How To Clean Your Face With Oil

Yes, you can clean your face with oil  and water.

Sound crazy?

It's actually a traditional cleansing method practiced as far back as ancient Rome.

Soap molecules on their own have one polar end and one non-polar end, making them useful for attracting particles and grabbing onto surface water so they can be rinsed away.    That's what makes you feel "squeaky clean".  Now, about that...

Human skin has a natural protective layer called the acid mantle which is, not surprisingly, slightly acidic. This layer helps maintain skin health and plays a vital role in protecting you from things like viruses, bacteria and other contaminants.  Soaps, on the other hand, are even more alkaline, meaning they wash away your skin's natural layer of protection.  This can throw the skin's system out of balance and cause over or under production of sebum, your skin's natural oil.  As many experience, this can lead to breakouts, dry skin, shiny foreheads, fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone.  

Oil and water can act in a similar manner as soap in that they attract polar and non-polar nasties on skin like dead cells, toxins, dirt, etc but without the harsh alkalinity.  Most oils are naturally non-polar and thus attract non-polar skin debris while water, which is naturally polar, takes care of the rest.

With a little rinsing and cleansing oils, you can gently clean your face without a harsh cleanser.

+  Rinse face well with warm water.  Use a Bamboo Face Towel for gentle exfoliation and to help scrub away surface debris.
+  Massage a cleansing oil like coconut or castor oil, or blended, nutrient-rich Conditioning Oil onto face with clean hands using upward strokes, avoiding the delicate eye area.  If possible, allow time for steam to open pores.  You can do this by placing a clean, hot towel over your face or just doing this in the shower.
+  Wipe excess oil away with a clean cotton pad or towel.  This method can also be used to remove eye makeup.
+  Apply additional oil if needed.

If you have problems with acne, fine lines or shine, try skipping the cleanser for a while and give your skin a chance to naturally balance and restore proper function.
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