OCM Update

Kirin recently asked how I was getting on with the Oil Cleansing Method. Well, at the moment, I'm not. You see, it was all going very well. I got a bit cocky. Bought myself some v expensive Bare Escentuals mineral make-up. Initially skin was wonderful, then two weeks in I broke out in whiteheads all over my neck, the sides of my face into my hairline and across my forehead. Being pretty certain (having consulted Mr. Google) that the make-up was to blame, but not 100%, I ditched both the minerals and OCM to allow my skin time to recover from whatever ailed it. Five or six weeks later I still have a lot of whiteheads and inflamed pimples, but since I all-but finished my PhD (yay!) my skin is much improved. I have been using a moisturiser by Green People (no acne-provoking ingredients - see here for what to avoid) and good ol' Corn Silk face powder (from Boots - used it for years, dunno why I stopped in the first place).

This is not to say that I have completely abandoned OCM. I liked the way it made my skin look and feel. And I just loved breaking my servitude to the cosmetics industry. Therefore, once my skin is feeling better I'm going to re-experiment, perhaps with lighter jojoba oil in place of olive (apparently coconut is a comeodonic nightmare, btw!).

Oil-cleansing Method (OCM)

I've recently been experimenting with the oil-cleansing method; I have pretty bad skin for a thirty-three year old. Regularly spotty, blemished, greasy combination skin. On my face, back and recently my chest. I have not been spot free since I was eleven. Rather depressing. I've tried every acne product on the market (most are too harsh), as well as topical antibiotics (which probably didn't help my candida much). The diet helped, especially cutting out sugar. But my skin has remained resolutely 'teenage'.

I had some recent positive results with Faith in Nature skincare products, Freederm and Mario Badescu buffering lotion. But not to my complete satisfaction; although these products are less packed with chemicals, they still contain way too many ingredients for my liking.

I came across a vintage beauty blog the other day. I discovered that Marilyn Monroe used little else than vaseline and olive oil on her skin. I avoid parabens, so that was out. By a process of following links here, and links there, I came across the OCM and decided to give it a go: 3 parts extra-virgin Olive Oil and 1 part castor oil, with a couple of drops of lavender essential oil. I massage it well into my skin. Steam with a hot flannel, remassage, steam, remassage, steam and then wipe. Splashing my face with cold water several times replaces toner. And an extra dab of (well massaged-in) OCM mixture to finish as a moisturiser.

To begin with I just used the mixture to cleanse at night. With brilliant results. Skin ungreasy in the morning, very soft. Pores began to de-congest within a couple of days, redness decreased, blemishes began to fade.

Have since started to use the oil/water method for the morning replacing my usual toner/moisturiser/eye-cream/spot-cream regime. It's wonderful under make-up, which sticks all day long! Even eye make-up! Still a few hormonal spots, but I guess my skin is purging.

I am soooooo impressed and wish I'd found out about it much sooner. Definitely worth experimenting with if you have problem-skin, candida and are wary of absorping too many potential allergens/chemicals.

Will keep you all posted on my progress...