If you were told that putting oil on your face could cause really bad breakouts, think again. Oils have been used in beauty products for thousands of years. As early as 4500 B.C., the ancient Egyptians have evidently applied various kinds of oil made from almond, rose, oregano and olive etc in cosmetics to keep their skin vibrant and glowing.
Clean beauty enthusiasts have sung the praises of face oil for some time now, but in recent years, face oils have found a way into mainstream skincare lines, and for good reason. In facts, according to top dermatologists, face oil may be the missing step in your skincare routine resulting in consistent healthy skin.
Face oil tends to be proficient at delivering intense moisture and nourishment due to the small molecular structure that easily penetrates the skin. Read on the 10 scientifically-proven facts to discover why you need to include a face oil in your clean skincare routine.
1. Face oil can offer a concentrated dose of essential omega fatty acids
Face oil contains omega-rich nutrients like omega-3’s and omega-6’s. As the linolenic (omega-3) and linoleic (omega-6) fatty acids are called essential fatty acids, the body does not produce naturally. We know how important it is to get essential fatty acids from our diet, but there are also benefits to applying them topically.
Lipids are found in the skin's outermost layer and act as the skin's barrier to protect skin from external irritations. However, as we age, the speed of renewal of lipids in the epidermis decreases rapidly, plus the UV rays, air pollution and poor sleep quality could also cause damage to our skin. Because face oils are composed of fatty acids, they can penetrate skin easily, passing through the lipid layer, and help lock in the moisture, and offer anti-inflammatory effects, thus rejuvenating the skin and restoring a balanced complexion.
2. Face oil can offer nourishment exclusive found in fat-soluble nutrients
As face oil contains a range of vitamins and antioxidants that provide the skin with protection, healing and calming benefits, face oil can act as an anti-aging powerhouse, help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and even tighten skin. Especially, vitamin A, D, E, K are fat-soluble vitamins which can only be dissolved in oil and thus, face oil will be a perfect means to bring out the full nourishment from these fat-soluble ingredients and penetrate the skin through pores and the intracellular matrix, to fully moisturize the skin.
Vitamin E can also act as a natural preservative and prevent free radical damage that may accelerate the aging process and premature aging. Also, look for oils that contain one of the best antioxidants, vitamin A and C, which can be used for scar treatment by enhancing skin renewal and collagen production, which helps with scar fading.
3. Face oil provides skin-identical ingredients
Face oils are so potent and effective at treating skin ailments not just because of what they contain but because of what they are. The texture of face oil mimics the skin’s natural top layer which includes a waxy matrix of ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids, all of which can be found in natural plant-based oils. When you offer your skin an ingredient it knows how to use, it will make them more likely to be accepted and absorbed by the skin.
With its high compatibility with skin, it can penetrate into the lower layers to create a barrier for moisture while keeping toxins at bay. Specifically, jojoba oil is ideal for balancing the skin because its makeup is so close to that of natural human sebum. When it penetrates the skin, it mimics the sebum, which encourages the skin to stop feeling dehydrated and start encouraging balance.
4. Face oil can provide a protective barrier
While the skin can be damaged by things like UV rays, scarring and aging, applying face oil, can help repair that damage by strengthening the skin’s barrier to keep hydration in and better repel those harmful effects.
With face oil offering a protective shield, the skin can also get away from sensitivity and reactive to environmental harms, or even open to developing forms of dermatitis and eczema.
5. Face oil can give your skin a healthy glow
The glowing effect of face oil is probably what you’re most familiar with, but it isn’t just a superficial benefit. As we age, our skin tends to produce less natural oils, and this may cause the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles especially for those with dry skin.
With plant-based oils’ emollient properties, it can further fill the spaces between skin cells, creating a smooth surface. That’s why the fatty acids that occur naturally in coconut oil can hydrate and smooth the skin and thus give the skin a healthy glow.
6. Face oil can help soothe sunburn
Sunburn is caused by damage to the skin’s surface from harmful UV rays. This leads to irritations, burning, dryness, and of course, itching. All of these symptoms can be treated with intense hydration and care that comes from a high-quality moisturizing face oil will actually treat the sunburn to relieve things like itching and peeling.
7. Face oil can be super versatile
Not only can face oil be amazing moisturizers, but they can also be used in myriad ways.
Face oil despite the name, do not have to restrict it to your face. As face oil can rapidly penetrate through the top layers of skin, sinking comfortably into the areas that naturally need the most hydration, a good face oil can also be applied on your neck, hands, cuticles, elbows, knees, feet and toes for a long-lasting moisturization.
8. Face oil can be the perfect primer
Face oil is not just part of the skin care but can be the first step your makeup routine has been missing. If you find your foundation patchy or clings to dryness, using a face oil as a primer will not just create the perfect canvas for your makeup application, but it will also enhance the natural look of your makeup by offering a soft tone and a healthy glow while hydrating your skin beneath.
If you have combination skin, you can use a face oil as a makeup primer just in your drier areas while keeping your t-zone clear or applying an oil-controlling primer where necessary.
9. Face oil can calm irritation and sensitivity
Face oil is not just for folks with dry or combination skin. It is also praised by those with sensitive skin for their abilities to reduce irritation due to allergies or reactions to other ingredients. Face oil like chamomile contain anti-inflammatory properties to soothe things like redness and irritation due to skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, while calendula and evening primrose oil repair and heal damage. sensitivities.
Because face oil is so effective at strengthening the skin’s barrier to outside irritants and calming irritation due to things like allergies, they are highly recommended to those who suffer from sensitive skin. However, if you are reactive to fragrance, be careful to always check the ingredients for anything fragrant, even natural essential oils.
Know more about face oil and sensitivity: Check out our Know More Resilience Facial Oil and scroll down for user reviews to see how it helps soothe sensitivities.
10. Face oil can be used for body massage
If you’ve ever had a professional massage, you know that the massage therapist’s hands glide over your back or even your face effortlessly. Without that slip, massages wouldn’t feel relaxing or offer your muscles the ability to react well to the pressure applied.
That is due to the massage therapists’ use of oils. Face oil being used all over the body during a massage provide all the earlier benefits as well as aiding in glide so that massages are soothing rather than painful or irritating.
Face oil is an incredible multitaskers and can fit easily into your clean skincare routine. They work as a cleanser, hydration booster, or even treatment. Once you find your favorite, you’ll never go back to a skincare routine that lacks a face oil again.
Read more: Clean Skincare Routines for Every Skin Type