I bought a brand new web cam today so I’ve recorded my first video blog entry!
In this video I talk about the two things that I think have cleared my acne. I forgot to mention in the video that I’m not wearing any foundation or makeup on my skin because I wanted you to see how clear my skin is. I know web cams always make your skin look a little better, but it really is looking great 
Enjoy!
Remember to write me a comment if you have any skin care queries, I’m more than happy to help.
Fran
Fran Kerr is the founding editor of High on Health. To cure your acne, sign up to Fran's FREE acne cure mini-course or download her latest how to guide, Eat Away Your Acne.
48 responses ↓
Hey Frances
Good video style works really well… and interesting about the 2 types of oil… i tried just almond oil and my skin is really soft, but don’t think i can use it twice a day in this humid weather its a little bit too oily.
Hiya,
Do you have any tips for enlarged pores/orange peel skin? Can it be helped using similar methods? Maybe I could be your guinea pig.
Orange peel skin, that’s an interesting description! I have damaged pores on my forehead from having a lot of acne there when I was a teenager. The pores just look a lot larger in that area. I don’t think there’s anything you can do about damaged pores but I’d love to find out!
If you just generally have larger pores, I’ve found that the oil cleansing method has made my pores smaller. Also using mineral makeups help. You just really want to use products that don’t clog your pores, which is why the essential oils and mineral makeups are better. Any heavy creamy moisturisers or foundation lotions will make your pores a little bigger.
Hi…I was wondering if you had any suggestions for acne scars? I know that there’s not really much you can do for them because they’re scars…but isn’t there at least something to reduce the color? I have acne problems and scars and it’s soo embarrassing to go anywhere because I feel as if everyone is staring at my acne.
Hi Lida,
I know how it feels, I too suffer from feeling embarrassed and not wanting to go out. I try to remind myself that nobody is staring at my acne because they’re too busy worrying about themselves. This is so true. The amount of people that have said to me that they had no idea that I had/have an acne problem ..even people that have known me for weeks! I thought it was so obvious but they couldn’t even see it. It just wasn’t on their mind and they just couldn’t see what I could see. I’m still shocked every time somebody says this to me. I guess in our heads we create an image of a spotty pimple monster of ourselves when it’s never true.
As for the scars, it depends on what type of scars they are. If they’re red and brownish marks they will go away with time (it can take up to 2 years unfortunately). Exfoliating the skin 2-3 times a week and gently massaging the area when you moisturise will help speed up the process.
If you want them to go away faster or if your scars are deep pits or bumps, then you can visit a dermatologist for advice.
Hi Fran, I was wondering if you could tell me how much of each oil you are mixing together. I have mild acne, with lots of clogged pores (whiteheads and blackheads).
Hi Seema, these blog posts will have all your answers”
http://www.highonhealth.org/why-you-need-to-start-using-the-oil-cleansing-method-ocm/
http://www.highonhealth.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-oil-cleansing-method/
http://www.highonhealth.org/important-update-on-the-oil-cleansing-method-ocm/
Fran
Thanks for replying Fran, the only thing that worries me about the OCM is that I already have clogged pores with whiteheads and blackheads, and since you said it caused you to get these Im not so sure if I should use it. What do you recommend?
Also, I wanted to ask what you thought of using ‘Dettol’ on your face. The one I have contains: isopropyl alcohol, pine oil, castor oil soap, caramel and water and comes in a liquid form. Im sorry I keep asking you things but I feel your the best person to ask, most acne websites I’ve been on always seem to be pushing a product but yours is great so far!
It’s okay Seema, ask as many questions as you like
I’m quite suspicious of the OCM now. I’d seriously use it with caution. It did clog up my skin but there are so many people out there that have had great results from it so it’s a tough one. If you do decide to do it, just start with a couple of times a week, make sure you get all of the oil off after cleanser, and take note of any changes in your skin.
Dettol is fine to use on your skin as a spot treatment. Anything that kills bacteria is fine. I remember my sisters use to use it on their spots when they were teenagers, and we also used to use Isocol.
I’m 14 and I suffer from terrible acne. I’m at my worst breakout yet and there are so many different things that I’m not supposed to use because I’m too young. I’m trying to find natural ways to help my skin but they all seem to make it worse or dry it out. luckily I’m on Spring break, but I’m still freaking out. I’m basicly staying in my house every chance I get and its depressing. The one time I went out with my friend I used tons of concealer and my friend pointed out how bad my skin looked anyway. HELP!
