Why do some people swear by using pure oils on their skin, while others try to stay clear of oils completely after bad break out experience? Why are oils all the craze right now and how to know which one to use? If you are a beauty nerd and love to know more details read on. If you are just after a quick What-product-to-buy-guide, scroll down toward the end of this post :)
What's in an oil?
It's important to realize that all natural carrier oils have a different composition of fatty acids,
making them suitable for some skin types and purposes, yet not for others.
All oils contain a different percentage of Oleic Acid and Linoeic Acid.
Many skincare brands combine different pure oils to get the right balance and a variety of benefits.
Why oils are better than creams, lotions & co
Moisturizing your skin with certified organic plant oils is possibly the best thing you can do for your skin.
Pure plant oils provide moisture and nutrients to your skin without any fillers or aggressive preservatives. Water is usually the first ingredient on the list and therefore contained in the highest percentage in your moisturizer, due to the high water content moisturizers and creams will always require preservatives while pure oils don't. You basically get more bang for your buck and higher quality as water is nothing more that cheap filler. Plant oils are very versatile and can help to balance oily skin with over active oil glands while moisturizing the very dry skin.
How to find the right oil for my skin?
Below is a guideline on which oils commonly work the best for the different skin types.
You might have to experiment to find the oil that works best for your skin.
If your skin absorbs the oily quickly and nicely, not leaving it shiny,
but rather supple, moisturized and healthy it's right for you!
You want the oil to absorb, without leaving any residue behind.
Dry Skin
In a nutshell: Oils that are high in Oleic Acid are best for dry skin.
These oils very rich and nourishing and feel oily on the skin.
Some of the best oils for dry skin are:
Macadamia Oil
Avocado Oil
Almond Oil
Apricot Kernel Oil
Sea Buckthorn Oil
More balanced oils that can also work well for dry skin:
Jojoba Oil
Flaxseed Oil
Argan Oil
Coconut Oil (Unrefined)
Coconut Oil (Refined)
Combo/Oily Skin
Oils that are high in Linoleic Acid are best for oily/acne prone skin.
These oils are light and help to reduce clogged pores.
For example:
Safflower Oil
Black Cumin Seed Oil
Hemp Seed Oil
Evening Primrose Oil
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Rosehip Seed Oil
Grape Seed Oil
Soybean Oil
These are well balanced oils also good for oily/acne prone skin:
Jojoba Oil
Pomegranate Oil
Sesame Oil
Extremely Dry Skins
If you are very very dry or live in a very cold climate, your skin might ask
for something more. In this care try Coconut Oil or Plant Butters (e.g. Shea-, Cocoa- or Mangobutter), which are also amazing for the body.
These oils are high in Palmitic Acid and not recommended for acne prone skin.
Look For Quality & Keep it Cool
It's important to look for certified organic oils of best quality.
If you use an oil that is high in Linoleic Acid, it's best to keep it in the fridge,
as they tend to go off very quickly otherwise.
How To Apply
Usually only a few drops are needed and oils are best applied on damp skin. I love spraying my face with some hydrating mist before applying oil. The right can be used morning and night instead of moisturizer.
Favourite Face Oils Products
I have put together a list of some of my favourite ready to wear luxury face oils.
If you don't want to start mixing and blending yourself and you love a pretty bottle,
you might enjoy checking those beauties out.
Trilogy Roship Oil: Great for all skin types, including oily/combination skin. Many people have seen great results on acne prone skin. It's high in Linoleic Acid and they also have a version that has been enriched with Antioxidants, which prolongs it's shelf life and protect your skin.
N.E.O. Vanessa Megan: All skins including Acne Prone, it's based on Argan Oil which is non comedogenic. Still a very rich oil.
Great for ageing skin, dry skin and adult acne.
Intelligent Nutrients Renewing Oil Serum: Based on Safflower and Argan Oil and Grapeseed Oil this one is very high in Linoleic Acid and therefore great for balancing oily skin, combination skin and also suitable for acne prone skin.
Trilogy Age-Proof CoQ10 Booster Oil: Great for mature skin, anti-ageing, normal to dry skin. Based on Macadamia Oil, this is a savior for dry skins. It is enriched with Anitoxidants and a unique "Glycablend" of oils to combat the ageing process in the skin, called glycation. It also contains Tamanu Oil, which is known to have very healing effect on the skin.
Gressa Purifying Oil: The name says it all, this blend of oils is suitable for oily and acne prone skins.
With it's base of Jojoba and Rosehip oil it's high in Linoleic Acid, Macadamia Oil adds moisture and balances all skin types.
It diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, restores skin elasticity, soothes and balances troubled skin, and fades discolorations.
Ideal for all skin types.
La Mav Antioxidant Rich Nightly Repair Nectar
According to La Mav great for dry, mature and sensitive skin. Based on Rosehip, Jojoba and Apricot Kernel Oil, it's a well balanced oil that should work for all but oily skins.
Some other great Indie Brands that make high quality oils, according to skin type are BLOOM & Mi Skin Organics.
There is so much to know about oils and if you are interested, please research and read even more about them. I tried my best to really simplify all the facts into a compact useful post.