The Real Truth About Face Oils

Face oils have exploded onto the skincare scene!  When I think of oil, I think of frying chicken in it, and making salad dressing with it.  The thought of putting oil on my hormonal, cystic, and acne prone skin didn’t sound like a great idea.  However, most of the major luxury brands have incorporated face oil into their skincare lines.  Why would they do that? Being skincare obsessed, I needed to know why face oils have become the latest darlings, and the “must have” products of skincare this year. I have done the research to discover what it is about face oils that make them so popular, and exactly what they really do for your skin?   Pinky and I have experimented with several different oils, which are included in this series of articles that will occur over the next few posts: Josie Maran’s Pure Argan Oil, Omorovicza’s Miracle Facial Oil, Sunday Riley’s Luna Sleeping Night Oil, and Sarah Chapman’s Skinesis Overnight Facial, and Morning Facial Oils.

Face oils contain essential fatty acids.  Our skin needs essential fatty acids to keep it hydrated.  Our bodies don’t produce these essential fatty acids. Face oils are excellent means for replenishing our skin with these much needed essential fatty acids. The oils work as emollients that restore suppleness and bring softness to our skin, smoothing out the look of fine lines and wrinkles When our skin is distressed, from extreme cold, dry weather, or from over cleansing, face oils lock moisture in which keeps our skin hydrated.  The oil acts as a stable barrier for the skin by protecting it from free radicals. Dermatologists recommend face oils to their patients for their antioxidant boost. Many botanical oils, such as oil derived from nuts, fruits, and plant extracts are considered potential antioxidants which can slow down, prevent, or block oxidation, all caused by the damaging effects of free radical activity.   (if free radicals break through the skin’s barrier, cellular damage will result).  face oil. Oil also protects skin from becoming irritated, red, or dry.  Certain oils have antibacterial properties that can even prevent skin from having breakouts.

Facial oils should never be relied upon as your “it” product, the core item your skin care routine revolves around. Face oils do not solve any of the complex problems, the significant concerns that you may have such as wrinkles, rosacea, acne, and sun damage, the major skin problems that we wish to treat. Face oils perform their best when they are added to your other skincare product. Cream moisturizers, either water based, or a mixture of oil and water, are great products for keeping problem-free skin balanced, and moisturized.  Facial oils also function as moisturizers. They prevent moisture loss which results in creating a more resilient natural barrier for your skin which will prevent free radicals from entering your skin.  Facial oils can and should be used in conjunction with any moisturizer, serum, treatment AHA, BHA or other product.  It is an excellent way to supplement your regime, and by adding a few drops of face oil directly to your product of choice.  When used in conjunction with any of your other products, face oils contribute to what I refer to as a “supersonic boost,” facilitating both products to become more effective. I think it best to add a few drops of face oil to your moisturizer to really rev it up!

One last bit of advice before I go…  Everyone must realize that NO TWO PEOPLE HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME SKIN.  So no two people have exactly the same issues with their skin.  It is important, and necessary for you to know and understand your own skin, and your skin’s specific needs before purchasing any type of skin care. And when you do, the best way to see if a product is right for you is to check out the ingredients in the formula. The first ingredient listed is always the most abundant ingredient in the formula.   For example, if the first ingredient is water, the product has more water in it than the rest of the ingredients. The ingredients are listed in order of their abundance, the amount of the ingredient in the formula, so the abundance of the ingredients shrink as you move to the end of the list.  Although, it is important to keep in mind that some ingredients may be potent in small amounts. Usually the first five or six ingredients are the important ones.  Learn what those ingredients are and what they will do for your skin.  Next, before purchasing an expensive product, ask for a sample take home and try.  The stores are always willing to give you a sample.  These samples will give you a pretty good idea of what a product will do, or not do, for you.  

Image credit theguardian.com