll check back.

I was referred to this site from another to check out the OCM. I have been doing this for about 2 weeks and am quite pleased with the results. (I use castor oil and almond oil) One thing that has me puzzled, however, are the women who have posted here that one should not use castor oil when one is pregnant. Can anyone post some information on this? I have yet to find anything online to support such claims. I am currently 18 weeks along and while I understand the use of castor oil INTERNALLY is a no-no, I can't imagine any harmful effects to the skin.

Great thread!

I JUST tried this, and I love it! My face is so finicky, it's usually super dry after cleansing with a regular face cleanser, and then I'd have to put on lotion, and then within an hour my face would be an oilslick! I'm an oily person anyways (my scalp is an oilpool the day after washing my hair), so I was worried about trying this. But I love it! My skin was a little tight afterward, so I rubbed back in a TINY amount of my 50/50 EVOO/CO mix, and it feels great and looks fab! I couldn't believe how my skin glowed...thanks so much for this thread, I love it!

I´ve been trying the OCM for a week with coconut oil and almond oil and a little EVOO, and I really like the results! I have a few questions however, I hope someone with more oil-experience than me can aswer them :)

1. Which oil is better for reducing scars? I have a lot of scars from acne..

2. What do you do with the eye area? Do you use oil there too? What about after cleansing, do you use eye-cream or what? What is the best method to keep wrinkles at a minimum.. (Not to mention the huge bags and dark circles)

Thanks so much in advance!

Godspeed, there's a good article on http://www.mountainroseherbs.com about using rosehipseed oil for scars. I've read about that in other venues as well. Vitamin E oil is touted by some people as being good for scarring, but it's so heavy that I don't like to use it very often. Helichrysum infused oils are another alternative that I've read about.

For the eye area, if you want to remove makeup just use a little of what you're cleaning your face with, but be very gentle with wiping it off. Actually, I'm very gentle about wiping the oils off all over my face. For puffiness under the eyes, I usually use a bit of rosehipseed oil and then place a slice of raw potato or cucumber over that. Leave in place at least 10-15 minutes. That seems to work for me.

Rosehipseed oil is also supposed to be good for wrinkles, as well as unrefined shea butter and virgin coconut oil. I don't really have any wrinkles yet and you can see my age. I have a few very fine lines, but not anything deep. I think it's because I use mostly good oils, never wear face makeup, and mist with distilled water and flower waters alot. Could just be genetic, though.

Thanks for yor reply, Catbird :)

This rosehipseed oil I have never heard of, but I will place an order at mountainroseherbs when i get some $$ anyway, so I will order some of that too.
I have coconut oil, but I don´t know if it´s virgin... It just says 100% pure coconut oil on the label. How important is it that it´s virgin?

I just have to add that this cleansing method is *amazing*, for the first time since the age 14 I don´t have a fat layer of oil on my face constantly. My skin just feels different, in a good way.

Lucky you Suncat for not having any wrinkles, I am 25 and am starting to get them already, small ones around the eyes and I just have poor skin quality due to sleepingdisorders and smoking. (I have quit now.)

Anyway, I can see good results from oil cleansing just after 1 week, wow! :grin:

I use rosehip-seed oil to cleanse with. I found that EVOO and castor oil, are far too heavy for my skin.

I decided to try the oil cleansing method after my dermo. suggested I go on Accutane.

I've been using the OCM for about 2 months now, and couldn't be happier. My skin no longer feels tight after I wash, and the only breakouts I get (hormonal) are smaller, and heal faster.

I really wanted this to work. :(

But I have come to the conclusion after two weeks that this isn't the best method for my skin. My breakouts went through the roof and I now have rough bumpy patches to try and clear away. I'm not talking a zit here and there, I might have to see a dermatologist to undo the damage.

I'm glad I at least gave it a shot though. Now to re-build tolerance for ProActive... =p

Edit: apparently I didn't give this enough time, so I'll check back.


You may be detoxing from the ProActive instead of reacting to OCM. My acne was never that bad but ProActive worked for me. I decided the ingredients were too harsh & wanted something more natural. Sooooo I quit the ProActive, my face broke out horribly, worse than it ever was before ProActive. I don't remember how long it took my skin to normalize but it seems as it was awhile.

this ROCKS!!!!!

i have no idea how this happened to come across to me as i barely have enough time to read the hair forums and never come here. but i saw this and HAD to try it- just made sense you know.

anywho

i couldn't wait so i tried it saturday evening and again last night. AWESOME!!!

my skin feel great and this coming from a person with extremely sensitive, finicky, and highly allergic skin.!!!!


thank you for sharing!!!

I've had problems with acne since I was born (ok, maybe not that long, but close). Blackheads, whiteheads, pimpleheads, just the whole gamut of facial criminals--I've been the showcase for each and every one.

So I tried this routine first time tonight. Carefully working in the oils, I was surprised to feel how smooth my face became. I could not only feel, but SEE the little crumblies of clogged oil. Astounding!!!

Instead of using a washcloth, I used a facial spa by conair, with some distilled water added. This was a bad move for me, as I discovered. My face is really super-sensitive, thanks to years of retin-A (all three types) and other topical remedies (homemade and store-bought) to attempt to clear my skin. The heat of the facial spa made my skin all patchy and red.

After removing the oil with a facial cloth, I was surprised to see that in addition to being patchy red, my skin looked DRY. I quickly added some of the oil mix and my skin felt better. Live and learn, eh?

I'm going to stick with this routine, to see what happens. I was really very pleased to see how the oil plugs lifted up so easily. It gives me hope that finally, after a literal lifetime, I may see relief from the skin breakout bugaboos.

THANKS!!!!

Just tried this with food grade coconut oil (got it for my hair). So far it looks good, had a couple of small zits pop out, but they were probably already their just hiding.

But I have tip for those who wear alot of mascara and end up washing several times to get the racoon eyes to go away.

Soak a q-tip in oil, or mascara remover then pretend you are appling mascara again. Wait a few minuets then do the OCM. This breaks up the mascara so you only have to wash once.

I am very glad that people are having good luck with this method because I sure haven't. I have been doing this method for a while now and my face is broken out worse than it has ever been. I don't know what to do. My skin feels good, not dry and it feels softer than ever, but the acne is driving me crazy.

I use OCM with apricot oil, but not everyday. I also use jojoba oil for cleansing (with handmade soap) and wildrose oil for moisturizing (on the damp skin).

Well, I gave it the old "college try" and it just doesn't work for me. My face is continually breaking out in record numbers and it's only getting worse. My face hurts from the massive buildup of huge zits that have broken out. And I have all these bumps now, they're not zits but they're there. My face feels like it's literally crawling with bumps.

Time for me to move on and concede defeat, I can't remain like this. Whether my skin is purging gunk or not doesn't make it worth the aggravation since it was never this bad to begin with. :nono:

I tried OCM and it didn't work for me either. My face broke out badly and I couldn't stand it any longer. Now I'm mostly doing WO method and it seems to work just fine.

HI, im new. I heard of the OCM on another community, so when I researched it, I found this forum. I started using the OCM today, and Im a bit skeptical, but willing to try it. I dont remember the last time I had clear skin :( So im willing to try anything. I've used probably all of the drugstore cleansers, along with clinique, mary kay and proactiv. Proactiv worked the best, but after 3 months or so, I became immune to it.
Anyway, I started my OCM as 50/50 of evoo/co with a few drops of tea tree oil. I rubbed it on my face good (with makeup still on) then steamed with a towel a few times, then wiped if off nice and good. Rinsed with cold water, then applied some jojoba (only a few drops) directly to my face as a moisturizer.
I realize my skin might freak at first, but because this method is both cheap and natural, I'm willing to go the long haul.
Thanks so much for this post, and all the info! I'll let you know how my skin is coming along! My fingers are crossed.

It's working! I've been doing ocm for a little over a week and my skin looks great. Last night my husband commented on how smooth and glowing my face looked. He now wants to try this method.

For those that say the washcloth gets icky and stays that way even after it's been washed -- I "wash" the washcloth with cheap shampoo right in the shower after I finish steaming and rubbing off the oils on my face. I then toss it in with the regular towels in the laundry. So far, this is working and my washcloths are not all gummy.

I've been doing this for a month now and have been happily shocked at how good it's been for my skin. I was putting on my make-up this morning and realized that I would be comfortable going out without make-up now. Probably the last time that was even an option was before I ever started wearing make-up! My skin's been soft, glowing, no break-outs, and my make-up stays fresher much longer. Thank you everyone for posting your comments!
Maimun

Ive been using the OCM going on 2 weeks & I love it my skin is smoother not tight & just plan soft.


