I know many people are terrified of applying an oil to their skin, thinking that either – it will make them look super oily, or worse, make their skin break out. In fact, our skin is protected by our own natural oil (sebum) which is crucial in keeping the balance (homeostasis) of our skin perfect; too many times people are their own worst enemy, or should I say, their skin’s worst enemy. I see people all the time either applying products that are either full of chemicals or just unsuitable for their skin type, that will block the pores causing breakouts and just dull looking skin, OR products that are so severe they strip the skin of its natural oils thus forcing the skin to go into overdrive producing more oil…and so the cycle continues from one extreme to the other never achieving the desired homeostasis.
A face oil will provide skin with moisture and lock in hydration (water), both of which are needed whatever type of skin you have. Of course, we did go through decades of thinking that perfect skin was matt in appearance, hence all the face powders, etc to achieve that effect. Today, however (finally) it is all about your natural GLOW. A face oil will definitely help you to achieve that, AND make you look younger in the process (dry, matt looking skin ages you for sure.)
As with all products, please do your homework and make sure you know exactly what is in the oil you are buying. Consult a dermatologist or aromatherapist if you wish, but there is also a lot of good information online. (You can start with my site – www. Loghousearomatics.com😊) Unfortunately there are companies out there selling face oils which will not help anybody’s skin, but there are also plenty out there that will benefit many people, and it should be noted that they come at all price points.
6 REASONS TO USE FACE OILS
- It seals in moisture and adds extra nourishment. Everybody’s skin can benefit from using face oils, however people with dry skin will probably get the most immediate effect. It has an instant hydrating effect, particularly when applied to slightly damp skin. Many beauty editors are now advising to apply the oil AFTER your serum or moisturizer to lock in the benefits (into your skin). I apply mine after a spritz of a hydrating toner or hydrosol, and you only need 3-4 drops of facial oil to cover your entire face!
A simple dab of coconut oil on really dry spots will usually see instant results and for sensitive skin, sweet almond oil on its own is a perfect oil to use.
If you do have particularly oily skin you may want to start by just using a face oil at night, until your skin regains its balance and then you can do night and day if you wish.
- Face oils promote that healthy “glow” that is so in vogue. As well as the immediate hydration effect outlined above, you can achieve even more of a glow by dabbing the oil on your cheekbones for instant highlights.
As we age our skin naturally produces less oil and so appears more dry – face oils can reverse that effect immediately – argan oil, evening primrose oil and rosehip oil are all ones to look for to help aging skin.
- Face oils protect the skin by acting as a barrier for the outer layer of the skin. Think of it as a barrier between your inner skin and the world! Keeping moisture and other nutrients in and keeping dirt and other contaminants out.
- They can help foundation be applied more smoothly. Think of it as a primer for your foundation, particularly if your skin has dry patches, is flaky or has blemishes, applying foundation can be difficult to get a good finish. A face oil helps it glide across the skin creating a flawless base, making it less likely you’ll get clumps or creasing. (You can also mix a drop or two of oil into your foundation to make it more glowing!)
- Critically – it can keep free radicals at bay. Again you must know what you’re applying, but many oils do have antioxidant properties that help revers the effects of free radicals and protect the skin from further damage from them. Too much ultraviolet light (from the sun!) is a prime cause of skin damage – think wrinkles, sun spots, loss of elasticity. Look for products containing argan, evening primrose, rosehip seed or rose.
- It won’t clog your pores, and in fact, can help reduce pore size! With the right amount and the right formula for your skin, applying a facial oil can in fact reverse both of these issues. Look for non-comodogenic on the label. Also look out for macadamia oil, jojoba oil and camellia oil – all of these actually help pull out the fats and grime clogging the pores so they actually will shrink over time.