Dawn Siler

Why do you come in a jar?!

You’ve guessed it. I’m not a fan of this type of packaging. It looks pretty, but it ain’t hygienic. Plus, some ingredients stop working when exposed to light and air – i.e. when you unscrew the lid.

Usually, I err on the side of caution and leave anything in jars on the shelf. But Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream is SO good, it’s the exception that proves the rule.

Here’s how it made me break my “no jars” rule:

Key Ingredients In Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream

Hyaluronic Acid To Hydrate Skin

Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet on steroids. Literally. Like a magnet, it attracts the droplets of water in the air and dumps them into your skin, binding them there. It’s so powerful, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water!

All that moisture gives your skin an instant plumping effect that makes your fine lines and wrinkles look way smaller. It brightens your skin with that translucent, glass-like glow Korean women are famous for. And it makes your skin so soft to the touch.

Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream uses two forms of hyaluronic acid: Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer and Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid.

That’s a double waterfall of moisture! It doesn’t get more hydrating than this.

Alpha-Arbutin To Brighten Skin

Hydration ain’t the only brightening trick Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream pulls on your skin. This moisturizer has 1% alpha-arbutin, a powerful skin lightener.

Like most skin-lighteners out there, alpha-arbutin works by inhibiting tyrosine, the enzyme responsible for producing melanin (the pigment that gives your skin its colour).

In case you’re wondering, alpha-arbutin works even at 1% concentrations. In fact, 1% alpha-arbutin works better than 4% kojic acid.

P.S. If you have dark skin, consult your doctor before adding alpha-arbutin to your skincare routine. It belongs to the hydroquinone family, which can cause side effects in dark skin.

Related: Why You Should Add Hyaluronic Acid To Your Skincare Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type

Papain To Exfoliate Skin

Papain is the enzyme in Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream. Derived from papaya, this enzyme literally eats away dead skin cells.

It works sort of like a chemical exfoliant: it gets rid of old skin cells to expose the brighter, softer and smoother skin underneath. It fades away rough patches of skin and gives you your glow back.

Papain is gentler than chemical exfoliants (glycolic acid & co). It’s also more unstable. Putting it in a jar wasn’t the smartest idea.

Related: The Complete Guide To Enzyme Exfoliants: What They Are, What They Does & How To Use Them

Antioxidants To Fight Premature Wrinkles

Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream has its fair share of antioxidants, like tamarind and cucumbers.

Antioxidants are your skin’s police force. They patrol your body looking for free radicals, the nasty molecules that destroy collagen, elastin and cellular DNA. All that damage inevitable leads to wrinkles and dark spots.

When antioxidants spot a free radical, they jump on it and neutralise it before it can wreak its havoc. Problem is, antioxidants don’t react well to light and air. As soon as you open the jar, they start to lose their effectiveness.

Let’s be clear: antioxidants don’t become useless the second you open the jar. It’s prolonged exposure to light and air that does the damage. As long as you use the cream every day and are careful to close that jar quickly, you’ll be fine.

But if you’re the type who leaves her jars open on your bathroom sink while doing the rest of your skincare routine, you’re not going to get their full antiaging benefits.

Related: What’s The Problem With Jar Packaging?

Let’s Put It To The Test: Personal Use & Opinion

Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream has an unusual texture that’s a cross between a refreshing gel and a thicker cream. It sinks into the skin quickly without leaving any greasy residue behind.

This is hands down one of the most hydrating moisturisers I’ve ever tried. I remember the first time I usedd it. I woke up the next morning and my skin was softer than a baby’s. I couldn’t stop touching it!

When I looked in the mirror, I noticed the fine lines around my eyes didn’t look as noticeable. My skin was so plump, it was hiding them!

Plus, my whole complexion had taken on a glow of its own. I just looked healthy. Awake. It’s the sort of moisturizer you can slather on after a poor night’s sleep to look alive.

I can’t vouch for how well it fades away dark spots. I’m lucky I don’t have any now. But in anything else I can’t fault its performance. If only it didn’t come in a stupid jar!

