How to Oil Cleanse and Why Your Skin Has Been Waiting For This
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How to Oil Cleanse and Why Your Skin Has Been Waiting For This
A guide to the cleansing ritual that dissolves the day without stripping what matters
There is a particular kind of exhaustion that comes at the end of a long day, and most of us reach for our usual face wash and move on. A quick lather, a rinse, the familiar tightness of skin that has been cleaned too thoroughly. We have been told for decades that tight means clean. It does not.
That tightness is your skin barrier signalling distress. It is the feeling of natural oils, protective ceramides, and moisture being stripped away by surfactants that do not distinguish between impurities and the things your skin actually needs. Conventional cleansers were never really designed to work with skin. They were designed to foam.
Oil cleansing is different. And once you understand the principle behind it, it becomes very difficult to go back.
For a long time, I did not cleanse at all. I had tried the usual options and none of them sat right with me: the stripping feeling, the breakouts that followed, the sense that I was doing something to my skin rather than for it. So I stopped, and I managed, and I told myself that was fine.
Then I found oil cleansing. It is not an exaggeration to say it has been one of the things that most significantly changed my adult acne. Not a product, not a treatment but a ritual. The act of massaging oil into dry skin each evening, taking two minutes that belong entirely to me at the end of a day with two young boys, removing it with a warm cloth and going to bed with skin that feels genuinely soft and cared for. That is what I was missing. That is what I made the Aurelia for.
Why oil dissolves what water cannot
The chemistry is simple, and it has been known for centuries. Like dissolves like. The sebum your skin produces, the makeup sitting on its surface, the environmental residue from a day spent in the world are all oil-based. Water cannot dissolve oil. A cleansing oil can.
When you massage a cleansing oil into dry skin, it binds to excess sebum and draws it up and away from the pore. It surrounds impurities and lifts them to the surface. It dissolves waxy sunscreen ingredients and breaks down the pigments in makeup without mechanical scrubbing or harsh chemicals. When you remove it with a warm, damp cloth, it takes everything with it, leaving skin genuinely clean and still intact.
The result is skin that feels clean and comfortable at the same time. Balanced rather than depleted.
This is not a new idea. Across cultures and centuries, oils have been used to cleanse the skin. The ancient Romans used olive oil and a curved tool called a strigil to draw oil and debris from the body. Traditional Japanese skincare has long included oil as a first cleansing step. What is new is the way we have rediscovered it, and the understanding of why it works so well for so many skin types, including those of us who assumed oil was the problem all along.
Who is oil cleansing for?
Almost everyone, and particularly anyone whose skin currently swings between dry and oily, feels tight after washing, or has never quite found a cleanser that leaves them feeling balanced. The irony of oily skin is that it is often caused by over-cleansing. Strip the skin of its natural oils repeatedly and it responds by producing more of them, a compensatory cycle that a gentle oil cleanser can, over time, help to calm.
Oil cleansing is also well suited to skin that is sensitive, reactive, or prone to redness. The absence of surfactants, fragrance, and synthetic preservatives means there is very little to irritate, and the oils themselves offer nourishment at the same time as they clean.
For those wearing makeup or sunscreen daily, oil cleansing is one of the most thorough and gentle ways to ensure full removal, including mineral-based sunscreens that are notoriously difficult to wash away with water alone.
How to oil cleanse: step by step
Apply 3 to 4 pumps of the Aurelia Cleansing Oil to completely dry skin. This is the step that most people miss. Water interrupts the cleansing action before it has begun.
Work the oil gently across your face using circular motions. Feel the oil warm in your hands and soften against your skin. Spend a little extra time around the nose and chin. This is also a moment of genuine rest.
Wet a soft cloth with warm water, wring it out, and lay it gently over your face for a few seconds before wiping away the oil. The warmth helps to loosen the oil and any impurities it has gathered. Rinse and repeat if needed.
With a well-formulated cleansing oil, a second cleanse is rarely necessary. Your skin should feel clean but not stripped. If it feels at all greasy, your cloth may have been too dry, or you may need one more gentle wipe.
Finish with a tallow balm or your moisturiser of choice. Many who oil cleanse find they need very little, as the skin retains so much more of its own moisture than it does after a traditional wash.
What makes the Aurelia different
Not all cleansing oils are made equal. Many commercial options are padded with silicones, synthetic emulsifiers, or fillers that give a luxurious texture but do little for the skin itself. The Aurelia Cleansing Oil was formulated with seven ingredients, each chosen for a specific reason and nothing included for the sake of appearance.
Lightweight, fast-absorbing cleansing base that dissolves impurities without residue.
Structurally similar to your skin's own sebum, absorbing cleanly and helping regulate oil production over time.
Creates a breathable protective layer that locks moisture in without congesting pores.
A traditional cleansing oil used for centuries to gently draw and decongest.
Antioxidant protection that supports both skin health and the integrity of the formula itself.
Naturally rich in AHAs, supporting gentle skin renewal and a brightened, even tone.
Deeply nourishing and rich in essential fatty acids, supporting regeneration and healthy skin tone.
