If you have normal or oily skin it might sound counterintuitive to add a face oil to a daily skincare ritual - surely that will cause break outs? Even those of us with dry or mature skin types might be wondering if we really need to add in an additional product.
So, is it worth it? Will it revolutionise your skincare so that you never look back? Absolutely yes! Face oils can benefit any skin type and help you get a soft and radiant glow.
Face oils are perfect for all skin types including sensitive and oily. They offer a protective barrier from the outside world (dealing with all the free radicals caused by pollution and UV rays) and when used well they can actually help diminish the production of excess sebum which is great news for oily skin types.
What is the best oil for your face?
Natural face oils are packed with good-for-you ingredients like antioxidants and acids. You can also find products with actives like retinol to target scars and discolouration. The thing to remember is that generally a good face oil should be readily absorbed into the skin and they don't contain comodegenoic ingredients that can block pores - ironically these are found much more in moisturisers which are considered to be lighter and less greasy and therefore better for oily skin types.
There a plenty of easy ways to mix up and use face oils but if you want to take that first step in the easiest way possible, you can always just go for a bottle of one base oil ingredient. Here's a list of a few of my favourites.
- Rosehip oil – known for its anti-ageing properties, fights against free radical damagem softens wrinkles and can help with scarring. Contains Vitamin A, omega oils and beta carotene which all benefit mature skin
- Olive oil – contains a natural high level of squalene which is perfect for mature skin types as it strengthens collagen (which weakens with age). Natually antibacterial so good for use in oily skin preparations and is packed with antioxidants and vitamins.
- Evening primrose oil – anti-oxidant rich, this oil is purported to have anti-ageing benefits and combat dry skin. It may also help protect against UV rays, inflammation, and helps plump the skin
- Jojoba oil - Super balancing and mimics the sebum of our own skin, also helps reduce excess sebum production so is perfect for oily skin in addition to creating more if we are deplete (so also good for dry skin). An all round winner!
- Argan oil – amazing for mature skin as well as having antiinflammatory properties which make it good for those with eczema and rosacea. It’s also light and easily absorbs, with a powerful mix of fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidants.
- Wheatgerm oil– incredibly rich and hydrating, this oil good for very dry skin and is best used blended with other oils in tiny amounts to inject a boost of nourishing goodness
- Camellia seed oil - incredibly light and yet great for dry skin conditions like eczema due to its natural antiflammatory agents. It's therefore also really good for oily or acne prone skin. Naturally antibacterial too! Win-win!
- Calendula oil - another nutrient rich godess oil (just check out that golden colour) that is great for any inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, acne, psoriasis, rosacea). Hugely calming and soothing
- Meadowfoam oil - one of our favourites, we add this lightweight oil to SO many of our preperations due it's antifungal, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It's full of nutrient rich compounds and helps fight damage from free radicals. Love love love.
How to apply face oil
Organic face oils are packed to the rafters with all the good stuff - the vitamins, nutrients, compounds, antioxidants and acids that you want to absorb as much as possible of. Therefore I'd always recommend you massage them gently into your skin after cleansing, and before you moisturise.
Ideally use a dropper or pippette, add a small amount to your fingertips and massage into your face using small circular motions. Finish with your neck, long sweeping motions up the neck and across the face. Ideally use them in the evenings before bed, but if like like lots of people (me included) you have actually ditched a moisturiser altogether and just use face oils, then you can use them morning and evening too. They are lush, I promise you won't look back. Here's a few easy recipes for different skin types or you can always take a look at our REPLENISH or REVIVE ready blended oils here
FACE OIL FOR OILY / ACNE PRONE SKIN
40ml jojoba oil
20ml calendula oil
20ml camellia seed oil
10ml olive oil
10ml meadowfoam oil
3 drops lemon essential oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops ho leaf essential oil
5 drops palmarosa essential oil
FACE OIL RECIPE FOR DRY SKIN
10ml wheatgerm oil
25ml evening primrose oil
25ml olive oil
20ml jojoba oil
20ml sweet almond oil
5 drops patchouli essential oil
5 drops geranium essential oil or neroli
5 drops benzoin essential oil
5 drops sandalwood essential oil
FACE OIL RECIPE FOR MATURE SKIN
40ml argan oil
20ml jojoba oil
20ml rosehip oil
20ml evening primrose oil
5drops frankincense essential oil
5 drops rose geranium essential oil
5 drops rose damascena essential oil
5 drops cedarwood essential oil
FACE OIL RECIPE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
50ml calendual oil
20ml camellia seed oil
20ml jojoba oil
10ml meadowfoam oil
5 drops roman chamomile essential oil
5 drops lavender essental oil
5 drops geranium essential oil