For the last 10 years, Dave and I have used an extremely simple homemade all-natural face wash to wash (or rather “cleanse”) our face each night. It doubles as an all-natural makeup remover too — bonus!!
As odd as it might sound, we use The Oil Cleansing Method (yes OIL!)… and our skin looks and feels fantastic!
Way back in 2010, I began researching different DIY skincare routines and all-natural face wash recipes.
My requirements were that any homemade options had to be frugal, extremely simple to make, and use readily available ingredients.
It didn’t take me long to stumble across The Oil Cleansing Method as a viable option for our homemade all-natural face wash.
I was skeptical at first… but I knew I needed to give it a try as it met my criteria of frugal and simple. Plus, it required just 2 easy-to-find ingredients… Sunflower Oil and Castor Oil.
Now, a full decade later, I can confidently say this all-natural face wash has been a huge asset to my daily skincare routine!
I no longer struggle with super dry skin, breakouts in the T-zone, large pores, blackheads, or the weird patches of eczema I sometimes got around my mouth.
Dave and I both agree that our skin looks great and feels SO soft — much of which we attribute to using the oil cleansing method as a SUPER simple all-natural face wash!
Watch the video to learn more!
(click here if you can’t see the video)
Why The Oil Cleansing Method WORKS!
Traditional facial cleansers strip skin of its natural oils (which we assume is a good thing to prevent oily buildup). However, when our skin is stripped of all its natural oils, it tends to over-compensate and our body naturally creates even more oil.
This leads to a vicious cycle of more oil… which causes breakouts and problem areas… which makes us feel like we need to wash our face even more… which dries out our skin… which signals our body to create more oil… etc. etc.
On the other hand, the oil cleansing method uses castor oil to pull impurities from our pores. The sunflower oil (or olive oil) moisturizes the skin, resulting in soft, glowing skin.
If you don’t love the way your skin looks or feels, or if you’ve thought about trying something new with your skincare regimen, I HIGHLY recommend you give this simple all-natural face wash recipe a try!
How to Make All-Natural Face Wash and Makeup Remover
This super simple all-natural face wash uses only 2 easy-to-find, all-natural ingredients and will leave your skin looking radiant and feeling SO soft and clean. It also doubles as a fantastic makeup remover!
Materials
- Castor Oil
- Sunflower Oil or Olive Oil
- Small plastic bottle with a tight-sealing cap
- Soft washcloth
Instructions
How to Make All-Natural Face Wash:
- Mix equal parts castor oil and sunflower seed oil in a small plastic bottle
- Store bottle in the shower and use it nightly before bed.
How to Use All-Natural Face Wash:
- Wet your face with warm water.
- Pour a quarter-size amount of the oil mixture into your hand.
- Gently massage the oil into your skin for about one minute -- focusing on problem areas.
- Run a clean washcloth under very warm water.
- Lay washcloth over your face and let it sit for another minute -- this is key to "steaming" the impurities out of your pores.
- Repeat steamy washcloth routine again.
- Rinse the washcloth and gently rub the remaining oil, dirt, make-up, and residue off your face.
- Repeat rinsing if necessary.
- Enjoy really smooth and moisturized skin without the need for lotion!
Notes
Only use this all-natural face wash ONE time per day -- before bed is ideal.
It works well as a make-up remover -- which is another reason why evening is the perfect time to use the oil cleansing method.
Mix according to the type of skin you have (see guide below).
- NORMAL SKIN: Mix one-part castor oil with one-part sunflower oil.
- OILY SKIN: Mix two or three-parts castor oil with one-part sunflower oil.
- DRY SKIN: Mix one-part castor oil with two or three-parts sunflower oil.
Give it a try for a couple of weeks and then adjust as necessary (adding more castor oil for oily skin and more sunflower oil for dry skin).
Also, keep in mind that your skin MAY actually get "worse " before it gets better while your body rids itself of toxins from your previous cleansers.
Recommended Products
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A Few More Reasons You Should Try the Oil Cleansing Method
1. It’s really inexpensive. The ingredients to make several bottles of this homemade face wash are right around $10 – $15, depending on what size bottles you buy. You might already have the sunflower seed oil in your pantry!
2. It removes makeup. These oils are a great way to naturally remove makeup, meaning you won’t need to buy pricey makeup removers anymore!
3. It’s SO moisturizing. As I mentioned above, Dave and I have used the oil cleansing method for over a decade now and our skin feels SO soft!
4. It’s a once-a-day routine. I’m always in favor of simple systems, so this once-a-day routine is perfect for me!
5. It’s all-natural. Even if you’re not a hard-core “green” gal, there’s no denying that using all-natural ingredients is so much better for our skin. I love that the oil cleansing method uses edible ingredients!