I use:

50% OO
25% AVOCADO OIL
25% CASTER OIL

Then I add a few drops of Lavender

I've always had very oily skin along with seborrheic dermatitis and I just have to say that OCM has made a huge difference. My face isn't oily and the dermatitis isn't as bad. I REALLY want to get away from using hydrocortisone cream on my face and this just might be the answer. Wish I had known about this years ago!


:heartbeat Cindy

I noticed that some of us are using different formulations of the original recipe and wondered if the tinkering would help those who are having breakouts?

At first I was using olive oil, but decided to switch to emu oil since that's what I was going to be using for some of my hair treatments. I use 75% emu oil to 25% castor oil and am very pleased with the results so far, one week out. No major breakouts, a good healthy glow and a reduction in dry patches.

The OCM gets used nightly, though depending on how my skin looks when I wake up, I sometimes do the wash again in the morning.

I use 50% evoo and 50% castor oil. I tried 25% evoo and 75% co and I could barely get it off -- it was a sticky, gooey mess.

Wondering whether I dare try this - my skin is sensitive, temperamental, and breakout-prone to the point of needing prescription creams. I have a big bottle of sunflower oil doing nothing in the kitchen cupboard ...

Wondering whether I dare try this - my skin is sensitive, temperamental, and breakout-prone to the point of needing prescription creams. I have a big bottle of sunflower oil doing nothing in the kitchen cupboard ...


I have very sensative skin also which is why I decided to do the 25% cast oil instead of 50%. I think it makes a big difference what you use & how much you just have to mess around until you get the right formula for you.

I second Min's post. Brit Girl, you may want to play around with the types of oils and portions, going with a small test patch of skin until you determine how your skin is going to react. When you find the combination that's perfect for you, then you can try a larger patch of skin to see how things go. Good luck!

I have been doing this for the last two months and my skin is behaving well enough to term this a success. Initially I was using a blend of Olive Oil and Castor Oil and I did have tiny breakouts, I have since switched to a Coconut and Sweet Almond Oil mix and no more problems. Sometimes I do Olive/Sweet Almond also. The Castor Oil was little heavy on my skin I think. Afterwards I splash cold water on my face and pat it semidry,then smooth aloe vera gel and jojoba oil all over. I do it at night before going to bed and wake up to nice balanced skin in the morning.

I've been using the DHC olive oil cleansing/moisturizing products for over a year and swear by them. The oil cleanser leaves my skin so soft and refreshed. When I run out I will try the castor oil method.

I tried OCM today. I used 50/50 CO and pure olive oil, and got a very dry patch on just my right cheek. I don't know if it's because I scrubbed too hard with the washcloth when trying to get the oils off, or because the CO cleansed that area too much. In general I have a very tight feeling even 2 hours later. After rubbing the oils in, I waited a couple of minutes and put a steaming washcloth on my face for about 2 minutes, and then rinsed my face off with hot water, rubbing in the washcloth all over. I have baby washcloths, so maybe next time I will try using them. I also have old receiving blankets which I could cut up, if the problem is my washcloth. It could also be the steaming. I remember whenever I was doing facials before, I was told I shouldn't steam more than once a week and that steaming is very drying. Maybe I should try doing this with just the olive oil and see what happens. My right cheek is very irritated right now, though, so I wonder if it's better to wait to do this again for another week. In general my skin is dry and I don't wear makeup except for special occasions as I am a stay at home mom and my baby doesn't care how I look. My face feels tight, but when I touch it, it's soft except for the irritated dry patch. That actually hurts. I had my period last week and I got one pimple on that cheek. I had done a vitamin K facial peel for the fun of it to see if it does anything for my face just before that pimple had erupted, so it may not have come because of my period. So then I had mint julep masked, which made my face drier. And today (two days later) I decided to OCM for the very first time. Perhaps too many things have been going on and my face needs a break. I should try again next week...

gunji (sorry if spelled wrong)
anywho---- try a 40/60 mix more EVOO less CO as evoo is a moisturizing oil. i have combi to oily skin and use the 50/50 ratio. you might even need a 25/75 mix.to rid yourself of the irritation try 1 drop of evoo and gently massage it into the irritated area.
p.s. forgot to mention that OCM will detox your skin from the previous stuff you used and get rid of all the hidden nasties thus perhaps creating a period of transition and bad skin days but you will notice the skin around the bad areas showing immediate improvement.

BTW--- I LOVE OCM!!! i think it has been a couple of weeks or more now that i have been using this method and my complexion has NEVER EVER NEVER EVER looked this good


thank you thank you thank you for sharing this with us!!!

Have been intrigued by this cleansing method since I first read about it here. I thought, what the heck, I'll try it.

I did, last week, with the only oil I had in the house, "gasp", baby oil. It felt really good and worked well, with no oily residue. (I have had oily skin in my T zone my entire life, all 40+ years) It was such a good feeling that I went out and bought EVOO and Tea Tree oil, as well as Rosemary EO, but I forgot the CO. Since it is the more cleansing of the two oils, I think I should get some.

I have been using the EVOO+ for five days now with great success. My pores are small and I could swear that my wrinkles are less noticeable. To think, from only about $10.00 worth of oil. My skin is not even getting oily during the day. I'm telling all my coworkers about it.

NOW, if only it could remove some of this facial hair....

OK Where the hell do you c=guys find CASTOR OIL?

I just got mine at Walmart -- it was on the bottom shelf in the laxatives section.

OK Where the hell do you c=guys find CASTOR OIL?

I got mine at the local co-op, but there are also a ton of health food stores (Whole Foods, Earth Fare, etc. ) that carry castor oil. The most common brand I've found is the Heritage brand. You can find it here:

http://www.caycecures.com/

OK Where the hell do you guys find CASTOR OIL?

I had to ask for it behind the pharmacy at the grocery store. That's where they keep it.

I wanted to jump in and leave a short update. I've been OCMing for about three months after I read this entire thread one night. It was just so fascinating! I used, and have used the whole time, a simple 50/50 mixture of EVOO and CO with a drop of lavendar.

The first month I had WONDERFUL results. I was getting skin compliments. Then, patches of dryness. A few more breakouts. Instinctively, I decided I was doing it too often, and changed from every night to about 3 times per week.

One of those times I OCM with a hot wash cloth wipe, just as instructed by Stephanie at the beginning of this wonderful thread. The others I just put it on, massage, and then wash off with a mild facial soap and cool water.

ETA: Every other week I use a small amount of salt when I OCM to do a little exfoliating. But, gently...

I add a drop of oil in the mornings when my face is a little dry.

So, my results are very good. I feel that my skin is so much healthier, and I've not had any pimples that didn't last more than two days, and nothing that was painful. I LOVE OCM, but I did need to adapt somewhat to keep everything in balance.

Well I tried it tonight, mixing up a tiny 60ml (approx 2oz) trial bottle of 50% sunflower oil and 50% virgin castor oil from the local independent pharmacy.

My face feels so clean and soft! amazingly straight away there is hardly a blackhead left. One initial "press and leave" with a muslin cloth followed by 3 "rub and rinses" (hand hot water) were enough to get rid of the oil and the cloth doesn't seem oily.

Obviously time will tell but the immediate result was better than I expected.

Just a quick thanks to Steph, who wrote the article, and for posters on the thread, who shared their experience from TLHC newbie :) . It's too early for me to vote, I used it only for three days yet, but I'm liking it so far.

I've no castor oil in the house, so the oil that I used is Weleda Calendula Baby Oil, its ingredients are:

Sesame (Sesamum Indicum) Oil, Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Extract, Chamomile (Chamomilla Recutita) Extract.

Oh, and I use home-made flannel cloths (not terry towelling stuff ;) but rather a thick brushed cotton fabric with a bit of nap to one side), and hot but not very hot water.

I started OCMing in a midst of a nasty breakout :( when I started. Now most of it has cleared :shock: , but instead of nasty red bumps I have whiteheads that are nearing their 'shelf life' - sorry for TMI :oops: . And, I did have those oil plugs popping out during the 1st couple of washes.

I must say tho' that OCM must be suiting me (at least so far) as my spots are always brought on by skin having dried out and/or reaction to whatever is in the cleansers (I've been using 'organic'/natural mild cleansers last being Aveda All-sensitive, but so many of mass-produced have one chemical or another to them, derived from naural sources or not)

My skin is very red initially after I OCMed (but it's red after cleaning by whatever method, so FWIW), and I try not to rub it with a cloth too much, and I just touch it with terry towel once I've finished.

