With chilly northers keeping temperatures below normal in many areas about the globe this week, and with the liver melt-downs from holiday extravaganzas, it’s difficult to keep from dry, itching, red, crackling skin.

Lately I have already been experimenting with using beauty oil, or facial cleansing oil, for face wash and figured this is a perfect time to share my results. There’s a ton of very expensive versions of this product from all kinds of shmancy lines that derive ingredients from far away places with ancient names and possibly involving black markets and indentured servitude. The ingredients of facial cleansing oil is just oils though, and while you can marvel at which are more ‘exotic’ or ‘rare’, I wondered if the little bottle available at the health food store in the range of $7.00 was comparable.

I tried Nude Facial Cleansing Oil ($36-52) for two weeks and Shiseido Ultimate Cleansing Oil for Face and Body ($25) for about a week. Then, with some time in between using Cetaphil, I’ve used JASON 5,000 I.U. Vitamin E Oil ($7 in store) for several weeks. The Jason product is not marketed as a ‘cleansing oil’ product, however the ingredients are extremely similar.

The outcome, I am please so say, is that expensive facial oils are not worth the money in my opinion. The Nude and Shiseido products were thinner consistency and thus slightly easier to rinse off, and the Nude did create a teeny bit of foam-like texture to help you feel as though you are actually washing. But other than that, I see no need for the additional cost. Contrary to logical reasoning, none of them clogged my pores. In fact, I actually have LESS clogged pores, less red tones and a smoother texture. I’m extremely happy and will continue using the JASON product.

Of course the brand recognition is nice, for those of us who feel better having fancy products and packaging surrounding them. But, for the actual effect of more even-toned, supple, healthy skin a good oil product from the health food store or local granola-rama is great.

A couple tips: Use a warm wash cloth to rinse for a mild exfoliant. If you’re skin is oily, use the oil as a moisturizer after washing at night for the healing benefits.