YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO FACIAL OILS
Coveted for their potent skin-nourishing, beautifying properties and luxurious textures, face oils have played a prominent role in ancient beauty rituals throughout the ages across many cultures. Ancient Egypt, Greece and Asia are known for their utilization of oils, especially amongst royalty. Oils extracted from botanical sources were used to hydrate, protect and rejuvenate the skin while providing a decadent sensory experience. Since the dawn of civilization, oils of mother earth have played an important role in maintaining youthful, radiant skin and as this knowledge has been passed down through generations, we today, continue to draw inspiration from this timeless wisdom. Cue; the power of the face oil. Enter our guide to harnessing the power of oils to unlock your skin’s ultimate potential.
MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS:
Contrary to common misconceptions, face oils are beneficial for all skin types, including those prone to acne or sensitivity. By providing a nourishing layer of hydration, face oils help to regulate oil production, calm inflammation, and improve overall skin texture. Whether your skin is oily, dry, or combination, a well-formulated face oil can provide the perfect balance of moisture and nutrients to leave your skin looking radiant and supple. So if you want to pamper yourself while achieving beautiful, glowing skin, incorporating a high-quality face oil into your skincare routine is a must.
Many of us grew up thinking that applying oil to our face would bring nothing but disastrous results. Adding oil on top of our already oily adolescent complexions? However, contrary to common misconceptions, using specific oils on the skin (yes, even oily, acne prone complexions) has many beneficial properties and can actually combat issues such as break outs, sensitive skin and dehydration. By providing a nourishing layer of hydration, face oils help to regulate oil production, calm inflammation and improve overall skin texture.
Whether your skin type tends to be more oily and blemish prone, dry, sensitive or combination, incorporating a high quality, clean face oil can provide the perfect balance of moisture and nutrients to actually repair your skin, harmonize any issues and leave it glowing, radiant and supple.
BENEFITS OF USING FACE OILS:
The number one benefit of using a face oil is the depth at which it hydrates and moisturizes the skin and then locks in that moisture. Keeping your skin hydrated is the number one key to youthful, ageless skin. Our skin consists of cells surrounded by a matrix of proteins, primarily collagen and elastin, which provide structure, firmness, and elasticity. When adequately hydrated, this matrix remains supple and resilient, allowing the skin to bounce back from daily stressors and maintain a smooth, youthful appearance. One crucial aspect of hydration is its ability to support the skin's natural barrier function. The outermost layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum, acts as a barrier to environmental aggressors like pollution and UV radiation. When the skin is properly hydrated, this barrier remains intact, preventing moisture loss and protecting against external damage.
Here's where face oils come into play: they’re amazing at providing intense hydration and sealing in moisture. Unlike water-based moisturizers, which primarily hydrate the skin's surface, face oils penetrate deeply to nourish and replenish the skin's lipid barrier. They contain fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that not only hydrate but also repair and protect the skin from oxidative stress and inflammation. Oils are lipophilic, meaning they can penetrate deep into the skin. This creates a layer between your skin and the environment, protecting your skin from pollutants, disruptive debris, and even UVA & UVB damage. Many oils contain antioxidants which further contribute to protection from environmental damage.
An oil that focuses on deep hydration while also strengthening and protecting the skin barrier is the Agent Nateur holi (oil). This is our number one best selling face oil and for a reason. The silky, luxurious texture absorbs immediately into the skin on contact to help lock in moisture, soothe redness, heal hyperpigmentation and plump the skin. Due to it’s impressive list of ingredients and it’s lightweight texture, it actually doubles as a serum. Loaded with antioxidants from Rosehip Oil and Oryza Sativa (Japanese Rice Bran OIl), it works hard to fight free radicals, build the skin barrier and protect against environmental stressors. Calcium Ketogluconate, a French-patented molecule restore’s skins elasticity by stimulating collagen production and this ingredient alone is that key ingredient to help fight fine lines and wrinkles and leaves the skin feeling super supple and plump instantaneously. Helichrysum oil, also known as the Immortal Everlasting flower, known for it’s skin regenerating and anti-inflammatory properties helps promote an ageless complexion. This oil can be used by any and all skin types, even the most sensitive ones. Perfect for those suffering from breakouts, post-acne scarring and irritated, dry skin.
Face oils also help to regulate sebum production, especially in individuals with oily or blemish-prone skin. When the skin lacks proper hydration, it may overcompensate by producing excess oil, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Face oils actually balance oil production and give beautiful results in terms of clarity of the skin. Additionally, face oils work wonders when it comes to targeting fine lines and wrinkles. They do so by leveraging their potent hydrating properties to stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, the dynamic duo responsible for the skin's elasticity and resilience. They not only alleviate existing lines but also prevent the formation of new ones by deeply penetrating the skin's layers, forming a protective barrier that seals in hydration, ensuring it remains nestled within skin cells. This barrier is a fortress, warding off environmental assailants that accelerate aging.
