I love my face oils, I don’t know what I would do without them. I converted to face oils about 8 years ago when I started to use rosehip oil and I have never turned back. I haven’t used a cream or lotion on my face for years. I love how the ingredients in oil elixirs are very simple but nutrient dense, they sink deeply into the skin leaving it feeling as soft as velvet and can be 100% natural and organic without any thickeners, emulsifiers and preservatives that form creams and lotions.

What are facial oils?

Face oils can be single botanical oils such as Rosehip oil, Argan oil, Almond oil, Jojoba oil, or they can be a balanced mixture of botanical oils. I like to call these serums or elixirs as they are 100% active ingredients full of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, targeted for different skin types and concerns. They can also be made from mineral oils or more synthetic ingredients; I prefer natural and organic unrefined botanical oils because of their antioxidants and known skin benefits. I see them as wholefoods for the skin.

Wont face oils leave my face greasy and clog my pores?

The right types of oils can balance oily skin without clogging pores, ( you need to exfoliate regular to keep pores clear) you know if you have used too much if you face looks and feels greasy after a few minutes of application, a little goes a long way.

What can face oils do for my skin?

Face oils are highly moisturising and nourishing, they lock in water and keep it close to the skin leaving it plump and hydrated. Oils prevent trans epidermal water loss (TEWL). They can also be blended (serums, elixirs) to target certain skin concerns such as scars, blemishes, fine lines, age spots and balancing oily skin.

Face Oil Benefits: The right blend of face oil can help:

• Reduce/prevent inflammation (Essential fatty acids and gamma linoleic acid)
• Restore the skin barrier function (Essential fatty acids and gamma linoleic acid)
• Reduce the appearance of age spots & hyperpigmentation(vitamin c, ferulic aicd antioxidants)
• Protects skin from premature aging/ protects against UV damage(Vitamin E,C,A antioxidant)
• Help appearance of scars, wound healing (vitamin E,C,A & Palmitoleic acid Galic acid)
• Softening moisturising conditioning for dry skin( Essential fatty acids and gamma linoleic acid)
• Gently Balances oily skin
• 100% active ingredients
• Excellent skin penetration (Olieic Acid)
• Improves skin elasticity & stimulate and regenerate skin cells (Polyphenols, Galic acid, Punic Acid)
• Antimicrobial properties

How do I use face oils?

Face oils can be used day or night, some tend to think of face oils as something you would use in winter, look for serums and elixirs that have been blended to be very light and absorb quickly that can be used any time of the year.
Use on clean damp skin, use a pea sized amount, use finger tips to gently massage in an upward circular motion, upwards strokes from the neck to the chin. Another way to use oils is use a pea sized amount to the palm of your hand, rub together palms then press lightly over damp face and neck.
In summer place a few drops of oil in the palm of your hand with a few drops of water or face hydrator/hydrosol, mix together in the palm of your hand with your fingers , it will change into a thin lotion, use one of the techniques above to apply it to your face and neck.
If you layer your face products use face oils after your water base, (hydrating products) you can also add a few drops of a face oil elixir to your cream or lotion moisturiser, apply your sunscreen last.
I prefer to keep things simple, I use the Calm face oil Elixir, wait a few minutes then apply my sunscreen, in winter I often use a skin balm over the oil for extra skin conditioning and protecting.

What are the best face oil for my skin type?

Look for certified organic cold pressed or co2 extracted unrefined face oil for the most beneficial nutrients.
The right face oils can benefit all skin types, even acne oily prone, it boils down to the type of oil. There are oils that may be prone to clogging some peoples pores, they are called condemgenic, some examples are wheat germ oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, but they still my work for your skin, it’s all about experimenting.

Thin dry oils are best for oily/sensitive skin:
• Hemp seed
• Hazelnut
• Borage
• Blackcurrant,
• Grape seed
• Soy bean oil
• Jojoba oil,
• Tamanu,
• Argan oil

Acne prone/sensitive skin types, the balance of lineloic to oleic acids in oils can also make a difference for this skin type. (less oleic more lineloic fatty acids)
• Safflower
• Hemp seed
• Black seed
• Pumpkin seed
• Rosehip
• Grape seed
• Soybean
Dry skin/sensitive: Look for oils high in linoleic acid and high in GLA, such as:
• Rosehip
• Calendula
• Macadamia nut oil
• Avocado
• Tamanu oil
• Almond oil
• Peach oil
• Amaranth co2
• Rice bran co2 oil
• Evening primrose
• Blackcurrant seed oil
• Hemp seed
• Chia seed
• Milk Thistle

Mature/sensitive/environmentally damaged skin: Look for oils high in linoleic acid and high in GLA such as:
• Rosehip oil
• Macadamia nut oil
• Argan oil
• Avocado
• Apricot
• Evening primrose
• Borage seed
• Pomegranate
• Cranberry seed
• Seabuckthorn
• Carrot seed oil
• Jojoba
• Rice bran
• Safflower

There are plenty of oils to choose from and I would certainly give them ago. If you have very sensitive or acne prone skin, I would keep your routine simple (less is more approach) pick one oil and try it for at least 2 weeks, observe how the oil feels and works with your skin and go from there.
What are your favorite oil’s and blends?