Paleo Skincare- The Oil Cleansing Method

Project Description

Hello everyone! Hope you have all had a fabulous Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year.

Here at Paleo Polly, I’ve been working extremely hard behind the scenes, and I have got lots of exciting things planned for 2014; one of which is the launch of my first Paleo Polly e-book, which will be coming very, very soon.

PALEO SKINCARE

Until then, a new feature to be added to my blog is that of Paleo Skincare.

To me, Paleo Skincare is the use of natural, paleo ingredients on your skin as part of your daily, skin and beauty regime. I am going to do a number of features; from hair care, to skin and body care; the first Paleo Skincare article, is all about the Oil Cleansing Method.

I am going to start by holding my hands up and saying that over the past few days, plenty of chocolate, wine, mince pies and other naughty stuff has passed my lips but hey, it’s Christmas! One thing I have stuck to during the festive season however is my newly found skincare regime, which I think is absolutely amazing!

I have been dabbling with the Oil Cleansing Method for a couple of months now, having being introduced by a couple of sources! My beautiful colleague and yummy mummy extraordinaire Helen Ludlam, and ever so lovely Karen from Crossfit HG3.

What I’ve discovered over the past few months is absolutely enlightening, and therefore I’m just dying to share it with you!

SKIN STRESS FACTORS

Prior to dabbling with the oil cleansing method, I have used many different products. From expensive products such as Creme de la Mere, to Lancome and Clinique cleanser, toners and moisturisers. I’ve used cheaper products such as Simple, L’oreal, facial scrubs, foam washes and moisturisers. I used face wipes, fluid eye makeup removers.

Generally speaking, I have pretty decent skin, and put it down to looking after it with the above, and of course from following the paleo diet. Approaching 30, I am starting to pay even more attention to skincare, my thoughts turning more and more to the prevention of fine lines, and wrinkles.

From about November onwards, my skin condition began to deteriorate my normally clear(ish), skin, became dull, grey, and I was having regular pesky break-outs. This was pretty strange, as I wasn’t doing anything differently.

The following elements affect your skin quality:-

Diet

Sleep- or lack of

Stress

Dehydration- water, electric heaters, alcohol

Products

For me, my diet, was and is, pretty good. I was getting between 8 and 10 hours sleep a night; emotionally, I was feeling a little stressed, but nothing major, however for me, in October, our office introduced the use of electric heaters. Electric heaters = dull and dried out skin!

WHAT BREAK OUTS MEAN?

Forehead. Breakouts across the forehead are often triggered by stress or sleep deprivation. Recommend 8 hours plus sleep per night. The Brow Area. Your immune system. Breakouts here can happen before, during or after illness such as sickness, flus or colds. If you notice a breakout in this zone, relax, make a great chicken soup and make sure you drink lots of my detox juice. T-Zone. Breakouts around the T-Zone can be caused by overindulgence of unhealthy foods or a food allergy. Cutting back on sugar, dairy, rich foods, and alcohol can help clear up skin in this zone. Cheeks. Your cheeks are linked to your respiratory system. Smoking or breathing polluted air can cause breakouts here. Side of Chin. The sides of your chin are affected by hormones and your digestive system. Take probiotics, and some evening primrose oils. Mixed Area. Breakouts in a condense area can be caused by dryness and dehydration. Always make sure you get the minimum requisite of 1.6 to 2 litres of water per day.

For me, my bad skin seemed to be caused by dehydration, and a touch of stress, and hormones.

Because my skin was driving me up the wall, I thought when’s a better time to make a change and give a new ‘cleansing’ method a go!

OIL CLEANSING METHOD

The basic concept of the oil cleansing method is that you massage, clean, pure oil into your skin, to dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores. First you massage the clean oil into your skin. You then steam your skin using a damp cloth. The steam will open your pores, allowing the impure oil to be easily removed. Following this process will remove even the toughest most stubborn dirt and makeup; even waterproof mascara.



To begin your oil cleansing journey, you will need:-

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (yes, the type you cook with is fine.)

Castor Oil

A flannel

Castor Oil can be bought at your local health food store or pharmacy.

Depending on your skin type, you can either use one oil as a primary oil, or blend a primary, and carrier oil to match your skin type.

For oily skin, blend:-

20% Castor Oil with 80% Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

For balanced skin, blend:-

10% Castor Oil with 90% Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

For dry skin:-

100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

In addition to these blends, add essential oils such as lavender, and tea tree oil. Lavender soothes and calms skin, whilst tea tree oil offers a cooling, healing antibacterial effect.

HOW TO CLEANSE WITH OIL

Firstly, turn on the hot tap. Now massage in circles, the oil into your skin for around 60 seconds. If you are wearing mascara, focus massaging on your eyes, allowing it to dissolve with the oil. Run the flannel under the hot tap, now squeeze. Place the flannel over your face for 30 seconds. Now gently remove the oil from your face, wiping with the flannel in circular motions.

RESULTS

I have been following the oil cleansing method for around 2 months now, and at this point would say that I wouldn’t go back to my old way of cleansing.

My skin is clearer, young looking, more dewy, soft… less prone to break outs. What’s more, my new way of cleansing is literally saving me pounds and pounds! I love the fact that (yes, I am putting makeup on my face- I am never going to get away from that) but I am using less and less chemicals/ toxins/ other baddies on my skin. My skincare regime is more akin to my eating and exercise regime.

To prove how serious I am about my results, and the aforementioned statement, I want to tell you a couple of things.

They might sound crazy, vain, weird, or sad even, but here’s an insight into my psyche…..

1. In my entire adult life, I can count on one hand the amount of times I have left house without makeup on. (My mum always had perfect makeup on, I remember watching her as a child- this is something I have simply adopted.)

2. Yes, even when I go to the pool, or the gym, I will have on some concealer, and perhaps some mascara or lip balm.

For me, the above is a confidence thing, as my mum would say, you can face the world with your ‘face’ on…..

As a complete first, for the purpose of writing a skincare article, I have enclosed in this article picture of me with completely bare skin, sans any makeup, 2 months on from cleansing with an olive oil and tea tree oil blend.

For someone, who literally hates, and is embarrassed about leaving the house without makeup on, this is a big thing! This says to me, the Oil Cleansing Method works!