Hi Christie, you’re at the time in your life where your hormones are all over the place so the extra sebum your skin is producing is making you break out.
Talk to your parents about how you feel, let them know that your skin problem is really making you sad, and making you want to not go out. If they can see how sad it makes you then they’ll probably support you a lot more and help you find a solution.
Yes, please don’t use anything that dries your skin out. If you use something like Proactiv or Benzoyl Peroxide that it’s very irritating, then use it just every other day instead of all the time.
It’s difficult for me to help recommend a treatment plan for you because I can’t see how bad it is. But a good plan of action is to follow everything in my mini-course, and also see if your parents will take you to a doctor as well.
As for concealer, don’t use it! Find a mineral makeup, they’re so much better. Click on the ‘acne and makeup’ link at the top of this screen and follow those tips. Mineral makeup is great because it won’t make acne-prone skin breakout. It can also be used as a concealer as well as a foundation.
take care …
Hi Fran!
I was just wondering if this castor oil and olive oil mixture is a bad idea for a person with acne and already oily skin?
Hi C, the OCM is a tough one - people either have really good or really bad results. For me, it completely cleared up my cystic acne, but at the same time clogged my pores so I’m not doing it anymore.
Some people find that it actually balances out their oily skin, and cleans out their pores (including blackheads) as well.
If you do decide to do it, you can just try once or twice a week other than the twice a day that I was doing. And make sure you remove all the oils off your face at the end (I was leaving too much on).
Hi Fran,
I just found your blog 2 days ago and I have pretty much read and watched everything lol. you have really given me hope that I will finaly be able to clear my acne. I decided to try the OCM so I went out and baught what I needed. but befor I start I do have one simple question. I noticed that the castor oil in your video is in a dark bottle however the one I bought is in a clear plastic bottle, do you think this has any way of determining how good the castor oil is?? thank you! and keep up the good work:)
Hi Nina, I’m pretty sure all castor oil will be okay. I think the bottle I had was dark because the plastic or glass was colored
The oil inside was actually lighter.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the content!!!
Hey there Fran I just subscribed. I have a question I already ordered proactive and it should be delivered any day now. What should I do. I was on acutane twice and tons and tons of topical gels and tried every brand, recently clinique. Im all for natural solutions. I have really sensitive skin and now I do break out everyday but luckily their only blackheads. I really want to try your method. But I am a little freaked out about puting oils on my face to clean it and because I already take anti-depressants do I still need to take the powder?
Crystal
oh yeah, also how much, like exact measurements of the castor oil and olive oil do you use?
Hi Cyrstal,
It’s okay to try the proactiv, just use it carefully, and make sure you stop using it as soon as your skin gets too irritated or dry. Or just cut down how often you use it.
The active ingredient in Proactiv is Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) which is quite harsh on the skin. For comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads), I prefer Sacyclic Acid products. Paula’s Choice 1% or 2% BHA work wonders on comedonal acne. Again, this product is harsh so I find that I can only use it once a day, and in the beginning every other day.
If you do choose to do the OCM, start with just 2-3 times a week and see how your skin responds. I used it twice a day which was a big mistake, it did more damage than good.
For more information on the OCM, just do a search in my blog (search box is on the right had side of the screen) for ‘OCM’, you’ll find heaps of articles.
Fran,
Can men take Macca? Also, why did you start using Purity, if OCM was working well? Did it stop working?
Thanks!
Hi Gary, I’m not sure but I’m guessing no, it’s won’t be beneficial to men for treating acne.
If you do a search on my blog for OCM (search box is on the right hand side of the screen), you’ll find a few articles about the OCM, and why I had a break from using it.
Do you know if Shiseido Pureness is a good product to use?
I’ll defenatley try out this natural oilcleanser though..
And one more thing.. I have these weird scars or marks on my face from previous breakouts. They look like red spots, they’re not sticking out; they’re just on the surface of my face. It’s REALLY annoying cause I have to cover them up with a lot of concealer and foundation, and even then you can still notice them..
Do you know what it is? Will it stay like this for ever or will they dissapear? Is there something I can do to prevent new ones from forming or to get rid of the ones i have?
Thankyouu:)
Dear Fran,
Help, I’m only eleven! I have really bad acne, and oily skin. I’ve used Neutrogena’s wave, but that’s not working. Please give me suggestion product, thanks.
Ashlyn
Hi Ashyln,
Don’t worry, at your age acne is really normal. You’ll find that after a few years you’ll most likely just grow out of it.
