Why to cleanse with Cacay Oil

Founder Perspective  ·  Updated: May 2026  ·  Written by Sarah, Founder of NAYA Skincare

My first encounter with oil cleansing

I discovered oil cleansing on an Ayurvedic retreat - a Panchakarma. Oil is central to Panchakarma practice: oil pulling, dripping massages, body oil massages, face oil massages. It runs through the entire ritual as a principle, not an ingredient.

At first I was resistant. I had blemish-prone skin and the idea of applying oil to my face felt counterintuitive. But the practitioners walked me through the physiology: the skin produces sebum - its own natural oil - to moisturise and protect itself. Some plant oils actually mimic sebum structurally, particularly those with a balanced ratio of oleic to linoleic acid like jojoba and meadowfoam.

A few months later, back in London, I had a bad breakout after a stressful period. I went to see an esthetician. She used natural oils, nut butters, some of her own preparations. I was nervous. But the results in the days after brought back everything I had experienced at the retreat - and gave me the language for it. She explained it simply: like attracts like.

Like attracts like: the science behind it

Oil applied to the skin can attach to imbalanced, excess sebum and draw dirt and impurities with it as it is removed. This is the basis of oil cleansing - and it is why oil-based cleansers consistently outperform foam cleansers at removing sebum-based congestion without stripping the barrier.

Foam cleansers work by emulsifying oil and water, which means they remove surface dirt but also strip the skin's natural lipid layer. For most skin types - and especially for barrier-compromised or reactive skin - this creates a cycle: strip the barrier, trigger more sebum production, cleanse again, strip again.

Oil cleansing works with the skin's own chemistry rather than against it. And with the right oil - specifically one that is high in Linoleic Acid and non-comedogenic - it is one of the gentlest, most effective cleansing methods available for all skin types.

Why oil cleansing works for blemish-prone skin

This is the part that surprises most people - and it surprised me too.

The conventional advice for blemish-prone skin has long been to dry out blemishes: strip the oil, use harsh cleansers, mattify. This advice misunderstands the mechanism. Blemish-prone skin does not produce too much sebum because it has too much oil. It produces too much sebum because it lacks Linoleic Acid.

Linoleic Acid (Omega 6, Vitamin F) is an essential fatty acid the body cannot synthesise. In the skin, it is a key component of the sebum composition and the lipid barrier. When Linoleic Acid levels are low, sebum becomes thicker, stickier, and more prone to clogging pores. The skin overproduces it in an attempt to compensate for what it lacks.

This is why stripping the skin with foam cleansers often makes blemish-prone skin worse over time: it removes what little Linoleic Acid is present and accelerates the cycle of overproduction.

Oil cleansing with a high-Linoleic Acid oil does the opposite. It:

• Returns Linoleic Acid to the skin surface, signalling that the deficit is being addressed
• Dissolves and removes imbalanced, congesting sebum via like-attracts-like chemistry
• Preserves the skin's natural lipid layer rather than stripping it
• Gradually reduces the cycle of overproduction with consistent use

Double cleansing: what it is and when you need it

Double cleansing became widely popular in Western skincare in the last decade, though it has been standard practice in Korean and Japanese skincare routines for much longer.

The method: an oil-based cleanser first, to dissolve makeup, SPF and sebum. Followed by a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining residue. The logic is sound - oil removes oil-based impurities, water removes water-based ones.

Whether you need double cleansing depends on your skin and routine:

• Wear makeup or SPF daily - double cleansing is worthwhile, particularly in the evening
• Bare or minimal skin - a single well-formulated cleansing oil that fully emulsifies and rinses clean is usually sufficient
• Sensitive or reactive skin - a second cleanser adds another potential irritation step; a single gentle oil cleanser is often preferable

The key variable is the cleansing oil itself. Traditional oil cleansers require a muslin cloth or cotton pad for removal because they do not fully rinse with water. A self-emulsifying cleansing oil - one that turns milky on contact with water and rinses clean - eliminates that step and makes the method considerably simpler.

The NAYA Everyday Cleansing Oil

When I developed the Everyday Cleansing Oil, I wanted to solve a specific problem with oil cleansing: the removal step. Most cleansing oils require a muslin cloth or cotton pad because they do not emulsify properly with water. That creates friction, waste, and an extra variable for sensitive skin.

The Everyday Cleansing Oil was built to be a complete cleanse in one product:

• Cacay oil as the base - 70%+ Linoleic Acid, comedogenic 0-1, lightweight
• Hemp seed oil - also high in Linoleic Acid, supports barrier function
• Camelina oil - Omega 3-rich, anti-inflammatory
• Bisabolol - derived from chamomile, antibacterial and calming
• Pomegranate - antioxidant, reduces inflammation
• Emulsifier system - turns milky on contact with water, rinses completely clean

Free from essential oils, silicones, synthetic fragrance and alcohol. Eye-safe - removes mascara without stinging. Developed over more than a year with consumer testing.

The cleansing method step by step

Frequently Asked Questions

© NAYA Skincare. All information is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.