Here’s everything you need to know about oil pulling benefits for skin, and how to get started!
Are you wondering about the benefits of oil pulling? It’s the latest trend in clean beauty, but oil pulling isn’t new.
In fact, it’s been around for hundreds of years! Oil pulling is an old traditional Ayurvedic practice, originating in ancient India.
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It’s said to have all sorts of skin and hair benefits, including healing acne, eczema, and psoriasis. But it is also said to cure more than thirty systematic diseases and improve your overall health, when done regularly!
And while there are tons of anecdotal evidence that oil pulling works, there are very few modern scientific studies on the benefits of oil pulling. Still, I did manage to find a few!
So, in this post, we’ll go over what oil pulling is, its benefits, and how to do it. If you are interested in learning more about this ancient practice, you are in the right place!
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What is Oil Pulling and How Does it Work?
Oil pulling is a medicinal practice where you swish oil around in your mouth for about 20 minutes, and then spit it out. Sounds like a long time, huh?
This helps to eliminate toxins that accumulate in your mouth during the night. These toxins can enter your bloodstream and harm your organs. Oil pulling keeps your digestive system and hormones healthy, along with the rest of your body, including your skin.
But how does it work?
The bacteria in your mouth are enclosed with a lipid membrane. This membrane is attracted to the lipid structure of the oil being swished around in your mouth.
So, these harmful bacteria detach from your mouth tissues and attach to the oil. Then, when you spit the oil out, you spit out the bacteria, preventing it from entering your bloodstream.
It’s like how detergent removes dirt from clothing. Doing this supposedly removes toxins from your kidneys, lungs, liver, heart, small intestines, your stomach, colon, and spine.
It is believed to heal cells, tissues, and organs, and even improve oral health and longevity. It also increases your metabolism, and of course, gives you healthy, glowing skin and hair.
And since it removes harmful bacteria from your mouth, you are also maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing bad breath and tooth decay.
It acts as a natural alternative to mouthwash, but for your entire body!
Although there’s very little evidence that oil pulling works, I did find this study from the National Library of Medicine. It’s a promising review on the benefits of oil pulling therapy.
And while we are focusing on oil pulling benefits for your skin and hair, this study explores the benefits of oil pulling on your oral health, as well.
Many people are attracted to this ancient practice because they wish to avoid the side effects of modern medicine and oral hygiene products.
9 Benefits of Oil Pulling for Skin
Did you know that there are about 350 different types of bacteria found in your mouth?!? It’s true!
And if not dealt with, these bacteria can enter your bloodstream and harm not only your organs, but your skin cells as well.
Getting rid of these bacteria and removing toxins from your body can literally heal your skin, from the inside out!
Oil Pulling May Fight Acne
It is said that acne occurs when toxins from your bloodstream accumulates and blocks your skin pores. Since oil pulling removes these toxins, it balances your skin out and prevents breakouts.
There is little scientific evidence to support this theory, but it’s definitely worth trying, if you have unfavorable skin. It certainly can’t hurt!
Oil Pulling Can Combat Other Skin Conditions
Researchers from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences found that oil pulling can help with eczema and psoriasis! This is because it removes the toxins that contribute to eczema and psoriasis.
It is also said to eliminate the toxins that can cause rashes, inflammation, and irritation. If you’re trying to reduce your toxic load, this reason alone is enough to give oil pulling a try.
Oil Pulling Improves Blood Flow to the Face
When you spend 20 to 30 minutes a day swishing oil around in your mouth, you are giving your facial muscles a nice little workout!
This, in turn, increases the blood flow to your face, which increases the nutrients that are delivered to your face.
This keeps your face well-nourished and hydrated, which results in a brighter complexion.
Oil Pulling Increases Skin Elasticity
Coconut oil, the most often used oil for oil pulling, contains lauric acid. Lauric acid is a fatty acid that has antimicrobial, anti-septic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
A crazy thing happens when lauric acid reacts to the sodium hydroxide and bicarbonates present in the saliva – it forms a sodium laureate soap-like substance! This soap substance cleanses your oral cavity of harmful germs, keeping them from entering your bloodstream.
Sesame oil is also a common oil used for oil pulling, and it contains lauric acid as well as Vitamin E. The lauric acid and Vitamin E in these oils can increase the elasticity in your skin as well.
Oil Pulling Regulates Moisture
It’s no secret that too much moisture equals serious skin problems and breakouts. And too little moisture induces dry, flaking skin, that is prone to signs of aging.
But did you know that the toxins in your body can trigger oxidative stress, which is responsible for excess oil production? If you can remove these toxins you can better regulate your sebum production.
Sebum is an oily substance produced by the glands in your skin and hair. It helps keep your skin hydrated, without causing acne or breakouts.
Oil Pulling Helps with Skin Renewal
Oil pulling helps us sleep better, which in turn helps our skin renewal process. Chinese researchers found that an imbalanced digestive microbiome can play a significant role in insomnia.
We need sleep to help our skin produce new skin cells. This process rejuvenates our dead skin cells, giving us a more youthful appearance.
