Oil Cleansing-a best kept secret to beautiful skin?

The Oil Cleansing Method. Slathering oil all over your already oily face. Sounds crazy. But according to http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/, this is exactly what your skin is yearning for. The mantra is "oil absorbs oil". Natural oils are actually protective and healing to your skin. Acne cleansers sold on the market today strip your skin of their natural oils. Because of this, your face will actually go into over-drive and produce excess oil which essentially clogs the pores causing blackheads. Massaging oil into your face will loosen the clogged pores and give your skin the release it has been asking for. According to those who have tried this method, it will leave your skin smooth, clean, clear, and beautiful--actually glowing! It is a cleansing/moisturizer in one, so no need to apply a chemically-laden moisturizer afterward....sounds great to me!

So how does this method work, exactly? You can use many different types of oils, but most people suggest using 2 mixed together--a "cleansing" oil and a "moisturizing" oil. The two best types of cleansing oils are jojoba oil and castor oil. Moisturizing oils include coconut oil, olive oil, sunflower seed oil, or pretty much any type of plant-based oil. Here are the measurements according to the website, using castor oil and sunflower seed oil:

• Oily Skin: Try a blend of 30% Castor Oil to 70% Sunflower Seed Oil.
• Balanced Skin: Try a blend of 20% Castor Oil to 80% Sunflower Seed Oil.
• Dry Skin: Try a blend of 10% Castor Oil to 90% Sunflower Seed Oil.

You can also add a few drops of essential oil to this mix for a more fragrant experience. When you have your oils ready to go, simply massage the mixture deep into your skin--especially blackhead-prone areas. Then take a hot washcloth and lay it over your face, "steaming" the pores so they will open up. When the cloth cools, repeat as many times as you wish. It is like your own mini-spa experience! Then simply wipe the oil off with the wet cloth. You can do this while in the shower or bath, since your pores are already being steamed. It only needs to be done once a day at first, and then you only need to do it a few times a week after you've been doing it for awhile. For deeper cleansing, you can use witch hazel as an astringent in the morning or evening. For real tough blackheads, dab on a bit of pure lavender oil--which is a great cleansing agent but very potent.

Zac and I have been doing this for a few weeks now, and it feels wonderful. One of the best parts is knowing that I'm not putting tons of ingredients that I can't even pronounce on my skin. Plus, it's cheap and very relaxing. Definitely worth a try.