And, it's very dry too - even tho' I do apply some more of that oil to it once I've done and feel the tightness. I massage in as much as recommended in the article, take care not to leave any oily film, but after a while my skin feels fairly dry :? . Maybe I'll try some coconut oil instead of the one I'm using for afterwards.

One thing that I'm not sure about is using hot water on my face so often - FWIW, I always thought that hot water was not that good either for my face or my hair :? and was leading to earlier aging of the skin (but, I've no idea where I've got it from, so it might be just a myth ;) ).

I like it so far, so I'll give OCM those four weeks, see how it goes (still dreading :shock: that cleansing breakout described in pps ) and then vote :) .

Oh, I also use either a make-shift towelling band (just a scrunched up towel, tucked around my head) or two towelling bands that I got from Muji (I imagine they are easy to make too if you sew), not to oil the hair with this particular oil. And, I've found out that I have to take extra care to take the oil off from close to the hair line and jawline, as I got a few spots from where I wasn't vigilant enough, d'oh :roll: .

Thanks again :) .

I've finally got some castor oil! And also some grapeseed oil, but there might be a problem. It's not pure grapeseed oil--it also has Vitamin E oil in it. I can't imagine this would be a bad thing, but would it still be appropriate to use for the OCM?

Vitamin E is supposed to be very healing for scars so I can't see that this would be a bad thing at all.

Vitamin E is supposed to be very healing for scars so I can't see that this would be a bad thing at all.

Really?! That's fantastic news, I've got ridiculous acne scars... Thank you, Brit Girl! :flowers:

I tried OCM today. I used 50/50 CO and pure olive oil, and got a very dry patch on just my right cheek. I don't know if it's because I scrubbed too hard with the washcloth when trying to get the oils off, or because the CO cleansed that area too much. In general I have a very tight feeling even 2 hours later. face needs a break.

You may need to decrease the castor oil. I started out using just plain OO then later added the castor & I didnt like it as much my skin felt itchy. Maybe do a 25/75 mix of Castor & OO..

Is this possible, I've been doing this now for about 3 days am and pm and my skin is tight and dry!

Is this possible, I've been doing this now for about 3 days am and pm and my skin is tight and dry!

Yes if you dont have the correct ratio for yor skin type. It took me a little while to get it perfect. What type of skin do you have?

Is this possible, I've been doing this now for about 3 days am and pm and my skin is tight and dry!

Yes if you dont have the correct ratio for yor skin type. It took me a little while to get it perfect. What type of skin do you have?

Is this possible, I've been doing this now for about 3 days am and pm and my skin is tight and dry!

Could you be doing it too often? I use it three times a week.

OK well I have blackheads, and skin that boarders on dry.
I use it 2 times a day! Maybe its toooo often!
I'm using about 75(evoo)/25(CO)

i LOVE this method - i've had blackheads for the last 10 years, though i've never had any major acne, just the occasional breakout. after only 3 or 4 days of OCM (50/50 CO and EVOO), 90% of those blackheads were GONE. these were blackheads that resisted EVERYTHING i tried, including biore strips, clay masks, and good old-fashioned picking and squeezing. it works great for my super-combination skin (the t-zone is SUPER oily, where everything else is extremely dry).

OK well I have blackheads, and skin that boarders on dry.
I use it 2 times a day! Maybe its toooo often!
I'm using about 75(evoo)/25(CO)

I use it in the PM before bed then in the AM I just splash with water to wake up & apply moisturizer seems to work for me & my skin is super sensitive. I have 50 OO 25 Avocado oil ( very moisturizing) & 25 CO with a few drops of lavender oil (supposed to be good for acne). I at least once a week do an OO/Sugar scrub to exfoliate maybe that would help.

I used rosehip oil for moisturising in the eve (after cleansing with usual stuff, Weleda baby Oil) and had really tight skin immediately afterwards (the booklet says Rosehip is really dry oil, and it felt so, or maybe i was Vit E in it that did it to me?) and a BAD breakout the next morning :( . I tried it only once, and now is back to usual OCM with my Weleda Baby Oil.

I think it was because previously, on my over-sensitive skin, any too drying method of cleansing/not enough moisturising would lead to a breakout, and my theory is that it's happened now when using too dry an oil :? :-k . Or, maybe Calendula/Chamomile extract in Weleda baby oil keep my acne in-check? I dunno.

Ah well, and I was hoping to get rid of acne scars by using Rosehip oil, and got a nasty breakout instead :lol: .

It's possible that you have a sensitivity to rosehip oil. It certainly sounds like it doesn't suit you.

Tai Shan Fan, thanks for your input :) . Hmmm, I am going to do allergy test with rosehip oil on my sensitive inner elbow skin for 24 hrs as recommended :) ...

I also found invaluable the tip on this thread about changing VERY OFTEN the pillowcases or whatever your face touches when asleep ~ so afr, combined with OCM (?) seems to have reduced my breakouts :grin: .

I tried this last night and I got the oil plugs! Yippeeee!!

I guess more practice with it will help in understanding which oils to use and the best method. I used 75% EVOO and 25% CO with a few drops of tea tree oil. My face was red and itchy. I'm wondering if I'm sensitive to the CO? What do you think? Could it be the tea tree?

Oh you sparked my curiosity. Something I can try cheap!

used 75% CO 25% EVOO only today. I like the immediate results. will report back on long term results.

I have been doing this for the last four days and it actually looks like the blackheads on and around my nose are diminishing! I try to use the steam method for 2-5 minutes then clean oil off my face. My skin has been in flux for the last two years. I went from a dry flakey t zone last year to overproduction of oil this year (the in between stage was great though!). So I started using OCM to deal with this new oily stage.

Well, I've been doing this for a little over a week now, so I thought I'd report in. I started out using 50% CO, 50% grapeseed/VitE mix, but that was too thick and difficult to clean off, so I'm now using 25% CO and 75% grapeseed/VitE, though it's not exact as I don't actually have anything to measure with. It doesn't seem to have improved my acne, but it certainly hasn't gotten any worse, and it just feels so good! I think my skin has actually gotten softer. I'm going to keep going and see how much good it does. I'm getting some jojoba oil soon and will probably experiment with including that in the mix.

This is fascinating. I can't say I've read the entire thread yet, though. It's quite long. I never thought of putting oil on my face. I wonder why the message it out there that oil is bad if it's not. I put other on the poll, meaning I had never heard of it.

Very interesting... I just might try this after I spend a few weeks on my hair.

My skin is also getting the tight, dry side effect. I am mystified.

I started out using 75% evoo, 25% co, but felt that the evoo was too much for my skin. The hot washcloth/steam part made my sensitive skin light up like a christmas tree, so I had to eliminate it. Switched to using a dry washcloth to wipe off the oil, but even THAT was too much for my sensitive skin. Now I just rub in the oil for a while, splash with a bit of tepid water and pat dry.

As for the forumlation, I switched over to 75% emu oil, 25% co. Still got dry patches. Went to 50% emu oil, 25% co, 25% evoo. STILL having problems. I know the emu oil isn't the problem, as I've used it alone and my skin loves it. It may be time to buy some other type of oil to try in place of the evoo.

This tweaking process is getting old, but I've had no significant breakouts, so I will definitely keep using this method!!

Tai Shan Fan, thanks for your input :) . Hmmm, I am going to do allergy test with rosehip oil on my sensitive inner elbow skin for 24 hrs as recommended :) ... .

Your welcome :smile: How did the test go? And how are your removing the oil?

I have VERY sensitive skin, this is what I do (I've posted this before - but it's a long thread!) 100% jojoba taken off with a warm washcloth.

These are my tips:
1) Ensure you're using a clean washcloth. I use mine once or twice max before it goes in the laundry basket

2) dab away the oil, rather than drag the flannel across the skin. Any dragging can make the skin sore (ask me how I know...)

3) I use warm water, not hot. I've heard hot can cause threadveins and I so don't want those!!!

Hope these help. I've been using my modified OCM now for a while and I looovve it. It really works for me.

I've been using this method for three months now, and all my spots have actually cleared up. I love it! :inlove:

I started by using just olive oil, and that worked great for me. A few days ago I got some castor oil at last, and I've been having good results from that to.

I actually moisturise with oilve oil too now- I rub a drop between my hands, and wipe over my face. I find its okay even to wear make up over.

Anyone reading this who is dubious, you really have to try it. At least for a couple of weeks. I have oily skin and it didn't cause me to break out- quite the opposite.

Seeing as this has been bumped up, I'll mention something I posted in another thread where the use of lecithin as an emulsifier was mentioned:

has anyone used lecithin (or anything else as an emulsifier) to make the oil rinse off more easily? if so, is lecithin mild on the skin, or is there an emulsifier that is non-irritating? (obviously individuals are sensitive to different things, so broadly speaking, something that is fairly benign).

