Ingredient sourcing note: Some ingredients mentioned in this article are available from The Skin Science Company (theskinsciencecompany.com.au), an Australian cosmetic raw materials supplier. We recommend them based on the quality and availability of their products. We have no commercial, affiliate, or sponsorship relationship with them and receive no payment or commission for these mentions.
If you’re anything like me, you probably grew up believing that a good cleanser had to foam up like dish soap. For years, I chased that “squeaky clean” feeling, dropping way too much money on high-end bottles that promised the world.
But here’s the thing: my skin was miserable. Within five minutes of washing my face, it felt so tight that just smiling was uncomfortable. I was trapped in a cycle of stripping my skin and then desperately slathering on heavy creams to fix the damage.
I knew I needed a genuinely natural face cleanser, but everything in the shops was either packed with synthetic fragrances or shockingly expensive. That’s when I stumbled down the DIY rabbit hole and decided to try using jojoba oil instead of cleanser.
The scary leap from foam to oil
I won’t lie, the idea of rubbing pure oil all over my face terrified me at first. We’ve been conditioned to fear oil, especially if you get the occasional breakout. But out of sheer frustration, I gave oil cleansing with jojoba oil a go.
“Basic chemistry tells us that ‘like dissolves like.’ Oil breaks down makeup, stubborn SPF, and the excess sebum hardened in your pores far better than water or foam ever could.”
And the benefits of jojoba oil for face cleansing are unmatched. It’s actually not an oil at all, but a liquid wax ester that closely mimics our skin’s natural sebum. Instead of clogging your pores, it balances them out while keeping your skin barrier perfectly intact.
My completely un-fancy, low-tox tool kit
The best part about creating your own DIY oil cleanser is how incredibly cheap and sustainable it is. You don’t need a 12-step routine. Here is exactly what I use:
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100% Pure, Cold-Pressed Jojoba Oil
This is the star of the show. Buying a high-quality, bulk bottle saves an absolute fortune compared to tiny, overpriced retail brands. It has a beautiful, earthy scent and literally melts away waterproof mascara in seconds.
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Reusable Organic Muslin Cloths
Because pure oil doesn’t emulsify and wash down the drain with just a splash of water, a good cloth is non-negotiable. Muslin is incredibly gentle, provides a tiny bit of physical exfoliation, and completely eliminates the need for single-use makeup wipes.
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Amber Glass Dropper Bottle
I keep a huge bulk jug of jojoba in my cupboard and decant it into a small dropper bottle for my bathroom vanity. The dark glass protects the oil from degrading in the light, and it looks incredibly chic on the shelf.
Always look for “cold-pressed” and “unrefined” on the label. This ensures the raw ingredient hasn’t been stripped of its natural, skin-loving nutrients through heat or chemical processing.
Okay, but how do you actually do it?
If you’re wondering how to oil cleanse without feeling like a greasy mess, it all comes down to the method. It’s a completely different ritual than splashing on a foaming wash.
First, always start with a dry face and dry hands. Dispense about a 20-cent coin-sized amount of oil into your palms, warm it up, and start massaging it directly over your dry, dirty skin. Take your time here. I usually massage for a full 60 seconds. It feels like a mini spa treatment, and you can actually feel little “grits” (dead skin and sebum plugs) dislodging from your pores.
Finally, run your muslin cloth under hot water, wring it out, and drape it over your face for a few seconds to let the steam work its magic. Then, gently wipe the oil, dirt, and makeup away. Your skin will feel impossibly soft, plump, and deeply clean.
Once my face is a clean, glowing canvas, I like to treat my skin. If I have time, I’ll mix up one of my favourite DIY face mask recipes to draw out any remaining impurities. And during those harsh winter months, I’ll seal all that hydration in with a rich DIY healing balm before bed.
The final verdict
Switching my routine has been a total game-changer. Not only have I drastically reduced my plastic waste and saved hundreds of dollars, but my skin has never looked healthier. Ditching the foam for a simple bottle of golden wax ester brought my angry, dry skin back to life.
If you’ve been on the fence about ditching the suds, I highly recommend giving this simple, low-tox swap a try. If you’ve tried this yourself, I’d love to hear what worked for you in the comments below!
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