When first faced with the proposition of washing my face with oil, the concept seemed at best preposterous. For someone like me with a constitution prone to break-outs?! This method of cleansing seemed completely counterintuitive.
Cleansing your face with oil may not seem like cleansing at all because most of us have been conditioned to believe that unless our faces are squeaky clean, they have not been washed properly.
If we go back to the beginning, and briefly revisit the reason why we would need to cleanse our skin in the first place, I’m sure you’ll agree that cleansing your skin is a method of self-care designed to remove make-up, dead skin cells, dirt and debris that has built up on our skin.
Most cleansers will do this, but unfortunately, it comes at the expense of your outer skin layer, more specifically your strata corneum, which includes the hydrolipid barrier and acid skin mantle. Your strata corneum is our first line of defence against the world and I like to think of her as your protective door bitch.
The hydro-lipid layer is actually designed to protect your skin from the elements and prevent your skin from drying out. The acid skin mantle prevents the not-so-friendly microorganisms from entering our skin and body and maintains the optimal PH levels of your skin.
I consider the lining of our skin as being similar to the lining of our gut. There are billions of busy bacteria that we need in order to protect the health of our skin and support our immune system. If we look at burns victims, they are extremely vulnerable to infections, because their skin, which is our safety suit, has been compromised.
The aggressive nature of most cleansers available on the market, unfortunately, disrupts this delicate ecosystem that exists on our faces, by breaking our waterproof seal and stripping the outer layer of its friendly beneficial micro-organisms.
By stripping or disrupting nature’s natural barrier, not only can this cause our skin to become even more vulnerable to acne-causing bacteria, but it may also lead to irritation, and a vicious cycle of excess sebum production in an effort to recover moisture.
If your constitution is dry, a well-hydrated stratum corneum is crucial in keeping our skin looking youthful. If this layer becomes too dry or is damaged in any way, skin problems may begin to emerge, such as inflammatory conditions or the early formation of lines and wrinkles.
This is precisely the reason why we passionately believe that cleansing your face with a bounty of botanical oils is a gentle yet remarkably effective method of cleansing, that will leave the precious outer layer of our skin intact.
It is based on the simple but profound chemistry equation ‘oil dissolves oil’. It imparts a two-in-one action — oil has the ability to purify the skin by removing makeup, dirt, and debris, as it draws out and dissolves unwanted sebum and toxins that can build up, harden and block pores.
Simultaneously, these unwanted oils are then replenished with our blend of beautiful botanicals, that nourish and hydrate the skin with essential nutrients that have been carefully chosen to enhance lymphatic detoxification, support cell regeneration, soothe inflammation and ultimately bring both dry and oily skin into balance.
So yes, cleansing your face with oil may at first feel different. But if you are brave enough to give it a try, so will the health of your skin.
To your blossoming, Bec x
