Sooo if you couldn't tell by the title, this is my week 2 update about using the Oil Cleansing Method. (You can read about Day 1 and Week 1 here.) Most of this week I've just been fine tuning my routine to fit my skin. Quick oil blend recap: I started with 1/4 Castor Oil and 3/4 EVOO and found it to be a bit drying so I added a little bit more EVOO and that seemed to help tremendously (Jennie, I am still searching for that Avocado Oil you rave about!) I am also using a tiny bit of my oil blend as a moisturizer after I cleanse if I feel like I need it. After applying the oil as moisturizer I pat my face down gently with a clean towel to remove any excess. Annnd thats it! The money its saving me so far is ridiculous.
Heres what I was using prior to the OCM:
Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam $19.50
Clinique Clarifying Lotion (2-Pink) $22.50
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel $25.00
Clinique Moisture Surge $37.00
Total: $104.00
Here's what I'm using now:
Bertolis EVOO $6.89
Castor Oil $5.98
Total: $12.87
This isn't calculated per month, but when you consider that I went through a bottle of my DDMG a month and in 2 weeks I am not even half way through my bottle of Castor oil...the savings are obvious. It honestly kind of freaks me out at how much I was spending. So I am really, really hoping that this cleansing method works better for me in the long run. My wallet is hoping so too.
TMI moment incoming before I get to the photos. Its about 'That Time' of the month for me and usually that means my face is like spring break for acne - Everybody is popping up, chillin' with their homies, partying in the warm sun...pissing me off. I got a couple of pimples (you can see in the left photo below), but nothing like I would normally see so far. The ones that I did have were small and close enough to the surface that they healed pretty quickly. Melissa at Pinked Polish had warned me that her skin went kind of crazy during the 2nd week so maybe this is my 'crazy'. We'll see. Over all I am still very optimistic about the OCM, more optimistic than I was after week 1 even.
Edit: I forgot to add that the blackheads on my nose are noticeably diminishing. I wish I would have gotten a before/after pic for reference but I didn't. Oh well, who wants to see blackheads anyway? Yuck! LOL
Photo note: These photos were taken under the same lighting conditions to preserve the integrity of the results; in my bathroom, with the vanity light on, and doors closed to block out additional light.
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| Left - Week 2 (Day 14) |
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| Right - Week 2 (Day 14) |
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| Comparison day 1 to day 14 |
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| Comparison day 7 to day 14 |
TL;DR
- OCM still a thumbs up!
- Price comparison from previous skin care routine to this one is scary.
- Skin still looking noticeably less angry.
- Photos are in no way retouched or enhanced other than adding the border and water mark. Parts of my face look smoother because they are.
Wow, I certainly see improvement! I just might have to try this. My Mom actually bought me some Grape Seed Oil that she said to use as a moisturizer. I did try it a couple times, but I just felt weird putting oil on my face! I too always thought my face had to be dry to be clean in the past, but in the last year or two I have switched to cream cleansers. So maybe the natural thing to try next is the Oil Cleansing Method!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by Nancy! I was definitely skeptical but so many girls that I trust told me that they use OCM and its worked for them that I had to try it. I felt weird putting oil on my face too, but I was surprised at how natural it felt when I figured out how much to use and when to use it. Its still a bit of a learning process for me. Trying to figure out the best way to prime my face for make up without the help of my DDMG or Moisture Surge is the next hurdle I'm going to tackle. After 2 weeks I am thrilled with the results so far, heres hoping they continue to be positive.
DeleteI had to google Grape Seed oil but it looks like I'm going to be adding that to my list of essential oils to try :) Thanks for the tip!
Wow! What a difference! I'm anxious to see what happens after a few more weeks :)
ReplyDeleteMe toooo!! :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Lydia!
I'm just floored at your results! That's it. I'm going to try it. Do you have a link to the exact instructions? Also, Amazon has avocado oil or are you looking for a specific brand?
ReplyDeleteHi Erica! I am so excited that you're going to try the OCM! I hope it works for you too! Here are a couple of links to get you started.
DeleteOverview of how/why to use OCM: http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/
Crunchy Betty (great oil suggestions): http://www.crunchybetty.com/nitty-gritty-on-the-oil-cleansing-method
Where my friend buys her oils (and 100 other really cool things!): wholesalesuppliesplus.com
Exact instructions seem to change from site to site. I use the Crunchy Betty method for the most part. Massage for a minute or two and then put a hot washcloth over my face until it cools, then gently wipe off. You'll be able to tell if you got it all off :)
This seals the deal for me. I'm ordering oils on Amazon this week. What kind of container are you using to store your mixture?
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle!
DeleteI use an old Clinique face wash pumper bottle. This seemed to be the least messy way to do it. You can see a picture here:
http://foxclaws.blogspot.com/2013/02/oil-cleansing-method-day-1.html
Crunchy Betty has a great run down of what oils are best for each skin type: http://www.crunchybetty.com/nitty-gritty-on-the-oil-cleansing-method
Here is another fun website to order oils from that has been highly recommended by a friend of mine (there are also containers on here, and free shipping for orders over $30): http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com
Hope this helps! Please come back and tell me about your results :)
I think I need to try this! I had fantastic skin when I was 18, but now that I'm 30 and two kids later, my skin likes to freak out quite often! I've tried a lot of OTC cleansers and nothing really seems to be helping. Are you still able to wear primer and liquid and powder makeup while doing this?
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia!
DeleteYou can definitely wear make up still :) I applied a tiny TINY bit of oil to my skin before applying my BB cream and liquid foundation and it goes on really well. I use a damp beauty blender sponge to apply but I imagine that you can apply your make up however you did before. The oil will will remove your make up also so no need to pre-cleanse before you do your oil routine before bed (or whenever you do it). However, I have some make up remover wipes left so I have used them before I do my oil cleanse in the evening just for kicks.
If you try it I hope you'll come back and share your results. Don't forget to test your oil blend on a small section of your wrist or jaw line to make sure you don't have any crazy reaction to it before you smother it all over your face :) Good Luck!