Available at: $65.00/£60.00 at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Net-A-Porter and Sephora

SHOP THE POST

Have you tried Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Ingredients: Water, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Tamarindus Indica (Tamarind) Seed Gum, Ethyl Macadamiate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer (and) Lecithin, Isododecane, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol Crosspolymer, Lauryl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Strelitzia Nicolai (Bird of Paradise flower) Seed Aril Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) seed extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Papain and Carbome 1, 2-Hexanediol (and) Caprylyl Glycol (and) Algin, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Extract, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Leaf Extract (and) Melia Azadirachta Flower (Neem) Extract (and) Amino Esters-1 (and) Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract (and) Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract (and) Lawsonia Inermis Extract (and) Ocimum Sanctum Leaf (Holy Basil) Extract, Pearl Powder, Fragrance, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

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Where the heck do you come from?!

I literally woke up one morning with huge lines around my eyes. Ok, they weren’t huge huge. More like the faintest hint of crow’s feet.

But I was only 25. It was the first time I ever saw a wrinkle on my face. I totally freaked out. Can you blame me?

Sure, I knew this was gonna happen. When I turned 50. I didn’t expect to get my first wrinkle so soon. I guess I had all those Italian summers spent frolicking in the sun to thank for it…

Oh well, what’s done is done. You can’t go back. But you can use your skincare arsenal to nip those first wrinkle in the bud and keep new ones from making an appearance too soon. Here’s how:

When Is It Normal To Get Your First Wrinkle?

It totally depends on your gene pool and lifestyle.

Most people will see their first wrinkle appear around the big 3-0. But it’s not uncommon for that first wrinkle to creep up in your mid 20s either. This usually happens if you’ve spent too much time in the sun as a kid, were a devoted sunbed user in your teens, have started smoking at a young age or have fair skin.

I’ve never been a sun worshipper. I grew up in Senigallia, a small Italian town on the Adriatic coast. Yet, I can count on the fingers of one hand the times I went to the seaside as a child.

What can I say? I can’t stand the feeling of having sand all over me… and finding it everywhere around the house for a week afterwards.

What got me that first wrinkle was playing in my backyard under the torrid sun without sunscreen. My mum always warned me about wearing a hat to avoid a sunstroke, but she never mentioned wearing sunscreen would keep wrinkles at bay. These were the ’80s. No one knew better then.

Plus, I’m super pale. It’s not like I could count on my skin to provide some natural sun protection (FYI, dark skin has some in-built SPF, but it’s really low. You need sunscreen, too). So I got those first wrinkles sooner than I should have.

How To Tweak Your Skincare Routine To Deal With Your First Wrinkle

Don’t panict! No matter when you get that first wrinkles, there’s still a lot you can do to keep premature aging at bay:

1. Wear Sunscreen Every Day, Rain Or Shine

I know what you’re thinking, “But Gio, I’ve already got a wrinkle! How can sunscreen help me get rid of it?”

It won’t. But it’ll keep it from coming back. Cos what’s the point of getting rid of a wrinkle if sun damage is gonna bring it back again? I can’t stress this enough: nothing on this list will help you if you don’t wear sunscreen every single day.

Rain or shine. UV rays are sneaky. They penetrate through clouds and windows and even get reflected on snow. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing – soaking up the sun on an exotic beach, driving your car to work, or walking the streets of gloomy London – you’re not safe until the sun comes down.

Put that sunscreen on!

Best Picks:

• EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47 ($25.00): available at Dermstore and Walmart
• Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection SPF 50 Sunscreen + WetForce For Sensitive Skin & Children ($42.00):available at  Nordstrom and Ulta
• Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 ($34.00): available at Blue Mercury and Dermstore

Related: 6 Things To Look For When Buying Sunscreen

2. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Let’s be honest here: it doesn’t matter what you throw at it, that wrinkle ain’t gonna disappear in a day.

While you’re waiting for retinol & co to make a dent in your wrinkles, use a moisturizer to make them look as small to the naked eye as possible.

Moisture works because it plumps up your skin, so that your fine lines and wrinkles look smaller. Plus, it gives your skin a healthy glow and helps the skin’s natural exfoliating process.

You can never go wrong by giving your skin more moisture. The easiest way to do this is with a hyaluronic acid serum: it draws and binds to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water. You can’t get more moisture than that!

If your skin is on the dry side and doesn’t have a tendency to clog, you can also switch to a richer moisturizer with a more plumping effect.

Best Picks:

Related: If My Skin Is Perfectly Hydrated, Do I Need To Worry About Antiaging, Too?

