Cleansing the skin with oil is also an ancient Ayurvedic practice, which may seem strange at first, so let’s take a look at the skin and why oil is better at cleansing than soap and water.
The skin contains sebaceous glands that produce sebum, which is an oily, waxy substance that protects your skin from environmental pollutants and infection. It also naturally hydrates the skin. When you wash with soap and water, you can wash away the healthy layer of sebum, which can result in dry skin becoming drier (especially with soap). In fact, most soaps are too strong for the skin of the face and have the wrong pH. Also, oily skin can become oilier, because as sebum is repeatedly stripped away, the skin produces more and more sebum, leading to oilier skin. However, using oil to clean oily skin will not add oil to the skin, but will help rid it of the dirt and excess oil. This is because of a basic principle in chemistry that states “like dissolves like”, which means that by using the right oils, you can clean your pores of dirt, and replace the dirty oil with healthy, natural oils. Although some people with acne benefit from cleansing with oil, there are some who have had negative experiences with oil cleansing. So, if you have acne, you may want to try the cleansing oil on a patch of skin first to see how your skin does with it.
Which oils you use will vary depending upon the season, your Dosha, and any skin conditions you may have now. With respect to the seasons, examples include: 1) summer’s heat causing more sweating and oiliness; and winter’s cold causing dry, chapped skin. So, you may need different oils at different times of the year. In Ayurveda, there are three doshas (categories of substances) in the body, which are classified as Vata, Pitta, or Kapha, This applies to the skin as well. See below for a brief explanation of the skin types according to Ayurveda:
Vata Skin is dry, thin, delicate, and ages faster. The skin can also be rough and flaky.
Pitta Skin is prone to discoloration, freckles, moles and pimples. Pitta skin type is sensitive to the sun and is prone to rashes, eruptions or hyper-pigmentation from prolonged sun exposure.
Kapha Skin ages slower and is creamy when balanced. However, it can be prone to a dull complexion due to stagnation, or it can be too oily when out of balance.
To get started, choose one or more oils listed below based on your skin type(s):
Sesame Oil is a warming, emollient skin tonic, that is especially suited for dry, Vata skin, because it’s absorbed easily into the skin. Its warming quality is good for Kapha skin as well.
Coconut Oil is a cold, nutritive skin tonic that is anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiviral, so it’s great for Pitta skin. Coconut Oil is good for Vata skin too, because it can help relieve dry, cracked skin. You can try Fractionated Coconut Oil, because it's a liquid and will blend with other oils.
Sunflower Oil is a cooling, lighter oil that can benefit Vata and Pitta skin.
Jojoba is very similar to sebum, so it's beneficial for all skin types. Its antioxidants and Vitamin E content make it suitable for skin with fine lines and wrinkling. Jojoba is also an anti-inflammatory, so it will help with inflamed, irritated skin.
Olive Oil is a heavy, hot oil that is great for dry, cold Vata skin.
Almond Oil is a lighter oil that is a cooling skin tonic and ideal for Vata and Pitta skin.
Apricot Oil is a lighter oil that is warming and great for Vata and Kapha skin.
Neem Oil is a cold skin tonic that has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, so it will benefit acne-prone skin. However, it has a terrible smell, so only use a little bit mixed in with another oil.
Be sure to purchase only pure oils, also called cold-pressed oils. You may want to pour the oil(s) into a small bottle and keep it in your vanity for easy use. You can cleanse with oil in the morning or evening; but I like to do this routine in the evening. When you’re ready to use your oil, follow these directions.
Directions
Apply a warm, wet facecloth to your face and neck, and gently press it into your skin.
Apply a small amount of oil to your face and gently massage it in. Repeat this to all parts of your face and neck.
Gently press a warm, wet facecloth to your face again.
Gently wipe off the oil with the facecloth.
Pat your face dry with a clean towel or let your skin air-dry.
Notice how soft and clean your skin feels. You could add a nutritive face oil or other moisturizer after cleansing, but you may not need it.
Image:
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