Skin-Nourishing Oils
For thousands of years, indigenous people all over the world have used natural plant oils for skin care—and nothing lasts that long without delivering results.
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No matter your skin type, the benefits of face oils are many. And because they mimic skin’s natural sebum and help maintain skin’s lipid barrier by locking in moisture, they’re especially a necessity in winter.
In combination skin, oils treat dry skin while helping to balance natural oil production in the shiny regions. Oils can reduce redness in sensitive skin, help blemishes heal, and even prevent scarring. Dry and mature skin will see and feel improvement immediately as oils moisturize, soothe, and smooth lines and wrinkles. If you use retinol, alpha-hydroxy acids, or other drying or anti-blemish treatments, oils are a must. And even skin that’s not dry can benefit from nourishing, balancing oils.
Related: Exotic Oils for Face and Body
Conventional moisturizers, which combine waxes with water and oils, seal moisture in the skin with the wax. But that wax can also seal out some of the oil and water, not to mention the treatment benefits included in the formula. Natural plant oils need no extra ingredients to make them sink in. Plus, most plant oils are naturally infused with beneficial compounds such as antioxidants, polyphenols, and omega fatty acids. And, while synthetic and mineral oils are comedogenic and clog pores, plant oils are not.
Face oil is a multitasker. Use it as a replacement for your usual moisturizer or add a few drops to your moisturizer for a boost of healthy hydration. Face oil also works great for makeup touch-ups—instead of adding more makeup, simply pat some oil on to revive your makeup. You can also use face oil to remove makeup, moisturize under your eyes and cuticles, and fight frizz and flyaway hair. You can even use it as a lip balm!
For best absorption, gently press oil onto your skin and smooth over your hair rather than rub it in.
❶ Melt makeup and impurities with Suki Cleansing Oil. Linoleic acid (sourced from sunflower, safflower, and grape seed oils) moisturizes, promotes elasticity, and reduces acne and breakouts. Moringa oil reduces fine lines and wrinkles and soothes inflammation. Leave on skin for five minutes before removing with water for extra hydration. Your skin will feel clean and smooth with a vibrant citrusy lemongrass scent.
❷ Revive parched skin with Mad Hippie Antioxidant Facial Oil, which combines 18 powerful fruit and seed oils. Among them, moisturizing argan oil revitalizes skin tone, antioxidant pomegranate oil soothes extra-dry skin, omega-rich hemp seed oil provides instant hydration, and vitamin-packed sea buckthorn oil nourishes skin.
❸ Restore and protect dry and delicate skin with Badger Damascus Rose Face Oil. This antioxidant-rich blend of organic oils includes jojoba, baobab, pome-granate, rosehip, and sea buckthorn. An uplifting floral bouquet of Damascus rose, lavender, chamomile, and calendula essential oils offers soothing hydration.
❹ Soften and brighten your skin with Cocokind Facial Repair Oil. Organic avocado and coconut oils—packed with vitamin E and amino acids—nourish and moisturize dry and normal skin. Organic rosehip oil, rich in vitamin C, helps reduce redness and dark spots, while boosting skin’s elasticity.
❺ Get your glow on with Derma E SunKiss Alba Radiant Glow Face Oil. Organic oils—including moisturizing jojoba, replenishing argan, and rejuvenating sea buckthorn—soften, smooth, and lock in hydration. Mineral-rich mica intensifies the glow. Created for your face, but you can apply it all over your body and throughout your hair to smooth and illuminate.