There are so many ways we can use oils, and sooo many oils to choose form, so where the heck does one start? First, it helps to know a few oils that work best for your skin type, then, how to use and apply them.
Are you curious about why you should use oils as part of your skincare routine and how, you would go about doing so? If so, I can help you out!
If your skin tends to be acne-prone, and or oily, it might not seem right, adding more oil to your skin? Actually, it is really helpful and balancing to use non-comedogenic (oils that don’t clog up the pores), lightweight oils such as grapeseed oil, squalane, or jojoba.
If you have sensitive skin, you may want to try calming oils like rosehip oil (my personal favorite), blue tansy oil, or chamomile, all which help to sooth irritable skin, reducing redness.
Some beneficial oils for aging skin are sea buckthorn, rosehip or apricot kernel oil. These oils can be anti-aging, helping with loss of elasticity of skin, fine lines and wrinkles.
Do you have dry skin? Thicker, richer oils like avocado oil, argan or marula can deeply hydrate and nourish the skin.
When is the best time to use facial oils?
Most of the time, because facial oils are occlusive, meaning, they help lock in moisture, so applying oil as the last step in your day or nighttime face care routine most often works the best. They also seal in any active ingredients from previously used serums and creams.
Using facial oils during nighttime skincare routine; after moisturizer, or alone is an ideal time because skin repairs itself at night, and the right oils can deeply nourish and help regenerate your skin.
The best way to apply? After cleansing toning, and applying your favorite serums and moisturizer, then, place a few drops of facial oil on your palms or tips of fingers (this is what I prefer to do) and gently press the oil into your skin. Pressing vs rubbing will help your skin absorb the oil better, preventing it from just sitting on the surface.
Different skin types may need different amounts of oil. For example, dry skin will absorb more than oily skin. Some oils are lighter than other oils. Start with a small amount, 4-5 drops, and add more if needed.
If you are on the creative side, you may enjoy making a customized skincare solution by mixing a few drops of oil into your moisturizer, or foundation, enhancing its hydrating properties. Or mixing a some of the different oils together to make your own personalized oil potion.
Applying a light layer of facial oil before putting on your foundation, creates a smooth, dewy base, adding a youthful glow. If you have oily skin, avoid areas like the T-zone and focus on drier areas like the cheeks, evening out the way foundation applies to your skin
After applying your makeup, lightly tapping on a small amount of oil on the high points of your face can add a subtle heathy glow, doubling as a natural highlighter.
Various facial oils also make excellent spot treatments for problem areas, such as dry patches, fine lines and wrinkles, acne, areas prone to redness. Don’t be afraid to do this randomly during the day.
If you like doing masks and facial treatments, slather on your favorite oils and get out the facial rollers and/or gua sha tools. Using the tools to massage the oils in with upwards strokes not only enhances the absorption of the oils, but it can also improve circulation, helping reduce puffiness and relax facial muscles.
Using various oils on your face can be so beneficial! Not only do they help your skin lock in moisture, but each type of oil also has an amazing combination of essential nutrients and fatty acids that soak into the skin, repairing the lipid barrier (the outermost layer of our skin), strengthening and repairing.
Let me know if you have any questions and if I can help, I can let you know. I hope to do some more posts in the near future about various oils, I really think they are so beneficial to our skin and health in so many ways.