How To Wash Your Face And Remove Makeup With Oil

Oil cleansing can be a total game changer for just about any skin type and condition. Although it may seem counterintuitive to wash your face with oil, it's actually brilliant, and I'll tell you why. An oil cleanser dissolves excess oils on your skin, as well as makeup and sunblock—without any of the surfactants, harsh ingredients, or necessary preservatives in foaming cleansers. This means that your face gets a super-deep clean, without any "stripping," or disruption of the skin's natural microbiome. Because this cleanse is so thorough, I usually recommend that clients oil cleanse at night only, and just rinse with water in the morning.

After switching to oil cleansing clients often notice clearer, softer, brighter skin, fewer blackheads, more balanced oil production (less "why is my skin oily and dry at the same time?") and a sense of ritual and grounding in their nighttime routine.

If you're wearing heavier makeup, start by removing that. I love a little oil cleanser and water on cotton pads for this. This regular oil-cleansing routine is enough to remove light makeup, though.

Rinse face with warm water, then pat dry.

Dispense a nickel- to quarter-size amount of oil into palm, spread over both hands, and apply to full face and neck.

Warm washcloth removal. This step is key to oil cleansing working for you. Wring out your washcloth, drape it over your full face, and press the warmth into the skin. Next, remove all of the oil with the washcloth. This may require multiple passes. Be thorough but not rough. Added bonus—this gives you a bit of gentle exfoliation.

Follow with the rest of your regular nighttime skin ritual. If you want a video-tutorial, follow along with me here.

My favorite oil cleanser of the moment is MyHavtorn Hydrating Oil Cleanser, a Swedish brand that uses very high-quality sea buckthorn oil blended with sesame, rapeseed, castor, and coconut oil, and some healing shea butter. You can also just try just a high-quality plain jojoba oil (you'll know it's the real deal if it turns solid in the freezer) like Stillpoint Aromatics Organic Jojoba.

The most common kitchen-cabinet recipe usually includes a mixture of castor oil and extra-virgin olive oil. A standard one-to-one ratio is a good starting point, but you can adjust as needed depending on your skin type.