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Questions about OCM
I've been waiting to finish a bottle of facial cleanser before I try OCM, and I'm almost there... I have a few questions before getting started.
-I've been looking at www.theoilcleansingmethod.com, which recommends sunflower seed oil in the mix. Is this what most of you use? Are there other alternatives?
-Where do you get your castor oil?
-Do you use a fresh washcloth each day? Or reuse for several days before changing?
-Those of you with combination skin - what is your ratio of castor to sunflower seed (or other) oil? The web site above has recommendations for dry, oily and balanced skin - is "balanced" skin considered combination?
-I noticed the web site recommends you cleanse at night. Is this a firm rule or do any of you do the cleansing in the morning?
-Do any of you cleanse while in the shower? Or is it recommended to do this separately?
-Any other helpful tips for a beginner?
Re: Questions about OCM
I use EVOO because I already have it.
Castor oil is found in the laxative section of the pharmacy.
I use a washcloth 2 or 3 times before I wash it.
I do 1 shot of castor oil to 4 shots of EVOO.
I do it at night to get all the grime off. I don't do it in the shower.
The person who started the OCM website you listed is also an active member of the longhaircommunity.com
There are a few threads over there about OCM that are pretty helpful in regards as to amounts and types of oil that people use.
-I've been looking at www.theoilcleansingmethod.com, which recommends sunflower seed oil in the mix. Is this what most of you use? Are there other alternatives?
EVOO and castor oil, or jojoba only (depending on my mood)
-Where do you get your castor oil?
Local natural foods store.
-Do you use a fresh washcloth each day? Or reuse for several days before changing?
I use a fresh one in the morning (warm water only) and reuse it in the evening.
-Those of you with combination skin - what is your ratio of castor to sunflower seed (or other) oil? The web site above has recommendations for dry, oily and balanced skin - is "balanced" skin considered combination?
More castor oil = drier. I have mostly oily/somewhat combination skin. I think i do about 20% castor oil. I've heard others use jojoba oil as a moisturizer, but it makes me break out if i don't rinse it off.
-I noticed the web site recommends you cleanse at night. Is this a firm rule or do any of you do the cleansing in the morning?
At night removes makeup. If you do just water at night, you'll have makeup on overnight (the oil dissolves and removes it). Twice a day is probably too much (dry skin).
-Do any of you cleanse while in the shower? Or is it recommended to do this separately?
Occasionally. It's easier at the sink, though.
-Any other helpful tips for a beginner?
Use a pump container or a container that allows you to dispense a very small amount without touching the oil that remains in the jar (messiness and contamination).
You may have to try multiple oils/combinations of oils/ratios of oils to find one you like.
Be sure to fully rinse the oil away (especially along jawline) or you'll probably get breakouts.
Figure out a method to use it when you travel (i.e., a leakproof, sturdy, small container), as switching back and forth between cleanser and ocm may leave you with breakouts and/or excessively oily skin.
Best sound ever: baby's heartbeat! (Heard @ 10w1d)
Best sound ever: baby's heartbeat! (Heard @ 10w1d)
I had it sitting around for use in woodworking and honestly I thought that it was castor oil until I was 1/2 way through the bottle and looked at the label!
If it works for you, great! I just wanted to make sure no one starts using it without knowing it's a petroleum product since "mineral oil" sounds natural and innocuous.
Best sound ever: baby's heartbeat! (Heard @ 10w1d)
I got my castor oil in the kids' medicine section in the pharmacy. I started using 10% castor oil in EVOO. I have an oily T-zone, but otherwise normal skin. After 3 or 4 cleanings over a couple of weeks, my nose and forehead started getting dry and eventually were red, spotty and sore. I looked gross. I started using jojoba only and stopped using any sort of soap on my face, and it's worked well for me. I do OCM only once a week or so, otherwise my skin gets too dry. I just wipe my face with a washcloth during a shower and use jojoba to moisturize after my showers.
I use a new washcloth every time (I bought a huge stack of them a long time ago at the dollar store, so I have plenty). I also always do it at night. I'm lucky if I have time to brush my hair in the morning. I sleep until the last second possible!
If I was starting again, I'd try very little castor oil and work my way up to find the right mix. I'm totally turned off castor oil now though.
ETA: I don't wear makeup. Makeup=5 fewer minutes of sleep in the morning. So I can't speak to jojoba's makeup-removing abilities.