I have been using this for two days and I love it. My skin feels dewy and fresh. I hope that my breakouts - along my jawline - start to slow down with this.

I showed this to my grandma and we laughed because she always praises the magic of castor oil facial massages. She's almost 86 and dare I say that her skin looks better than all the younger women in my family who live at the dermatologist's / make-up counter at Macy's.

She said that 60 years ago, my grandpa (a pharmacist) told her that many skin care products used castor oil as a base, so she decided to try it alone. Funny how things come right back around...

I've been doing a modified version with jojoba for a few months now, and I love it!

I've been looking for castor oil, but I can't seem to find it anywhere! Where do the rest of you usually find it?

Oh you sparked my curiosity. Something I can try cheap!

used 75% CO 25% EVOO only today. I like the immediate results. will report back on long term results.

Oooh! A negative side effect I can live with! Have been washing my face this way every other day for a week, and I didn't have the horrible breakouts that warn me of my impending monthlies. Good thing I was home! Will have to find new signifyer- will happily give up the big zits.

I've been trying this method for a few days now and until now I had great results! I've got a difficult skin with acne, greasy t-zone and very dry flakey cheeks. Now my t-zone doesn't look greasy any more and my cheeks are much softer and moisturized. Can't tell yet if it is going to make a difference for the acne, however it didn't make it worse until now. I use castor oil to cleanse, remove it with a wet washcloth and then moisturize with sweet almond oil. However I find the castor oil a bit too sticky and thick so I'll try mixing it with some olive oil.

I've been looking for castor oil, but I can't seem to find it anywhere! Where do the rest of you usually find it?

I had to ask behind the pharmacy counter at my grocery store. It came in a little bottle.

I had to ask behind the pharmacy counter at my grocery store. It came in a little bottle.
Ahh.... they're HIDING it! I should have thought of that. Really, I don't know why didn't. :silly: I suspected it may have had something to do with CO's less pleasant properties :puke: , and wondered it was banned in some areas or something. This being NY, it actually makes sense that they'd keep it behind the counter, like a lot of other things that can be used for mischief.

Thanks! :flowers:

In my neverending quest to save space when I pack, I want to know if I can premix the EVOO and the CO or whether I should just take two separate bottles. I was worried about the mixture affecting their chemical properties.

Olive PEG 7 Ester added to the oils make it rinse off with water. I add 10% PEG 7 to 90% hazelnut oil as a makeup remover. I got the PEG 7 at GardenOfWisdom.

In my neverending quest to save space when I pack, I want to know if I can premix the EVOO and the CO or whether I should just take two separate bottles. I was worried about the mixture affecting their chemical properties.

Gosh, I hope you can premix them, I did a whole bunch and have been using it that way. The only difference I've noticed is that it seems a bit cloudy. However, I've been heating it up and using it in the shower, I wonder if the heating and cooling and maybe some water splashing in the jar has made it that way. When I heat it up (just sitting in the hottest water that comes out of the faucet) it clears up... 0.o

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to this board....had found this thread on a search for more info on the OC method! i haven't had time to read the entire thread (i will when i don't have to study for a test the next morning!) but i was hoping people would give me their feedback on some questions:

has anybody had success with clearing whiteheads as well as blackheads using this method? i have a ton of whiteheads that just lay under my skin and make it look rough. currently, i use st. ive's apricot scrub and jojoba oil at night to cleanse but the whiteheads never go away.

second, have people had success with washing your faces with water before using the OC method or do you just directly massage the oil on a dry face?

just a bit of history: i have been on several rounds of accutane and tried all the prescriptions, antibiotics, and OTC under the sun....all of which have not helped my skin become clear. the only thing that made a "drastic" change was cleaning out my insides using system i found thru curezone.com but i'm still on the quest for glowing, smooth skin! (accutane, btw, has changed the texture of my hair...it was once baby soft and fine but now it is coarser and more prone to dryness).

thank you in advance!

I can't say about the whiteheads, but I wet my hands and then pat my face to get it damp before washing with the OC. I dion't know if this is the right way to do it, I think I'm stuck on wash=wet. The wet your car, clothes, dishes, body down before you wash it mentality. :)

I just use the oil on my dry skin. I tend to have a lot of whiteheads on my chin (the sort that show up really well when face powder is applied :sick: ) and the OCM has reduced their number considerably. I still have blackheads, but OCM can pull out the plugs (crumblies) that are a bit above the skin.

You may want to try the homemade biore strip recipe to get rid of some of those whiteheads: http://www.spaindex.com/HomeSpa/PoreStrips.htm

I had a friend who was on Accutane and it made her hair curlier/kinkier! Who knew?

As for pre-mixing, I keep a small cup of pre-mixed co, emu oil and evoo ready for spot applications after I finish doing the general wash. After gently dabbing off the oil wash, I rub in the pre-mix on any trouble areas, repeating the spot application in the morning. I've been able to reduce a huge, painful, cyst-like pimple in two days using this method. Normally it would take more than a week for me to get through the painful pimple cycle and it would take longer than that for the redness to go away.

In my neverending quest to save space when I pack, I want to know if I can premix the EVOO and the CO or whether I should just take two separate bottles. I was worried about the mixture affecting their chemical properties.


i've kept mine premixed in a glass salad dressing cruet for quite a while. since the cruet has the stopper and pourerm it keeps dust and other stuffs from getting into the oil. so far, i haven't noticed a difference - it's much easier for me to keep it mixed!

i've kept mine premixed in a glass salad dressing cruet for quite a while. since the cruet has the stopper and pourerm it keeps dust and other stuffs from getting into the oil. so far, i haven't noticed a difference - it's much easier for me to keep it mixed!


That's a great idea. Thank you!

anytime, desert flower!

I found this thread yesterday and decided to have a try at OCM. I had Caster Oil and EVOO at home. I mixed up 25% CO to 75% EVOO with a drop of lavender and tea tree.

I have very sensitive, combination (T panel) skin which hates most perfumes or fragrances and most skin products cause me to come out in hives or cysts.

I have been using the same brand of skin care products (with a few unsuccessful trials of other things) for at least 15 years. Recently the company concerned has done a reformulation of all their products - and my skin does not like the new products! I feel as if I have a fine rash under the skin (no redness, just bumpy) and I get at least 2 or 3 new spots or blemishes a week. (I know this is not a lot, but for someone who maybe got 1 spot before TOM this is a huge increase). Even as a teenager I was blessed with clear skin unless I used a different cream, sunblock or even lipstick!

I have been looking at changing products, but not wanting to spend money on something that may not work. Finding this thread has been a huge relief and it make so much sense.

My skin felt wonderful after the OCM last night and it removed all my make up with no problems (foundation, blusher, powder, liquid eye liner, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick). I applied the oil and massaged for about 2 min. I then used cotton wool saturated in hot water to wash the make up off, followed by a hot face cloth. I did not steam for long as with having sensitive skin this can be irritating. My skin felt clean, soft and dewy after patting it dry with a towel.

My skin felt so good this morning that I did it again!

I think I am going to stick to OCM at night to remove my make up and a water rinse in the morning, I may apply a little of the mixture in the morning as a moisturiser before putting on my foundation.

Ok, I finally did this right. I've been just washing my face with OO or CO oil, no steam. I finally got the castor oil, mixed it to 25% and, wow. After the wash I used CO to moisturize and that's when I coud see and feel the white heads come out. I'm 42. I've had zits for 30 years, but never bad enough to see a dermatologist. This is great. I might add more castor oil later.

Found this thread today and tried it out. Wow. Super. I love it!

I've used noxema since I was about 12 or so (that would make 15 years worth?) and have always noticed the large number of oils on the ingredients list but never thought anything of it. Guess I've been sorta washing with oils for years.

This worked very well. I added in some tea tree oil just for kicks. Can't wait till tomorrow to do it again, the hot washcloth thing was awfully nice

This is amazing. I did it one time in the evening and it cleaned out five big honking zits painlessly. By morning, they looked as if they had been healing for at least 3-5 days. Three days later, all signs of them are gone.

This was from a single treatment.

Now if I can only convince my teenaged son to "goop his face" when it breaks out, I bet he'll grow up to have flawless, unscarred skin

Maybe if you can convince him to try it now and he will manage to avoid having anymore major break outs? Or will it have to be bad before you can twist his arm to try this?

Been off-line for a while, am back now :grin: ...

Your welcome :smile: How did the test go? Well, I've had no ill effects in the crook of my elbow <scratches head>.. or on my body.. so I've no idea why my facial skin reacted like it did :? :eh ?? But, I'm not trying it again there :lol: .

