Facial oils have had quite a journey in the world of skin care. From earning a bad reputation for being pore-clogging and breakout-inducing to being a regular feature in skin care routines, they’ve come a long way.
Facial oils with beneficial ingredients don’t just deliver sustained hydration but also help with tone, texture and overall skin health. If you’re someone who uses moisturiser and still notices skin tightness or dry patches, a facial oil may be just the right thing for you. Here are 11 kinds of facial oils you can look for in formulations that will help
The Channel 46 caught up with Bhaskara Seth, Co-Founder of Neemli Naturals, who lists 11 types of facial oils that are magic for your winter skin care by keeping your face silky smooth, even in those harsh months.
1. Turmeric Root Oil
Used for thousands of years in Ayurveda, it helps minimise the appearance of dark and dull spots, while giving your skin that extra dose of nourishment.
When used to create the right formulation, turmeric root oil is the go-to ingredient for bright and clear complexion. Used for thousands of years in Ayurveda, it helps minimise the appearance of dark and dull spots, while giving your skin that extra dose of nourishment.
2. Sea Buckthorn Oil
This oil deeply hydrates prematurely ageing skin. Along with antioxidants and vitamins C & E, it also has Omega 7 palmitoleic acid, which is already present in our skin. Extracted from a shrub that grows at high altitudes in the Himalayas, Sea Buckthorn plant berries have 10 times the Vitamin C of an orange. A boon for dry skin, Sea Buckthorn oil prevents moisture loss and helps the skin maintain its lipid barrier while fighting wrinkles, inflammation, and acne.
3. Olive Squalane
Easily absorbed into the skin, it guards against free radicals while making skin supple and protecting it from fine lines and age spots.
Structurally very similar to natural Squalene present in our sebum, olive squalane does not use any animal-derived ingredients and is great for skin hydration. Easily absorbed into the skin, it guards against free radicals while making skin supple and protecting it from fine lines and age spots. If you’re someone who doesn’t like the feeling of using ‘heavy’ facial oils, you’ll love formulations with olive Squalane because they’re generally light and non-greasy.
4. Argan Oil
Another wonderfully textured oil, Argan oil is light, but with the ability to keep your skin moisturised for a long time. It is rich in antioxidants and is naturally anti-inflammatory. In addition to providing hydration and elasticity, it also balances oil production and repairs skin from sun damage and pigmentation caused due to sun exposure.
5. Avocado Oil
Rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and Vitamin E, it moisturises skin and promotes collagen synthesis.
We think avocados have the potential to make everything better (never getting over those toasts) and its pressed version (oil) is nutrient-rich and improves skin health. Rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and Vitamin E, it moisturises skin and promotes collagen synthesis. It keeps skin soft and supple while fighting skin conditions like eczema and effectively diminishing age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines.
6. Wheat Germ Oil
An effective hydration agent and an excellent source of Vitamin E, wheat germ oil makes skin soft and supple by supporting elasticity of skin cells.
An effective hydration agent and an excellent source of Vitamin E, wheat germ oil makes skin soft and supple by supporting elasticity of skin cells. When used as a carrier oil, it helps improve skin tone and texture, giving your skin renewed brightness.
7. Hemp Seed Oil
Rich in omega acids 3, 6 and 9, hemp seed oil is great at locking in hydration that heals and repairs the skin barrier.
Derived from hemp seeds, you can get all the benefits of moisturised skin, without any greasiness or clogging of pores. Rich in omega acids 3, 6 and 9, hemp seed oil is great at locking in hydration that heals and repairs the skin barrier. Being a humectant, it also attracts water to the skin and reduces inflammation, while keeping it nourished.
8. Rose Hip Oil
It is known for its regenerative properties and significantly improves fine lines, moisture levels and skin elasticity.
Loaded with nourishing vitamins and essential fatty acids, Rose Hip oil is harvested from a specific rose bush by pressing the fruits and seeds. This celebrity favourite, non-greasy oil is surprisingly hydrating for dry and itchy skin. It is known for its regenerative properties and significantly improves fine lines, moisture levels and skin elasticity.
9. Carrot Seed Oil
… carrot seed oil has a combination of skin-loving vitamins that include Vitamin A, collagen boosting Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which aid in hydration and moisturisation.
An underrated oil, carrot seed oil has a combination of skin-loving vitamins that include Vitamin A, collagen boosting Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which aid in hydration and moisturisation. Rich in beta-carotene, it helps protect skin against free radicals to combat signs of skin ageing.
10. Frankincense Oil
With natural astringent properties, it helps maintain oil production and ‘tightens’ the skin.
Used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, Frankincense oil is derived from the milky white sap secreted by the tree. With natural astringent properties, it helps maintain oil production and ‘tightens’ the skin. The best way to use this oil is to add it to your existing moisturiser to heal acne scars, lift and firm skin and give it a healthy glow.
11. Geranium Oil
With its natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, geranium oil helps skin cells regenerate, giving your skin the chance to repair the damage caused by harsh weather conditions.
With its natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, geranium oil helps skin cells regenerate, giving your skin the chance to repair the damage caused by harsh weather conditions. It is known to leave skin clearer while restoring its natural glow.
While these oils have their own benefits individually, it is important to find a blend or combination that works for your skin type. People with dry and dehydrated skin fare well when it comes to using facial oils. That doesn’t mean those with oily, acne-prone skin can’t reap the benefits of oils – it’s just about finding the combination that works for you. It is recommended that you use an elixir or a combination of oils in the right formulation as an alternative to your moisturiser at night. Applying these vitamin-rich essential oils can help you get the most out of your beauty sleep when you wake up to radiant skin the next morning!
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