Skin Care: Facial Oils
How have I basically lived 23 years before discovering the benefits of oils in my hair and on my skin?
Well, oily and frizzy.. that's how.
The grouping of the word "oil" with skin or hair generally carries a negative connotation (think: greasy), but I've been experimenting with all sorts of hair oils in the past year with amazing results. After success with taming my lion's mane, I began dabbling into the world of facial oils during a period of volcanic skin and have been pleasantly surprised with the results as well. My skin has been rather tumultuous in the recent months, for reasons unknown but often speculated. Perhaps it's a detoxification due to my improved diet and daily green juice? Perhaps my hormones are a whack? Perhaps I touch my skin too much? Or maybe all my makeup testing is pissing my chin off? Who knows.
I've always thought the last thing my oily skin needed was MORE oil, but alas... not the case. OIL. ME. UP... but not in that two girls in a bikini and kiddie pool ready to wrestle while creepy frat-ish guys film it it on their iPhones kind of way. Natural oils (NOT mineral oil!) actually nourish skin and can help curb oil production. And while the jury is still out in the long run, adding facial oils to my morning and evening skin care routine may just be my saving grace? I can't say they are saving my chin situation just yet (I honestly think that needs to be credited to the Candida Cleanse I've been doing for the past few weeks -- more to come on that later), but the rest of my skin is looking more radiant and feels amazing!
I've started using the tiniest bit (just a drop or two) of Dr. Hauschka's Normalizing Day Oil ($42.95 for 1 fl oz) before my morning moisturizer and I really love the feeling of it has on my skin. It leaves my face feeling plump and baby soft after soaking in, something I was definitely lacking before -- perhaps my skin is oily AND dehydrated?? I caution you against over application because I found it does take a hot minute to sink in (par for the course with any oil, really). According to their site, the Normalizing Day Oil contains "Plant extracts [which] blend with plant oils to balance excessive oiliness, diminish the appearance of pores and visibly reduce blemishes. Provides protective, fortifying benefits to mature skin." It has a lot of negative reviews on MakeupAlley, which surprised me, so do your research before you explore this oil (go get a sample at Whole Foods!). Jury is still out whether this is my permanent day oil.
Since I use the Dr. Hauschka during the day, I use my Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil ($14.00 for .5 fl oz) during my evening skin care routine. According to their site, "this legendary, lightweight oil, grown organically in Morocco, is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids. Use it as a fast absorbing daily moisturizer, or to heal and condition everything from cuticles to split ends." It's not a night oil specifically, I just use it then -- feel free to use it anytime (and anywhere on your body!). My words ain't scripture, y'all. I don't use it every single night, as there are nights when I do different AHA or BHA treatments to my skin, but I really, really love this oil. Pretty much a ditto on everything I said about the Dr. H oil -- this leaves my face feeling soft, plump, and hydrated. Without a doubt, this is the best 100-point perk I've received from Sephora!
Well, oily and frizzy.. that's how.
The grouping of the word "oil" with skin or hair generally carries a negative connotation (think: greasy), but I've been experimenting with all sorts of hair oils in the past year with amazing results. After success with taming my lion's mane, I began dabbling into the world of facial oils during a period of volcanic skin and have been pleasantly surprised with the results as well. My skin has been rather tumultuous in the recent months, for reasons unknown but often speculated. Perhaps it's a detoxification due to my improved diet and daily green juice? Perhaps my hormones are a whack? Perhaps I touch my skin too much? Or maybe all my makeup testing is pissing my chin off? Who knows.
I've always thought the last thing my oily skin needed was MORE oil, but alas... not the case. OIL. ME. UP... but not in that two girls in a bikini and kiddie pool ready to wrestle while creepy frat-ish guys film it it on their iPhones kind of way. Natural oils (NOT mineral oil!) actually nourish skin and can help curb oil production. And while the jury is still out in the long run, adding facial oils to my morning and evening skin care routine may just be my saving grace? I can't say they are saving my chin situation just yet (I honestly think that needs to be credited to the Candida Cleanse I've been doing for the past few weeks -- more to come on that later), but the rest of my skin is looking more radiant and feels amazing!
