By Lisa • 4 Comments
As beneficial as face oils are, many of us still aren’t willing to take the plunge for fear of clogging our pores or some other potential skin care catastrophe. I’ll be the first to admit that I used to feel the same way. I have combination skin with an extremely oily T-zone that just wouldn’t quit. One day, I got so frustrated that I finally decided to give face oils a try. Now that I’ve experienced the magic of facial oil myself, I’m here to introduce you to some of their incredible beauty benefits and all that they can do to help you solve the most common and bothersome beauty woes.
One of the most common uses for face oils is to moisturize your skin. According to holistic facialist Julia March, oils defend the skin’s acid mantle, reconstruct and maintain hydration and nourishment of your facial skin. She goes on to say that oils are the better choice when your skin is distressed, as oils work faster to hydrate and soothe your skin than a skin care cream.
As I mentioned previously, I battled with an oily T-zone for years and it seemed that as much as I tried to get rid of the oil, nothing changed. Turns out that using a facial oil can actually balance out your skin instead of clogging pores or increasing oil production like I thought. Ute Leube, founder of Amala Skincare, states that when your skin is stripped of its natural oils or not replenished, it can in turn produce more oil. Face oils restore the balance of oil and delay natural oil production.
I’m all for trying skin care products that can help soften the signs of aging. As much as I’d like to think I take good care of my skin, I can always use the extra help! Many facial oils contain a high amount of antioxidants and vitamins, which offer protection from free radicals which can damage skin. Another plus is that facial oils can calm irritation caused by many potent anti-aging skin care products. Just apply a few drops after you apply your anti-aging cream.
Applying oil on your face is one thing, but using it as a cleanser is just crazy talk, right? Actually, oil cleansers have been around for quite some time and they’re really pretty good at their job! Oil is able to dissolve oil, makeup and dirt without stripping your skin of its sebum. When sebum is stripped, it can cause oil production to go into overdrive, which can result in unhappy, clogged pores, blackheads and other annoying friends. The oil cleansing method, which utilizes common oils such as avocado or olive, is another option if you don’t want to buy a separate oil just for cleansing.
So, we’ve learned that facial oils can calm skin irritations, but they can also give you a calming and relaxing feeling due to their soothing fragrance. While feeling frazzled might not exactly by a beauty woe, using a beauty product that can help you look and feel better is a definite keeper! Some facial oils have an added fragrance, such as lavender or rose flower, while others just have a naturally occurring fragrance from the ingredients. Next time you use a facial oil, take your time to breathe in the fragrance and truly enjoy the experience!
Although some facial oils have a subtle scent, they can also be used to help your signature scent last longer. If you have an issue with your perfume fading too quickly or just want to give your fragrance more staying power for a night out, apply some oil on your pulse points to help prolong the scent.
Although we’re talking about facial oils, many of the oils that can be used on our face can also be used on our hair. If you want to add some shine, hydrate, reduce frizz or strengthen and soften hair, apply a few drops of your oil of choice in your hands, rub them together and apply. Argan oil is excellent for your skin and hair and even helps protect strands from damaging UV rays.
There are so many different types of facial oils out there that each have their very own set of beauty benefits. If you’re new to facial oils, Josie Maran’s Argan Oil, Tarte’s Maracuja Oil or even avocado oil are all great choices to try. Do you currently use a facial oil? What’s your favorite way to use it?
Sources: huffingtonpost.com, stylelist.com, youbeauty.com, marieclaire.co.uk, allure.com