Thanks to the rise of the popular Korean beauty trend, Facial Oils, Oil Serums, and Facial Elixirs have taken over the spotlight. No matter your skin type, face oils soften, strengthen and restore skin health and therefore, deserve a spot in your skincare routine.
With an endless variety of these products and countless benefits promised by each, it can be extremely challenging to pick the right one. So, here is everything you need to know about these amazing skincare products to help you make that decision.
WHAT ARE FACIAL OILS
Face Oils are primarily made of botanical oils. Botanical oils or plant oils are extracted from a variety of fruit, nuts, and seeds. These oils are concentrated powerhouses of essential omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, and other beneficial ingredients. They are high in natural, skin-identical elements and therefore, extremely compatible with your skin. The outer layers of the skin are primarily composed of fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides, all of which can be found in natural oils.
Facial oils are also rich in essential fatty acids that provide the skin with the fundamental components that strengthen its outer protective barrier. This skin barrier reinforces our cell walls, locking in moisture and preventing evaporation. Thanks to the abundance of vitamin C and vitamin E (the quintessential moisturizing vitamins), facial oils are potent antioxidants that protect the skin from environmental stressors.
BENEFITS OF FACIAL OILS
A modern lifestyle exposes your skin to environmental stresses like air-conditioning and heating that dehydrate the skin. Not drinking enough water and instead of drinking too much-dehydrating coffee and alcohol may lead to skin that requires additional nourishment and protection. Moreover, our diets may lack essential fats, vitamins, and minerals essential for skin health. The topical application of botanical oils, high in essential fatty acids, is scientifically proven to benefit all skin types.
Regular use of botanical oils may provide a host of benefits to the skin. They –
- strengthen the skin barrier to trap moisture and hydrate
- keep skin soft and supple
- even out complexion
- promote cell regeneration
- boost collagen production
- regulate natural sebum (oil) production
- reduce acne breakouts and blemishes (anti-inflammatory properties)
- cleanse (antibacterial properties)
- boost resilience and elasticity
- reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- soothe sensitive skin
- reduce the appearance of enlarged pores
- treat rosacea, eczema, and rashes
- neutralize free radicals to provide anti-aging effects
- repair the damage caused by the sun’s UV rays and environmental pollutants
WHAT ARE FACIAL SERUMS & ELIXIRS
Facial Oil Serums and Elixirs are high-performance products formulated using carefully selected luxurious specialist plant oils rich in vitamins & nutrients, antioxidants like CoQ10, potent botanical extracts, premium essential oils, and a wide variety of active ingredients. While Face oils are primarily used for moisturizing, and do a beautiful job of it, Facial Oil Serums & Elixirs are usually formulated to target specific skin concerns that go well beyond facial oils to focus on one or more of the following benefits.
- Anti-aging
- Antioxidant and Anti-pollution
- Soothing and Calming
- Protective
- Moisture boosting
- Firming and Toning
- Nourishing and Brightening
- Repairing and Rejuvenating
- Oil balancing
Facial Oil Serums and Elixirs might also use natural alternatives to silicone such as esters and squalane to create a lighter, silkier, more elegant skin feel.
CHOOSING OILS BY SKIN TYPE
Everyone’s skin composition is unique, so you cannot apply a one-size-fits-all approach to skincare. A product that works for someone else might not work for you. With a better understanding of your specific skin type, you can refine your skincare routine and opt for face oils that compliment your skin.
