If you think face oils are only meant for dry skin, think again
Kristen Ma
Want smooth, flawless skin in time for summer? (Duh—don’t we all?) Here's your secret weapon.
Kick-start your skin renewal plans with the help of kick-ass skin care oils. And FYI, ladies aren’t the only ones who can benefit from hydrating facial products. Face oils are for guys too.
Dry weather can leave your skin in need of some serious moisture, especially if you have eczema or rosacea. Oils serve as barriers, protecting your skin against irritants. Some oils even soothe inflammation and help rebuild the skin’s strength and immunity.
Use it: Borage oil makes an excellent facial moisturizer, but it can also be used anywhere on the body or scalp. It’s so therapeutic that it’s even been incorporated into the fabric of undershirts to help soothe childhood eczema.
Use it: Camellia oil has a wonderful silky texture that makes for a light moisturizer and a good base for makeup.
Use it: Use moringa oil as a natural moisturizer one to two times daily when skin is really parched.
Surprise! Face oils can be used to treat acne too. Acne-prone people tend to fear oil because there’s a common misconception that oil causes blemishes and clogged pores. In fact, many oils have the ability to regulate your oil glands and decrease skin’s oiliness.
Use it: Apply argan oil daily to help control sebaceous (oil gland) activity.
Use it: Undiluted neem oil doesn’t have the best smell (think burned diesel fuel and peanut butter), so look for skin care products that include neem as an ingredient. You can also try adding a drop of pure neem oil to your moisturizer.
These essential supplements will nourish your skin from the inside out.*
Supplement | Properties |
vitamin C | antioxidant, antiaging |
omega-3 fatty acids | anti-inflammatory, moisturizing |
green tea extract | antioxidant |
silica | collagen forming |
*Check with a natural health practitioner for appropriate dosage information.
Oils are excellent for antiaging, as they nourish and soften your skin as well as create a barrier that locks in hydration.
Use it: Avocado oil is best used over a hydrating, water-based serum, as its heavier texture seals the light serum into skin tissue, making it more effective in protecting the skin.
Use it: Evening primrose oil can be applied topically and taken orally for its hormone-balancing properties (consult your natural health practitioner for dosage advice).
Hyperpigmentation is an especially difficult skin condition to treat. Conventional bleaching agents and peels can have negative effects like the potential to cause further damage and sun sensitivity. Some skin-lightening chemicals have even been identified as possible carcinogens.
Use it: Rosehip oil is best applied on damp skin for maximum absorption. Twice daily, apply two to three drops directly to problem areas and massage gently until absorbed.
Use it: Tamanu oil may be applied directly to the skin or mixed with other skin products. Use it to treat uneven skin tone, especially for fading skin marks and scars.