Facial oils have been popping all over the internet for quite some time now, and they are so worth the buzz. Even though adding them to your beauty routine is an extra step you might not want to take, it has benefits attached to it if you incorporate the use of facial oil into your regimen.
“The body naturally produces oil, but that production decreases significantly as we age,” says Ling Chan, a skincare guru and founder of Ling Skin Care.
“The skin needs oil to be able to maintain a healthy balance. Without oil, the skin will become dry, and dryness can cause breakouts, fine lines, and wrinkles. You can protect your skin from damage from free radicals by using facial oil to moisturize your skin,” Chan explains.
As deduced from what Chan said, there are several benefits attached to using facial oil on your skin. To enjoy these benefits, you need to learn to choose the right facial oil for your skin type and how to use it. You will find this out as you read ahead.
How to choose and use facial oil for your skin type
Using oil on your oily or acne-prone face may seem like an insane thing to do, but it isn’t. Every skin deserves the wonderful benefits of facial oils, be it oil, dry, sensitive, or acne-prone.
All you have to do is find the oil that works well with your skin type. “The number one factor to consider when purchasing your facial oil is your skin type,” says Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist and author of Skin Rules.
Also, “do not choose a facial oil that is water-based,” she adds. In addition to that, ensure that you look for facial oils with small molecular sizes.
Using facial oil on your skin will help treat skin issues, as well as brighten and glow up your face. Ahead are the best oils for your skin type and how to use them to achieve a maximum glow.
How to use facial oil for oily skin
Do you know that using the right oil will help to rid your oily face of excess oil and grease? It does sound contrary to the regular belief, but it is true.
The right facial oil will also help stabilize and regulate the rate at which your skin produces natural oil, and this automatically makes your face less greasy. Below are the two best oils to use on oily skin.
1. Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil is a lightweight and convenient oil with a small molecular size. It works well for oily skin and any other skin that needs moisture. It also helps to control the greasiness of your face by breaking down and dissolving your skin’s natural oil.
2. Grape seed oil
If you have never felt dryness on your face at any point in time, or you have extremely oily skin, it is best to opt for grape seed oil. Grapeseed oil works as a natural astringent.
Using it on your face will help rid your face of excess oil and maintain a healthy shine on your face.
How to use the oils:
- Cleanse your face and dampen it.
- Apply your favorite moisturizer.
- Apply your oil to your face.
Renee Rouleau, an esthetician and skincare expert, suggests using your moisturizer to seal moisture on your skin first before using oil.
“Then, you can use your facial oil over your moisturizer to prevent water loss,” Rouleau explains.
How to use facial oils for dry skin
You have probably already considered using facial oil for your skin because you feel face oil is perfect for dry skin. However, it is not that simple because some oils, such as jojoba oil and grapeseed oil, are lightweight and may not be the best for you.
It is best to go for oils that are rich in oleic acid. Oleic acid is a fatty acid that helps to lock in hydration on the skin, as well as soothe irritation caused by dryness. It also helps to condition the skin. Below are the best oils to try on your dry skin:
1. Almond oil
Almond oil is incredibly high in vitamin A, and this gives it the power to smoothen the skin. Using almond oil on dry skin will help to hydrate your skin. If you have eczema and dermatitis, this oil is gentle and simple enough to work and clear and gentle enough for your skin.
2. Marula oil
Marula oil is rich in properties that moisturize and calm dry skin. Not to mention that it absorbs into the skin quickly; it does this a few minutes after you massage it on your skin. It contains a high level of fatty acids.
How to use these oils:
- Start by cleaning or exfoliating your face.
- Squeeze out a small amount of your bedtime moisturizer onto your palm.
- Add about three drops of your oil into it and mix.
- Apply the mixture to both your face and your neck.
“You can also smooth over your moisturizer to provide a protective barrier to prevent dry air from pulling moisture out from the skin,” says Rouleau.
How to use facial oils for acne-prone skin
Do you know that using facial oil can help you to reduce breakouts on your face? Probably not. Your skin produces excess oil when it is inflamed and dry, and this leads to the formation of blackheads and pimples.
