Once upon a time, oils would have been the last thing you’d ever consider willingly putting onto your face. After all, many of us battle with excess sebum as it is – particularly during the summer months – which in turn, can contribute to acne, so why would we want any more of it adding to the issue?
But as it turns out, there are plenty of reasons why adding a luxurious facial oil to your skincare routine isn’t just a good idea, but for many people, essential. Years ago, the Ancient Egyptians applied moringa oil daily in a bid to keep their skin soft and radiant – and by all accounts, it worked. Fast forward to today, and the beauty industry is wholeheartedly embracing facial oil as one of the best-kept skincare secrets of all time, with everyone from top dermatologists to makeup artists weighing in and advocating the trend.
Offering a range of benefits ranging from a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles to soften and better-hydrated skin, it seems the tried and trusted cleanse, tone, and moisturise routine might be leaving a few boxes unticked that facial oils can check off with ease – but be warned, as not all oils are created equal. It’s important to invest in a quality luxury oil designed especially for the skin on your face, with input from expert dermatologists, to ensure that they are safe, non-comedogenic (in other words, they won’t clog your pores), and packed with nourishing ingredients your skin will love.
bareLUXE Skincare is a green beauty brand that specialises in face oils and says you should avoid any products that contain mineral oils, and consult with your dermatologist to determine the best face oil for your skin type. Those with dry skin, for example, may benefit from oat, jojoba, or plum kernel oils, which offer an extra hit of moisture, while if you have oily skin, products that use Abyssinian, argan, or squalane as a carrier and include ingredients like tamanu and neem are your best bet. Those with sensitive skin should aim to keep things simple, opting for gentle oils like camellia or grapeseed, while rosehip and pomegranate seed oil can benefit those with aging or mature skin.
If you’ve yet to add a facial oil to your skincare arsenal, then here are three reasons to treat yourself today – you can be certain your skin will thank you for it.
They can help to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay
Aging is inevitable, but environmental pollutants and sun damage can all accelerate the process – so look for a face oil that is packed with antioxidants to help fight free radical damage to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay. If your skin is particularly dry and appears to be aging fast, then ingredients like argan oil, which is awash with vitamin E, will go a long way. If your skin is on the oilier side but you’re still dealing with the premature signs of aging, then apply a few drops of light, non-greasy oil like grapeseed to your problem areas after cleansing, toning, and moisturising, avoiding the t-zone.
They offer an ultra-hydrating hit
The summer months can wreak havoc on the skin, with too many hours spent in the sun leaving skin feeling dry, flaky, and dehydrated. And the problem doesn’t go away in autumn or winter, either, with cranked-up central heating further adding to the problem – which means keeping skin moisturised at all times is essential to ensure it stays looking and feeling its best.
Because of the smaller size of the molecules in face oils, they can penetrate deeper into the skin than moisturising creams and gels can – and do an impressive job of keeping your skin soft, supple, and radiant, all year round.
They can help to banish breakouts
Believe it or not, using face oil regularly won’t cause spots or acne – in fact, the right oil can help to banish them entirely. Tea tree oil is an excellent treatment for existing blemishes and will help to keep any new breakouts at bay – while jojoba oil, when used consistently, will reduce your skin’s production of the natural oils that can accumulate and cause acne. If you’re currently using products that are specifically targeted at acne, then you might find them to have a drying effect – so follow up with a few drops of face oil afterward to keep skin balanced and reap the benefits of both.
