Oil cleansing is a holistic approach to skincare that embraces the power of natural oils. By incorporating this method into your routine, you can experience enhanced hydration, balanced sebum production, reduced breakouts, deep cleansing, and gentle exfoliation. Contributing to a healthy, hydrated, dewy complexion.
Considered a gentler way to wash your face, here's why an emulsifying cleansing oil can benefit everyone.
What is Oil Cleansing?
The oil cleansing method is rooted in the principle that like attracts like —or in this case, oil attracts oil. The idea is to massage a natural plant oil into the skin for a few minutes, allowing it to bond to the skin's natural oils. When the oil is removed, it lifts all of the day's dirt, sunscreen, pollution and makeup out of the pores. Now, you have a clean slate, allowing the rest of your skincare products to penetrate the deeper layers of your skin.
Oil-based cleansers, especially those formulated to rinse easily off the skin like Krī's award-winning oil-to-milk cleanser, offer countless benefits for your skin. This technique has gained popularity as a gentle and effective way to achieve clean, healthy skin while maintaining balanced moisture levels.
Traditional, water-based cleansers primarily use surfactants (synthetic detergents) to remove dirt from the skin. Unfortunately, some surfactants have been shown to strip the skin of precious lipids that lead to skin barrier disruption.
5 Benefits of Oil Cleansing
1. Nourishes and Hydrates Damaged Skin
These oils cleanse and deliver essential nutrients to the skin, promoting hydration and leaving your complexion soft and supple. This is especially beneficial for individuals with dry or dehydrated skin. If you find your skin has become sensitive and reactive to skincare products, it may be time to make the switch to oil cleansing to help repair your damaged skin barrier.
2. Balances Sebum Production for Oily Skin
One of the surprising benefits of oil cleansing is its ability to regulate sebum production. By incorporating natural oils into your routine, you signal to your skin that it doesn't need to overproduce oil to compensate for harsh cleansers. This can be particularly beneficial for those with oily or combination skin, helping to achieve a more harmonious oil balance.
3. Reduces Breakouts For Acne-Prone Skin
Contrary to the misconception that oils clog pores, many natural oils used in oil cleansing are non-comedogenic. Therefore, choosing an oil-based cleanser for acne-prone skin can be a game-changer. The oils used in the cleansing process help to dissolve excess sebum, reducing the likelihood of clogged pores and acne-causing bacterial growth. This, in turn, can lead to fewer breakouts and a clearer complexion.
For more on this topic read our article on ‘The Best Face Oil for Oily Skin’.
4. Deep Cleansing Without Stripping Dry Skin
Take oil cleansing to the next level by incorporating heat to transform your daily cleanse into a weekly deep cleanse. Light a candle, put on your favourite playlist and set this time aside for yourself. Steam your face with a portable facial steamer or a glass bowl of hot water for five to ten minutes to soften the pores. Spend a little extra time working your cleanser into the skin for a thorough, deep cleanse that dissolves the impurities from your pores and the stress from your mind. A great addition to the end of your week to remove makeup, sunscreen and pollution buildup without compromising the skin's protective barrier.
5. Gentle Exfoliation For Sensitive Skin
Certain oils used in the oil cleansing method, such as grapeseed and safflower oil, possess natural exfoliating properties. These lightweight oils can penetrate deep into pores to remove dead skin cells and sebum buildup that cause blackhead and whitehead pimples. This is a gentler way of exfoliating without the need for abrasive scrubs. It promotes a smoother, clearer, more radiant complexion for those with sensitive skin.
Unveil Oil to Milk Cleansing Oil
Traditionally, the oil cleansing method is part of a two-step cleansing process that is followed up with a water-based cleanser to remove oil residue from the skin. Unveil Oil-to-Milk Cleansing Oil is specifically designed to be easily rinsed off the skin with no need for a second wash, making it ideal for all skin types, especially those seeking an oil-based cleanser for acne-prone skin. This gentle cleansing oil transforms into a light milky emulsion when activated with water to leave the skin clean and nourished without stripping natural moisture.
Gabrielle Richens is Krī's skincare consultant and content editor, a veteran model-turned-NVQ-qualified skin therapist, and an online skin coach.