I've noticed some references here and there to board members using the OCM. I've been using it since I first learned about it about 4 months ago, on another board. I'm just curious who exactly uses it, how often, and what are your concoctions? Use: Daily in the shower. Wash hair, conditioner, apply oil mixture, wash body, rinse hair face body, hot towel under shower head for a minute or two. I use it whether I shave or not (skip the towel if I don't shave). Mixture: 1oz Cold Pressed Castor Oil, 4oz EVOO (20%/80%). I haven't experimented with any other oils, although I've read of others using grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, and tea tree oil, along with some EOs for scent. So far this winter has been very drying and I'm thinking of adjusting my mixture to maybe a 15% CPCO mixture, or maybe looking at changing or adding one of the other oil types listed above. I've also been looking at the Lucky Tiger Lemon Face Cleanser - the shea and lanolin I think would be very moisturizing (I think that's what it's got in it) - to add to the routine to help with prep, or getting some glycerine and making a small OCM bottle with the glycerine to help with the prep. But now that I've found Feathers, I'm thinking my prep isn't as bad as I thought. Anyway, I don't think soap will ever touch this face again. Discuss..
I have not done it yet but we have a sticky on it... kind of. http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3070
I have been considering posting on this topic, but now that you started it...:transport015 I first read about OCM last February over at B&B, and at first thought, that's crazy. Then I thought about it...and thought some more...and thought, maybe it's not so crazy, some of the explanations made a lot of sense, so I tried it - first time, not so great, but not bad, but I was determined to give it a week or two, to give my skin time to adjust and to see if it was any better. Within a week I was sure this would be my regimen. I started last week of February, and no soap, besides shave soap and runoff shampoo, touches my face, and it's been as clear and clean as ever. If you're going to try it, I suggest give yourself plenty of time to adjust and get used to it, experiment a bit, basically commit yourself to it for at least two weeks...but, it could take longer, and as always, burnWood (YMMV) my current mix: 3 to 2 mix grapeseed oil to castor oil (I often use olive oil, too, but was out at the time) several drops tea tree oil and lemon EO oily greatness in a bottle I start with a hot towel on my face to open up pores, then apply light coat of oil, wash my hair, apply another generous coat of oil, then hot towel till towel is cool, rinse/rewet towel, set again for a minute then wipe/rinse off. It should still feel a little oily (I hate that feeling, but it goes away and works!) I give it 00001010 out of 00001010 stars...although I could crank it to 00001011 if need be
I thought so too, but the more I read about it, the more convinced I became, and the longer I use it, the more I know I will not be going back to soaps or face cleaners. I am one who hates hand lotions, balms, etc. (exception - AS balms!), anything greasy/oily on me, but I have really taken to OCM, I used to think drier is better, especially with my face, but once the method really took effect, I now know quite differently If you do decide to try it, give it an honest, 100% shot, at least a week long
I could never get the oil ratios right or even close. adding the EO? forget it. not good at anything like that.
SWMBO picked up some Jojoba Oil for me the other day. My next batch will be made with the Castor Oil and Jojoba Oil. Use the same ratio as with the EVOO? In the store the other day I came across Almond Oil. Ingredients: Almond Oil, Vitamin E. Do you think this would be OK to try, too? Looked to be a similar consistency as the EVOO or Jojoba, not as thick as the Castor Oil...
yes, jojoba is great...it's just the price point that EVOO is more common I like grapeseed oil, too I picked up some Almond oil, liquid vitamin E, and liquid lanolin recently, though I haven't made a batch with them yet, I'm still thinking about exactly how I want to do it
I am starting to do the OCM again. I use Grapeseed Oil and Castor since that is what I bought the first time I did it. I have used jojoba oil and emu oil before (separately and before I knew of OCM) and both are great oils for the skin, but they are pricey.
hmmm, that's a thought...I do have some emu oil I bought for my daughter to help with her skin, never thought to try it in OCM mixture...
I've never used any oil on my face except I experimented with a Pre-shave oil once with horrible and unsuccessfull results. What is the purpose? It would seem as if using the oil would clog your poors with the potential of incurring ingrowns for those prone to such. Just curious. After all the object of the game is to... Enjoy your shave...
it's the particular oils you use, they actually dissolve, break up, and remove the oils clogged in your pores already. I thought the same way as you, but did some reading around the web, perused the HUGE thread of the topic over at B&B, and tried it, and am convinced. I have quite oily skin normally, but it has been tons better since I started using OCM. It really does defy "logic", but it works!
Actually it's quite the opposite, and I think all around good. The Castor Oil will dissolve any oils and dirt in your pores. The other oils (Olive, Jojoba, etc...) moisturize the skin. The result is nice, clean, balanced skin. My face used to get very oily throughout the day, especially my nose. Since I've been using the OCM, my face doesn't get oily, but it's not dry either. And my pores have gotten smaller, too. I shower before my shave, and use the oil in the shower. I'll apply it, let it soak while I bathe, then rinse off by massaging my face under the running shower water for a minute or two. Then enjoy my shave! HTH EDIT: What Jim said, too....