3. Add Vitamin A To Your Skincare Routine

Vitamin A is the only thing proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It comes in many forms:

• Hydroxypinacolone retiniate
• Retinaldehyde
• Retinoid acid (tretinoin)
• Retinol
• Retinyl Palmitate

They all fight wrinkles the same way. Studies show that Vitamin A:

1. It hasantioxidant properties that destroy free radicals before they give you wrinkles and dark spots.
2. It accelerates cellular turnover(i.e. the skin’s natural exfoliating process), reducing the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles.
3. It boosts the production of collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm.

But some are more powerful than others. Retinoic acid is the most powerful – but also the most irritating. That’s why it’s available by prescription only.

I’m partial to retinol and retinaldehyde. They quickly convert to retinoic acid in the skin and are powerful enough to make a dent in your wrinkles. Expect to see results after a couple of months.

FYI, retinol is harsher than retinaldehyde and can cause dryness and irritation. You can minimise the risk of side effects by starting with a low concentration a couple of times a week and building up both dose and frequency gradually.

Best Picks:

Related: Which Form Of Vitamin A Is Best For You?

4. Use Collagen-Boosting Ingredients

If you’re serious about antiaging, you need to pump up the production of collagen, pronto.

Collagen is the protein that keeps your skin firm. When you’re young, your skin produces all the collagen it needs. But as soon as you turn 21, its production decreases by 1% a year. Until you hit menopause. Then, it depletes even faster.

Adding collagen back into your skin doesn’t work. Collagen molecules are too big to penetrate the skin. But even if you chop them down into tiny pieces that can get through the skin’s barrier, there’s no way they can attach themselves to collagen-making cells to firm skin.

Your best bet is to use ingredients that trigger your skin to produce more collagen on it own. Here are the best at the job:

1. Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that boosts collagen production, brightens the skintone and fights free radicals
2. Amino acids: L-lysine, l-proline, and l-threonine trick cells into producing more collagen
3. Copper peptides:  They boost the production of collagen, elastin, and other components of the skin’s natural barrier, have anti-inflammatory properties and help heal wounds. 
4. Niacinamide: A form of Vitamin B3 that boosts collagen, hydrates skin, brightens the skintone, soothes irritations and helps you treat acne.

FYI, you don’t need to use all these ingredients together. You can just pick and choose what works best for your skin. Or look for products that use a combination of them. They tend to be pricier but are totally worth the splurge.

P.S. It’s a myth you can’t use Vitamin C with niaciamide. I’ve debunked it here.

P.P.S. Be patient. Nothing works overnight. Boosting collagen is a complicated process and it can take months before these actives can make a significant impact.

Best Picks:

Related: 8 Ways To Rebuild Lost Collagen For Firmer, Younger-Looking Skin

5. Accept You’re Getting Older

Look, I’m all for using skincare, fillers and whatnot to slow down the aging process. But you can’t keep wrinkles off your face forever. They come with the territory as you get older. And who says that’s a bad thing?

Don’t ever let a wrinkle – or a few extra pounds, thin lips or lack of thigh gap – define your worth as a human being or determine what you can do in your life.

You’re beautiful. You’re kind. You’re loving. You have a great sense of humour. You have skills and gifts no one else on this planet has. That’s what makes you YOU. What makes you special.

Accept yourself for who you are. Love every part of you. Live your life to the full and work hard to make your dreams come true. You’re worth it – wrinkles or no wrinkles.

Related:13 Things To Remember When You Feel You’re Not Pretty Enough

The Bottom Line

Don’t freak out over your first wrinkle. Getting older is a normal part of life. Just slather on sunscreen every morning, fill your skincare routine with collagen-boosting ingredients and relax. You’re doing everything you can to slow down the aging process – now focus on yourself and living your life to the full.

How are you treating your first wrinkles? Let me know in the comments below.

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Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

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You know how it goes. A jealous person spreads a juicy rumour. Everyone believes it because it’s so scary, who wants to take the risk if it turns out to be true?

Then, the truth comes out. But, it’s too late. It doesn’t matter what the maligned guy says or does to prove his innocence, everyone’s mind is already made up against him.

That’s what happened to mineral oil. The mere association with petroleum was enough to taint him with a bad brush for good. It doesn’t matter that mineral oil doesn’t resemble petroleum in the least or that the two don’t hang out together anymore. Mud sticks.

This may all be futile, but I feel so sorry for mineral oil, I’m going to stick up for it and do my best to defend its reputation. Here’s why mineral oil doesn’t deserve its bad rep:

What is mineral oil?

Before I get on the stand and start defending mineral oil, I’ll better tell you what it is.