What you can do is try some other acne products from the supermarket, because some do work really well on teenage oily skin. Have a go at using another product
Fran,
Would natural (clay mak) still work good for me?
Hi Ashlyn, Before you complicate your skin care routine with masks etc, try some acne products and see how they go first. Because as I said, they do work the best on your skin type and your age.
Hello fran im 18
and iv been using a cream for acne called RETIN-A Micro or Tretion Gel .04 and i get little break outs.. one of my friends told me its because i use hot water to clean my face
but
with hot water it will open my pores and it will be easier to clean them. wont it?
and i have 3 enlarged pores on my nose and i was wondering if you knew how to get rid of those.
thank you!
Hi Jorge,
Using hot water to wash your face is not a good idea, because it can dry out your skin a lot. You’re better off using warm or tepid water.
Enlarged pores can happen for a few different reasons. You may have oily skin, or you may have damaged them from having large pimples there or pimples you’ve squeezed.
Unfortunately there’s not a lot you can do. Just start looking after your skin a little better
Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer that doesn’t dry out your skin or make it oily. If you’re really worried about it visit a beauty therapist or a dermatologist.
Hi! I have had acne for about 2 years now. (I am 16 in a couple of months.) It is the most embarassing part of my life right now. The looks from people like at school are starting to get to me. I have tried several different creams, etc. I even tried AcneFree and it didn’t seem to help either. I just wanted to know if you had any advice or suggestions on how to get rid of it. Thanks!
Hi Chris,
Have a read of this article, it will help a lot:
http://www.highonhealth.org/the-ultimate-guide-to-clear-skin-in-7-easy-steps/
And sign up to my mini-course, it’s free and it runs through a lot of detail on how to clear your acne.
Also keep checking this blog, I’m always putting new articles up that are about acne and how to treat it
hi fran
Wot do u think of this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RutikImRIFk&feature=related
Hi Henry, apart from that guy being a little bit strange, I think the cleanser sounds good. The only problem I can see is making sure the mix doesn’t go rancid, so you’ll need to make it often
Hi fran
I suffer from acne but it’s a strange type
I have to use a kind of exfoliating soap or cleansing mousturiser
If i use a normal soap my skin feels dry afterwards
If i use a cleansing wash after about 10 minutes after i have washed my face my skin gets oily around the nose and chin
I’m not sure wheather to use soap or the cleansing wash
Thanks for the help
Holly
Hi fran my name is jen. I recently joined your 7 day acne free skin mini course.
I also go to makeupalley.com to read the reviews when i need to purchase any skin care line.
I recently bought a product called Argan oil. Have you heard about it? It has a lot of great reviews in MUA so i decided to purchase it. A week after using it I didn’t notice any improvement and i think it broke me out even more. I dont know if I should still use it because you mentioned something about the “purging phase” wherein the face goes through that breaking out period to give the product time to work.
Im really in doubt of using it (argan oil)again.I really dont want to get any more break outs. Also somebody emailed me that the argan oil is comedogenic.
Im thinking of purchasing that yummy bee product you were talking about.
Pls help. Im just another girl who cannot go out at the moment due to my zit problem.
Jen
Hey Fran!
I am 15, and i have really bad acne on my forhead!.. Some pimples ad blackheads around my nose and on my cheeks!… I get soo embarressed. Please help me!
I have tried everything! Except the OCM method.. Which i am willing to try!.. I ususally wash my face twice a day with cetaphil and then put a lot of acne cream called “acnenomore” Which kind of works.. but when i stop, they come back. so with the OCM method, do i mix them together? and also in between the treatments do i still continue with cetaphil? or clearasil or something twice a day? Also is it ok to use “extra light olive oil”? or does it have to be extra virgin, organic?
Thankyou very very much!
Your helping so many people with this!
You should be proud! =]
=]
Hi Monique, All of your questions are answered in my free acne cure mini-course and in the acne blog archives (http://www.highonhealth.org/acne/).
Also try posting this in the forums - http://www.highonhealth.org/forums/
Hi Fran,
Are you still using Organic extra virgin olive oil for your face?
Regards,
Besa
Hi i was wondering if u knew if the methods work differently for males and females. Does it matter what gender you are for using methods like this. Also is this your only video? It would be great if you made more and also showed how to use your methods. Thanks.
Besa- No, I haven’t used the OCM for a long time now.
