Lately, I have been moisturizing my face with botanical oils. While this may seem strange to many people, this is a centuries-old practice from ancient Rome that is actually beneficial to the skin—and it’s becoming popular once again.
Despite the misconception that oils cause breakouts, facial oils actually reduce sebum production (oil production), cutting down on oily complexions by “tricking” your skin into thinking it already has enough. Plus, many botanical oils are naturally enriched with skin-benefiting properties. To use, massage a few drops of your oil into your face, giving the oil plenty of time to absorb into your skin before going to bed (about 30 minutes). Try oils like jojoba, Argan, coconut, squalane—and even olive—by themselves, or buy facial oil blends from a natural beauty company you trust. Here are a few of my favorite facial oils right now.
Please leave me a comment to let me know if you are following the facial oil trend and which facial oils you recommend. I’d love to consider it for a future natural beauty review.
Deep Rosehip Facial Oil Serum by Aura Cacia, $20
I love how this rosehip-infused serum feels on my skin. Rosehip oil naturally hydrates the skin and has a fresh floral scent that makes it a wonderful addition to my morning beauty routine. Massage a few drops of this serum into your skin for a dewy glow, and let it absorb into your skin (10 to 20 minutes) before putting on your makeup for the day. Rosehip oil is loaded with omega 6 (an essential fatty acid also known as linoleic acid), and offers natural anti-aging benefits, helping to reduce fine lines and inflammation. This blend from Aura Cacia is also loaded with vitamin E, which is a great skin nutrient.
Soothing Facial Treatment Oil by derma e, $24
This facial blend, which is enriched with Argan oil and kukui oil—two timeless skin favorites—is a great moisturizer for sensitive skin. Argan oil, a rare oil found in Morocco, is an antioxidant that helps soften dry skin and reduce skin imperfections. Kukui oil, which can be found in Hawaii and some areas of Polynesia, is loaded with essential fatty acids that help it naturally soothe and soften skin. This facial treatment from derma e was a big help during the final months of winter. Use it to soothe and hydrate dry skin.
Squalane Facial Oil by Indie Lee, $32
While most squalane oil was originally obtained from shark livers—and sometimes it still is—this Indie Lee oil is derived from olives. Squalane oil is an antioxidant-rich moisturizer that helps treat sun-damaged skin, promotes skin elasticity and helps diminish age spots. Although this is the most expensive pick on my list, this product from Indie Lee is 100 percent pure, olive-derived squalane oil. Plus, a few drops from this little bottle go a long way. I love how light the oil feels on my skin—it absorbs into my skin fairly quickly and doesn’t leave my face feeling greasy. Just massage a few drops of this oil onto your face at night to benefit from this ancient skin aid.
Gina DeBacker is the assistant editor at Mother Earth Living. She loves that part of her job entails testing beauty products enriched with natural ingredients.
