It may seem odd to wash your face with an oil considering oil is usually what you are striving to remove from your skin. However, oil can be a useful way to remove makeup. Olive oil is fast becoming a popular skincare ingredient so letu2019s take a look at how it works as a cleanser and the pros and cons of the oil cleansing method.
What is olive oil and how does oil cleansing work?
Olive oil makeup cleansing
Olive oil is a liquid fat derived from olives, a traditional tree found in the Mediterranean Basin. The oil is produced by crushing whole olives. It is usually used in cooking, whether for frying or as a salad dressing. It is also utilized in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and in making soaps, and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps, and has additional uses in some religions, as anointing oil.
Why use Olive oil?
Olive oil has been applied as a home skin care remedy for a long time. The Egyptians used it with beeswax as a cleanser, moisturizer, and antibacterial agent since the time of Pharaoh. In ancient Greece, olive oil was used as a massage oil, to prevent sports injuries and relieve muscle fatigue.
Not only is olive oil great for your heart, but it is also good for your skin. It has the same healthy fats like avocado, which plumps and moisturizes the skin with a blend of vitamin E and vitamin A. So it makes a terrific moisturizer for your face, feet, hands, anywhere you have dry skin.It has at least four distinct antioxidants which some people believe can help neutralize free radicals that can lead to skin aging. Another perk of using olive oil is the price. We all strive to find ways to save money. Olive oil is cheaper than makeup remover.
How does oil cleansing work?
Substances will dissolve other substances that have a similar chemical structure to theirs. Since makeup is often made up of oil and heavy waxes, it makes sense that olive oil can dissolve oily makeup. This is the principle behind the use of olive oil as a makeup remover. Cosmetic chemists use this principle to make oil-based facial cleansers and makeup removers. Liquid makeup removers are normally pure oil, while makeup removing creams are oils mixed with water, emulsifiers, and thickeners.
Regular facial cleansers donu2019t always work well on oil-based makeup because they are water-based and designed to lift surface dirt and oil gently. These cleansers can remove oil, but they use totally different principles to do so. The gentler you make a cleanser, the lower its ability to remove heavy oils and waxes is. Cleansing constituents can be harsh on your face, so if manufacturers made them with more detergent, you could remove makeup, but you would also remove your natural facial oils causing your skin to dry out. Thus, the need for makeup remover.
Olive oil contains strong anti-oxidants and squalene; a lipid also found in our skin cells. Squalene makes olive oil well received by most skin types as a nourishing and moisturizing supplement to their beauty routine. Use in daily regimen has shown a reduction in the signs of aging, smoother skin texture, and it hydrates dry skin. It reduces inflammation and redness making it ideal for acne sufferers whose skin leans more on the drier side.
Pros and cons of applying olive oil as a makeup remover
Pros:
- It is inexpensive. You can get large quantities of this oil which will last a long time.
- It is an effective makeup remover as it works similarly to makeup remover
- It has a comedogenic rating of 2 which means it will not cause clogging in most people, but some pimples may occur as the skin purges itself of oil and dirt.
Cons:
- It leaves your skin feeling greasy. You may choose to wash your face afterward.
- It is not optimized for skincare use. Olive oil works well, but makeup removers are still the most effective way to remove makeup completely, and they donu2019t leave your skin feeling as oily.
- Its use is skin type dependent. While olive oil is considered non-comedogenic, it can still cause some people to break out. For persons with oily or acne-prone skin, this may not be the method for you.
How to use Olive oil to remove makeup?
Homemade olive oil makeup removers
The oil cleansing method runs on the idea that oil adheres to oil and dirt. When you wipe away the olive oil, with it comes to your excess oil and the makeup and dirt on your face. At the same time, you are evading stripping your face of the natural oil that keeps your skin healthy and moisturized. Soaps do this which is what affects to your skin making it overcompensate by producing yet more oil. Here are some ways you can use olive oil to remove makeup:
Olive oil as an oil wash
Using oil to wash your face means that it will naturally dissolve the dirty oils on your skin without stripping it of its natural oils or with you having to use harsh chemicals. Not only is it simpler, reasonably priced, better for your skin, and eco-friendly, but the oil-cleansing method is the best homemade make-up remover. It can remove mascara, eyeliner, foundation, everything in one go. Based on your skin type, you may want to use a different ratio of olive oil to other oils. Other oils include:
- Castor oil because of its antibacterial properties and is ideal for cleaning skin.
- Jojoba which is perfect for all skin types.
- Avocado is best for drier skin.
- Almond oil is good for oily skin.
Taking your skin type into consideration, you will need to use a different ratio of olive oil to castor oil (or another oil). You can try these ratios:
- Normal Skin: 1:1 ratio of olive oil to castor olive oil.
- Oily Skin: 1:3 ratio of olive oil to castor or almond oil.
- Dry Skin: 3:1 ratio of olive oil to castor or avocado olive oil
Experiment and see what works best for your skin type.
Olive oil cleansing method for normal skin
- u00bd cup castor oil
- u00bd cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Clean washcloth
Combine the oils and store this blend in a glass jar with a lid. Apply a tiny amount of oil onto dry skin, adding more if needed, and rub onto the skin for like a minute. If you put on mascara and eye makeup, rub some onto your eyelids to gently to remove any makeup. Run the washcloth under some warm water. Wring it out and cover your face for about a minute. This step helps to clear the pores and remove impurities. Then wipe away any oil thatu2019s left using the washcloth. You only need to do the oil-cleansing method once daily, mostly at night and then you can splash your face with water in the morning.
Olive oil and Witch hazel
Olive oil makes a good base for a makeup remover. It cleans the skin as well as providing its antioxidant and anti-aging qualities, which help heal skin damage and promote skin renewal. Utilizing a skincare routine that has anti-aging qualities daily will keep your skin looking fresh and wrinkle-free for longer. Witch hazel can help preserve balance in your skinu2019s oil barrier. In addition to this ingredient healing wounds and scars, it also lessens skin inflammation and itchiness.
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- u00bd tablespoon Witch hazel
- 1 cup Water
- 5 drops Lavender essential oil (optional)
- Cotton pads
Stir the water, olive oil, witch hazel, and essential oil to make DIY homemade makeup remover. Pour the DIY makeup remover into a container with cotton pads and soak them. Use the soaked Cotton pads to wipe your face and gently remove the makeup. Store in a cool, dry place.
Olive oil and Aloe Vera
Mix the olive oil and aloe water in a glass jar you can seal tightly. Before using this mixture, shake it well to emulsify and apply some to a soft cotton pad. Gently wipe off the applied makeup.
Olive and Almond Oil
- 4 tbsp of olive oil
- 3 tbsp of almond oil
Mix the oils and put the mixture into a container. Using a cotton swab or q tip, apply it to the makeup and wipe away gently. This method may feel very greasy for some, so be sure to wash your face after use. To clean up stray makeup on your face, put a tiny amount on your fingers or dip a cotton swab in the oil mixture and wipe up stray marks. When washing the face, make sure to take extra care while working on the eye region. Olive oil is a decent makeup remover, but most retail makeup removers will work fine. However, if you are in search of a natural, at-home beauty solution, olive oil can be a useful way to remove makeup without causing acne (depending on your skin type).