Chris- All of your questions are answered in my free acne cure mini-course and in the acne blog archives - http://www.highonhealth.org/acne/
I have done over 50 videos now I think so dig around the archives and take a look
I’ve got oily skin. I find that mid day, my face looks kind of shiny, like I’m about to sweat. Geometrically, my face is pretty smooth, aside from some small acne bumps (it looks worse then it feels). I still have redness and some acne scars because I was on accutane last year. I was wondering if this method works with skin that’s already oily. As you said Fran, oil cancels out oil or something like that. This theory doesn’t make logical sense, but if it works, that’s all that matters right? Do you think it would cure my redness and cleanse my acne or just irritate my skin and make it oilier? I guess the only way is to try, but I would be devastated if it just made my acne worse!
Hi Lando, in the past month I’ve somehow managed to develop oily skin!!! It’s really odd, just like you I get an oily sheen to my skin and by evening my whole face looks like it’s glowing with oil.
I’m going to experiment with taking vitamin b5 which is something you could do to. Check out these links-
http://www.highonhealth.org/how-to-cure-acne-with-b-vitamins/
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Vitamin-B5-Information-t15341.html
Thnx Fran for the links and advice! Please keep us (especially me) posted. I’m reluctant to try the B5 vitamins out. I had major kidney surgery last year and I’ve been reading up and it might actually not be a good idea for me or anyone with kidney problems. I’m going to call up my doctor and inquire first.
Btw, I have to add, you look amazing in this video! If you discover that the oilyness was not from your oil+castor oil method, then let us know so we can all look as good as you!
First and foremost, thank you so much for the helpful information, I am also looking forward to starting your acne-free mini course. Proceeding, I have what I guess would be considered severe acne. Around my chin area I get this under-the-skin acne that is painful to even touch. I take One-A-Day Teen vitamins for males and it has helped somewhat due to the zinc.
I have been on Proactive for years now. It has never completely cleared up my acne, but I am afraid to get off of it because when I do my face breaks out. I’m looking into some natural treatments but I am deathly afraid to get off Proactive.
Earlier this evening I went and purchased some honey and aspirin and made a mask. I guess I will see if it helps any in a few weeks. I don’t have the healthiest diet at the moment. but a few months back I was only drinking water and eating healthy and it only helped a small amount. I would love for this acne to go away. I went to the grocery store today and had a friend ask me “What happened to your face dude?” It’s so embarrassing.
great video!!
i have severe acne which for me means i have VERY oily skin and i was wondering if this would work for me?
thanx
Hi Saharafefe, This is a very old video and I don’t use these steps anymore. For very oily skin I’d consider taking a course of B5. Do a search in my blog for it.
Hi!
Can you email me withe the ratio of the olive oil and castor oil to use for the oil cleansing method? Do you just use that rubbed all over the face and rinse with warm water? and that is it? Do that in the morning and evening before bed? How much to use?
I really want to try it - I used BP for years and it damaged the underlayer of my skin .. it’s so dry and bumpy underneath and I get clogged pores. HELP!??
Thank you!
Barbara
Hi Fran,
i’ve been reading the articles in your site for over a week now and it has really inspired me that my acne will go away eventually. You see I had terribly acne in the 8th grade all over my t-zone, especially my forehead and the sides of my cheeks, I went to the Dermatologist and he recommended Dove bar soap and no hair products in my hair. That sort of worked out but I wanted a quicker solution. My mom then got me Clinque Acne Solution which really dried and irrated my skin, so I switched up Dove and that to balance my skin and buy the 9th grade it was all clear!! But In the 10th grade I started using foundation and wearing make-up. And boy did I regret that! I broke out sooo badly. I used Covergirl TruBlend microminerals and I think it was because of that. So I got very depressed and my mom got me ProActive, I used it for a month, and I think it helped a llittle but I felt it got worse. I was soo depressed and felt ugly and had noo confidence. So now it is summer vacation and I really want my acne to go away! =( mY MOM GOT ME Clinque again, but it really dries out my skin and makes it look old, I just turned 16! I’ve been using it since May, and it is slowly clearing up but leaving me with deep scars. I want to try your method but I am scared to put oil on my face, thinking that it will make my face worse =( Please help. Thank you
p.s. Sorry I wrote alot, I have alot in me that I just wanted to let out..thanks
Hi Freshta, perhaps you should remember what it was that worked and go back to that. So the Dove worked for you right? And not wearing makeup (which I know can be tricky). But when you can do is try a natural mineral makeup because that shouldn’t break you out. And preferably one that contains zinc, because zinc is great for the skin
I have been reading about apple cider vinegar a lot. I just wanted to know your thoughts about it, and if it really helps clear acne & scars.
Thanks for your time
Chandana
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