Face and Body Oils: Why are they so good for you?

Face and Body Oils: Shield your skin and lock in moisture

Face and body oils, often misunderstood, are like hidden gems waiting to transform your skincare routine. Many people are hesitant due to the misconception that oils will make their skin feel greasy and uncomfortable.

Far from it let's debunk this myth and explore the truth about these beauty elixirs. When chosen wisely, face and body oils can be your skin's best friend, addressing various concerns and providing unmatched hydration.

A good blend of oils will not leave your skin greasy they will in fact penetrate quickly into your skin leaving you feeling beautifully nourished. Ideal to use on your body after a shower or on your face after your normal skincare routine.

Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, a renowned skincare expert, describes face and body oils as your skin's personal defenders. They not only lock in moisture but also strengthen the skin's outer layer, leaving it velvety smooth. These oils are like a shield against the elements, providing extra benefits like combating harmful agents that can damage your skin.

Why you should incorporate face and body oils into your skincare

1. They act as a shield against the elements that harm your skin and at the same time lock in moisture helping to keep your skin feeling nourished and cared for.
2. Anti-Aging Benefits: Face and body oils are rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals, which are responsible for premature ageing. Regular use of these oils can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, giving you a youthful complexion.
3. Improved Skin Texture: Oils such as Black Seed Oil, Rosehip, and Squalane are known for their ability to improve skin texture. They help to balance sebum production, making them suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. These oils also have anti-inflammatory properties that calm irritated skin and reduce redness.

How to choose the right face and body oil for your skin

1. Skin Type: Consider your skin type when selecting a face and body oil. Do you suffer from oily or acne-prone skin, or is it dry, your age, sun-damaged skin, scarring or is it lacklustre tired skin in need of a pickup. I tend to change my routine in the winter as my skin requires different oils. Don’t be surprised if you notice seasonal or hormonal variances just adapt your routine to your own unique needs
2. Ingredients: Look for a blend of oils that includes a dry oil.  It's the dry oils that ensure your face and body oils soak in quickly an example of a dry oil is Rosehip Oil. More about this super hero later.  The best ingredients will be cold pressed and organic, these will retain more nutrients and are free from harmful chemicals  Avoid oils with added synthetic fragrances or preservatives, as they can irritate the skin.

3. When looking for a combined body and face oil, look for one with both hydrating and healing properties. I fail to see the point of having two separate oils when one will work as well if not better.

Natural Hero Oils

Rosehip oil is a true gem for various skin types

Let's start with the exceptional Rosehip Oil. Derived from the seeds of the wild rose plant Rosa Rubiginosa, this oil is a powerhouse for repairing and regenerating damaged skin. Its lightweight, fast-absorbing nature earns it the title of a "dry" oil, leaving your skin feeling silky and soft.

Rosehip oil is a true gem for most skin types, especially mature, sensitive, or damaged skin. Loaded with essential fatty acids like Omega 3 and Omega 6, it aids in skin healing. It also boasts a unique form of Vitamin A called tretinoin, which contributes to skin repair and renewal. Whether you're battling scars, acne, wrinkles, or sun damage, Rosehip Oil is a perfect go-to.it is hard to beat. On a personal note  I prefer Rosehip to Retinol products its gentler and does not have the uncomfortable side effects that are often experienced with Retinol. There is a reason why the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge, Victoria Beckham and Kourtney Kardashian have long been preaching the benefits of the ingredient. Deborah Alessi, founder of Beverly Hill Wellness and Aesthetics explains, “Rosehip seed oil is an amazing powerhouse; packed with vitamins A, fatty acids and vitamin E helping it to heal all manner of damaged skin. Used to treat scars, inflammation, acne, acne scarring, sun spots, deep wrinkles and oily skin – rosehip oil has this ability to be thick and light all at once- a zero grease factor”.

Squalane: The Sensitive Silky Skin Secret.

Squalane is excellent at helping to keep skin hydrated and moisturised. It is easily absorbed and prevents water loss from the skin, whilst also helping repair the barrier of our skin, protecting it against external environmental aggressors. Its ability to reduce inflammation provides relief to those with acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and rosacea too. It is even great as part of an anti-ageing regime, increasing skin’s luminosity and vibrancy, lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and can also reduce redness.”

Squalane is an adaptogen, which means it adapts to your skin type, and what your skin needs, which makes it a versatile product for all skin types. Also, because we already naturally produce squalene, squalane is super gentle for those of us with sensitive skin

It's classed as hypoallergenic – which simply means there is no known allergy to squalane because of its skin-identical nature."

In a nutshell, it's the definition of a real skincare ingredient multi-tasker. Hence its one of our chosen Hero ingredients. 

Check your ingredients as not all Squalane is Vegan the cosmetic industry still uses Animal derived Squalane as it's less expensive than plant-based Squalane.

An unnecessary and shocking 90 per cent of the world's shark liver oil goes to the cosmetic industry.

 

 

Black Seed Oil: Ancient Remedy for Modern Skin Woes

Black seed oil is made from the Nigella sativa plant. Although it’s lesser known than other carrier oils, it’s high in unsaturated and saturated fatty acids and it has a rich history in skincare. This oil offers a plethora of benefits and has been used for many years to help soothe skin conditions including eczema, acne, and psoriasis. Often used to help fight acne and prevent clogged pores with its antimicrobial properties.

How to use your face and body oils

The best way to use body oil is to apply it immediately after a shower. Simply put a few drops in the palm of your hand, rub your hands together to warm the oil, and massage it into your warm, damp skin, 

You might be surprised to learn that, unlike a serum, your oil should be applied after your moisturiser. Meaning, it should be the very last step in your skincare routine. The oil acts as a magic protective sealer if you will, that locks in all of the amazing benefits of your skincare routine

Embrace both ancient wisdom and modern science

Throughout history, oils like rosehip, black seed oil and almond oil have graced the beauty routines of many legendary and current figures including Catherine, Princess of Wales, Victoria Beckham, Kourtney Kardashian and Cleopatra. By using these oils, you're connecting with centuries of skincare wisdom but also current-day science. Face and body oils provide the "good fats" your skin craves, offering a symphony of benefits.

Just like selecting a signature fragrance, choosing the right oil creates a harmonious melody for your skin. So, indulge yourself with the goodness of natural oils and enjoy your velvety smooth smooth skin

A fun fact

Sebum and "Dewy" Skin: Sebum is the natural oil produced by your skin's sebaceous glands. It's responsible for that natural "dewy" or "glowing" look. Interestingly, the term "sebum" comes from the Latin word for "tallow" or "wax."