There are a few different ways you can start incorporating oils into your skin care regimen, oil cleansing, spot treating, and as a moisturizer or added into your moisturizer. Let's break it down:
- The Oil Cleansing Method: Think about it, if oil loves oil, it's a great way to remove oil-based make up (i.e. mascara and foundation), but also lift away any built up oil your skin has produced through out the day. This method is extremely hydrating for your skin because you aren't going to compromise the skin's natural barrier function. You can try this two ways:
- Cleanse your skin with an oil/ oil cleanser, remove with a warm damp towel, then cleanse your skin like you normally would with your favorite cleanser to break up the oil left on your skin, and finish your usual regimen.
- Cleanse your skin with an oil/ oil cleanser and continue on to your usual regimen.
- Spot Treatment: Some oils can be used to diminish and heal scars or breakouts. For example you can apply tea tree oil onto an oncoming breakout with a q-tip to kill bacteria and calm the inflammation. Rose hip oil is great to use for scar and sun damage repair as well.
- Moisturizing: Skin needs a barrier to maintain its proper function, protecting you! When you are not using the correct moisturizer, your skin wants to over compensate and produce extra oil. Restore moisture and bring back the balance your skin needs with healthy oils. If you're a little skeptical about using an oil try adding just a couple drops to your moisturizer at night. Your skin will thank you.
Now, even though we are super excited to try adding an oil into our daily routine, we must be reminded that not all oils are created equally. I mean there are some oils your skin might hate and some oils that can be comedogenic (cause breakouts). Here is a scale you can use to help you decide which oil is right for your skin type.
NON-COMEDOGENIC FACIAL OILS
Rating 0
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Rating 1
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Rating 2
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Calendula oil
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Almond Oil
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Hemp seed oil
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Baobob oil
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Sunflower oil
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Neem oil
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Borage oil
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Camphor oil
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Evening Primrose oil
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Hazelnut oil
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Olive oil
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Peach Kernel oil
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Peanut oil
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Pumpkin seed oil
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Sandalwood seed oil
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Sesame oil
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Notice some of the oils you are not seeing on this table.. ehm.. COCONUT OIL! That is because it is highly comedogenic and should be avoided by acne prone skin. Sorry to break your heart but coconut oil has a large molecular structure and instead of absorbing nicely into the skin it just sits on top and in the pores and doesn't help aid in the skin's natural barrier function. Although I do love coconut oil for other uses, moisturizer, it is not.
Some of these oils work better for different skin types so if you have:
Dry skin (anti-aging): grapeseed oil, argan oil, olive oil, avocado oil, evening primrose oil, rosehip oil, lavender, hemp seed oil and jojoba oil.
Oily skin (acne prone): jojoba oil, rosehip oil, tea tree, lavender, ylang ylang, argan oil, evening primrose oil, sunflower oil and argan oil.
Some of these oils work better for different skin types so if you have:
Dry skin (anti-aging): grapeseed oil, argan oil, olive oil, avocado oil, evening primrose oil, rosehip oil, lavender, hemp seed oil and jojoba oil.
Oily skin (acne prone): jojoba oil, rosehip oil, tea tree, lavender, ylang ylang, argan oil, evening primrose oil, sunflower oil and argan oil.
Truthfully you will need to test out a few different oils before you find the one your skin loves.
To conclude, I'm a product junky so let me finish off this article by showing you some my favorites.
Stone Crop Cleansing Oil by Eminence Organics - $52 from eminenstore.com or if you live near me, visit me at Celadon to pick it up.
This non-greasy cleansing oil gently removes impurities and restores the look of balance. It is infused with moisturizing sunflower and jojoba oils, brightening stone crop and supercharged microgreens. This light formula gently removes makeup and deeply cleanses to result in dewier softer looking skin.
Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil- $48 at Sephora
Great for oily, dry, and sensitive skin. Moisturizes deeply an absorbs quickly, leaving a semi-matte finish. Wear it under makeup or instead of makeup, this is a must-have oil, ideal for breakout prone and sensitive skin.
Facial Recovery Oil- $76 from eminenstore.com or I can get this one for you as well.
Boosts skin damage recovery, great for repairing scars. Deeply soothing and nourishing containing a blend of clary sage oil, olive oil, sage leaf extract and ylang ylang oil. I love adding this into a night time moisturizer, plus it smells heavenly.
As always, thank you for sticking around through a lengthy post. I wonder how many times I used the word 'oil'. Comment if you use oils in your routine, which is your favorite?
If you have any questions you can comment, email me or find me on Facebook at Esthetics by Lindsay!
XO Lindsay
urestiebestie@gmail.com
