Do you ever feel like your cleansing routine just isn't getting you the glow you are looking for? Have you heard of the 4-2-4 method yet? The Japanese 4-2-4 cleansing method is a unique and effective way to thoroughly cleanse your skin. It has been used for centuries in Japan and has gained popularity in recent years due to its effectiveness. This method is based on the traditional Japanese approach of using only 2 products followed by a thorough cleanse and massage. The goal of this method is to remove dirt, oil, and other impurities from the skin while maintaining its natural moisture balance.
The 4-2-4 method is a system where you start with an Oil Cleanser and you massage your skin for four minutes, then you layer your skin with a gel or Cream Cleanser on top and you massage for two minutes to emulsify the oil, and then you rinse for four minutes—which for some people feels like eternity! The last four minutes are split into two parts, for two minutes you thoroughly rinse with warm water and then two more minutes rinsing thoroughly with cold water. I think that’s probably the toughest part, but it’s actually the most important part!
I thought that was really interesting and I started testing it with our Rhonda Allison products, and the results are pretty incredible! It is a discipline, but the key to integrating this method is really using the 4-2-4 at night. The best part is you don’t have to do it every night to benefit from the results; I find that 3 to 4 nights a week is really good. When you do the 4-2-4 method at night and proceed with your layering sequence, you don’t need to wash your face in the morning. So, in that sense, it’s very time efficient.
The oil phase, the first phase of the 4-2-4, is really using the homeopathic concept of like attracts like. By massaging with the oil, you are improving circulation, you are bringing blood flow to the surface, but as you’re massaging, you’re also softening that top layer of the tissue and helping to remove debris and loosen any clogged pores. Poor circulation is the reason behind most of our skin issues, like dryness and acne. We sometimes just pile up one product after another and the congestion may hold back their effectiveness.
If you just choose a face oil, like our Ayurvedic Facial Oil, after 4 minutes it’s absorbed into your skin. Our blend of hemp seed oil and potent antioxidants has been used as a holistic treatment to move stagnation and speed up healing. It is an ingredient that is very warming and helps to draw toxins out of the skin and really key to the oil working. There’s also arnica in there, which helps break up congestion. I find with the 4-2-4 people who have acne, congested skin, and even cystic situations, this really helps them to heal very quickly and with minimal scarring. For those who deal with dry skin, this method really helps to maintain our own natural moisture balance.
HOW TO:
Step 1: Oil Cleanse
Take two to three pumps of cleansing oil in your hands and massage it on your face for four minutes. After a minute and a half or so, you will find the oil has already been absorbed, but you must keep massaging for four minutes for the method to work. Set a timer if that helps.
Step 2: Gel/Creamy Cleanse
Layer with a creamy or gel cleanser, preferably water-based, as it doesn't strip the natural oils away. Use two pumps of cleanser and massage onto skin for two minutes.
Step 3: Rinse
The most difficult part of the 4-2-4 regimen involves rinsing your face in two parts for four whole minutes. First with warm water for two minutes, then with cold for the remaining two minutes. The warm water helps with blood flow and boosts circulation, which is the main goal of the routine, while the cold water closes up your pores.
