'Oil exfoliation' is the process of using oil to exfoliate your skin.
Oil exfoliation can gently remove dry flaky skin on your face and leave your skin feeling clean, soft and smooth.
This article will discuss:
- Why exfoliate your skin?
- What is oil exfoliation?
- Benefits of oil exfoliation
- What is the difference between oil cleansing vs. oil exfoliation?
- How to exfoliate your skin with oil
- How often should you exfoliate?
- Summary
- References
Why exfoliate your skin?
To exfoliate is to remove the surface of the skin layers (Briden et al, 2006).
Your skin naturally sheds skin cells, in a process called desquamation.
New skin cells are formed at the base layer of your skin, and they differentiate and migrate towards the skin surface, in a process that takes approximately 4 weeks. Nearly a billion cells are lost each day from the surface of adult skin (Milstone et al, 2004).
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using a chemical, granular substance, or exfoliation tool. Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells; however, sometimes dead cells don’t shed completely.
A buildup of dead skin cells can lead to the visible appearance of dryness, roughness, scaling, and flaking (Verdier-Sévrain et al, 2007).
What is oil exfoliation?
'Oil exfoliation' is the process of using oil and a warm moist cloth to exfoliate your skin.
Oil is generously applied to your skin and massaged and then allowed to sit for up to an hour. As the oil sinks into your skin, it gently loosens the dead skin cells on the surface.
A warm moist cloth is then gently massaged over your oiled skin, and the water and cloth help to remove the oil and dead skin cells.
The cloth also serves as a manual exfoliant, as it helps to physically scrape and remove surface skin cells.
The oil helps to protect your skin against any abrasiveness from the cloth.
Benefits of oil exfoliation
Oil exfoliation can gently remove dry flaky skin on your face and leave your skin feeling clean, soft and smooth.
Oil exfoliation can remove flaky skin fast! Without damaging your skin.
Oil exfoliation is very gentle on your skin and protects your skin barrier.
There are many beneficial fats and lipids that are naturally found in your skin barrier and play a critical role in keeping your skin healthy.
Beneficial fats and lipids help to lubricate and coat your skin cells and nourish your skin.
Learn more: Beneficial Fats Found in Your Skin Barrier
Oil exfoliation doesn’t dry out your skin: You’re replenishing oils as you exfoliate, instead of just stripping them away.
Oil exfoliations leaves your dry skin soft and moisturized.
What is the difference between oil cleansing vs. oil exfoliation?
The major difference between oil cleansing and oil exfoliation is the amount of time the oil is left on your skin.
With oil cleansing, you put an oil cleanser on your skin and remove it right away, which effectively removes make-up, sunscreen and daily debris.
Learn more: What is Oil Cleansing?
With oil exfoliation, the oil cleanser must be left on the skin for 20 minutes or longer (up to an hour) to gently loosen your flakey skin, so it can be removed with a washcloth.
The washcloth also provides gently exfoliation, as you remove the oil cleanser.
How to exfoliate your skin with oil
Step 1: Oil Cleansing
The first step is oil cleansing to remove make-up, skin debris and sunscreen.
With dry hands, apply a generous amount of oil cleanser, and massage into dry face and neck.
Gently remove cleanser with a warm moistened cloth.
Be extra gentle around your eye area.
*Pat your face dry and dry your hands before applying second layer.
Note: if your skin is already clean, proceed to step 2.
Step 2: Oil Exfoliation
With dry hands, apply a generous amount of oil cleanser to your freshly cleaned skin.
Massage into dry face and neck and let sit for 20 min to 1 hour.
Let the nourishing oils absorb into your skin and loosen up the flakes on your skin.
Gently remove cleanser with a warm moistened cloth.
For flaky patches use gentle smooth, circular motions.
Your skin will feel extra soft after this method!
How often should you exfoliate?
Start exfoliating with oil once a week to see how your skin responds.
If your skin responds well, you can continue with oil exfoliation once or twice per week, especially when you notice dry flaky skin.
Summary
'Oil exfoliation' is the process of using an oil cleanser to exfoliate your skin.
Oil is generously applied to your skin and massaged and then allowed to sit for up to an hour. As the oil sinks into your skin, it gently loosens the dead skin cells on the surface.
Oil exfoliation can gently remove dry flaky skin on your face and leave your skin feeling clean, soft and smooth.
Try oil exfoliation with our Wild Orange Oil Cleanser.
References
Briden, M. E., & Green, B. A. (2006). Topical exfoliation-clinical effects and formulating considerations. Cosmetic science and technology series, 30, 237.
Milstone LM. Epidermal desquamation. J Dermatol Sci. 2004 Dec;36(3):131-40.
Verdier-Sévrain S, Bonté F. Skin hydration: a review on its molecular mechanisms. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2007 Jun;6(2):75-82.
Author Information
Dr. Natasha Ryz is a scientist, skin care expert and an entrepreneur. She is the founder of Dry Skin Love Skincare, and she creates skincare products for beauty, dry skin and pain relief.
Dr. Ryz has a PhD in Experimental Medicine from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, and she is a Vanier scholar. She also holds a Master of Science degree and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.
Natasha is the former Chief Science Officer of Zenabis Global, and she oversaw cannabis extraction, analytics, and product development. Her team brought 20 products to market including oils, sprays, vapes and softgels.
Why I Started A Skincare Company