And how are your removing the oil? well, I do pretty much the same that you've described (I use my washcloths only once, and water is on the hotter side, after-flannel, I also wash off any remaining (??) oil with warm water, then tone with cold) :) .

I've voted now - I've used it for a month or more, and so far so good :D :inlove: . It's dried out my skin a bit, so I am down to one OCMing in the evening (and only misting with some distilled water in the morning) ... w/o any ill effects so far (with OCMing twice a day, my skin would go seriously DRY :( ) .

Thanks again, the original poster and everyone who's shared their OCM wisdom 8) :flowers: !

I'd been doing the OCM for about three weeks when I went on vacation. It seemed to be doing my skin some good, but not a whole lot. On vacation, I had trouble transporting my oil (I need something that's sealed better than a cork to put it in...) so I didn't bring it and just washed my face with soap. YUCK! My face was all dried out and my acne was definitely worse. I went right back to the OCM. My skin may not be much better, but at least it's not peeling with bleeding pimples...

I'd been doing the OCM for about three weeks when I went on vacation. It seemed to be doing my skin some good, but not a whole lot. On vacation, I had trouble transporting my oil (I need something that's sealed better than a cork to put it in...) so I didn't bring it and just washed my face with soap. YUCK! My face was all dried out and my acne was definitely worse. I went right back to the OCM. My skin may not be much better, but at least it's not peeling with bleeding pimples...

my local health store sells tiny glass bottles (3-4 inches tall) that are perfect for carrying oils - they are actually made for mixing massage oils and have tight screw-on caps. i got mine for about 79 cents each.

I was so excited to read this thread. Considering my love affair with oils, I am really surprised that I haven't thought of this before. I've used oil on my skin as a moisturiser, but never as a cleanser.

I don't have castor oil, just EVOO. I've tried this with pure EVOO for two days, and already, WOW. My skin feels absolutely great. This is so wonderful.

The only thing is that the olive oil does not completely remove makeup on its own, I'm finding. I think I need to try this with castor oil.

Am very excited. This is exactly what my skin has needed all my life. You guys are geniuses.

Well, after browsing the cosmetic aisles at Nordstrum's sunday afternoon and seeing Bobbi Brown's Oil Cleanser for $60, I decided to go buy Kroger's and buy soem Caster Oil ($1.29).

I mixed it up (50/50) for my whitehead /blackhead enlarged pore skin. I added two drops of tea oil. I mixed it up in a small 2 oz plastic travel bottle.

I did feel the blackheads and some white head plugs come out. I followed up with a spritz of the Aveda Toning Spray. (What I normally spray).

Did the same yesterday morning and evening - but I used the mix first that evening like a make up remover... It works pretty darn good!

So the big notice this morning is that the pores on my nose are fast fading to invisible! I also had to repowder my nose at lunch. A rarity since my late 20's.

I am going to keep it up for 21 days. (My busines rule for making changes) I will see if my mix stays at 50/50 or needs to be adjusted.

This is my first try at "home made cosmetics" other than an aspirin mask.

So far I've washed my face using OCM twice and it went well; at least it hasen't made my skin worse! The only problem is that the hot washcloth that I drape over my face cools instantly and I have to re-soak it 4-5 times! Does anybody have a similar problem? Am I not soaking it long enough or is the material of the cloth the culprit perhaps? Thank you in advance...

I just soak two washclothes. That way I know I will have enough hot water time to "rinse" the oil.

Yup, I either do two washcloths (brushed cotton/flannel ones) too, or use a terry-towelling fabric ones (much more steam/hot water time from the latter but like washing with flannels more :) ).

Hope that helps :).

I have been trying the OCM for a few weeks now and am really impressed. I have to say that it is the best thing I have found to gently remove my makeup without drying out my skin. I have very dry sensitive skin but this seems to be the best thing for it.

Just another testimony to how wonderful this is to my face. I use castor Oil, EVOO, Tea tree oi, LavenderEo, and vitaman E. It's fabulous!

Well it's been about 2 weeks, I'd say OCM is a good way to go!!! Really didn't expect this to work. The things you learn at LHC!!!!

What is everyone doing in terms of exfoliation with this treatment? I am finding that when I wipe off the oil, I am still getting skin flakiness. My complicating factor? I have rosacea. While it would be great to just take a buf-puf to my face, I can't. Anyone have any gentle exfoliation methods used in conjunction with OCM?

TIA

What is everyone doing in terms of exfoliation with this treatment? I am finding that when I wipe off the oil, I am still getting skin flakiness. My complicating factor? I have rosacea. While it would be great to just take a buf-puf to my face, I can't. Anyone have any gentle exfoliation methods used in conjunction with OCM?

TIA

Have you tried an aspirin mask? I find it very gentle and doesn't aggravate my rosacea. I use aspirin and witch hazel- others use water or yogurt- there are a few threads on it here.

I was wondering about exfoliation, too. My skin looks like it needs it.

You could probally mix a little brown sugar in with the oil for some exfoliation... I like the st. ives apricot scrub though, I use that 1x/week or so inbetween OCM.

Rivka, I have not tried the aspirin mask. I will give that a try and see what happens! If that doesn't work out, I'll try the brown sugar that teela mentioned. Thanks for your suggestions!

It's funny, I heard about OCM sometime ago from another message board and tried it out for a few weeks. My face was still breaking out a bit and didn't notice any significant changes. I tried a few other methods that didn't work for me. I then tried J. R. Liggett's Foam face & body wash, which, is pretty much OCM and it works great for me so I guess you have to really play around with the different oils and see what works best for you, you don't have to stay with EVOO and Castor, you can use any oils. Here is what is in the Liggett's wash: The ingredients are simple: saponified olive oil, coconut oil,and castor oil with safflower oil, almond oil, hemp or jojoba oil and vit. E – No Detergents

As for exfoliation, you can use brown sugar or sea salt. I have found that using a terry washcloth is a bit exfoliating too.

Liggett's also has a Moisturizing body scrub which is probably easy to make and it is another nice form of OCM, ingredients:
Energizing crystals of sea salt are combined with specially ground walnut shell powder which acts as a light abrasive on your skin to exfoliate the outermost layer of dead skin. Safflower oil, Almond oil, Hemp seed oil or Jojobaoil, and Vitamin E combine to feed your skin all of the natural, healthy, life-promoting properties these luxurious oils possess.

J.R. Liggett ( http://www.jrliggett.com/what/index.html)

This is very nice and leaves skin feeling sooo soft, not dry at all. When i'm done with mine I think i'm going to try to make my own concoctions.

You may want to try the homemade biore strip recipe to get rid of some of those whiteheads: http://www.spaindex.com/HomeSpa/PoreStrips.htm


Has anyone tried this without the milk?

Here is my update on the OCM. I've been using the oil cleansing method for about 3 weeks now. I enjoy the process and I do it about 5 times a week. My skin looks great.
I use a mixture of about 75 % castor oil and 25% olive oil and a drop of tea tree oil to about of 4 ozs. of the other two oils. I apply a generous amount to dry skin and rub in for a minute. I steam with the hot washcloth about 3 times then I wash the residue off with the cloth. I follow with a toning solution on a cotton ball of homemade rosewater to make certain I've removed all the oil. I then splash with cold water and pat dry. I am currently using my very expensive evening moisturizers but when they're finished I'm going to try moisturizing with some kind of oil but am not sure which one yet.

I haven't had any zits for months since I started using the rosewater toner and none since starting the OCM either. Today my DD14 tried her first OCM and her skin is radiant. She doesn't suffer from blemishes, just the occasional one before her period. We'll see how it works for teenage skin as well as 47 year old skin.

Thanks to this thread, I also remove eye makeup with the castor oil and it works like a charm. No stinging in the eyes. No greasy after feeling and no oily eyes. My DD14 just tried it and was amazed.

I read here with some skepticism about the castor oil helping with eyelashes and I have to report this: I had a small bare patch on my lower left eye where there were only one or two lashes consistently for the last few years and after using the castor oil on my lashes, honest to God the bare patch is filled in. I am amazed.

So far I am quite happy with this new and natural method of skin care.

for exfoliation, i like to use sugar (i get the raw demerara from walmart) and honey. it really softens the skin. i used to use salt scrubs on my body, but now that i body brush and WO for the body, i find i don't need to exfoliate!

i've used OCM for months now; i love it and have converted half of my office ladies to it. even in this alabama heat, i don't get oily anymore!

I had a whole long drawn out post typed up but I felt it was a bit long-winded.

So basically my question is... what's a lighter version of OCM?