Two Helpful Tips:
1. Your skin MIGHT get a tiny bit worse before it gets better.
Since I first shared our homemade face wash recipe 10 years ago, I have gotten a handful of readers who complained it made their skin worse. (It’s a tiny minority of people, but I want to mention it).
I always encouraged these readers to give it a couple more weeks before making up their minds.
More often than not, they emailed me back a few weeks later raving about how great their skin looked and felt!
So… on the off chance your skin gets a tiny bit “worse” after trying The Oil Cleansing Method, please don’t totally give up. Give your skin a few weeks to adjust to a new routine, and then make up your mind!
2. Your washcloths will need to be replaced eventually.
We buy cheapy dollar store packages of white washcloths and replace them every year (or whenever they start to get really gross from the oily buildup.)
If you want to extend the life of your washcloths, I suggest using a tiny bit of shampoo or soap to scrub out the washcloth after cleansing with the oil mixture. Then rinse the washcloth out really well and hang to dry.
Additional Resources:
- The Sunflower Oil I use
- The Castor Oil I use
- The plastic bottles I use
- The 3-Citrus Face Cream I use from Prarieland Herbs (since 2010)
Related Reading:
- Read more of the science behind The Oil Cleansing Method
- Learn more about my favorite all-natural cosmetics
- Get the recipes for ALL my favorite DIY cleaning products
- Get my 1-minute recipe for all-natural DIY Foaming Hand Soap
I can’t even begin to calculate how much money I’ve saved by using this all-natural face wash and makeup remover over the last decade.
Hundreds and hundreds of dollars, that’s for sure! Not to mention all the chemicals I have spared my skin from!
If you’re still skeptical, email me (or leave any questions in the comments below).
I have a decade of experience and I’m happy to answer any questions you have!
Chris says
I have been seen on Youtube lately the wonderful benefits of castor oil. It can help with joint pain, eczema, growths, and even cataracts!
Natalie Bish says
Can you use this for removing eye makeup? If so, are there special instructions?
Andrea says
Yes Natalie, this should work for removing any makeup you wear. I don’t wear much, but it always removes my mascara easily. No special instructions are necessary.
Elizabeth Dilts says
This is still my go to wash after 2 years!
Andrea says
yay — glad to hear it. Dave and I are on year 11 with this face “wash”!
Cathleen says
Thank you for reposting this!
Years ago I came across this recommendation from you and put it into practice – AND IT WORKED! I had a lot of challenges with my skin and spend hours picking blackheads (ew gross, I know). And honestly, I haven’t picked since I started this routine.
I will say olive oil was a mistake. It made me break out. As an oily person I added more Castor than sunflower or Sweet Almond Oil (my preference) and now I use it once a week and use water the rest.
I recently moved from the tropics to a dry winter (Canada) and I never had to use a moisturizer like the rest of my family. They used soap and their faces cracked in the dry weather.
Try this! it works!
Andrea says
yay! I’m thrilled this method is still working well for you. Dave and I have used it exclusively for 11 years now! that’s crazy!
Melinda says
Thank you for this tip. I’ve been using it for a week, it feels great every night.
Andrea says
yay — I’m thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Cheryl says
I have tried this method twice & after the 2nd time I remembered why I stopped. It cleaned my face ok, but wasn’t overly impressed. I just cannot deal with the oil-infused wash clothes. I don’t like the thin cheapy ones for my face & don’t have time for constant deep cleaning of wash clothes.
Debbie says
I also re-started with the oil cleanse method. I actually do a double cleanse by using an oil cleanse first and then a moisturizing cleanser second. Unfortunately, when I made my own oil cleanser it went rancid after some time. After that I stopped. Now I’m back in but purchasing it instead. I also started using a natural deodorant from Schmidt’s but after months of using it I started having itchy, red spots on my pits. I stopped using it and went back to my Dove deodorant and my skin is back to normal. I guess my skin is just too sensitive.
Andrea says
yes, if you let the oil sit for a VERY long time, it could go rancid — but if you make small batches and use it daily, that really shouldn’t be a huge issue.
I’m curious… where to you buy this oil?
Also, I’m honestly shocked that your skin would be more sensitive to natural products versus store-bought (that said, I will say that I LOVE Dove deodorant!)
Ashley says
I too have been using oil cleansing for about a decade and it’s great! I’ve never had to replace my way cloths though. If there’s oily buildup they could be stripped (search for how to strip cloth diapers, it’s the same thing) but I just add a bit of borax to the wash as a water softener (we have hard water).
Andrea says
wow! I’m impressed that you’ve never replaced washcloths in 10 years!
I have looked into the stripping method, but it doesn’t seem to work that well for me — and considering I get a 5-pack of washcloths for $1, I’m willing to replace them every year or so 🙂
Arden says
After I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment.
