The Plus Factor: and Why There Are Cleansing Oils in Our Logo

Well+Good is your healthiest relationship, hooking you up with the best, most interesting things/people/leggings in wellness. And nothing gets at this concept better than the plus-sign in our logo—especially now as we unveil our new logo, and the new look of WellandGood.com.

Inside this plus sign, which acts like a gallery window, we showcase the most exciting, transformative objects and ideas that add wellness to your life.

This week, we’re focused on cleansing oils, which are a huge 2016 beauty trend. These golden drops of lustrous plant-based extracts cleanse your skin to the point of glowing—largely because they don't use surfactants. Learn more about our healthy obsession with cleansing oils now…and check back soon for more wellness inspiration and things we’re super excited about.

The key to clean, clear, supple skin in the cleansing oil

Way back when you were studying Ancient History in school, you may remember this weird fact: the Romans cleaned themselves with olive oil, scraping off the dirt and oil with a curved blade called a strigil, before bathing. Steeped in our “squeaky clean” mentality, it probably seemed insane. “What?! No soap?”

It’s taken us exactly 2,492 years to understand the Ancient Romans had it going on. More and more of us are loving how effective, purifying, and completely un-harsh oil cleansing can be. And we're repeatedly stunned at how much makeup, dirt, and gunk it clears away.

Oil cleansing is based on the chemistry of “like dissolving like."

Oil cleansing is based on the chemistry of “like dissolving like." In the context of skin care, the oils break down the congested matter and the debris is lifted out of the pores,” explains Kerrilyn Pamer, co-founder of CAP Beauty in the West Village, who likes In Fiore Lustra Illuminating Floral Essence, $125, Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil + Makeup Remover, $42, or Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser, $68.

Water-based cleansers need surfactants (synthetic detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate and other oil-dispersing agents) to provide suds and get your skin clean. And sometimes they can be a little too harsh.

“The job of [sudsy] cleansers are to break down excess oils,” Pamer says, but often these surfactants also break down the natural oils your skin needs to maintain balance. (Put it this way: guess what was used to “clean up” the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? Surfactants.)

Choosing a cleanser that can help keep your skin balanced and hydrated is key, especially for the breakout-prone, says Pamer. Over-drying your skin can signal your skin to produce more oil.

Basically, oil cleansing draws out impurities in a friendlier way. It’s sort of like the ritualistic practice of another wise person from history: your grandma and her cold cream.

Looking for more Plus Factor? Check out how the Rose Quartz can help you tap into self-love.

(Photos: One Love Organics, Tata Harper, In Fiore)