EVOO+CO was a disaster for me, I thought I was going to need professional help to clear it up but ProActiv luckily worked. But I can't keep using ProActiv on a daily basis. I was doing 3/4 EVOO + 1/4 CO but I'm wondering if there's a lighter oil out there.

Sweet Almond Oil maybe? What about Vegetable Glycerine, it says on the bottle that it's good for cleansing, could I use that straight or should I mix that with something?

Any suggestions?

I finally got through all 30 pages of this thread!:hollie: But, when I was only a third of the way through, I started using this method. Now I'm going to post my results and, by adding my contribution, make it even harder for newbies to get all the way to the end of this thread!:twisted:

I've been using OCM for almost a month now. The first 2 weeks, I used 50/50 castor oil and EVOO, and I broke out like crazy! All the nasty stuff that was hiding in my pores came out at once. By the end of the second week, things started calming down. I'm glad I stuck it out, because it was worth it.

From the third week on, I've been doing a mix of 1 part CO, 1 part EVOO, and 1 part honey. I really like this mix! The honey is adding more moisture to my face so I don't need to moisturize as much, if at all after I cleanse. And because honey is antiseptic, it seems to be kicking butt better on my acne. I was going to use 75% CO and 25% EVOO but because my skin is combination, my dry parts would get even more dry. As it was, the 50/50 mix made me need to add a dab of the mix to my dry cheeks every time I washed.

I've used Noxzema for years and it was my favorite, until now. My skin is glowing like it did with Noxzema, but my face is clearer! And I've never seen my blackheads disappear like this, and so far they haven't come back. Every day I notice fewer zits, and less are forming. I'm hoping that eventually my skin will be completely clear.

The only thing that cleared my skin like this was the Aveeno Clear Complexion bar, but it dried, dried, dried! My poor skin was always thirsty and itchy because it was so dry.

Hurray for OCM! I'll be sticking to this forever!:inlove: And thank you all for advocating this method!:flowers:

Ok to continue my OCM journey from my post on the 16th March.

After using 1 part CO to 3 parts EVOO for the last month I still love how my skin feels, but I think my skin is getting too much moisture! For me this unbelievable as my cheeks often used to feel as if they were going to crack they were so dry. I am getting some little spots under the skin on my forehead and chin and I think it is an excess of moisture. So I have changed my ratio to 50/50 CO/EVOO and I will see how this works.

I can see a definite reduction in the lines around my eyes and on my forehead and my skin is so soft to the touch.

I now wash at night with OCM and in the morning I use a toner to wipe my face over. I do not want to use comercial products so I am trying a splash of ACV in a bottle of water with a drop of rosemary EO. So far this is working for me.

My mom is so impressed with my skin that she wants to try this as well.

I have been using OCM for almost three months now and I love how relaxing the cleaning is and how it mousturizes my face. It is *very* dry and windy here, so when it was cold a couple months ago, my facial skin literally hurt while walking to class and to get groceries etc. Now, it doesn't hurt at all! I use a mix of olive oil (not EVOO, just the regular stuff), castor, jojoba, apricot and lavender EO. Last month I added a drop of lemongrass EO after reading that it might help reduce the appearance of my pores. So far it seems to be working, although I'm noticing that since adding the lemongrass, I've also been breaking out. I'm not sure if it is just hormones, since I just started back up on the ring or my skin not likeing the EO, but I'm sure I'll figure it out in a few months.

For those looking for a lighter mix, adding the apricot lightens it considerabley!

Wow. Yes, Virginia, there IS an end to this thread. I had no idea. :D

Not solidly used this yet, just once tonight with grapeseed oil to cleanse and jojoba to moisturize.. Flaming red for a bit but I think that was from the heat and rubbing, I'll have to modify that. Atm, every single pimple I have is red and highlighted, but what very little uninfected/unscarred skin I have is pale and even.

However, I've used an asian oil cleanser to get rid of makeup for awhile, and one of the prime ingredients is rice bran oil.. has anyone experimented with it?

Just tried a modified version of this for the first time last night, and I must say, I'm impressed. I have somewhat sensitive combination skin, which means that it's really hard to find a cleanser that works for me. Even the gentlest cleanser leaves my cheeks dry and flakey while not doing much for my T-zone - washing with plain water was best, but it couldn't get anything out of my pores. Plus, I hated the idea of washing all the moisture off and then trying to get it back on...

Anyway, so far, OCM seems to do everything it's supposed to for me. I used plain jojoba for the oil, and after applying (maybe I rubbed too long, but it felt good, and my skin seems no more worse for the wear this morning), I steamed my face (using a towel and a bowl of heated water) for a good 4 minutes. Then I wiped it off. Actually had to add a BIT of moisturizer once it was dry, but I might not have had to - could have left a titch more oil on, perhaps?

Today, my face feels smooth. Nose blackheads are lighter/smaller. Other bumps are flatter. Brow lines (eek, I'm getting those now! Too much squinting!) are reduced. I think it may take awhile for the bigger/more stubborn problem areas to shape up.

Yay OCM! I love cleasing and moisturizing with one simple product!

update on this method...
I've been using this for about 3 months and, while I've always loved the results, my skin is STILL improving -- the best it's ever been right now. I started with 50% co and 50% evoo -- liked it, but have since changed the formula just a tad. About 1 week in, my skin started to feel dry and I started applying a bit of oil afterwards. About 2 months into I changed formula to 50% co, 25% evoo, 25% grapeseed oil. Not sure why this doesn't leave my skin feeling dry like the 50% evoo did as one would think that the grapeseed oil was "lighter" than the evoo -- but, it works. Also, I don't really "steam it" as that's just too much of a hassle for me (boy am I lazy!) - I just hold the hot wet washcloth up for about 15 secs. and I do this 3 times and then "exfoliate" with the washcloth.

So, based on my experience -- ocm is good in the beginning and, unbelievably, just keeps getting better! Thank you for this thread!

Also, I don't really "steam it" as that's just too much of a hassle for me (boy am I lazy!) - I just hold the hot wet washcloth up for about 15 secs. and I do this 3 times and then "exfoliate" with the washcloth.



This is exactly what I do to wash too. I just changed my formula a bit too, using more OO than castor, I used to use 50/50 but it was too drying.

Lazy is my middle name, so this is how I do it:
I apply the oil, massage well, and then wipe off excess with a cotton pad, then steam with washcloth. This way all the oil gets removed in much shorter time.
Before, I sometimes had some oil remaining even after steaming with washcloth over and over. Now it takes no longer than if I had used "regular" ways of washing my face.

I have tried different oils, but now I just use coconut oil mixed with a few drops of castor oil. I also use a little coconut oil to moisturize afterwards.

Update:

I'm giving this another shot, yes I know I'm asking for trouble but I think maybe the olive oil was just wrong for me. The bath soaps I use are olive oil based and my skin loves them, but I don't use them on my face.

So, this time I'm trying it with some sweet almond oil and caster oil, so far so good. I do this every few days and follow with a quick aspirin mask and I don't seem to be having the same trouble. And my skin doesn't seem quite as dry. I don't find myself needing to moisturize every morning.

I'm cautiously optimistic. :)

W-O-W! I have been using the OCM for a week and I love it! My sking has never felt or looked better. I am using 50-50 EEVO and CO, but find myself tapping a bit of it after I am done cause my skin feels a bit tight. So, I am going to use a different combo, maybe 60-40, and see how it goes. No more pimples, no more dull skin, no more spending in quest of the perfect cream/toner/face wash. Yay!

W-O-W! I have been using the OCM for a week and I love it! My sking has never felt or looked better. I am using 50-50 EEVO and CO, but find myself tapping a bit of it after I am done cause my skin feels a bit tight. So, I am going to use a different combo, maybe 60-40, and see how it goes. No more pimples, no more dull skin, no more spending in quest of the perfect cream/toner/face wash. Yay!

curlyhead I was also using 50/50 castor oil/olive oil but had dry skin results too so I cut down the castor oil to about a quarter and no more dry skin. I also put a drop of tea tree oil in. I follow with rosewater as a toner and a cold water rinse. I have been at it for about 6 weeks and my skin is gorgeous.

Sorry if I overlooked this if someone has asked! I went to Walgreens.com and searched for castor oil to make sure they sold it before I went all the way over there. ;) The label says Castor Oil USP.. what does USP mean? I'm guessing this would be okay to use because the indredients are "castor oil usp 100%".. Yes I truly am a blonde hiding behind brunette lol

The label says Castor Oil USP.. what does USP mean?

