Your skin type likely determined your perception of facial oil, which is about as divisive as a skin product. Dry? You may find them some solace, but they can be shuddering to the oily ones among us. The problem is, there is a lot of conflicting advice out there in skin care circles – even among experts. So figuring out which face oil is good for you – or whether you should be using one at all, can be difficult. However, when chosen and used correctly, many skin types can benefit – you just need to find the right one for you.
What are the benefits of using a facial oil in your skin care regimen?
Facial oil aficionados will endorse its nourishing, skin-softening properties, and while moisturizers have traditionally been the final step in most skin care systems, many are now swapping theirs out for an oil. “I see oils as a critical final step in an evening routine because they’re great for locking in moisture before bed,” said Sarah Brown, founder of the skin care brand Pai, whose bio-regeneration rose hip oil is now a cult product. “However, oils can be feared by those with combined and oily skin color. As counterintuitive as applying oil to oily skin may be, it can actually work well for that skin type and play a balancing role, especially after using products that remove natural sebum (like foaming cleansers). “
The dermatologist Dr. Sharon Wong agrees that they are helpful for dry skin types – because “they are occlusive and therefore act as a sealant on the surface of the skin” – to aid in hydration. However, she emphasizes that oily skin types should be treated with caution. “Oils are all comedogenic [they can block your pores] to varying degrees, ”she says. “Acne-prone skin in particular is naturally greasy and produces excess sebum in the affected areas. Hence, she does not need or benefit from using facial oils, whether they are used as a cleanser or a moisturizer. In this skin type, they tend to clog pores and cause comedonal acne (whiteheads and blackheads). “However, there are a few types of oils that may benefit the skin for some people (more on that later).
Is an Oil More Moisturizing Than a Moisturizer?
The two products play different roles in skin care – and can support each other. While moisturizers and serums add moisture and active ingredients to the skin, oils sit on top to nourish and nourish it. So if you’re wondering whether to swap your serum for a face oil, the answer is no. Especially if you are a dry skin type, they are a great final step after moisturizer. “After applying moisturizers with added moisturizing ingredients like humectants, they are a helpful step in maintaining hydration,” says Dr. Wong.
When should I apply facial oil and should I use it every day?
Face oils can be used all year round, but most people notice a seasonal change in their skin. When it gets colder we are prone to increased dryness, so many skin types can benefit from using an oil to enhance the moisturizing properties of serums and moisturizers. However, take care of your skin and its needs during the hot months. If your facial oil is causing breakouts or just feels a little too heavy, swap it out for something lighter. Dr. Wong advises being careful with protective face masks, too, as the two together can cause hot, sweaty skin, and then blemishes.
You can use a facial oil every day if your skin likes to use it without irritation or breakouts. Night is an ideal time to apply one as the formulation is a great way to lock in moisture overnight. While you can use one during the day, you need to be careful how it affects your sun protection factor. It can destroy or dilute your sunscreen. Therefore, it is advisable to wear it overnight instead. Whenever you decide on one, it should always be the last step in your regimen as anything that is overly applied cannot penetrate through and is therefore useless.
How to apply facial oil
The nice thing about facial oil is that it’s a great product to use in conjunction with facial massage techniques. They also often have soothing aromatherapy benefits. “I use two to three drops of our bio-regenerative rose hip oil most nights after a thorough clean,” says Brown. “It is best used after using a face mist. It makes for a more even application and has the added benefit of trapping extra moisture. “Massage your oil onto your face using upward and downward motions to aid and shape the lymphatic drainage. You can also use your oil anywhere that additional nutrition is needed, whether it’s the ends of your hair or cuticles.
Which facial oil for which skin type?
“When looking for the perfect facial oil, pay close attention to the key ingredient or actives in the formula,” says Brown. “If this is your first time using a face oil, start slowly, as you should with any new product.” She recommends applying a few drops once or twice a week and then watching how your skin reacts to see if you’ve found the right oil for you. The key is to listen to your skin – it will tell you if you don’t like what has been applied to it – but below is an at-a-glance guide on how to find the best oil for your skin type.