Mineral oil is a colourless and odourless oil derived from petroleum (which, by the way, is a NATURAL substance derived from Mother Earth – just saying).

There are several grades of mineral oil, but only one can be used in cosmetics. It’s called Cosmetic Grade Mineral Oil. Obvs.

To turn into Cosmetic Grade Mineral Oil, petroleum must undergo a strict purifying process that removes all toxins and other impurities from it. At the end of this process, CGMO doesn’t resemble petroleum anymore.

Cosmetic Grade Mineral Oil is safe. Period.

Next time you hear someone say that slathering mineral oil on your skin is the same as slathering petroleum on your skin, you know they have NO idea what they’re talking about.

Why is mineral oil used in beauty products?

1. It’s cheap.
2. It rarely causes irritations or allergies.
3. It’s super moisturizing.

In fact, derms think it’s the king of moisturizers. The most moisturizing of all moisturizers (I think shea butter gives it a good run for its money, but mineral oil is one of the best).

Mineral oil creates a barrier on the skin that prevents water loss. Instead, that moisture stays deep into your skin, making it softer and suppler.

Now that we know what we’re dealing with, let’s bust some myths about mineral oil, shall we?

Myth #1: Does Mineral Oil clog pores?

I’ve just told you that mineral oil works by creating a protective barrier on the skin. So, it makes sense that it suffocates skin and clog pores, right?

Not so quickly.

1. Skin doesn’t breathe. It perspires. That’s an important difference because if something doesn’t breathe, you can’t suffocate it.
2. Cosmetic Grade Mineral Oil doesn’t clog pores, either.  It’s Industrial Mineral Oil that’s comedogenic. But, that’s not used in cosmetics, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Wait, there’s a catch.

CGMO itself isn’t comedogenic. But, the barrier it creates can trap other comedogenic ingredients into the skin, and those can cause breakouts.

If you’re prone to acne or breakouts, make sure none of your skincare products have comedogenic ingredients before slathering on mineral oil.

Myth #2: Does Mineral Oil Stop Other Ingredients From Getting Into The Skin?

Again, this makes sense: if mineral oil creates a barrier on the skin, then retinol, vitamin C and all the other goodies in your lotions and potions won’t be able to get through.

Yet, they do.

Mineral oil is so great at keeping moisture into the skin because the barrier it forms is hydrophobic. But, other ingredients can still get through.

Science confirms it. One study measured the diffusion rate of sulphathiazole when used in cold creams with mineral oil. These cold creams had various levels of mineral oil. Some contained as low as 8% while others a whopping 83%!

In both cases, suphathiazole diffused through the cream into your skin. Of course, it did this faster when there was only a little mineral oil in the cream. But mineral oil is rarely used at high doses so it’s cool.

Myth #3: Does Mineral Oil Prevent Collagen From Penetrating The Skin?

This is closely related to myth #2, but I thought it deserved its own paragraph, anyway. Two reasons:

1. Collagen is the ingredient that always comes up when talking about mineral oil and its “impenetrable” barrier.
2. Collagen DOESN’T penetrate the skin anyway!

Collagen is a huge molecule. So huge, it can’t get through the skin anyway. All it does it sitting on its surface and making it soft and smooth.

Stop blaming mineral oil for collagen’s shortcomings. It’s not fair.

Myth #4: Does Mineral Oil Cause Cancer?

I see how this spread. Industrial Mineral Oil contains toxins that may cause cancer. But, that will never find its way into your creams and serums.

As I’ve mentioned before, only Cosmetic Grade Mineral Oil can be used in cosmetics. That’s highly purified. It has no toxins that could cause cancer, or any other disease for that matter.

I’ve scoured all of Pubmed and couldn’t find a single study that links CGMO to cancer. Not even a tiny little one.

Myth #5: Does Mineral Oil Dry Out Skin And Make It Age Faster?

I have no idea where this came from, seriously.

Mineral oil creates a barrier on the skin that locks moisture in. That means its moisturizes skin. How can something that moisturizes skin dry it out? Makes no sense.

As for it making skin age faster, again, how? Have you noticed that people who make these claims never tell you how mineral oil does this? They can’t because it doesn’t.

There’s nothing in mineral oil that could make you age faster. Next time someone utters such nonsense, ask for proof or tell them to shut up.

The Real Reason Not To Use Mineral Oil

Mineral oil critics do have a point, though. Mineral oil only moisturizes skin. That’s it.