It means United States Pharmacopeia (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/cgi/medlineplus/leavemedplus.pl?theURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eusp%2Eor g). :)

It means United States Pharmacopeia (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/cgi/medlineplus/leavemedplus.pl?theURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eusp%2Eor g). :)
haha thank you!

On 18th April I changed my oil mix to a 50 / 50 CO/EVOO because my T-panel was getting spotty. Well 3 weeks later and the T-panel spots and bumps have gottne much worse (my skin looks worse than it ever has). I think I may go back to conventional products as I cannot stand battling with my skin like this.

Sorry to be a drop out and good luck to all of you who are still having success with this.

well, i read this thread and remembered I had some shiseido pure oil cleanser in the back of my bathroom cabinet, which I bought a while ago and never got round to using - scared of breaking out! - I've been using it now for a couple of weeks and I am a convert, completely. my skin is softer and cleaner and less oily.
Whent he shiseido is gone I will use the pump dispenser it came in, to mix my own cleanser, from recipes here..
THANKS everyone, for sharing so generously your experiences, and giving me the confidence to try a totally new of cleansing, at my age - 46 - I am really grateful for the sudden boost to my complexion.. really is rejuvenating to throw out the old ways and start a new regime.

Ok so I did not give up after all - too stuborn for my own good sometimes, and I want this to work.

I realised that I had not tried the aspirin mask everyone raves about, so I went and got some and tried it last night. I mixed 4 crushed aspirin with honey and applied that like a mask for 5 min and then with a little water massaged it like an exfoliator. My skin feels softer since that.

I am also trying plain CO for washing to see if that helps with the spots. I will also be trying Sweet Almond oil for moisture as needed.

I will let you know how this works.

This has helped my skin TREMENDOUSLY. It's way more balanced than it has been in years (I have combo/oily skin). :cloud9: Thanks so much for posting this Steph!

I use 3:1 castor oil and EVOO.

I'm using the OCM for about a month, and I love it. It's a kind of greasy ( duh), so my bathroom is not the cleanest ( I'm a bit clumsy, keep knocking my cup over.)
The only thing is that I'm kind of breaking out at the moment and I don't know what's causing it. Have other people experienced an increase in zits after some time? I'd love to know if it is something to get through, that my skin is clearing itself, or that it's a reaction and I have to change something.
I use 2:1 ( appr.) olive oil and castor oil, sometimes with a little tea tree, and some kind of rice oil ( it's a sample, don't know the name). As a moisturizer I use camellia oil or coconut cream.

Hello! I am new to this forum and to OCM. I am on my third evening and so far I love it.

I have very acne prone skin and have, in fact, just started clearing up after a really bad break out. I break out mostly on my chin, corners of my forehead and along the sides of my face. I still have a few blemishes and many scars but OCM seems to be helping. I have been on/tried accutane, topical antibiotics, salicytic acid, benzoyl peroxide and more. I have tried all sorts of soaps, moisturizers, toners. Everything! I had recently (three weeks ago) started trying more natural products (Burt's Bees) and had some success but my face was drying out so much (I have combination skin).

Then I found this thread and I was fascinated. Using oil to fight oil actually makes sense!

Like I said, I am only on my third evening and I know many people have had a worsening of acne and that OCM is not for everyone but I am hopeful. I am using OCM at night (to take off make-up and the daily grime) and then gently washing with just water in my morning shower. I am using 100% extra virgin coconut oil. I also use a tiny amount to moisturize after cleansing. This is my process:

1) warm up a small amount of coconut oil in my hands until they are slick
2) massage this all over my face for a few minutes
3) steam my face over hot water
4) using 100% unbleached cotton wipes and very hot water I wipe and wipe (gently) until all the oil is gone
5) pat my face dry
6) apply a tiny amount of coconut oil and gentle rub it in
7) dab 100% aloe vera gel on any blemishes I have to help heal and dry them

My face is glowing slightly and stays so soft all day. I have had no problems with excess oiliness and so far no worsening of my acne (a few little white heads popped up but then vanished by morning). I also love using hot water when cleansing. I have always liked using really hot water when bathing and I have thought in the past that hot water seemed to help my skin.

Well, I just wanted to chime in as a newbie OCMer and I will post more if I start having any troubles (i.e. excess break outs)

I'm using the OCM for about a month, and I love it. It's a kind of greasy ( duh), so my bathroom is not the cleanest ( I'm a bit clumsy, keep knocking my cup over.)
The only thing is that I'm kind of breaking out at the moment and I don't know what's causing it. Have other people experienced an increase in zits after some time? I'd love to know if it is something to get through, that my skin is clearing itself, or that it's a reaction and I have to change something.
I use 2:1 ( appr.) olive oil and castor oil, sometimes with a little tea tree, and some kind of rice oil ( it's a sample, don't know the name). As a moisturizer I use camellia oil or coconut cream.

Hi Maeve
I had much the same experience - the first month was great and then I started getting zits on my forehead and chin in the main (T-Panel).

I was using a 25%CO / 75%EVOO combination at that stage. I then changed to a 50/50 combination for about 3 weeks and it made no difference. I am sure my T-Panel was getting too much moisturising from the EVOO which was causing the zits.

For the last 2 days I have been using neat Caster Oil to wash (and remove my make up) at night.
Morning - Warm water wash followed by ACV toner (ACV mixed with water) and Sweet Almond Oil to moisturise before applying my foundation.

I am also adding a weekly aspirin/honey mask/exfoliation to the mix.

I have not seen any improvement, but it is no worse so far. I really do not want to give up on this as my skin looks and feels much better (apart from the zits) and my lines are also reducing.

I will update you on how it goes.

I keep trying this on and off. I keep doing it for a little while, then going back to my beloved black soap. I finally decided last week to really give it a good shot, because I may mix up some batches to give as Christmas gifts, along with some homemade conditioners and things. Well, I've been doing it for a month and I've got a couple of horrid zits on the side of my chin. I don't see any change in the size of my pores, yet, either. My skin is softer, though. I SO hope that these zits are just my skin purging. Somebody tell me that my skin is just purging...

Well all I can say is this. I have been using the OCM for almost 2 months now and I don't use it every night, some nights when I don't wear makeup, I just rinse with water. I have not had one zit since using it. Well actually twice I had a small, teeny, tiny one that started and then they just disappeared for some strange reason, never turned into a full blown ZIT.

I think the fact that I rinse with cold water after and make sure that I rinse really well in the hair line and along the chin/neck line helps. Here is one step that I use that might make the difference too. I always use rosewater as a toner afterwards and then one final rinse with cold water.

Once or twice when I started using this method, I had a couple of zits forming in the hairline but that was because I wasn't rinsing it well there because it was my hair and not my face so I thought it didn't need rinsing but in fact it did.

I hope that all made sense to you guys, one last thing is that I'm sure I haven't had any zits because of using this method.

I have been OCM ,off and on ,for the past 6 month and love it. My skin has never felt so good.

I've been using this method for three months now, and all my spots have actually cleared up. I love it! :inlove:

I started by using just olive oil, and that worked great for me. A few days ago I got some castor oil at last, and I've been having good results from that to.

I actually moisturise with oilve oil too now- I rub a drop between my hands, and wipe over my face. I find its okay even to wear make up over.

Anyone reading this who is dubious, you really have to try it. At least for a couple of weeks. I have oily skin and it didn't cause me to break out- quite the opposite.

Sian100, where did you get you Castor Oil from? I have checked out Boots, Superdrug and Wilkinsons and I can't see it anywhere! Lillian

Lillian,

I had to ask behind the Pharmacy counter a my grocery store. They didn't stock it on the shelves.

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I can't recall if this has been covered allready, but is there an alternative ingrediant(s) that can do the saome job, but doesn't have a greasy feel? I just fell like a chip pan fryer every time I use castor oil.

Lillian,

I had to ask behind the Pharmacy counter a my grocery store. They didn't stock it on the shelves.

Cheers Josephine, I'll ask at the counter next time! :flowers:

Well, I have tried this twice now and I am pleasantly surprised! I still don't have any castor oil as yet so I have been using a teaspoon of EVOO with a teaspoon of Jojoba oil, massaged in then sponged off using some Boots disposable facial sponges (it's what I have to hand). The oil rinsed off very easily and my skin felt very soft afterwards,and slightly tight so I use my usual Olay Complete Care moisturiser afterwards. I have just bought some Lavender EO and I will add this to the mixture this evening. I put the mixture in a little 50ml screw top bottle which I got in the travel section of Boots.

So far, so good :smile:

Lillian...