But oil pulling can clean out our digestive system, balancing our digestive microbiome, and helping us to sleep so much better!
Oil Pulling Can Make Skin Look Younger
When we hydrate the skin and eliminate toxins, it can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
These fine lines and wrinkles are the result of a breakdown in collagen production. But when you increase moisture and elasticity, you can increase your collagen production, and plump your skin back up!
Oil Pulling Tightens Sagging Skin
Back to the facial exercises! The act of swishing coconut oil in your mouth for 20 to 30 minutes a day strengthens your jaw and facial muscles, which tightens and smooths your skin out.
It’ll give you a stronger jaw and firmer skin. Which is a big insecurity for a lot of people.
Oil Pulling Promotes Hair Growth and Thickness
Oil pulling can remove the toxins that impede hair growth and cause hair follicles to clog. And if you have thinning hair, it might promote new hair growth.
Of course, removing the toxins from your scalp may also make your hair shinier. It’s more of a domino effect, if that makes sense.
How to Do Oil Pulling for Clearer Skin
Alright, if you are ready to give oil pulling a try, I’ll walk you through how to do it.
But here’s my disclaimer: just remember that all of these claims are relatively unproven. I mean, there is some science to back it up, but it’s not strong evidence.
So, give it a try, and give it four to six weeks, before expecting any results. After that, come on back here and let me know how it went in the comments! I’d love to hear your story.
It’s best to incorporate oil pulling right away in the morning, before you eat or drink anything. You’ll want an empty stomach.
If you are new, I’d start with just a tablespoon of coconut oil or sesame oil, and then slowly work your way up to two tablespoons of coconut oil.
Using 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, swish it around in your mouth for 20 to 30 minutes. Again, if you are new, I’d start slowly, with just five minutes, and work your way up to 20.
Do not swallow it! It will give you diarrhea or an upset stomach.
When time is up, spit your coconut oil out into the wastebasket or a paper towel. Do not spit it into the sink; it’ll clog the pipes.
Rinse your mouth and brush as usual. Try to avoid eating anything immediately afterwards.
You’ll know you did it right if your coconut oil looks a little milky. Remember how it turns into that soap-like substance? That’s what you’ll be looking for when you spit it out.
Side Effects of Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is generally considered safe. But there are a few side effects, such as jaw pain, headache, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
These are all associated with the physical act of swishing for 20 minutes, and of course, if you swallow the coconut oil. So start slow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you’re ready to give oil pulling a try, let’s cover some common questions!
Does Oil Pulling Brighten Skin?
Yes, oil pulling is said to brighten your skin. Since it detoxifies your body, from the inside out, it is incredibly good for your skin.
Plus, the act of swishing every morning increases blood circulation to your face, delivering more nutrients to the skin.
How Often Should You Do Oil Pulling for Skin?
You can oil pull up to three times a day. However, it is best to oil pull on an empty stomach, so that can sometimes be a bit tricky.
The most popular way to oil pull is to do a session upon waking before you eat breakfast. I’d start slow (five minutes is good) and build your way up to a 20 to 30 minute session every morning. After that, if you want to add in more sessions, you can.
What Happens if I Do Oil Pulling Every Day?
Most people do oil pulling every day, as part of their morning routine. There is no harm in that. In fact, doing it in the morning removes toxins from the night before.
But if you are just starting out, go slow. Try doing every other day, or just a few times a week, and work yourself up to every morning. There’s no hard and fast rule for how often you should do this.
Which Oil is Best for Oil Pulling for Skin?
While there are many oils to choose from, coconut oil is the best. It has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Sesame oil does as well, along with Vitamin E.
You want a high quality oil that is cold-pressed, organic, and unrefined. Using processed or refined oils will introduce toxins into your body, and that is what you are trying to get rid of. This one here will work great!
What Toxins Does Oil Pulling Remove?
A study published in The National Library of Medicine found that oil pulling removes toxic heavy metals, chemical toxins, environmental toxins, and bacterial toxins. Can’t go wrong with that!
Does Oil Pulling Work on Your Face?
Yes! Oil pulling pulls the toxins out of your body, including free radicals, which then reduces inflammation and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
It also regulates moisture, increases blood flow, improves elasticity, and strengthens your facial muscles. Overall, oil pulling gives you healthy, youthful skin.
What Oil Should I Use?
While coconut oil or sesame oil is the best, you can also use olive oil, almond oil, sunflower oil, or avocado oil. Just be sure to use a food-grade, organic, cold-pressed, unrefined oil. You want it free from sweeteners, artificial colors, alcohol, and preservatives as well.
Final Thoughts on Oil Pulling Benefits for Skin
Oil pulling is said to be a simple, yet effective way to detoxify the body. It has a lot of health benefits as well, including benefits for your skin, hair, and oral health.
There isn’t a lot of scientific evidence on oil pulling yet, but many people swear by it. What little research they do have is promising!
If you give oil pulling a try, pop back here and let me know how it went! Was it effective? What results did you see? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below!
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