Another beautiful face oil that’s going to infuse your skin with a superpowered dose of antioxidants to protect your complexion while balancing uneven, sensitive skin, is the Kypris Beauty Elixir III Prismatic Array. While this oil is ultra-gentle, it’s also full of potent nourishment making it extremely effective at hydrating, softening, soothing and balancing the skin. Bioidentical coQ10 is known for to prevent early signs of aging because of it’s ability to defend the skin against oxidative stress from UVA and UVB rays while encouraging the skin to repair and boosting collagen. Botanicals and a vitamin C Ester work to brighten, diminish hyperpigmentation and prevent new lines from forming on the skin over time.
Another reason to opt for a face oil is that they actually work beautifully to prep the skin for makeup, as a primer. Often overlooked for their ability to prep and prime the skin, face oils are the secret weapon of many makeup artist’s for their enriching, hydrating properties. Not only will this infuse your skin with hydration to create that plump and supple canvas but it help smooth out the skin, ensuring that your makeup application will be even.
Some of our favorite oils to help prep and prime the skin are the Kjaer Weis The Beautiful Oil, which is formulated especially for the purpose of creating that supple canvas prior to makeup application. It’s ultra-nourishing yet luxuriously lightweight on the skin, making it the perfect hydrator before going in with your complexion products. Looks extra beautiful under any cream or liquid foundation or skin tint. Another favorite oil to prime with is the Osmia Nectar Nourishing Drops. It’s such a beautifully simple oil that is delicate and nourishing, providing the perfect dose of supple hydration to create the perfect base for foundation. You can also mix with your favorite oil based foundation products to add a luminous, silky texture to your complexion look. Loaded with Rose Hip Oil, prickly pear and pumpkin seed nurture and nourish the skin in the most
Over time, with consistent use, face oils actually have the ability to cleanse pores and diminish their appearance. Pores often appear enlarged when they are congested with excess dirt and sebum. However, face oils act as gentle yet effective emollients, working to soften and dissolve the debris that accumulates within the pores. As these impurities are gently lifted away, pores become less visible, giving the skin a refined texture and the illusion of smaller pores.
The Ayuna Cellular Oil is a potent choice when it comes to resurfacing the skin and giving you that refined texture with consistent use. Utilizing stem cells from the millennium wild olive tree to trigger skin cell rejuvenation, it helps to bring forth skin that’s more vibrant, supple and firm. It’s an excellent oil to assist in reducing the effects of hormonal aging due to it’s resurfacing properties. It helps to smooth out fine lines, bring live and vitality back into the skin, repairing any dullness or fatigue in the skin and leaving you with a crystal clear, luminous complexion.
If you suffer from any type of skin irritation whether it’s extreme dry skin, flakey skin, environmental damage, puffiness, redness or acne.. It’s likely that your skin is inflamed. At the root of almost all skin conditions is inflammation. For that reason, face oils make such amazing allies for almost anyone. With such incredible anti-inflammatory properties, face oils are brimming with botanical compounds renowned for their soothing and calming effects on the skin. These oils are loaded with protective antioxidants, essential fatty acids and nourishing vitamins, all of which work in harmony to quell inflammation and redness.
WHEN AND HOW TO PROPERLY USE FACE OILS:
The question of when, and in what order, to apply face oil often stirs debate, but the real answer is that it’s flexible… within reason and depending on your unique skin type. Typically, it’s advised to incorporate face oil into your skincare routine as the final step, just before sunscreen application, to seal in all previous products. The golden rule is to start with the lightest and conclude with the heaviest products. This means that water-based formulas like serums should be applied first, followed by moisturizer for a dose of hydration, before finally locking in all the nourishment and moisture with a layer of face oil. You can also choose to apply your face oil directly after your serums (toners first, essences next then serums…) and then follow up with a rich cream… either way, you are going to receive all of the rich benefits of a face oil, so there’s no need to stress about the last couple of steps when it comes to your moisturizer and face oil. However, if you tend to be more on the oily side, we recommend opting for a face oil exclusively and skipping the moisturizer, just to allow your skin to regulate sebum production and balance your complexion.
Regarding timing, we absolutely advice to incorporate face oils into both your morning and evening beauty rituals for maximum benefit. In the morning, consider applying your face oil of choice as a primer before makeup to provide that supple, smoothe canvas. Similarly, in the evening, make face oil the crowning touch of your skincare ritual, allowing its restorative properties to work their magic overnight, ensuring you wake up to a complexion that's replenished and radiant.
“SANDWICHING” OR “SLUGGING” YOUR OILS
It’s important to strategically layer your skincare products to create optimal moisture barriers that retain moisture & prevent dehydration. First, go in with your essences, your acids, your vitamin C and any other hydrating serum. Then you’ll want to follow up with your oil, we love the Agent Nateur holi(oil), a beautifully formulated oil serum that helps the skin retain moisture, protect against environmental stressors, repair the appearance of scarring and dark spots, all while restoring the skin’s natural elasticity. Hydrating rosehip oil, Calcium ketogluconate, nourishing rose and a gentle form of Vitamin C work together to smooth out fine lines, plump, sculpt and contour the skin. After the oil of your choice, you apply a moisturizer or a cream on top to seal it all in! This top layer creates an inclusive layer that retains water. Utilize this method during your winter nighttime skin ritual and you’ll wake up with super replenished, supple skin. You’ll really see a difference!
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