The shift from summer to fall brings cooler temperatures, lower humidity and drier air, which means your skin may be more susceptible to dryness and irritation. In addition, the cooler air can also constrict your blood vessels and reduce the supply of oxygen and essential nutrients to your skin cells, slowing down the renewal of your skin cells and making your skin look dull, dry and dull.
Using a facial oil at this time of year is a good way to nourish your skin and protect it from environmental influences. The action of massaging it in will not only increase blood flow to give a brighter, more radiant complexion, but it will also wake up the skin so it can heal and regenerate faster. Read on for more information.
The benefits of aromatherapy facial oils
Aromatherapy facial oils are one of the best ways to balance your skin’s natural moisture levels and promote a healthy glow. Although some people think that oils can make the skin greasy or clog pores, they are actually very effective at regulating the skin’s natural oil (sebum) while nourishing, strengthening and protecting the skin from environmental damage.
Natural vegetable oils are similar in composition to your own skin and are therefore very skin-friendly and are easily absorbed – they work with your skin and not against it. They are rich in essential fatty acids and fat-soluble antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for maintaining healthy and younger-looking skin.
Essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid (Omega 6), alpha-linoleic acid (Omega 3) and oleic acid (Omega 9) act as building blocks in the skin cells and help strengthen and smooth the skin, improve moisture content and elasticity and soften. irritation and reduces signs of aging.
Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E also help prevent premature aging by fighting free radical damage.
Can I use a facial oil if I have oily skin?
Facial oils are beneficial for all skin types, including oily and blemished skin, as long as you choose the right oils.
Using an oil on oily skin can help reduce/rebalance the skin’s natural oil production. The tendency for oily skin is to use aggressive products that strip the skin of sebum. This can be counterproductive as it encourages the skin to produce more oil to replace what has been lost. When using a natural, skin-friendly oil, the skin thinks it has enough moisture and therefore sebum production slows down. Some oils even help dissolve sebum, which can help unclog pores and reduce blackheads and pimples.
Choosing the right facial oils
It is best to choose products that contain natural vegetable oils, rather than mineral oil. Natural oils contain a wealth of nutrients that nourish and condition the skin. Mineral oil (produced from petroleum) does not contain any of these important ingredients and only acts as an occlusive agent to prevent moisture loss. Many facial oils also contain essential oils that provide additional benefits to the skin.
Some of the most popular oils are:
Jojoba – is lightweight and easily absorbed and is very similar in composition to sebum. It is useful for oily and blemished skin as it can help regulate oil production and unclog pores. Grape seed, hazelnut and safflower are also recommended for oily and impure skin types.
Rosehip Seed Oil – is excellent for dry, aging or scarred skin. It contains a high level of essential fatty acids and trans-retinoic acid, a natural form of vitamin A, which promotes skin cell renewal. It is also considered a ‘dry’ oil because it is easily absorbed into the skin.
Borage Seed Oil (Starflower) – is the richest known source of gamma-linoleic acid (Omega 6). particularly good for mature, sensitive, damaged or hormonally affected skin.
Evening Primrose Oil – also rich in gamma-linoleic acid and excellent for skin showing signs of aging, or for skin that is dry, damaged, scarred or inflamed.
Raspberry Seed Oil – high in Omega 3 and Omega 6, as well as vitamins A and E. It is a very dry, thin oil that deeply nourishes and conditions the skin, and is particularly suitable for sensitive skin.
Essential oils such as chamomile, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, neroli, rose and ylang ylang are also popular additions to aromatherapy facial oil blends, and each has its own unique properties and benefits, which you can read more about on our website.
How do you use a facial oil?
Facial oils are highly concentrated, so you only need to use a few drops at a time. It’s best to massage a few drops in after cleansing, toning and moisturizing, as the oil will help lock in your moisturizer and add an extra layer of nourishment. If you have dry skin, apply morning and evening. If your skin is oily, you may only need to apply the cream at night.
Facial oils are ideal for use with facial massage tools such as facial rollers or Gua Sha stones. Read our article ‘Aromatherapy Facial Oils for Gua Sha’ for more information.
For a rehydrating, nourishing face mask, cleanse and exfoliate your skin and run a warm bath. Apply a thin layer of oil to your face and neck and enjoy a relaxing bath. The warmth of the bath water ensures that the oil penetrates deep into your skin. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and wipe off excess oil with a warm washcloth. Sprinkle your face with cold water and pat it dry.
Facial oils can also be an excellent base for your foundation, resulting in a smoother, more even finish. You can even add a drop to your foundation to give your makeup an extra natural glow.
How to Make Your Own Aromatherapy Facial Oil
Mix 1 drop of essential oil per 5 ml of carrier oil. For example, for a 30ml bottle, use 30ml of your chosen carrier oil and a total of up to 6 drops of your chosen essential oils. We recommend that you use no more than 3 different essential oils in your mixture. Pipette caps are ideal for your bottle, so you can easily dispense just a few drops of oil at a time.
If you prefer not to mix your own oils, try our enriching, cell-renewing Rose of Neroli facial oil, which is ideal for both personal and professional use.
Sharon Lovett
Marketing manager