OCM stands for Oil Cleansing Method, a popular oil-based facial cleansing treatment.
OCM is a safe, non-invasive, and beneficial skincare ritual suitable for all skin types. In this article, you can read about which oils are suitable and how to do it.
Benefits of OCM
- It is an economical way to wash your face.
- It is mild and non-drying.
- It is deeply cleansing and provides gentle exfoliation.
- It dissolves dirt and stubborn makeup.
- It minimizes skin pores.
- It reduces sebum secretion and restores lipid balance.
- It solves many skin problems and gives the skin a glow.
Can you really wash your face with oil?
Washing with oil originated in the dry countries of antiquity where the skin required special care. Oil cleansing was later introduced in Central and Southern Europe by nomadic Romani women who emigrated.
It’s no more complicated than fat dissolving fat and thus dirt. It’s an effective method to cleanse and gently exfoliate the skin. You don’t use large amounts of oil; a little oil goes a long way.
Unlike drying, conventional cleansing products that foam and can cause various skin problems over time, oil cleanses without irritating or drying out the skin.
If you feel it doesn’t get clean without foam, it’s just a habit you quickly get past. An oil massage followed by a warm towel is very cleansing and soothing.
Which oils are suitable for OCM?
There are single-ingredient oils; so-called "all around" oils or ready-made cleansing oils, ranging from simple to advanced oil blends.
Of course, you can also mix your own blend.
Cleanse with a type of oil
The best is to choose a richer type of oil such as:
- Almond oil – Suitable for dry, sensitive skin.
- Avocado oil – Suitable for dry, lifeless skin.
- Coconut oil – Suitable for normal, dry skin.
- Melon seed oil – Suitable for all skin types, especially oily and blemished skin.
It can also work with less fatty oils such as:
- Evening primrose oil – Suitable for normal to oily skin as well as problem skin.
- Jojoba oil – Suitable for all skin types, especially oily and blemished skin.
- Castor oil – Is a super fatty and sticky oil and cannot be used alone, but can be diluted with other oils. Castor oil is good at drawing out impurities and many with oily and blemished skin like it.
How to do it?
Simple cleansing
- Massage in either an oil or an oil blend (see below). Always choose cold-pressed organic oils or an organic oil blend.
- Wash off the oil and dirt with a damp face towel or an organic washcloth or homemade soft cotton rags.
As mentioned, you can easily remove the oil with a damp terry cloth face towel or with our lovely organic washcloths. The advantage is that you also exfoliate the skin at the same time, and you can wash and reuse them again and again.
The downside is that you need quite a few and they need to be washed frequently. If you don’t wear makeup, you can wipe off the oil with cotton.
If you want to avoid the washing work, you can alternate by removing the oil with loose rhassoul clay (or another clay). Sprinkle a little clay in your hand, add a few drops of water, and wash off the oil with the clay.
Rhassoul clay doesn’t scrub, so to get that effect you can use a konjac sponge. This is not a “real” OCM wash but can be tried.
- Soak the sponge in water and squeeze out the excess water.
- Gently massage your face in circular motions either with a natural sponge or add a dollop of any natural cleansing product onto the sponge.
- Rinse the sponge after use and gently squeeze out the water with both hands.
- Let air dry.
More complex cleansing
- Moisten your face with either lukewarm water or an herbal distillate. Drop the oil onto clean hands and warm it up.
- Distribute and gently massage the oil onto your face. Continue massaging the most problematic skin areas, such as dry skin.
- Take a clean washcloth or soft towel and dampen it in warm water. Make sure the water isn’t too hot, especially if your capillaries are weak.
- Apply the washcloth to your face, leave it for a moment, then gently start wiping away the oil.
- Repeat the procedure twice. Continue removing oil until you notice the towel is completely clean, meaning it no longer picks up impurities and makeup from your face. Remember to dampen the washcloth with water each time.
- Finally, dampen the washcloth with cooler water and place it on your face to help your pores close.
- If your skin feels extra thirsty, use a cream. You can also add a drop or two of a serum.
Cleanse with Best Skin Ever
We have lovely, pre-mixed oils from our beloved brand Living Libations, which created Best Skin Ever. With this oil, water, and a soft cloth, you’ll get far.
1. Wet a small part of a soft cloth with lukewarm water.
2. Apply one to two squirts of any of the Best Skin Evers onto the damp part of the face cloth.
3. Gently massage your face, neck, and throat with the damp cloth. Wash gently or pull more firmly for a deeper exfoliating effect. Rinsing the face is optional. If you rinse with colder water, it helps your pores close.
4. If your skin feels extra thirsty, use a cream. You can also add a drop or two of a serum.
Keep in mind
- The washcloth you use for OCM must always be thoroughly cleaned after each use.
- Make sure the water you use for OCM is neither too hot nor too cold.
- Do not rub the towel against your face too hard, as it can cause irritation.
