Alternative to castor oil for OCM
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Mon Jan 16, 2012 6:59 pm

Hi guys, I wanted to try the OCM (oil cleansing method) to help get rid of some enlarged pores but I've been told I can't get castor oil, in the town I live (Carlisle) anywhere and have been told castor oil is off the market because women have been using it to induce labor lol

Is there an alternative I can use that does the job castor oil does in the OCM?

free skin care · Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:57 pm

Maybe its just not on the shelves. Sometimes we have to ask for stuff at the pharmacy counter.

I'm sure you could easily order it online, but keep in mind that not everyone uses castor in their OCM recipes. If you were to replace it, I'd go for a more astringent oil, such as grapeseed. I think maybe hazelnut too, but I'm not sure.

Whatever you use, I'd recommend gently wiping off with a steaming microfibre cloth (instead of, or) afterwards. The fibres pull away oil & dirt, in a way that regular cotton can't and have made a world of difference to my pores. Once OCM brings the gunk comes to the surface, (some of us, at least) still need a way to further remove or extract it.

free skin care · Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:44 pm

Some people use olive oil.

Tue Jan 17, 2012 2:35 pm

LoriA wrote:

Maybe its just not on the shelves. Sometimes we have to ask for stuff at the pharmacy counter.

I'm sure you could easily order it online, but keep in mind that not everyone uses castor in their OCM recipes. If you were to replace it, I'd go for a more astringent oil, such as grapeseed. I think maybe hazelnut too, but I'm not sure.

Whatever you use, I'd recommend gently wiping off with a steaming microfibre cloth (instead of, or) afterwards. The fibres pull away oil & dirt, in a way that regular cotton can't and have made a world of difference to my pores. Once OCM brings the gunk comes to the surface, (some of us, at least) still need a way to further remove or extract it.

I've already asked at the pharmacy counter and thats where I got the labor reason for why you cant get it in my city. Nevermind...

That's cool that I can use an alternative. What oil have you yourself used? Just grapeseed or a combination?

free skin care · Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:33 pm

Yikes, induce labor?? What are they doing with it?? Shock

free skin care · Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:34 pm

You could order it fromwww.iherb.com

Some women drink it to induce labor (it's traditionally used as a strong laxative.)

free skin care · Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:54 pm

Sorry! First, I didn't mean to sound condescending.

And second, those were just suggestions, but I actually doubt that anything else can do the same thing castor oil. I'm assuming that people who do ocm without it (because they find it too drying), still get at least some benefits.

I use 15% castor and whatever else I feel like - my skin's not finicky (though I find olive oil too heavy for my oily skin). Personally, I wouldn't do without castor oil. If I couldn't get it, as I said, I may try grapeseed, at a higher ratio.

Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:01 pm

LoriA wrote:

Sorry! Firstly, I didn't mean to sound condescending.

And second, those were just suggestions, but I actually doubt that anything else can do the same thing castor oil. I'm assuming that people who do ocm without it (because they find it too drying), still get at least some benefits.

I use 15% castor and whatever else I feel like - my skin's not finicky (though I find Olive oil too heavy for my oily skin). Personally, I wouldn't do without castor oil.

lol I didn't think you were condescending! I just wanted to explain where I got the labor induce theory from!

Your suggestion of the microfibre cloth will be handy if I can get one. Just hope it isnt banned like castor oil is Rolling Eyes

Thanks.

If anyone else can give me an example of a good ocm method which doesnt include castor oil I'd be grateful..

free skin care · Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:15 pm

Oh good - relief!

You can find fancy microfibre face cloths, or super inexpensive ones in the dollar store. But there's rarely any difference between any of them and the household cleaning/dishcloth ones, or the ones in the automotive supplies section!

Here are some really informative posts someone made on microfibre here a few years ago: http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?p=322245&highlight=microfiber#322245

free skin care · Sat Jan 21, 2012 12:47 pm

I've had good results using OCM with half olive oil (which is more viscous) and half a lighter oil (I use Morrocco Method's Euro Oil). For the lighter oil, you could try something like grapeseed oil. Then I add a handful of drops of essential oils (usually tea tree and/or lavendar). I actually tend to get even more gunk out with this caster oil-free combination than using high amounts of castor oil. But to be fair, I have haven't experimented much yet with small amounts of Castor oil, so I've only sampled the extremes of the range Smile

HTH.

Sat Jan 21, 2012 2:07 pm

Thanks for your replies.

I personally have just started doing this today using grapeseed oil.

I've also only done it on a small patch of my face just in case it makes my skin worse.

Hope it works. I'll post an update if I see an improvement in my open pores.

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