Using acne-safe facial oil will help to nourish your skin. Below are the best oils to try on your acne-prone face.
1. Pomegranate oil
Pomegranate oil contains antibacterial properties that help to combat acne-causing bacteria in your pores. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe your inflamed skin.
Pomegranate oil is also lightweight. Therefore, it penetrates easily into the skin and treats your acne without leaving any greasy look or feel to your skin.
2. Rosehip oil
Rosehip oil is the best to consider when you are looking to treat irritated acne-filled skin. This harmless oil penetrates deep into the skin to hydrate the skin without clogging up your pores. It is rich in fatty acids; that help to fade acne scars and redness.
How to use these oils:
- Start by cleansing or exfoliating your face.
- Apply your favorite moisturizer on your face.
- Massage a few drops of oil all over your face and neck.
If you are scared that using facial oil will worsen your acne, you can do a patch test first. To do the patch test, apply the oil to the most acne-prone area of your face. Do this for a week to see if it worsens acne breakout on your face.
How to use facial oil for normal skin
If your skin is neither oily nor dry and doesn’t break out, then you have normal skin. This means you can use any basic facial oil without any problem with clogged pores and dry and irritated skin.
“Normal skin is less dry, so less of the oil is needed, compared to a dry skin type,” says Rouleau. Below are the best facial oils to use on normal skin.
1. Argan oil
All you need for your normal skin is argan oil. It contains a high level of vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties that help to protect the skin from damage.
These properties also help to rid the skin of impurities such as dark spots and fine lines caused by free radicals.
Simply apply a few drops of this oil in your morning or night skincare routine.
2. Retinol-spiked oils
Retinol is not a type of oil, but you can find facial oils that contain retinol in them. Retinol is a skincare ingredient that helps to improve skin tone and texture, as well as smoother and clearer breakout bumps.
Not just that, it also hydrates the skin, and it does all this without irritating the skin.
Note that retinol has a drying effect on the skin, so it is important to get yourself a moisturizer to hydrate your skin to prevent dryness.
How to use these oils:
- As for your argan oil, mix 3 drops of it with your bedtime moisturizer and apply it to your skin.
- For retinol-spiked oil, do not mix the oil and moisturizer. Use your moisturizer first, and after 20 minutes, you can apply the oil to your face.
How to use facial oil for sensitive skin
Having sensitive skin is a lot, and for this, you need a face oil that helps soothe and nourish your skin barrier. Stay away from essential oils such as lavender and peppermint oil, as they will irritate your skin. Below are the two best oils to try on your sensitive skin:
1. Moringa oil
Moringa oil contains properties such as antioxidants, fatty acids, and anti-inflammatories. The antioxidant properties help to protect the skin from free radicals, while the anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe irritated skin.
The fatty acids in this oil will help to repair skin damage.
Above all, it is lightweight; this means you don’t have to worry about it clogging your pores. Using moringa oil will also help to moisturize dry skin.
2. Aloe vera oil
Aloe vera oil also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Not just that, it also contains antibacterial and astringent.
How to use these oils:
- Do a patch test first to check for skin reaction.
- Do this by rubbing a little of the oil below your ear.
- Wait for a whole day.
- If your skin doesn’t react harshly to the oil, you can proceed to use it at the end of your morning or night skincare routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should you use facial oil in your skincare routine?
Using facial oil will help to moisturize your skin and also protect it from damage by environmental aggressors. It also gives a healthy balance to your face.
Can you use facial oil in the morning and at night?
Yes, you can.
You can use facial oil on your face both in the morning and at night. However, if your skin is sensitive, limit your usage to once daily.
Can you apply facial oil to your face before makeup?
Yes, you can.
You can do this by applying facial oil on your face as a base before applying your makeup products.
Conclusion
Facial oils are the in thing right now. And while they are a bit extra in your regimen, it is needed.
There are several benefits attached to using facial oil on your skin. To enjoy these benefits, you need to learn to choose the right facial oil for your skin type and how to use it.
Follow the guide in this article to help you choose and use your facial oil correctly for a maximum glow.
Thanks for reading.
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