Maintaining a perfect, glowing face comes with an important step – moisturising. And since many skincare and beauty products contain questionable synthetic components that are not good for you or the planet, natural oils are becoming the popular option for people seeking a healthier, more affordable skincare routine.
Many of us have olive oil, sunflower seed oil or coconut oil in our kitchens. But can you use the same oils you cook with on your face? Yes, you actually can! These plant-derived oils usually contain few toxins or additional ingredients and can offer many benefits for your skin.
To aid in making your skin look and feel better, here are the top five natural oils you might want to incorporate into your skincare routine:
Potential Benefits Of Natural Oils
Before applying natural oils to your skin and using them as part of your daily skincare regimen, it is essential to identify their benefits for the skin. While preliminary results seem promising, note that more research is needed to better understand the potential adverse effects and the role of natural oils in skin health and ageing.
Barrier Repair
Many natural oils possess barrier repair benefits. Oils with a higher ratio of linoleic acid to oleic acid have better barrier rebuilding potential, whereas oils with a higher content of irritating oleic acid can be detrimental to the barrier function of the skin.
Reduce Scarring
Certain natural oils aid wound healing and can also decrease the appearance of scars.
Diminish UV Damage
The sun’s rays can seriously affect the appearance of your skin. Even though natural oils won’t protect your skin from sun damage (only sunscreen can do that), some oils can help reduce UV damage. A 2007 animal study highlighted a link between topical application of almond oil and the prevention of structural damage caused by UV radiation.
Other benefits of natural oils:
- Moisturising properties;
- Emollient & soothing effects;
- Antibacterial qualities;
- Antioxidant activity;
- Anti-inflammatory effects.
Five Best Oils To Add To Your Skincare Routine
Sunflower Seed Oil
Sunflower seed oil does wonders for dry skin, sensitive skin, combination skin and oily skin. Sunflower seed oil can help to provide moisture and boosts the skin’s ability to retain water. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which can be useful for people with dry skin conditions and issues like eczema. Studies show that applying sunflower oil might speed up wound healing.
Olive Oil
This oil is not only a kitchen must-have but also a beneficial compound to add to your skincare routine. Olive oil is loaded with fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K and E that have been used topically throughout history to treat various skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema. It also can work as an antioxidant to help prevent the harmful impact of oxidative stress, while applying the oil after sun exposure might be useful in fighting off cancer-causing cells.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil might be able to reduce inflammation on the skin. It also keeps skin moisturised and helps heal wounds. It contains medium-chain fatty acids that display antimicrobial properties and, therefore, can protect your skin from harmful bacteria and help to combat acne. As an added bonus – it smells really delicious!
CBD Oil
Today, this natural supplement is praised for many therapeutic benefits, which include pain-relieving, sleep management, anti-stress and anti-anxiety properties. However, cannabidiol (commonly known as CBD) is also a potent, skin health-friendly ingredient that will deliver a bunch of benefits for your skin.
Applying infused topicals like creams, balms, or other CBD products can help to soothe skin, relieve symptoms of some common skin issues like dryness and itching, control or even treat acne and prevent the appearance of skin ageing like ruddy skin tone, dullness and wrinkles. To reap its potential benefits, you can also take cannabidiol in the form of CBD vape juice, capsules, oil tinctures or edibles, along with lotions and face masks.
Jojoba Oil
Thanks to its content of skin-nourishing fatty acids, jojoba oil creates a protective layer on the skin surface that helps keep moisture in. Due to its great moisturising ability and similarity to the natural oils on your face, applying jojoba oil can trick your skin into generating less sebum, which helps prevent dry skin from getting too greasy during treatment.
Aside from omega 6 and 9 acids, the oil is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins A, D and E, which can aid in preventing damage to skin cells. Jojoba oil can also be useful for soothing irritated skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which come from its high amount of liquid wax.
How Natural Oils Are Used For Skincare
Whether it is cleansers, facial oils, serums, moisturisers, face masks or soaps, you will find natural oils in all types of beauty and skincare products. Since natural oils provide various benefits and are gentler on the skin than synthetic components, different cosmetic and skincare companies often formulate their products with natural oils.
Most natural oils like coconut oil can be applied directly to the skin or mixed with your usual moisturiser. However, you should be careful when using certain oils on your face, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin, as oils can clog pores and make acne worse.
Remember that natural oils are not the same as essential oils, which are very potent and should be diluted with a carrier oil to avoid irritation. Regardless of which oil you choose, always make sure to do a skin patch test, as even natural ingredients might cause an allergic reaction.
*Photos by Pavel Danilyuk