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Dry: “Look for facial oils that are higher in essential fatty acids and vitamin E,” says Dr. Wong. Since dry skin types suffer from skin barrier problems, omegas, fatty acids, and ceramides can help strengthen them and prevent water loss. Other great ingredients to look out for are grape seed, squalane, marula, rose, and jojoba oils.
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Oily: Most dermatologists agree that face oils are not good for oily skin. That means every skin is different. So if you want to try one, it must be chosen with care. Brown recommends looking for a good quality oil that is light in texture and has ingredients with antibacterial or antioxidant properties, while Dr. Wong says tea tree oil can be helpful “all at once” in treating individual areas of mild acne. . Other ingredients to look out for include salicylic acid and retinoids, and omega 6 can also help regulate sebum production. Avoid thicker, greasier varieties like coconut oil like the plague. What if the oil doesn’t work for you? Get back to that moisturizer in a moment.
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Sensitive: “Despite the fact that most facial oils are made from plant sources, they can still cause irritation in people with sensitive skin,” says Dr. Wong. “It is always best to test the product a few times with a small test patch before applying it to a larger area. Stop immediately if irritation occurs. “Essential oils have a habit of devastating sensitive skin. Therefore, pay attention to formulas that promise calm and protection. Think squalane, marula, vitamin E, rose hip, and jojoba.
The best face oils
Pai Skin Care Rose Hips BioRegenerate Oil
With rose hip fruits and seed oil, this bestseller promises to help not only with dryness, but also with fine lines and scars. The brand is about to launch another facial oil, Light Fantastic, which is ultra-light on the skin.
£ 16, available from Lookfantastic.com.
Verso Super Facial Oil
Do you need a bounce? Look no further than Versos Super Facial Oil, which contains retinol to increase collagen production, while canola and sunflower oils reduce inflammation.
£ 100, available from Spacenk.com.
Sunday Riley UFO Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil
People with oily or acne prone skin should use a formula like this one. It contains salicylic acid to clog pores and prevent blemishes, tea tree and black seed oil to break down bacteria, and chamomile to soothe angry skin.
£ 34, available from Cultbeauty.co.uk.
Biossance 100% squalane oil
For deep hydration, this Biossance number is your type. Aqualane promotes cell renewal processes and leads to soft, supple skin.
£ 27, available from Cultbeauty.co.uk.
Augustinus Bader The facial oil
Augustinus Bader’s Face Oil is a luxurious and effective formula and has become a go-to place for beauty editors. With antimicrobial karanja oil as well as babassu, hazelnut and pomegranate, it helps to soften fine lines and reduce hyperpigmentation.
£ 180, available from Spacenk.com.
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil
A cold-pressed oil that is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants. It’s an excellent all-rounder that helps with luminosity, fine lines, and redness – and it’s good (gentle) if you want a safe starter oil.
£ 34, available from Spacenk.com.
Skin & Tonic Inner Glow Facial Oil
From vitamin C to omega 3 and 6, the contents of this face oil make the skin excellent for protecting the skin from external influences while lightening and increasing its radiance.
£ 18, available from Skinandtoniclondon.com.
Serum concentrate with clogged pores from Odacité
Clogged skin? This nutrient-rich formula helps with clogged pores and contains jojoba to help regulate the skin’s natural oil production and help maintain balance. Meanwhile, the lavender in the formula is great for fighting bacteria.
£ 32, available from Cultbeauty.co.uk.
The common 100% organic cold-pressed rosehip oil
The Ordinary’s award-winning rosehip oil formula is rich in omega 6 and 3 and promises to help treat dark spots and scars.
£ 9, available from Cultbeauty.co.uk.
Kiehl’s midnight relaxation concentrate
Beloved by many, this facial oil is quickly absorbed and gets to work while you sleep. It helps the skin repair and restore overnight. You will wake up glowing.
£ 52.50, available from Feelunique.com.
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