I've started using the tiniest bit (just a drop or two) of Dr. Hauschka's Normalizing Day Oil ($42.95 for 1 fl oz) before my morning moisturizer and I really love the feeling of it has on my skin. It leaves my face feeling plump and baby soft after soaking in, something I was definitely lacking before -- perhaps my skin is oily AND dehydrated?? I caution you against over application because I found it does take a hot minute to sink in (par for the course with any oil, really). According to their site, the Normalizing Day Oil contains "Plant extracts [which] blend with plant oils to balance excessive oiliness, diminish the appearance of pores and visibly reduce blemishes. Provides protective, fortifying benefits to mature skin." It has a lot of negative reviews on MakeupAlley, which surprised me, so do your research before you explore this oil (go get a sample at Whole Foods!). Jury is still out whether this is my permanent day oil.
Since I use the Dr. Hauschka during the day, I use my Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil ($14.00 for .5 fl oz) during my evening skin care routine. According to their site, "this legendary, lightweight oil, grown organically in Morocco, is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids. Use it as a fast absorbing daily moisturizer, or to heal and condition everything from cuticles to split ends." It's not a night oil specifically, I just use it then -- feel free to use it anytime (and anywhere on your body!). My words ain't scripture, y'all. I don't use it every single night, as there are nights when I do different AHA or BHA treatments to my skin, but I really, really love this oil. Pretty much a ditto on everything I said about the Dr. H oil -- this leaves my face feeling soft, plump, and hydrated. Without a doubt, this is the best 100-point perk I've received from Sephora!
Are you a recent disciple to the Church of Oil? Tell me your favorites in the comments!
great post :) I've really been getting into oils lately, I'm currently loving REN's Rose O12 Moisture Defence Serum. It's absolutely amazing, but very, very pricey.
ReplyDeleteOils make all the difference! I recommend checking this out, Trilogy's Rosehip Oil. I've been using it for about a year and I do really like it. http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp?itemid=69833
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, as someone with super oily skin, I've always been afraid of trying oils! Must check them out.
ReplyDeleteI loooove the Organix renewing moroccan argan oil for my hair. I have repurchased it three times! I also really liked the sample I used of the nuxe dry oil, which I also used on my hair, and it smells heaaaaavenly. Oil on my face kind of intimidates me, but maybe I will try these out!
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I have the Josie Maran oil and so far, my experience has been that it's just OK. When I use it during the day I find that at the end of a normal work day that my eyes would begin to burn and sting out of nowhere. I would have to rinse off my eye area with water and a clean towel to make the burning stop. Through a process of elimination, I found that throughout the day, the oil would slowly migrate to my eye area and then eventually get into my eye and cause the irritation and burning. I'm probably one of the very few people that have had this reaction. I still use it sparingly at night and haven't had an issue. I just can't use it during the day anymore.
ReplyDeleteI would like to hear more about your candida diet cleanse. I've been reading a lot about how eliminating the candida feeding foods from your diet can clear up skin irritation and help with digestion. Would love to hear about your experience with the diet.
Oily and dehydrated is a completely legitimate state of skin. Oily skin has to do with your skin's pore size and propensity for oil production = fewer wrinkles, yay! Dehydrated skin is the level of moisture in your body, usually caused by not drinking enough water or having your heater on, or going from cold to hot (i.e. coming inside from the cold). Totally treatable =)
ReplyDeleteI have a similar skin type to you, and have been loving the Clarins Lotus Oil lately. I just moved from a city on the pacific coast to the prairies and my skin has been drinking up any moisture it can find (but oil production remains the same - ugh)!
ReplyDeleteInteresting product. I do love to buy them it seems like those products are really good to use.
ReplyDeleteFind out more: facial treatments melbourne
I really like to use pure tea tree oil as a toner in the morning. It's a bit astringent and I've noticed the mild acne I usually get on my chin and forehead's calmed down quite a bit!
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ReplyDeleteI'm with Shareen, Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil is great for oily skin. Has "astringent" properties, according to the description. I love that and Josie Maran Argan Oil. I can only use them in the wintertime though. I live in east central Georgia and you can barely wear pants much less facial oil in the summer. xo
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