"Sheffield skincare company was developed back in 2014 after I had spent years trying to find a solution and suitable skincare routine for my terrible acne ridden skin". Megan Beardsmore discusses the benefits of the oil cleansing method, how it cured her skin issues and could be the skin care routine you need to help you too.
What is the oil cleansing method?
Well, oil cleansing is just that, it is a method of cleansing the face using oil or at least oil-based products.
I know from the description those of you reading this with oily or problem skin will be saying "oh no, putting oil on my already oily skin will just make it worse" This is exactly what worried me going in to this journey. I couldn't have been more wrong.
So to put a little context to this, many traditional facial cleansers (foaming) made for oily problem skin work by stripping the skin. they are packed with sodium laurel sulphates (SLS) alcohol, benzoyl peroxide and other skin stripping ingredients.
What this does to the skin in strip away the natural oils and unbalances the skins PH levels and acid mantel. It starts a vicious cycle of dehydrating the skin where the skin fights back by producing more oils and sebum to balance the skin back to normal, this actually makes your skin more oily making the problem worse.
Oil cleansing is an ancient method
Before humans started using soap like products back in 2800 BC people used oil to clean their skin. It worked on the belief that oil entering the pores would break down and dissolve oils that had been hardened by impurities, dirt and environmental oxidisation. A hot cloth or muslin is laid across the face, which creates steam to help remove oil and impurities from the skin when wiped away.
The method itself centres around massaging oil into the skin for at least 2 minutes, then using a warm face cloth to remove & cleanse away excess oil and impurities. Using a suitable oil-based cleanser to definitively remove any excess makeup, sunscreen, sweat or dirt will ensure that your skin is well and truly squeaky clean!
Oil cleansing benefits
In addition to supporting a balanced skin microbiome, oil cleansing also:
- Removes excess sebum (this is what causes the appearance of oily skin)
- Cleans out clogged pores (e.g. blackheads and whiteheads)
- Lifts dead skin, makeup, and pollutants
- Safe for use during pregnancy
I began oil cleansing back in 2014 when I began experimenting to develop an oil cleansing method that would work for me. I was fed up with traditional cleansers, stripping my skin and making it worse. Here is an image of my skin at the beginning of my journey.
Awful isn't it? I was so miserable, nothing worked. My skin had been like this since the age of 13. I just knew I needed a change. This is when I developed our All the Saints cleansing balm for oily problem skin, the first cleansing balm in the range you see now.
This was my skin 2 months in to using our All the Saints balm, you can already see a marked improvement in my acne. The skin is less inflamed, the size of the spots is beginning to reduce and diminish and the skin texture is smoother.
The final picture is how my skin looks now in 2022, 8 years from beginning my oil cleansing journey. its far from perfect, I still have a few scars from when I used to pop and pick (never do this) but I'm finally happy in my own skin for the first time in years.
But don't oils clog the skin?
All natural plant based oils, butters and waxes can be categorised under something called a comedogenic rating. This basically means they are rated based on how clogging they are to the pores on your skin. So an oil rated 0 on the scale is great for the skin and it wont clog the pores. An oil rated 2-4 could be more problematic.
Not all oils are great for the skin especially on the face where pores are often more open to the environment. There are two main fatty acids found naturally in plant based oils.
Linoleic acid is an essential building block for ceramides, one of the skin's main moisturising element and strengthens the skin barrier. Oleic acid nourishes, repairs, and soothes the skin barrier.
Linoleic acid is ideal for acne-prone and oily skin because it supplements Linoleic acid deficiency on this skin types kin's surface, contributing to clogged pores. Oleic acid tends to be protective so, ideal for dry skin, but it is more occlusive for the pores.
Oils very rich (>50%) in Linoleic acid, with low comedogenicity: Broccoli, Castor, Cucumber, Squalene, Hemp, Hazelnut, Kiwi, Passion fruit, Safflower, Raspberry, Pumpkin, Grapeseed, Pomegranate, Watermelon.
Oils rich (30% - 50%) in Linoleic acid, with very low comedogenicity: Argan, Jojoba, Prickly Pear, Sea Buckthorn, Shea butter, Mango butter, Cacay, Chia, Moringa, Neem, Plum, Pumpkin, Rice Bran, S. Almond, Rosehip, Tamanu.
How we can help you to add oil cleansing to your skincare routine
Our natural oil cleansing balms are a perfect way to incorporate the oil cleaning method in to your skin care routine. we use only low comedogenic rated oils and butters to heal, protect and moisturise. Click here to view our facial page
- All the Saints - oily problem skin
- Holy Grail - sensitive skin
- Beauchief Beauty - dry/mature skin
- Naked - scent free for ultra sensitive skin
Why not try one of our 15ml sample sizes to see if the oil cleansing method works for you. It certainly changed my life for the better.