DRY SKIN
Facial oils are ideal for dry skin because they permeate the skin’s surface and penetrate into the outer layers of our skin to provide favourable hydration. These oils also form a protective layer and strengthen our skin barrier, which traps moisture in the skin to prevent water loss. Some of the most effective botanical facial oils for dry skin are –
- Avocado oil
- Argan oil
- Borage seed oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Hempseed oil
- Olive Squalane
- Sea Buckthorn oil
OILY SKIN
As counterintuitive as it sounds, face oils can work wonders for oily skin. If you have oily skin, the last thing you probably thought of adding to your skincare routine was more oil. However, using the right kind of botanical oils complement our skin’s natural oils by balancing oil production. Some of the oils suitable for oily skin are-
- Jojoba oil
- Olive Squalane
- Marula oil
- Evening Primrose oil
- Grapeseed oil
SENSITIVE SKIN
The primary cause of sensitive skin in most cases is a compromised skin barrier. So, all those oils that help repair and strengthen the skin barrier are appropriate for sensitive skin. Look for oils that are rich in GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) and other essential fatty acids and avoid oils with a high content of Oleic Acid. Some such oils are-
- Evening Primrose oil
- Calendula infused oil
- Olive Squalane
- Carrot Tissue infused oil
MATURE & AGEING SKIN
Delaying skin ageing and preventing damage is possible with oils that naturally contain active compounds that can minimize the appearance of wrinkles, fade sun damage, promote collagen production and boost elasticity. Antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E or coenzyme Q10 lower the oxidative stress in the skin preventing collagen breakdown. Certain specialist plant oils are known to improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by hydrating, enhancing elasticity, tightening and toning, boosting skin cell regeneration and providing a rich source of antioxidants. The oils to look for are-
- Olive squalene
- Camellia Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Rosehip Seed oil
- Sea Buckthorn oil
- Raspberry Seed Oil
- Hazelnut oil
ACNE-PRONE SKIN
While some facial oils are infamous for clogging pores and causing more acne breakouts, many facial oils are extremely effective in treating acne. Botanical oils that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties can reduce acne-related sebum production and cleanse toxins and bacteria. The oils with these properties are-
- Olive Squalane
- Jojoba oil
- Evening primrose oil
- Grapeseed oil
HOW TO APPLY FACIAL OILS, SERUMS & ELIXIRS
Since these products are highly potent and concentrated, they must be applied cautiously. No more than 2 to 3 drops are enough for a full facial application to achieve great benefits for the skin.
The trick to proper facial oil application is to distribute the oil on your fingertips and then gently pat or press it into your skin instead of massaging it for maximum absorption.
Since the facial oils, serums and elixirs build a protective layer on the skin that locks the underlying products they make the perfect moisture-sealing product to layer on top of a humectant.
Humectants are substances that function to preserve water and moisture in our skin. One of the most popular skincare humectants is Hyaluronic Acid which can attract and retain over 1,000 times its weight in water.
Dermatologists and skincare gurus recommend applying a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid under a face oil. Do not apply face oil until your skin has absorbed the hyaluronic acid. This allows the facial oil to create a seal over the hyaluronic acid once it seeps into your skin. This skin barrier prevents water loss as moisture cannot evaporate through the face-oil barrier.
Facial Oils, Serums & Elixirs should be applied both in the morning and at night for maximum benefit.
This article has been authored by
Sonia Sharma
Certified Organic Skincare Formulator (U K)
Certified High-Performance Serum Formulator (U K)
Founder of Brand Nature Bathing
About the Author and the Brand
Sonia Sharma is a certified organic skincare formulator with a specialization in high-performance serum formulation and organic anti-aging skincare. Nature Bathing was born out of her fascination and passion for creating natural alternatives to conventional skincare products and is founded on her vision of a simpler, cleaner, more natural approach to skincare. She personally handcrafts natural skin care products in small batches from her home studio. Each product is formulated after extensive research to include carefully selected ingredients for maximum benefit to the skin. Her endeavor is to be able to change how consumers think about skincare and ultimately make them realize that skincare need not be complex. Whatever one needs for healthy skin is available in nature’s lap. She believes that beauty comes from the inside as well as the outside. A healthy diet & lifestyle go hand in hand with a good skincare regime to nourish and rejuvenate from within and without to show visible results. To know more, visit https://www.naturebathing.in/