The Aurelia is best used in the evening, as the final act of the day. Shake it before use. The rosehip and hibiscus extracts settle beautifully, and that small moment of shaking the bottle is its own quiet ritual. Handcrafted in Victoria, Australia.
A word on transitioning
If you have been using conventional cleansers for years, your skin may take a short time to adjust. Some people experience a brief period in the first two weeks where their skin produces slightly more oil as it recalibrates. This is the compensatory cycle unwinding, and most find it passes quickly. Consistency matters more than perfection here.
If you have very congested skin, introduce oil cleansing gradually, beginning with two or three evenings a week and building to nightly as your skin settles. If you wear heavy, full-coverage makeup, a gentle warm-water rinse after the cloth removal is all you need to ensure everything has been lifted.
This is a ritual, not a routine. There is a difference, and it is felt in the skin.
The cleanse is the foundation of everything that follows. When it is done well, your skin holds moisture better, absorbs the tallow balm or serum that comes next more effectively, and over time simply needs less. It is the kind of shift that happens slowly, and then all at once.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you have been wondering about oil cleansing, answered honestly.
Can I oil cleanse if I have acne or breakout-prone skin?
Yes, and in many cases oil cleansing can actually help. Acne-prone skin is often caught in a cycle of over-cleansing: harsh cleansers strip the skin, the skin overproduces oil to compensate, and breakouts follow. A gentle cleansing oil can help interrupt that cycle. The jojoba in the Aurelia is particularly well suited to congested skin, as it is structurally similar to the skin's own sebum and supports balanced oil production over time. If you are nervous about introducing an oil cleanser, start with two or three evenings a week and build slowly. Give your skin four to six weeks before making a judgement, as the transition period is real but it passes.
Will oil cleansing clog my pores?
This is the most common concern, and it is worth addressing directly. Not all oils are created equal. The Aurelia was formulated with non-comedogenic oils, meaning oils with a low tendency to clog pores. MCT oil and jojoba are both very well tolerated by most skin types, and castor oil has a traditional reputation for helping to decongest. The key is also in the technique: thorough removal with a warm, damp cloth is what prevents any residue from sitting on the skin. Done correctly, oil cleansing should leave pores cleaner, not more blocked.
Does oil cleansing actually remove sunscreen?
Yes, and this is one of oil cleansing's real strengths. Mineral sunscreens in particular can be difficult to remove with water-based cleansers. Because the Aurelia works on the principle of like dissolving like, it binds to the oils in sunscreen formulas and lifts them away efficiently. A warm cloth removal ensures thorough clearance. For very heavy or water-resistant SPF, one additional gentle wipe with a freshly rinsed cloth is all that is needed.
Can I oil cleanse in the morning as well as the evening?
Most people find oil cleansing once a day in the evening is sufficient and ideal. The evening cleanse does the heavy lifting, removing the day's makeup, SPF, sebum, and environmental residue. In the morning, your skin has had a full night to rest and does not need the same depth of cleansing. A simple rinse with warm water is usually all that is required. Over-cleansing, even with a gentle oil, is still something to avoid.
My skin feels a little oily after cleansing. What am I doing wrong?
Usually this comes down to one of two things: the cloth was too dry, or not enough passes were made to remove the oil fully. Try using a cloth wrung out in warm water rather than cold, and take two or three gentle wipes rather than one. You should not need to scrub, as the warmth and moisture do the work. It also helps to allow the oil a full two minutes to do its job before removing, since a rushed massage leaves more residue behind. A small adjustment in technique usually resolves it within a few uses.
I have dry or sensitive skin. Is oil cleansing safe for me?
Oil cleansing was, in many ways, made for dry and sensitive skin. The absence of surfactants means there is nothing in the formula to strip or irritate. The Aurelia's base of MCT oil and jojoba is exceptionally well tolerated, and meadowfoam seed oil helps support barrier integrity throughout the cleanse. Many people with sensitive skin find it is the first cleanser that has left their skin feeling genuinely comfortable rather than reactive. As with any new skincare product, patch testing before a full facial application is a sensible first step.
Do I need to use a second cleanser afterwards?
No. A well-formulated cleansing oil used with proper technique does not need a second cleanse to be effective. The Aurelia is designed to be a complete cleanse on its own. If you find you genuinely need more after using it, it is worth reassessing your removal technique first.
How long will a 100ml bottle last?
With 3 to 4 pumps per evening cleanse, most people find a 100ml bottle lasts between six and eight weeks with daily use. Because the Aurelia contains no synthetic preservatives, it is best used within 12 months of opening and stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Is the Aurelia suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
The Aurelia is formulated without synthetic fragrances, parabens, or harsh preservatives, which makes it a gentle option during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The ingredient list is short and each ingredient is plant-derived. That said, we always recommend checking with your healthcare provider or midwife if you have specific concerns, as individual sensitivities can shift during pregnancy. Your care provider is best placed to advise for your individual situation.
The Aurelia Cleansing Oil is available in 100ml from the Fully Nourished online store and through select stockists. Seven ingredients. Made in Victoria. For the skin that deserves to feel nourished, not just clean.
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