Perhaps there is a means you are able to remove
me from that service? Thank you!
Kate says
I tried this with Castor Oil and Wheat Germ Oil and it’s truly a great way to wash your face. Never drying and keeps my face looking fresh all day. Just be careful with wheat germ…if you have a sensitivity to gluten you may not want to use this oil.
Myta says
Hi!
I tried OCM tonight! 1/4 castor oil and 3/4 olive oil (I don’t have sunflower seed oil ATM). Honestly I don’t feel anything. But I did notice that the blackheads on my nose are gone. Should I use a different oil other than olive oil? I have jojoba. Will that work?
Andrea says
jojoba should work — and also, this is not an “instant miracle serum”! You’ll definitely want to try it for several weeks before you come to any conclusions as to if it works for you or not. In some cases, your skin might actually get a bit “worse” for a few days before it gets better.
Mari says
Do I need to rinse or wash my face with a facial cleanser after the OCM? thanks,
Andrea says
nope!
Julia says
I have tried using this Oil Cleansing Face Wash off-and-on over several weeks. I like the way most of my face feels when I use it, but I experience a problem. Every time I use it my lips and the area right around them become extremely chapped for several days. I have tried to avoid using it on the mouth and upper lip area, but it only lessens the chapping a little bit. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this issue? Any helpful tips? I really love using simple, homemade products instead of the pricey, questionable ones.
Andrea says
Hmmm… this is super weird. I’ve never heard of anyone’s skin (or lips) getting dry and chapped because of the oil. If anything, it would be the opposite — the skin would feel too oily. I wonder if you’re using too much Castor Oil — that’s the only thing I can even think of. Try 50/50 castor oil and other oil and see if that’s better… or even 40/60 castor oil and other oil.
Other than that, I don’t know what to suggest — I’m certainly not an expert in this type of thing 🙂
ytc says
cn i use baking soda nd lemon before ocm for fading acne scars???
amanda says
when you rub the remaining oil,dirt and makeup of your face, you use the wash cloth right? Sorry for another question I just wanted to make sure.
Amanda says
do you wet your face before applying the oil?
Andrea says
yes, get your face wet, apply the oil, cover with hot cloth
Michelle says
I have started using the OCM method with castor oil and jojoba. I’m still playing with ratios due to drying out my skin. Is there a more moisturizing oil than jojoba I can put on after cleansing at night?
Andrea says
I’ve never used Jojoba oil so I can’t really say. Maybe coconut oil — I’ve never used that either but I know of people who use it as a moisturizer.
Michelle says
Thanks but i have found Coconut oil is a 4 on the comnogenic rating as a potential clogger. I’ve unfortunately tried that and cystic acne became my result. I was just wondering about the sunflower oil if that is more moisturising. I have the combination skin type with oily t-zone but have noticed less oil production with going to the OCM.
Andrea says
hmmm… I’m not sure. However, I just posted your question on my facebook page. You can follow along with any answers via this link. Hope that helps!
rene says
Use fractionated coconut oil. It is always liquid form and is better for acne prone skin that regular coconut oil.
Mrsj says
Argan oil or avocado oil are great for dry and or aging skin.
Annunciata says
Hello thanks for explaining all this. I have been using a larger amount of castor oil and lately grapeseed oil along with small amounts jojoba oil & vitamin E oil. Now I am seeing Sunflower oil and will be trying that; do feel dry could be the larger amount of castor oil. Have also been using apple cider vinegar with distilled water toner which has been effective. Have you ever used that? thanks so very much – nancy
Natalie says
Can you put essential oils in the mix?
Andrea says
I’m not sure — I don’t do anything with essential oils
Sharon Propp says
I have used this combo for years except for the amount of castor oil in this formula is much higher than I use. If you have very dry skin, you don’t want to use as much castor oil as it dries the skin out. I have normal skin so I use a ratio of 20% castor oil and 80% sunflower oil. for oily skin you can try 30% castor oil and 70% sunflower and for dry skin 10% castor oil and 90% sunflower oil. I used to make this for my grand-daughters also that had horrible acne problems and it would immediately start clearing their complexions. They are young adults now with beautiful skin. I haven’t used soap on my face for about ten years now.
Annunciata says
hello – which type of container do you recommend? I have washed out several of mine which are plastic but am thinking it might just be better to buy new ones – is glass better though? Do you recommend any certain manufacturer and where do you store it once it is made. Is there an ideal temperature? Not now of course(!) but summers in Baltimore can be humid. Thanks so very very much for your help!
Andrea says
I’ve used the same container for the past 4+ years. It’s plastic and “squeezable” — which is really nice to squeeze it all out. I probably wouldn’t go with glass — just because you can’t squeeze it, but that’s just me 🙂
Irise says
Ive been using the Somaluxe Face Wash (with organic ingredients) everyday. Works amazing, makes skin clear after the first use. It smells so fresh and makes your skin feel like it just left the spa. The ingredients are not harsh nor do they test on animals. Which is a big plus. It keeps pores perfect and makes my skin even.
