FACIAL OILS - What is a Facial oil and do I really need to use one?
Do I really need to use a Face Oil?
We are sure you have noticed our Face Care range contains facial oils along with the face creams and you may have wondered if and why you should be including one in your face care routine. The short answer is yes, every skin would benefit from a facial oil and here is why.
Benefits of using Facial Oils
If you want softer, smoother, nourished and hydrated skin and are looking for natural ways to lock in moisture and fight those pesky lines, adding a facial oil is a great way to do it. Facial oils can be just a single type of oil, like Argan, Rosehip, Camellia or our new Virgin Prickly Pear for example. Each oil has its unique profile of essential fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Some are richer in specific vitamins, for example Rosehip is best if you re looking for an oil rich in vitamin A for its regenerating and anti-inflammatory properties. Others are richer in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, for example Virgin Prickly pear has the most of any oil, followed by Argan and many others.
And whilst you can use a single oil a blended oil, like our Face & Neck Serums for example, would give you the benefits of a number of oils in one single application. When applied on the skin it will nourish, help lock moisture into the skin and support collagen and elastin levels.
Which oils are suitable for use on the Face?
Most oils can be used on the face, however not all would be suitable for all. In general we recommend using lighter oils, or dry oils, on the face as these would easily penetrate the skin without leaving a greasy shiny residue. Suitable oils include Japanese Camellia, organic Argan, Organic Rosehip, Virgin Prickly Pear, Baobab, Jojoba.
I have oily skin - which oils are suitable for my problem skin?
Oily skin can benefit from using an oil too, especially one like Jojoba, which is technically a wax very similar to that of sebum produced by the glands. By applying an oil like jojoba to your face after cleansing you are helping break the cycle of over-cleansing encouraging your glands to produce more oil the skin can handle, which in turn can cause more spots. A balancing oil will do just that - balance oil production and make your skin less oily. Other oils suitable for oily and problem skin include organic Argan and Virgin Prickly Pear . If your face feels too oily afterwards you can always blot the excess by applying a paper tissue to your face or a damp wash cloth but without scrubbing, as the idea is to remove only the excess oil.
How to apply a Facial Oil?
Applying neat oil on dry skin doesn’t work very well. The pores of your skin are closed up and will not allow the oil to penetrate so it will simply sit on the surface, with just teeny amounts soaking in. Best way to apply an oil is after cleansing your skin, that could be after washing your face or after your shower (best) when the steam from the shower or hot water wash would have opened your pores. So simply pat dry your face and apply a couple of drops to the desired areas, gently massaging the oil in with upwards movement, until it is absorbed.
Some type of skins (especially the more oilier types) are happy with just an oil as a moisturiser. However if you have combination skin with dry patches or just dry skin, facial oils work best in combination with a moisturiser. All our face creams have added glycerine to them, and the reason for that is glycerine is one of those amazing ingredients which are known as a humectant, this means it holds moisture on to the surface it has been applied to. As part of a face cream, glycerine’s job is to lock in the moisture from the oils and botanical actives in your cream or your facial oil, and help keep your skin feel moisturised for longer than a simple oil would do on its own. It is best you apply a facial oil is as a base layer to nourish and protect your skin, then seal it with a water-glycerine based moisturiser to maintain the smooth feel until you need to cleanse your face again.
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