The use of oils on the face may be new to some, but they’ve actually been part of many indiginous peoples’ cultures beauty and wellness practices for centuries. The most common question I’m asked when recommending a facial oil is “but won’t it make me breakout!?” The thought of rubbing oil on your skin is really disturbing for some people especially those with oil or acne prone skin, but trust me they’ll change your life!
Why oily skin types should embrace face oils
When you have oily skin your instinct is to use a soapy cleanser and rid your skin of the thick shiny sebum that plagues you. However when you do this your sebaceous glads actually start to secrete more oil to make up for its natural oils being stripped away. When you use a gentle cleanser and replenish your skin with a natural facial oil, you’ll find your skins natural oil production will slow down, leaving your skin healthy and clear!
Our recommendation: Tamanu Oil
This oil is really for anyone and everyone but here’s why you’ll fall in love if you are experiencing breakout or are prone to acne. Tamanu oil is known as the “pharmacopeia of beauty oils”. Its a rare oil from Madagascar and it has some pretty incredible properties, it is antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. It helps to fight acne bacteria and infection. Tamanu oil encourages new cell growth and can even improve the appearance of acne scars. It truly transforms blemished skin.
Why aging skin shouldn’t be without a facial oil
As we age one of the biggest concerns becomes dryness. Our sebaceous glands have now started to secrete less oil and its left our skin dry, flaking, and tight. These are the people who wouldn’t bat an eyelash about bathing in a tub of oil, so naturally you should have a facial oil in your skin care regimen. If you are using any anti aging products such as a retinol that causes dryness and irritation you really shouldn’t be without a facial oil as it will help improve your skins tolerance and recovery.
Now the vanity side of it, as we get into our mid to late 30’s and those natural oils have started to slow in production suddenly we start to notice deeper lines and wrinkles. That oil on our skin creates a barrier that holds in moisture and without it our skin dries out leaving our skin dull and dehydrated. Oils are lipophilic (fat loving) and pass through the lipid layer of the skin faster than a cream and prevents water loss and in return plumps the skin reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Our recommendation: Night Nourishment, African Baobab oil, and Carrot Seed Oil
Night nourishment oil contains an arsenal of nourishing oils such as marula, baobab, tamanu, and argan. Its also packed with antioxidant vitamins to decrease environmental damage and decelerate the effects of aging.
African baobab oil is nutrient rich with powerful omegas which markedly improves skins tone. It contains vitamins A, E, and F. It really revives lackluster skin and leaves it more supple and radiant.
Carrot Seed Oil is packed with beta carotene, vitamin E, and micro nutrients. It dramatically improves skins elasticity and tone, and decreases lines and wrinkles. The seeds in this oil are cold pressed and grown in the fertile Nile valley and have been nourished by 3000 year old canals with silt rich water from the Nile river. This oil is like food for dull aging skin.
Facial oils are really for everyone, all skin types can benefit from adding one into your skin care routine, and more than that they make excellent eye and lip moisturizers and do wonders for you hair and cuticles. Our recommendation is to cleanse your skin with a soap free cleanser, hydrate with a toner or facial water, then apply the facial oil of your choice. Just a couple drops should cover the face and neck, and finish with a moisturizer or SPF in the morning.
Want help designing your own home care ritual? Allow our skincare experts to help you customize your regimen during your facial.
