Skin is in!
With lotions, creams, serums, scrubs, peels and washes, our face is the center of skincare lines from all over! Being one of the first things that others notice, our faces are the quintessential fountain of youth. If you are anything like me, I am always looking for a way to prevent and treat the inevitable age spots, wrinkles, blemishes, and scars while keeping my skin well-hydrated and luminous. Unfortunately, I continue to find outlandishly-priced skincare products laden with harmful chemicals and ingredients I can barely pronounce. This is precisely why I have been looking into what our skin produces naturally: oil.
The sebum or oil your skin produces is meant to protect and moisturize the skin. However, it is said that oily skin can be a good indicator of breakouts and clogged pores. Typically, those with excessively oily skin have been found to over-wash the face causing more sebum production or simply have the genetic predisposition for oily skin. Nonetheless, new science has revealed that no matter what your genes bring to the table, your skin can benefit from some magical ingredients found in some oils.Just to throw a word of caution to everyone before trying any oil all over, I recommend testing your skin’s response on a spot less than an 1 inch in diameter. If the oil causes an allergic reaction in the form of a rash, extreme dryness, redness, burning or itchiness, it may need to be mixed with a carrier oil or others, or more simply it may not be meant for you!
Here are a few oils that I have chosen to give a try and why they made my list.
Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
Admittedly, coconut oil is my guilty pleasure. Though it is most often found in the kitchen, you should consider keeping some in the bathroom too. Coconuts are naturally full of protein, vitamin E, and fatty acids that are absorbed through the ski,n making coconut oil a moisturizer must. By itself, with a blend of other oils, or as a carrier for essential oils, this oil has been found to help reduce signs of aging, the occurrence of stretch marks, and the appearance of cellulite. Though coconut oil is solid at room temperature, it can be easily manipulated via light to medium heat or simple pressure. You should consider joining the coconut oil craze and take advantage of its antibacterial properties and its use as a great sunscreen alternative!
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense oil earns its top ranking for uneven skin tone and sun-and age-spot treatment. This oil is said to help reduce the appearance of scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks. It will also improve skin tone and elasticity and help lift and firm the skin. As a super astringent, Frankincense oil helps protect skin cells, reduce pore size, decrease occurrence of blemishes, and even clean and heal wounds. This oil can be used just about anywhere for firming and cleansing (with testing of course). Mix Frankincense oil with a cream or carrier oil of your choice to reap it numerous benefits!
Jojoba Oil
Pronounced just as it is spelled, Jo-jo-ba oil is at the top of the list of the most used oils in facial skincare products. The appeal of this oil is it's less greasy and has a lighter consistency in comparison to other oils like castor oil. Jojoba oil contains Vitamins A and B complex, chromium, copper, zinc, and iodine which pack this oil with the power to heal and hydrate the skin. As we age, sebum production decreases causing dryness and sometimes itchiness. This special oil actually mimics very closely the natural sebum produced by our bodies to moisturize the skin when needed. Additionally, Jojoba oil has been found to remove excess oils and buildup caused by overproduction of sebum, thus making it a go-to natural acne and eczema treatment. Add a few drops of this oil to your moisturizer or even your face wash.
Lavendar Oil
When I think of all the exposure we have to pollutants, toxins, chemicals and so on, I think of antioxidants that can help counterbalance the damage and hopefully reverse its effects on our immune systems. Luckily for our faces, there is the oh so sweet oil, Lavender! Lavender oil helps your body produce three antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione) that help fight the free radical damage. Not only does lavender oil smell sweet, but research shows it can help heal burns, cuts, and other skin conditions.Because of its antimicrobial and antioxidant-rich nature, this oil is essential to my new facial skin care regime. Lavender oil is best used in conjunction with moisturizing oils like coconut.
Rosehip Seed Oil
Holy Vitamin A and C! Interchangeable with Retinol, Vitamin A is high in antioxidants, helps repair damaged skin tissue, and can reduce the appearance of scars and wrinkles. Rosehip seed oil is one of the most popular facial oils that contain this miracle working ingredient! It's also high in Vitamin E and C which help maintain skin moisture and stimulate collagen production. To use this oil full of essential fatty acids and beta carotene, simply mix with other oils or use independently on the the areas you see fit.