Other oils, such as argan, rosehip or evening primrose, are enriched with antioxidants that fight premature aging and soothe irritations. Mineral oil can’t do any of these. If you’re looking for a multi-tasking oil, mineral oil isn’t the one for you.

The other side of the coin? Its simplicity makes mineral oil wonderful for sensitive skin. While most oils (like those I’ve just mentioned) are made up of tens of thousands of compounds, mineral oil is made in a sterile lab with only a handul of compounds.

In other words, mineral oil won’t irritate your skin. Something in natural oils (usually one of their fragrant components) might.

I usually use mineral oil to remove my makeup and other oils, like olive and rosehip, to moisturize and prevent premature aging. But, my skin isn’t sensitive. If it were, I would stick to mineral oil.

Should You Use Mineral Oil?

That depends.

You should if:

• You have dry skin that can’t seem to retain moisture.
• You have sensitive skin that’s irritated easily.

You shouldn’t if:

• You have acne-prone skin (it may aggravate breakouts)
• You’re looking for an oil with both moisturizing and anti-aging properties.

Is mineral oil really bad for skin?

Nope. Mineral oil is super moisturizing, very gentle even on sensitive skin and really cheap. Just don’t expect it to do anything more than moisturizing your skin.

Do you use mineral oil? Share your experience in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Oil cleansing method? Say what?!

I can’t believe people cleanse their skin with oils now. That’s nuts. Like, my t-zone is already as shiny as a frying pan, and you want me to add even more oil?!

To say that I was sceptical about the oil cleansing method would be an understatement. But when I summoned enough courage to try it, something unexpected happened.

My skin started glowing. It became silky soft to the touch. And, nope there was not a single pimple in sight. 

Instant convert right there. The oil cleansing method IS a game changer. If you haven’t taken the plunge yet, here’s what you should make the switch right now:

Want clear, healthy, glowy skin? Try the oil cleansing method. It’s a total gamechanger. Click to Tweet

What the heck is the oil cleansing method, and how does it work?

The oil cleansing method (OCM) uses natural oils to cleanse your skin.

It works because like attracts like. Basically, your makeup has oil. Your face produces oil. The impurities comfortably lodged in your pores are oily. Castor oil and co act like a magnet, attracting all that oil-based gunk and taking it on a journey down the drain.

FYI, oil cleansing ain’t nothing new. If you take a quick look at your fave cleanser, chances are a few oils have sneaked their way in there. That’s what makes them work so well.

In these cleansers, oils are joined by surfactants, a group of ingredients that helps them mix with water to remove those impurities faster. Surfactants are also the reason these cleansers (unlike natural oils) leave no greasy residue behind.

If you’re already using an oil-based cleanser, you’re already on the oil cleansing method bandwagon. Feel free to stick with it. But if you want to go down the natural route or make your own DIY cleanser, keep reading on. I’ll show you how to do it:

Why Should I Switch To The Oil Cleansing Method?

Several reasons:

1. It removes even the most stubborn of makeup effortlessly: that’s oil-based, and like attracts like, remember?
2. It doesn’t dry out the skin: you’re replenishing oil as you’re stripping it away.
3. Oils are moisturizing: they leave your skin so soft, and you may find, you don’t need a moisturizer afterwards.

Sounds awesome! What do I need?

Not much:

• Some oils.
• Warm towel or washcloth.

That’s it, really.

Wait, rewind. What oils do I need? There are so many!

I know! And they all have different properties. Some cleanse better than others. A few are comedogenic, others aren’t. Some can even irritate your skin, while others are gentle enough for the most sensitive of skin types.

The trick is to figure out what the best combination for your skin type is. But how the heck do you do that?! Experiment. Try a few combinations and see what your skin likes best.

Related: How To Determine Your Skin Type + Free Test

Here are a few oils that are good for the oil cleansing method:

Argan Oil

Pros:

• Cleanses skin well.
• Moisturizing.
• Works well for all skin types.

Cons:

Castor oil

Pros:

• It cleanses skin very well – it can remove anything!
• It is rich in ricinoleic acid, which is very moisturizing.
• It has antibacterial properties, so can help treat the symptoms of acne (but not the cause – it can’t kill P. acnes).
• Works for all skin types.

Cons:

• Castor oil can be drying, so it needs to be diluted with other oils.

Coconut Oil

Pros:

• Cleanses skin well.
• Very moisturizing.
• Works well for dry skin.

