WHY YOU NEED TO ADD A FACE OIL TO YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
You’ve heard it time and time again: having a good skincare routine is the most important step towards retaining your youthful glow. Beauty magazines, dermatologists and of course our mums have taught us about wearing sunscreen (every day, no exception), the importance of under eye cream, and even the benefits of using cold cream. Once we’ve mastered the art of these classic skincare products, it’s easy to start wondering what else is out there.
Skincare is constantly evolving but the newest trend is actually a lot older than you might think. Face oil. Faces oils are everywhere right now, and there’s good reason for it. Women have been using face oil since the days of Cleopatra, the Romans and all throughout the Middle Ages.
It does seem counterintuitive. The idea of putting oil directly on your skin conjures up post-traumatic acne flashbacks from teenage years and sounds like a recipe for disaster, but it doesn’t have to be. If you find the right oil for your skin and apply it properly, it can be a match made in heaven. Here are three reasons you should be incorporating an oil into your skin care routine:
FACE OILS ARE HYDRATING
Unlike a normal moisturiser, face oil only truly penetrates the first several layers of skin. This will ensure an even makeup application and that your skin is smooth and soft to the touch. By using a face oil after you apply your daily moisturiser, the oil creates a barrier that locks in the hydration of your moisturiser, which means very good things for your skin.
FACE OILS HELP FIGHT WRINKLES
Our skin produces a certain amount of natural oil throughout our lives. As we get older, our skin starts to produce less oil, which in turn, makes our skin age more quickly. To combat this, you can simply add a face oil to your daily routine to mimic the oil your body has been producing naturally. Face oils are full of nutrients and antioxidants which means they provide your skin with necessary vitamins and minerals that it desperately needs. There are many different varieties of face oil compositions, some contain Vitamin E, others have retinol - the possibilities are endless.
FACE OILS CAN HELP FIX A VARIETY OF SKIN CONCERNS
As previously mentioned, face oils are full of benefits like nutrients and antioxidants. For dry skin, they seal in the hydration that comes from a daily moisturiser. For acne prone skin, there are some oils that contain antibacterial agents which help to clear up breakouts, like tea tree oil, and there are other oils that actually slow the natural oil production, like jojoba oil, meaning less greasy skin. For irritated or inflamed skin, argan and geranium oil can be used for their anti-inflammatory properties to calm down redness and sooth skin.
Plus they are perfect for the cold winter months, when our skin needs to lock in even more moisture!
OUR FAVOURITE FACE OILS…
Peach Oil by L’Officine Universelle Buly 1803, which is Rich in vitamins A, E, in polyunsaturated fatty acids and in antioxidant active ingredients. It helps illuminate dull skin and is great for combination skin.
Radiance Face Oil by Eve Lom. I’ve been using Eve Lom since my mum introduced me to her iconic face cleanser when I was a teenager. The face oil contains Hemp Seed Oil, conditioning Abyssinian and Avocado Oil, and is enriched with anti-oxidents, including vitamin C. It’s proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Birch Recovery Face Oil by Bjork & Berries. Bjork & Berries is a very affordable Swedish botanical skincare brand. Their face oil is a potent botanical oil-blend loaded with borage seed oil, birch leaf extract and organic jojoba seed oil to boost dried-out skin by hydrating, nourishing and helping restore overall skin firmness.
Anti-Aging Face Oil by La Mer. It aids the skin’s natural collagen and overall firmness, helping soften the look of emerging lines and wrinkles.
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil by The Ordinary. The Ordinary has been making waves in the beauty industry due to its incredible quality at outrageously cheap price points! This particular oil is also multi-tasking and can also be applied to your hair. Win win.
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Words by Amanda VanOsdol. Photographed at Hotel Panache.
