Neem Oil Cleansing Method

Hey yogis, today I’m going to talk about skincare, specifically the oil cleansing method. A year or two ago I started having some “weird” flare ups around my mouth, chin, nose, and also near my eyes. I eventually realized that I had perioral dermatitis. I also realized that the docs don’t really know what causes it and that steroid creams would make it worse. Great!

After tons of online research and using my face as a testing lab… I narrowed down a skincare regime that has been working for months. I do know that if I start to slack off my skin will flare up again. I use a combination of calendula cream (or homemade calendula balm) along with the oil cleansing method to keep my skin in check.

Why do I use the oil cleansing method? It’s natural and synthetic chemical free! Oil dissolves oil. And I live in a super dry climate and it manages to keep my skin moisturized enough that I don’t need more than a spot treatment of calendula balm.

If oil cleansing is new to you, know that there is an adjustment period until you get your oil blend down to the right combination.

My recipe for oil cleansing:

• 3 T. Castor oil
• 3 T. Grapeseed or apricot kernal oil
• 1/4 t. Neem oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil

I store it in an airtight 4 oz. mason jar in a drawer in my bathroom. Why do I choose the ingredients I do? Castor oil is antibacterial and astringent, so it’s good at removing the gunk from your face, but it is also very drying. Grapeseed oil is good for my sensitive skin and apricot kernal oil is good for dry skin. Neem has many natural properties like: anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-septic and antifungal. Neem is also good for those with dry, irritated skin, so it’s a must for me. When choosing your ingredients it is important to use good quality organic products, so you’re not putting synthetic chemicals on your face.

To wash I pre-rinse my face with warm water. I then pour a little of the oil into the palm of my hand. Then using the fingertips of the other hand I gently massage the oil into my face for a couple of minutes and let the oil set for a few seconds. To wash it off I use a CLEAN washcloth. I run the washcloth under hot water, wring it out and drape the washcloth over my face to “steam” and soften the oil. Then I use the washcloth to wipe the oil off. This will usually take a couple of swipes (rinsing the washcloth in between). I softly pat my skin dry and voila!