Dirty Skin? Clean It Up!

As I’m feeling sorry for these poor kids who have markered up or smeared lipstick across their entire face, I’m wondering why their adult doesn’t know about using oil to take all sorts of things off human skin.

Have you ever heard of oil cleansing? It works on the simple concept that like dissolves like. So anything that is lipid-based or oil-based should take off most skin-safe products that are on the skin or in the hair. There’s a lot of information online about oil cleansing along with what products to use as a skincare routine, this is not what I’m talking about here.

I’m talking about using oil to clean up the occasional skin-based messes. Makeup, stage makeup, Aunt Myrna’s lip prints on your forehead, grease smears from fixing the kid’s bicycle chain that keeps falling off, adhesives, tree sap…anything that has oil in it should respond. And because our skin has a layer of oil on it, even messes that don’t have a lot of oil content might come off (at least partially) as the cleaning oil combines with the oil on the skin. Depending on what you’re working with will depend on the time and number of applications required to remove it.

What Kind of Oil Should You Use?

For skin-based use, I usually opt for a food grade oil. I think using an oil you can eat is going to ensure safety overall and it reduces the chances that you may have a reaction. If you can eat it with no problem, you should be able to tolerate it on your skin for a short period of time.

Coconut oil is probably going to be the most economical option. You just need to let it warm in your hand to use if it’s still solid. The downside of coconut oil is that it’s a drying oil. Sounds counterintuitive, but it’s best to try one of the others if you already have dry skin.

Olive oil is also a great option. The molecules are large, and they float across the skin making this a better choice if you’ve got a big mess on your hands (or face). Olive oil will stay active long enough to dissolve the mess and give you the opportunity to wipe and then wash your skin clean. I once used olive oil to remove adhesive from a wood floor. It worked perfectly leaving the floor pristine.

Avocado oil is a good option. It’s a little on the expensive end of the spectrum, but it’s really nice for the skin. The molecules are smaller than olive oil and depending on your skin may absorb rather quickly not staying open long enough to clean up without having to reapply.

Non Food-Based Products

Jojoba oil (ho-ho-bah) is an excellent option for skin but is a specialty oil that is harder to obtain in many areas and much more expensive ounce for ounce. Also, it’s not really an oil, but a wax and it’s best to not to eat it as it is non-digestible to humans. That being said, I’d probably opt for one of the above oils for cleaning and reserve the jojoba for an after-cleansing moisturizer. You would choose jojoba if you’re sensitive or allergic to the others. Jojoba is one of the very least sensitizing products we have available for skin-based use.

You could also use a made-for-skin mineral oil or oil-based cream if you prefer. These are definitely not safe to use as food though.

How to Use Oil to Clean Your Skin

Gather all your supplies:

• oil of your choice
• cotton balls
• paper towels
• facecloth
• your everyday facial cleanser or soap

Set up your cleaning station near a sink or tub. When you’re ready, start by brushing off the big chunks. Next, use as many cotton balls as necessary to dab a liberal amount of oil onto the soiled areas or for large areas just pour some oil in your hand and rub it on. Depending on where and what you’ve got going on you can gently rub the oils around to lift and dissolve the grime. Once the gunk starts to move around, use a paper towel to gently wipe it away. When you’ve got most of it off you can wash with soap and water. Rinse and repeat the oil application and the washing until you’re as clean as you want to be. Don’t forget to follow up with your favorite moisturizer or rub a few drops of oil onto your skin.

Caution!!!

You may be tempted to just get in the shower and do this, but oil on a shower floor is extra slippery so I don’t recommend it. Do all your oil-based cleaning first, then get in the shower. And there’s always the risk of clogging up pipes with an oil that solidifies when not warm. It’s best to throw as much oil in the trash can before rinsing it down the drain.

If you’ve never used oil to clean your skin before and it sounds like something you’d like to try, take a minute to consider any allergens or skin sensitivities you might have. The last thing you want is to irritate the skin further than it might already be. Select an oil that you know you’re not allergic to. I mentioned earlier how I like edible oils for this job. That’s because I know my chance of reaction is low if I already eat the oil.

Also, consider what kind of product you’re trying to remove from your skin. Makeups with glitter or reflective particles may be sharp and a dab, wait, dab technique might work better than rubbing. I once bought a specialty lipstick for a Mardi Gras party that finished with a glitter application. That stuff was like glass and was not only unwearable, but ruined my lips trying to get it off. Tree saps and adhesives can also be difficult to remove. No matter what method you try to remove stuff from your skin use your best judgement to not damage yourself.

I’ve not tried this method on fabric, only skin, glass, and finished wood. Fabrics will definitely absorb the oil and you may never get it out. Other surfaces may also not react well to this method. Take care not to damage your treasures.

A Word About Essential Oils

Essential oils are a different beast, and though we have all seen how they can be used to clean everything under the sun, I never recommend using an undiluted essential oil on the skin. This can cause skin-based reactions on many people. Always ensure the essential oil you’re going to use is safe for skin-based use, then dilute your essential oils before putting them on your skin for any reason.

Okay, I hope this has been helpful. Mostly just remember that like dissolves like and if you’re looking for a safe and gentle cleaner for your skin, oil may be just what you’re looking for.

♥