Nowadays, most people know that oils can be amazingly beneficial to the skin. I started learning about the benefits when my skincare journey started, now, some years ago. Until then, I never knew what oils could do for skin and thought it was only an ingredient that was delicious in a salad or ideal for preparing food. Even more so, hearing 'oil' and 'skin' in the same sentence sounded like a disaster waiting to happen. But boy oh boy, how wrong I was! Oils are one of the essential ingredients in skincare – yes, even for oily skin – and I'm going to share more on this with you right now!
Oils and our skin
Oils and lipids are produced naturally by the sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands) in our skin. They naturally create oils for many beneficial reasons. If you imagine the skin as a brick wall, the skin cells are the bricks. The oils and lipids form the mortar that holds the bricks together and keeps things out. This oil hydrates and lubricates our skin, preventing it from drying out and ageing prematurely. For our skin to work properly, it is vital that it is properly moisturized.
Most face oils are plant-based and come from different plant parts, such as flowers, leaves, seeds, roots, etc. They contain not only fatty acids but also have other beneficial properties like antioxidants. These components can keep your skin supple and hydrated and protect your skin from sun damage and premature ageing. Oils also often contain calming, antibacterial or anti-inflammatory properties, which can be highly beneficial for skin with impurities.
Can oil and oily skin be best friends? We all know that dry skin can benefit amazingly from oils, but what about oily skin? Most people that have acne-prone or oily skin are afraid to use face oils in their skincare routine because they are scared that it causes clogged pores, which in return can cause breakouts and acne. The trick is to find oils that aren't comedogenic, meaning they don't clog the pores. Luckily, there are a lot of these oils out there. Squalane, jojoba and marula are just a few of them. Our most favourite oil is prickly pear seed oil. This is a very light oil that quickly sinks into the skin and doesn't leave the skin looking or feeling greasy. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it ideal for acne-prone skin and nourishes the skin tremendously.
What other tricks does oil have up its sleeve? Since I discovered oils are used in skincare, I tried to find different ways to incorporate them into my life. I will share a couple of my striking findings that I still use regularly.
Makeup remover Before I formulated my cleanser (surprise, surprise: hoping to launch it by the end of 2021!), I had a hard time finding a product that was capable of removing my waterproof mascara. I was on a quest for years to find the perfect makeup remover. I never encountered a powerful enough product to do that job without also stripping my skin until I discovered that oil works like a charm for this purpose. Since then, I only used pure, organic coconut oil. It just melted off my waterproof mascara and makeup. The best discovery ever.
Massage oil I like to give my boyfriend a massage, and for that, I always use any oil that I have within reach. I don't want to buy expensive oils to massage, as they will be washed off once the massage is over anyway. Therefore, I like to use a non-expensive oil such as rice bran oil or coconut oil (Don't you also simply love the scent?!). If you prefer to use an oil with a spa scent, you can always add a couple of drops of essential oils like frankincense, sandalwood, rose, lavender, orange, or any of your beloved fragrances.
Growing longer lashes Next, I will share an excellent tip for anyone who is not blessed with long lashes: the beauty salon owner who works with our products told me about her experience. She started using the La Prickly Pear Seed Oil on her lashes right before she went to bed for a couple of weeks, and her lashes started to grow. After she told me about it, she showed me her lashes, and I couldn't believe it: her lashes were indeed super long. For a couple of weeks now, I have been putting the oil on my lashes too. And my lashes have grown as well! Now, they almost reach my eyelids when I open my eyes, and I'm obsessed with them as I never had luscious lashes. I have tried fake lashes in the past, which aren't my kind of thing. I'm, therefore, super happy that I have found a natural way to grow my lashes.
Just give them a try Unlike other skincare products, which are intended for specific regions of the skin, oil can be used on every part of your body as well as your face. It's an amazing addition to a full-body beauty routine, especially if you have more severe dryness or eczema in one area, and even if you have oily skin with impurities. In the end, when it comes to hydration, face oil is the product that will consistently prove to be the most effective weapon in your skincare arsenal. I’ve truly fallen in love with it and I hope you will too!