Cleansing Oil for Glowing Skin

By Jill Ettinger

When it comes to skin cleansing, oil may not be the first treatment that comes to mind. But it's true--oil can remove dirt, purify pores, and help reduce the signs of aging, often better than soap or fancy cleanser products.

Have you ever used oil to get some sticky gunk off of your kitchen countertops? It does the same thing to skin without being harsh or leaving your face feeling greasy. And it's actually one of the best treatments for acne-prone or oily skin.

Not All Oils Are Created Equal

You do not want to lather up your face with corn or canola oil. And though we often think of baby oil as the soft-skin friend, it is actually loaded with mineral oil, which creates a barrier on the skin, clogging pores and trapping impurities.

When looking for a cleansing oil for daily use, select products that are free from filler ingredients and parabens that can be damaging to your skin.

Look for products that contain some of these ingredients for healthy, glowing skin or formulate your own special blend:

Nut and Seed Oils: Almond, macadamia, sesame, olive, and jojoba oils can be great bases for cleansing oil skin products. Jojoba is a thick and stable oil that not only lends itself to creating quality cosmetic products, but also works extremely well on its own for cleansing and moisturizing the skin.

Borage Oil: Borage comes from the plant commonly called starflower, and its oil restores moisture and can smooth rough, dry, and damaged skin. It is an excellent cleansing oil for people with chronic skin disorders including dermatitis, eczema, and acne.

Sea Buckthorn: This Asian berry has an oil-rich seed that has been effective in treating dry skin, sunburn, acne, and eczema. It makes a wonderful complement to a cleansing oil product.

Essential Oils: These are therapeutic-grade concentrates from plants, flowers, and seeds. Most essential oils have antimicrobial properties and many have curative benefits for all kinds of skin types.

Application

Cleansing oils are powerful, so they should be used sparingly. To clean the face, pour about a quarter-size amount into your hands and rub together to warm the oil and then apply to your face, massaging gently. Then using a washcloth and hot water, gently hold the cloth in front of your face to steam the oil and impurities out for a few seconds before wiping off any excess.