My New Semi-OCM Routine
I tried OCM in early 2010 for about 4 months and loved it. I OCMed every evening when I got home from work, and it really got rid of all the gunk in my pores. I could feel the blackheads when I rubbed the oil all over my face, concentrating on the sides of my nose where the blackheads are rampant. I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Castor Oil in a ratio of EVOO 8 drops : 2 drops CO, and it worked wonderfully for me. I just bought the cheapest type of oil available in my nearest supermarket, it works just as well.
Unfortunately, the whole OCM process took a really long time. After a long day at work, I just want to shower, eat my dinner, plop myself in front of the couch/computer and wait for bedtime. OCMing meant I was spending at least an hour in the bathroom, putting the hot towel on my face to steam it for a few minutes, then repeating it for a few times. After that I would wash my face normally with a CV soap bar, and it would still be oily despite the soap suds going all over my face. Also, the water I used had to be hot, otherwise my face would still be extremely oily. I got tired of it real fast and that's when I caved and ordered SN's Apricot Cleansing Oil (ACO).
What is so amazing about the ACO is that it has an emulsifier that binds with water, thus allowing the oil to be washed off my face without any oily residue. Additionally, it also did the job of removing gunk, although it was a lot milder than my OCM, and so it didn't remove my blackheads as fast as the CO in my OCM mix did. The worst part of the ACO was the cost. Yes, I know the ACO is pretty cheap compared to say, Fancl cleansing oil or the Lancome one. However, I use ~20 drops of ACO every day and thus it goes fast! SN skincare products are also really heavy and shipping is super expensive for me.
I have been using ACO to wash my face for almost 6 months now. I cleared my cupboard the other day and found my huge bottle of EVOO and CO just sitting there, neglected in the dust. I decided to get on the OCM bandwagon again so that I don't waste the oils, but was hesitant at the hassle of the OCM process. The hot towel thing, the steaming thing, the time it took, that oily feeling if I don't clean thoroughly... blegghhh
Last week, I had a lightbulb moment. It suddenly hit me that ACO contains 2 types of oils and an emulsifer. I decided to use just 5 drops of ACO, and combined that with EVOO 16 : 4 CO. OMG WHY DIDN'T I TRY THIS MONTHS AGO?!
It worked just like the OCM. It removed the gunk just like the OCM. However, no hot towel and steaming needed!! I washed off the oils like I normally do with ACO, and then use my CV soup bar. My face was so soft and supple, and most importantly, it wasn't oily AT ALL. I am so happy that my ACO will last at least 4 times longer than it did before. I decided to try reducing the amount of ACO gradually to see if it will still be so effective, but I'd have no problems going back to 5 drops if it doesn't work.
Tonight, I tried my new semi-OCM routine with just 3 drops of ACO, and I think the ACO 3 : EVOO 16 : 4 CO proportion is just right. The emulsifier in the ACO still combines nicely with water and washes off all the oil cleanly. I don't think it's a good idea to go any lesser than 3 drops of ACO though. Now, a bottle of ACO will last me about 5-6 times longer than it used to.
Of course, I could buy an emulsifier to make my own cleansing oil easily. But I'm not the type to bother with making my own stuff and quite frankly, I'm the type who will get obsessed with something and buy heaps of ingredients, and then after awhile the phase passes and I move on to a new obsession. I think this method works nicely for me, and I hope it helps someone stretch out their cleansing oil to save a few bucks as well!
Unfortunately, the whole OCM process took a really long time. After a long day at work, I just want to shower, eat my dinner, plop myself in front of the couch/computer and wait for bedtime. OCMing meant I was spending at least an hour in the bathroom, putting the hot towel on my face to steam it for a few minutes, then repeating it for a few times. After that I would wash my face normally with a CV soap bar, and it would still be oily despite the soap suds going all over my face. Also, the water I used had to be hot, otherwise my face would still be extremely oily. I got tired of it real fast and that's when I caved and ordered SN's Apricot Cleansing Oil (ACO).
What is so amazing about the ACO is that it has an emulsifier that binds with water, thus allowing the oil to be washed off my face without any oily residue. Additionally, it also did the job of removing gunk, although it was a lot milder than my OCM, and so it didn't remove my blackheads as fast as the CO in my OCM mix did. The worst part of the ACO was the cost. Yes, I know the ACO is pretty cheap compared to say, Fancl cleansing oil or the Lancome one. However, I use ~20 drops of ACO every day and thus it goes fast! SN skincare products are also really heavy and shipping is super expensive for me.
I have been using ACO to wash my face for almost 6 months now. I cleared my cupboard the other day and found my huge bottle of EVOO and CO just sitting there, neglected in the dust. I decided to get on the OCM bandwagon again so that I don't waste the oils, but was hesitant at the hassle of the OCM process. The hot towel thing, the steaming thing, the time it took, that oily feeling if I don't clean thoroughly... blegghhh
Last week, I had a lightbulb moment. It suddenly hit me that ACO contains 2 types of oils and an emulsifer. I decided to use just 5 drops of ACO, and combined that with EVOO 16 : 4 CO. OMG WHY DIDN'T I TRY THIS MONTHS AGO?!
It worked just like the OCM. It removed the gunk just like the OCM. However, no hot towel and steaming needed!! I washed off the oils like I normally do with ACO, and then use my CV soup bar. My face was so soft and supple, and most importantly, it wasn't oily AT ALL. I am so happy that my ACO will last at least 4 times longer than it did before. I decided to try reducing the amount of ACO gradually to see if it will still be so effective, but I'd have no problems going back to 5 drops if it doesn't work.
Tonight, I tried my new semi-OCM routine with just 3 drops of ACO, and I think the ACO 3 : EVOO 16 : 4 CO proportion is just right. The emulsifier in the ACO still combines nicely with water and washes off all the oil cleanly. I don't think it's a good idea to go any lesser than 3 drops of ACO though. Now, a bottle of ACO will last me about 5-6 times longer than it used to.
Of course, I could buy an emulsifier to make my own cleansing oil easily. But I'm not the type to bother with making my own stuff and quite frankly, I'm the type who will get obsessed with something and buy heaps of ingredients, and then after awhile the phase passes and I move on to a new obsession. I think this method works nicely for me, and I hope it helps someone stretch out their cleansing oil to save a few bucks as well!