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Ariane Clay says
Hi, I’ve been trying the OCM since the beginning of the year and haven’t had much luck. I had previously used Proactiv, which had been working, but was starting to loose effect. I came across the OCM and it sounded really logical so I thought I’d give it a shot. I’ve really wanted this to work, which is why I’ve kept with it, but my acne’s gotten worse and I now have lots of comedones and just more acne in general :(. I’ve recently removed the castor oil from my mix because it’s apparently slightly comedomic. Any advice? 🙁
Andrea says
Hi Airane, I’m not a dermatologist so I don’t have any professional advice — but for oily or acne-prone skin, you actually want to INCREASE the amount of castor oil you use (not remove it).
The castor oil is what pulls the impurities from your skin and then the sunflower oil is what prevents the castor oil from over-drying your skin. So again, I don’t have a professional opinion, but if it were me, I’d add extra castor oil and give that a try. Also, make sure your washcloths are very clean and limit the amount of facial moisturizer you use after washing your face.
victoria says
I was a little unsure of how much to use for the mix for oily skin
Sharon says
The recipe I use calls for 30% castor oil and 70% sunflower oil for oily skin. This differs somewhat from the above recipe but castor oil can be very drying on the skin. Choose one then adjust your amounts if needed. The oilier the skin, the more castor oil.
Ann says
Hello,
You mentioned using this @ night in the shower. Would you mind elaborating on how? Do you put it on before or after? Thinking about starting this & trying to figure out how it works. Thanks!
Sharon says
You would need to put this on before the shower and use the wet and very warm washcloth to cover your face to help pull the impurities out of the skin, do this several times to remove the oil. Nothing left to do to the face in the shower.
Yvette says
I have the most oily skin known to man kind. About a month ago I started using the oily skin recipe. My skin has NEVER been in better shape! I will never stop using oil as my face cleanser.
Lisa says
I appreciated your sharing the oil cleanser. I have been using it now for several weeks and it works great for me. I have struggled with oily skin and acne for years. This is the first thing that has ever worked. My skin feels very soft and no longer hurts. My husband has definitely noticed the difference as well.
Thanks again for sharing that information.
Megan says
Please delete my first comment as I haved edited and added a few things, Thanks.
I have been using this for awhile now and love it. I actually mixed 4 tablespoons of sunflower oil to 2 tablespoons of castor oil in a 4oz blue glass bottle with glass eye dropper. I found the eye dropper made it very easy to get the right amount of oil without getting oil over everything. I decided not to add tea tree oil in my mixture after doing research and I had been using an organic soap made of goat milk with orange citrus and tea tree in it which caused my skin to become extremely dry with patchy spots on my face. However, with that said I have noticed a huge change with my skin. At first, I did break out some on my checks, but this is nothing I have not experienced my entire life. I also do wear makeup everyday to work. How I took care of the breaks was I would wash my face with the oil mixture, dry my face well, and then dap some of the oil on the spots. The next night I would watch my face with the oil mixture, dry it, and put lavender oil on the spots. I noticed that the lavender oil helped to dry up the spots and to heal, however be careful to keep it way from your eyes and don’t over use it, as it is really drying to the face. I would only use the lavender oil on the spots once a week, maybe twice if needed but no more. If something doesn’t work try messing with your ratio and give it time. Overall, I am very excited that I found out about this way of cleaning my face and can’t wait to try it with almond oil or grapeseed oil.
Megan says
I have been using this for awhile now and love it. I actually mixed 4 tablespoons of sunflower oil to 2 tablespoons of cator oil in a 4oz blue glass bottle with glass eye dropper. I found the eye dropper made it very easy to get the right amount of oil without getting oil over everything. I decided not to add tea tree oil in my mixture after duing research and I had been using an orgain soap made of goat milk with orange citrus and tea tree in it which caused my skin to become very dry in patchy spots on my face. However, with that said I have noticed a huge change with my skin. At first, I did break out some on my checks, but this is nothing I have not expericend my entire life. I also do wear make up everyday to work. The few break outs on my face I would use the oil mixture to wash my face. Then after I dried it well I would dap some of the oil on the spots. Then the next night I would watch my face with the oil, dry it and then put lavendar oil on the spots. I noticed that the lavendar oil really help to dry up the spots, however becare to keep it way for the eyes and don’t over use as it is relly drying. I would only the lavendar on the spots once a week if needed. Overall, I am very excited that I found out about this way of cleaning my face and can’t wait to try it with almond oil or grapeseed oil.
Megan says
Please delete this comment for me thanks reposted below.