Cleansing is an essential step in every skincare routine oil however we are often told is not. You shouldn’t be scared of oil because believe it or not it should be an essential part of your skincare routine, whether you have dry, oily or combination skin. Oils can be fantastic for the skin - especially when it comes to cleansing; they can break up every speckle of makeup, including waterproof and long-wear products. They can also be used to “pre-cleanse” the skin if you don’t like the oily residue some cleansing oils can give.
First of all you’ll need to know your skin-type so make sure you take a look at the “Figuring Out Your Skin-type” guide. Next of all I’m going to give you the low-down on why cleansing oils are fantastic for all skin-types, not just dry.
Dry skin: Great because it hydrates the skin and helps to cure dry and flaky patches.
Oily skin: Fantastic because of the simple rule in science; oil is attracted to oil. In the long run a cleansing oil will help to balance out the oil production in your skin without stripping it of all its natural oils.
Combination skin: Perfect because it balances out the oil production of your skin by hydrating the drier areas and reducing oil in the oilier parts.
When it comes to picking a cleansing oil it is extremely important that you choose one which is mineral oil free. Mineral oil is a pore-clogging ingredient (which can make acne and oily skin worse) plus it can also increase skins photo-sensitivity (making the skin more sensitive to the sun) a lot of brands use these because it is cheap and easy to access. Instead opt for a cleansing oil that is mineral oil free and preferably natural. My favourite cleansing oil is Extra Virgin Olive Oil from my kitchen cupboard, it works great because it is free of harsh chemicals and has a similar pH balance to what your skin should be. I also love NUDE Skincare Perfect Cleansing Oil and Planet Eve Organics Facial Cleansing Oil.
Step 1: Start off by massaging a cleansing oil directly onto dry skin for a minute or so, you don’t need to avoid the eye area, just be gentle around it.
Step 2: Next of all take some warm water and massage it over the top for a minute or two, the oil should turn into a semi-milky formula.
Step 3: Now it is time to remove any of the oil on your skin, you can do this with either a damp makeup removing pad/tissue or my favourite a muslin cloth which will gently exfoliate the skin whilst effectively removing your cleanser. (All you have to buy is some cheese cloth, no need to purchase expensive ones from skincare brands!)
Step 4: If I’m wearing makeup I like to repeat the process over again, this way both the makeup and any dirt’s/oils which have built up on your skin throughout the day are also removed.
Step 5: Pat your skin dry and follow on with the rest of your skincare routine.
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