Have you ever seen people posting about using facial oils but you don’t have a clue what is facial oil and what wonders does it have?

We’ll help. Let’s start.

What are facial oils?

Face oil is a type of oil that is made up of plants/animals (but commonly plants) extract which is needed to provide hydration to those with dry or age-related skin concerns. They add intense moisture to dehydrated or mature skin, alleviating uneven, sun-damaged textures to promote natural radiance. In other words, it helps in boosting the skin condition by providing the skin with nutrients obtained from the plants.

#Facialoilfact -> Ancient Egyptians reportedly used oils in cosmetics as early as 4500 B.C.E

The basic idea about putting oil on your face is, it helps to supplement the natural oils the skin is (or isn’t) producing as an effort to add moisture to the skin and help repair the skin barrier that keeps the moisture in. Different type of oil has different purported benefits like inflammatory or antioxidant properties but the biggest benefit that comes with an oil is the moisturising effect.

#Facialoilfact -> Facial oil do not penetrate into the skin, thus it’s temporary.

The reason why it doesn’t penetrate into the skin is because of the size of the molecule itself. This supports the reason why it is used after applying serum as it locks all the nutrients obtained when using your essence and serum.

Question: Can I use facial oil if I have oily skin?

Yes you may!

The right oil can not only act as an astringent to rid your face of excess grease but can also re-balance excess sebum production (i.e. your natural skin oil) to make you less oily/greasy. And most often, the texture of these oil feels more like a serum or essence so you won’t feel like sebum-ridden.

The way we apply facial oil for oily skin is by applying it as the last layer of your skincare routine (preferably, night routine). Reason being, it’s better to use an oil-free type of moisturiser as you want it to be lightweight and be absorbed first into the skin to avoid potential clogging of pores. Then only, add a protective layer of facial oil over the moisturizer to prevent any water loss.

The real question here is, do you need facial oil though?

Personally, It depends on you and your skin. It’s not a must but it’ll be a great addition to your skincare routine.

Below are a few types of facial oil which may (or may not) suits you :

LAVENDER OIL – Commonly used for sleep and relaxation, the multipurpose oil may also help balance out the moisture levels in the skin. Great anti- inflammatory that can help reduce redness and a natural hydrator that helps help repair dry skin without making the skin greasy.

MARULA OIL – Reduce redness and hydrate dry and irritated skin. Not heavy so it won’t feel greasy. Oil is also reach in omega and fatty acids. Suitable for all type skin.

CHAMOMILE OIL – Containes Azulene, a natural occurring substance that reduce inflammation in the skin tissue, which also led to an inclusion in formulas which treat acne. It’ll help to alleviate the redness from the blemishes allowing the complexion to clear up more quickly. Although its packed-full with great properties, you may want to avoid it if you have all allergies with Chamomile.

COCONUT OIL – Comprised of a unique combination of natural fats such as Linoleic acid (beneficial for acne prone skin) & up to 50% of Lauric acid, which makes it useful in treating the skin. Packed with antibacterial, antifungal and moisturising properties, it’s no wonder why they are used as face oil cleanser, moisturiser, make up remover and more.

SQUALANE  OIL – Helps in boosting hydration and help skin appear more vibrant and healthy. The antioxidants helps in fighting skin damage and free radicals which can both accelerate the aging process.Regular use can also boost collagen production, resulting in firmer skin. Can be used on all skin types and works as an excellent alternative if other oils are too heavy or greasy for the skin. It’s lightweight, noncomedogenic and has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness and swelling.

GERANIUM OIL – Balances sebum production, heals scars, evens skin tone, tightens skin and also kills bacteria that lead to acne and eczema. Can also use as spot treatment by applying it directly to any trouble spots or mix it with your cleanser and wash face as per usual. Can be used for most skin type

SANDALWOOD OIL –  Contains compound known for reducing inflammation while promoting moisture in the skin. Also helps in reducing the appearance of dark circles and other dark spots appearing on the skin. However, this oil is also known as fragrant oils and may aggravate oil so a patch test might be needed. Suitable for all type skin.

JOJOBA OIL – Rich in beauty-boosting vitamins A, E and D, plus antioxidants and fatty acids, Jojoba “oil” is actually a wax ester with remarkbly similar properties to our skin’s own sebum. This means the oil is able to pentrate deeply, reaching below the top layer of skin for maximum nourishment. Jojoba containes antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, analgesic (able to relieve pain), hypoallergenic and anti-inflmmatory. Best part, it can be used on all skin type.

NEROLI OIL – Neroli oil is extracted from the flowers of bitter orange trees or also known as orange blossom oil. It emits a rich, floral scent and is usually used as a base note in perfumes and scented products. They also have antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties, which may be helpful in reducing acne breakouts and skin irritation

CINNAMON OIL – Considered to be a very powerful anti-inflammatory thanks to their key antioxidant compounds like cinnamic acid, which may help inflammatory acne such as cysts, nodules and pustules.

TEA TREE OIL – Derived from the Melaleuca tree, Tea Tree Oil is one of the most significant antiseptics in alternative medicine. It helps fight bacteria and inflammation, both of which can contribute to fight acne breakouts.

CLARY SAGE OIL – Contains an ester called Linalyl Acetate. This powerful compound works to reduce skin inflammation, heal the epidermis and soothe skin. Renowned for its ability to balance hormones. This can help to ensure that just the right amount of oil is produced in the epidermis to keep complexion optimally nourished without going overboard. Clary Sage also works well in controlling acne and reducing the appearance of wrinkles in mature skin.

FRANKINCENSE OIL – Was once known as the king of essential oils, Frankincense oil is a natural astringent, anti-inflammatory, making it wonderful choice for eczema, burns, bites, rashes and other inflammatory skin conditions and also antibacterial. It can also help with evening up skin tone besides useful when dealing with bruises, wound and other skin injuries.

ROSEMARY OIL – Hydrates the skin, which helps to control oil production. It also provides an antibacterial surface for the skin, keeping acne at bay. Rosemary Oil’s antiseptic properties are beneficial to skin conditions such as eczema as it helps in eliminating flaking and dryness.

GRAPESEED OIL – Protects against irritation and works as an astringent (and a bit more drying than jojoba oil), so it’ll help mattify your skin. Great for all skin types especially Oily Skin.

The only thing to be aware of is, to make sure to always patch out on your hand or any part of the skin to make sure you don’t have any allergic reaction towards the oil/ingredient.

How to apply Face Oils?

Again, it depends on your skin.

It can be used together with your moisturiser (apply 2-3 drops, mix well and apply) or on its own (either the whole face, neck and décolletage or on targeted areas, eg: tea tree oil, on acne).

And, if you still have doubts on facial oil, do leave down a comment or consult a board-certified dermatologist who can help make recommendations about how to best care for your skin.

Happy oil-ing ❤️