You can get the Castor oil from Superdrugs. Ask for it as they keep it behind the counter and it costs 99p. :grin:

Ok, I've wanted to try this for the longest time, and I'm going to try tonight. I'm just so afraid of my skin breaking out since I'm so acne prone anyway. I bought some castor oil (cold pressed and processed since I heard it might be better for your face than the laxative kind), sweet almond oil, and grapeseed oil. I will probably use 50% castor and 50% grapeseed oil and see how that works. I'm going to just try it out on my chin for a while to see how my skin responds to it,, before I try it on my whole face. I'm really hoping I get some good results from this, or at the very least, not have breakouts from it.

Lillian...

You can get the Castor oil from Superdrugs. Ask for it as they keep it behind the counter and it costs 99p. :grin:

You are a superstar! Thankyou :flowers:

I've been trying this OCM for about a month and my goodness!!! It has made such a difference! I've such bad skin, not actual acne but a lot of spots and blackheads and oilyness. I've very pale skin so every spot leaves a mark and it's like my skin is never clear of blemishes.

I've been using about a half teaspoon of organic jojoba oil with two squirts of AD Synergy Oil (a pre-mixed facial oil recommended by Leslie Kenton, health guru). I use muslin cloths with hot water and buff off the oils.

I've got clear skin for the first time since puberty (!) and also it's the smoothest it's ever been. I've got a lovely healthy glow back and the patches of greyness and redness from poor circulation has gone totally. No more uneven colouring and no more smothering my face with foundation to compensate for looking ill!

I've stopped using SO many products! My addiction WAS expensive products: Decleor, Gatineau, Elemis, Prescriptives... I must have spent £1K a year on skincare, haircare and cosmetics before I came here. I could cry to think how very much better my routine works with just jojoba oil, el cheapo cone free conditioner and just a pressed powder and lipgloss for day!

They should take us girls aside in high school and let them join LHC for practical lessons! Everything you need is here! :)

sgitheanaich that's wonderful about your results. I stopped using the OCM for about a week because I was just being lazy and my skin started breaking out and looking just awful, I'm back at it since last night.

So I tried my own version of OCM this morning in the shower (aka the lazygirl's version), and I like it so far:

1. Put a little evoo in the palm of my hand along with a drop of lavender and tea tree oil
2. rub palms together
3. massage into face for about 15-20 seconds
4. Do the rest of my shower stuff while face is oiled and getting the light steam
5. At the end, I hold my face under the running warm water and massage/rub with my fingers until it feels like most of the oil is gone
6. Pat dry

Afterwards it felt nice, not too oily, not dry, well hydrated. There was some oil still left, but it didn't feel slicky or slimey, just nice and moisturized.

Hi Yaluna

You might find some breakouts after a couple days from potentially blocked pores. I an no expert but from reading a lot on this, the one thing everyone agreed was that you had to remove ALL the oil because it's mixed up with the sebum and grime you're trying to remove so if any is left behind, it can clog up pores. You can add more as a moisturiser afterwards, but you must remove the wash-off oil. I find using a muslin cloth works very well as I can't get fingertips to cleanse thoroughly enough - great for massage though! Good luck with it.

I've been cleansing with a shiseido cleansing oil. IS this easier to rinse away, as it probably has a surfectant in it which foams very slighty when mixed with water. It's been fabulous for my skin, really improved it a lot.

But is it less good, ultimately, for the skin, than the oil cleanser as shown in the recipes here, do you think?

I'm going to guess based on what I've read here and elsewhere about this. I used to use a very similar cleansing oil from Decleor. It could be that avoiding the sulfactants and other chemicals (i.e. preservatives etc) is causing the skin to come into as little contact as possible with these ingredients which could cause the skin stress. A simple oil is often rich in natural nutrients, anti-oxidants, vitamins etc which the likes of a cosmetic cleansing oil is likely to be lacking. They are often synthetic oils or multi-pressed oils (so the goodness taken from earlier pressings).

It depends on what your skin likes but I personally struggle with sulfactants and detergents and since minimising their useage, my skin has become less reactive and less sensitive and much more comfortable. HTH.

mm yes. I think you are right. If I treat the shiseido oil as a transition product... what you think if I add some EVO/Castor to the shiseido as it shrinks down the bottle... ease into the complete surfectant free zone slowly.. ( coward, me..)

mm yes. I think you are right. If I treat the shiseido oil as a transition product... what you think if I add some EVO/Castor to the shiseido as it shrinks down the bottle... ease into the complete surfectant free zone slowly.. ( coward, me..)

hmm buffer one with the other? Might work very well and get you used to the process gradually. The very diluted detergent in that blend would just give a little bit of help removing the oil so it's probably a very good temporary idea because you'll be sure you're getting it all removed rather than worrying at the start as you learn if it's all coming off.

well, good. I like changes to be gradual, and I will enjoy making like an alchemist in the bathroom/lab.

satisfying to make potions, isnt it.

I tried this method for a month or two and I thought it was working well, but then my face started breaking out (But possibly biotin caused??!). I've been off the biotin and have been from a routine that left my face feeling like leather to what I'm doing now - just water. My face is still breaking out, but not as much as it was. I have got a hankering to try the OCM again.

Bonnie

double post....

I'm on my 5th day of OCM. I'm using 25% castor and 75% grapeseed. I'm impressed so far. My pores just look cleaner and my face has a slight glow to it. I only have one zit that has come up so far right on the edge of my nostril (I'm sure this is from OCM since it's right along the crease where some oil may be left), other than that, my face seems to be doing fine from it. I'm going to wait a couple weeks, then I might add in my neck and upper chest.

Well, I'm liking this method. I've discoverd that my face *really* needs to be splashed with cold water once I've gotten all the oil off. Also, I've had a stubborn ugly pimple for over a week now. I just got the idea last night to dab some of my tea tree oil on it and today it's almost gone. Tea tree is too drying to add to my OCM, but I'll keep it for the odd pimple here and there!

I'm messing with the CO technique and using it for OCM. My skin hates the use of a facial oil whilst it is so oily but it really needs the nourishment to help with chronic dehydration.

So - I'm using the jojoba oil with a dash of pre-blended bought facial oil for the OCM "wash". Then follow with a conditioning treatment of a couple drops of the jojoba and AD Synergy oil with some customised additions (lavender, chamomile, tea tree for morning; similar with ylang, neroli and rose for evening). I need to buy more EO's soon. I massage that in and allow it to absorb. If I leave it on, my skin would go greasy-oily in a couple hours. So after all the goodness has been taken in through the massage, I OCM off the residue.

I've only done this for a couple days but it has already helped keep the oil balance stable through the day, not getting oily til much later. Also the redness around my nose and across my cheekbones from zits / open pores / sensitivity seems to be diminishing.

I'm wondering if I can do something similar for my scalp and come up with a scalp oil with EOs which can be COed out... thinking out loud, great inspiration here!

I've been using this for...a month now, and my acne has definately gone down. My skin looks cleaner and smoother and...wow. I haven't had skin this good since before 5th grade.

Well, it's been three weeks and my skin is now getting worse. I am continuing to have cysts (which are probably hormonal anyway and not going to respond to topical stuff) and now I have dozens of little red bumps coming up everywhere. Ouch! I don't think the oil works as a cleanser for me. However, I think as a moisturizer it might. I am going to go back to my Burt's Bees Tomato soap and then use the oil as a moisturizer. My face is just not getting cleaned enough with the oil.

Well, it's been three weeks and my skin is now getting worse. I am continuing to have cysts (which are probably hormonal anyway and not going to respond to topical stuff) and now I have dozens of little red bumps coming up everywhere. Ouch! I don't think the oil works as a cleanser for me. However, I think as a moisturizer it might. I am going to go back to my Burt's Bees Tomato soap and then use the oil as a moisturizer. My face is just not getting cleaned enough with the oil.

A few other OCM users have experienced these same symptoms when they were first starting out. The oils are probably bringing long-stored sebum and dirt up to the surface. Have you ever tried applying Tea Tree oil onto especially problematic areas of your face? I find that it helps clear away especially problematic breakouts (this oil breaks down sebum).
'Best of luck!

Thanks, Spunkymonk, I read that tea tree oil could help. The problem for me right now is my husband and I are getting ready to start trying for a baby and I am looking for things I can continue to use when pregnant. From what I have read tea tree oil is not recommended when pregnant or breastfeeding. This is also why I have been using coconut oil and not castor oil.

It's just so very frustrating. This morning my face is a terrible mess. It takes so long to get all the acne dried up enough to even get some make-up on them. And going without make-up is not an option, not when I have to be out in public.

But I am going to see if using my tomato soap and then the oil for moisturizing might help. The tomato soap had been starting to clear me up a bit before I began OCM. It is just very drying.