Cons:

Jojoba Oil

Pros:

• Cleanses skin well.
• Moisturizing.
• Works for all skin types, especially oily.

Cons:

• It contains wax esters, which make it feel a lot like sebum – some people just don’t like that feeling.

Mineral Oil

Pros:

• It cleanses skin very well – it can remove anything!
• It is very moisturizing.
• It’s very gentle, and doesn’t cause irritations.
• Works best for sensitive and dry skin types.

Cons:

• It’s very occlusive, so it can create a barrier that prevents the skincare products you use next to penetrate the skin well.
• If you’re acne-prone, it may cause breakouts.
• Doesn’t have any antioxidants that can nourish skin.

Olive Oil

Pros:

• Cleanses skin well.
• Very moisturizing.
• Works best for dry skin.

Cons:

• May cause breakouts in some people.
• Most types of olive oil on the market aren’t pure, and the extra stuff can cause irritations. Choose yours wisely!

Sunflower Oil

Pros:

• Cleanses skin well.
• It’s very lightweight and less occlusive than other oils.
• It’s moisturizing.
• Works well for all skin types.

Cons:

• I have no complaints re this one.

Sweet Almond Oil

Pros:

• Cleanses skin well.
• Moisturizing.
• Works well for all skin types, especially oily.

Cons:

• I have no complaints about this one, either.

PRO TIP

Don’t even think of buying your cleansing oil at the supermarket. The oils you use to cook won’t do. They usually contain extra stuff that you don’t want on your face. Instead, get yourself to a trusted natural shop and purchase the pure, organic, cold-pressed, kind of oil. If you’re going for olive oil, make sure it’s the extra virgin kind. If any oil is not cold-pressed or extra virgin, it means it’s been refined and has lost all its antioxidants and good nutrients.

So you’re read the list but don’t have the faintest idea where to start to create your own oil cleanser? I’ve got you covered:

Two Good Combinations To Start With

As a good Italian, I’m going to recommend you start experimenting with olive oil. I use it for everything and can’t sing its praises enough. I usually mix it with castor oil. It’s so versatile.

Now you’ve got your oils, let’s talk ratios. They vary depending on your skin type:

If you have oily skin, mix

• 2/3 castor oil
• 1/3 extra virgin olive oil

If you have dry skin, mix

• 2/3 extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 castor oil

This is just the most basic recipe to get you started. You can follow it to a T. Or add a third oil to the mix. Or use completely different oils.

Start with the basics. When you’re comfortable, you can experiment with other oils and find up the best combination for your skin.

But if the recipes above are too basic for you, click on the image below to subscribe to my newsletter and receive my fave “Oil Cleansing Method Recipes.”

So, how do I use the Oil Cleansing Method?

This may be obvious, but you don’t need to use the oil cleansing method in the morning. Unless you went to sleep with your makeup on. *tut tut*.

The oil cleansing method works best for removing stubborn makeup and sunscreen, not the few impurities that have settled on your skin during the night. Don’t waste your oils!

So, how do you do it?

Step 1: Mix the oils together, either in the palm of your hand or in a small bottle.
Step 2: Massage the mixture on your dry face for a few minutes to remove makeup and other impurities.
Step 3: Wet a washcloth with warm water and gently wipe your face with it.
Step 4: Repeat step 3 until you’ve wiped all the excess oil from your skin.
Step 5 (optional): Follow up with your regular cleanser to remove the oily residue left behind by the oil.

That’s it. Easy peasy, right?

PRO TIP

Wash your washcloth between uses. You don’t want to cleanse your skin with a dirty washcloth. You’ll just put all that crap back onto your face. Oh, and let the washcloth dry properly after every use. Humid washcloths are playgrounds for bacteria.

Great! But, are you sure there are no side effects?

Well, there are two or three…

• It can take time to find the right combination (and ratio) of oils for your skin type. Until you do, you may experience breakouts and, if your skin is sensitive, even irritation.
• It’s more time-consuming than regular cleansing (but, also more effective).
• You have to wash your washcloth often – that’s the boring part.

But, when you finally get the right combination of oils, all the hassle is more than worth it. Trust me on this one.

The Bottom Line

The oil cleansing method is time-consuming, but it’s a total game changer. It cleanses skin, it moisturizes it, and even makes it glow. Go on, give it a try.

Have you tried the oil cleansing method? Share your experience in the comments below.

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