If shaving really makes the hair grow back thicker and darker, let’s just say most razor companies would be out of business. While many common beauty myths have been dispelled, some continue to linger like a bad perfume.
Take facial oils for example, and the claims that putting oil on your face will make it oilier and more prone to breakouts: is this myth or fact?
Contrary to popular belief, facial oil is one of the best treatments for any skin type – including oily skin. Using an oil can replenish your skin’s natural oils, which can keep oil levels balanced and breakouts at bay.
We’re here to debunk some common myths about facial oils, the best oils for oily skin, and the benefits of using these wondrous beauty elixirs.
The Benefits of Facial Oil for Oily Skin
We understand that using a facial oil on oily skin sounds paradoxical and well, terrifying! Is it a slippery slope into a spot nightmare, or are facial oils simply misunderstood and actually skin-friendly?
Let’s start with what happens when skin has too little oil. If skin is deprived of natural oils, it will go into overproduction mode to make up for a lack of sebum. Drying out oily skin by skipping moisturisation and using harsh, stripping ingredients will actually lead to breakouts, blemishes, and even more oil.
If you’re using the correct oil for your skin, it can help replenish your natural facial oils, which can keep levels balanced and breakouts at bay. Some facial oils can even target excess oil, and help to slough away dead skin cells that might clog pores.
Using a facial oil for oily skin types creates an occlusive layer to seal in moisture, keeping it hydrated and plump. These ultra-luxe elixirs provide anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, which can help reduce the redness and sensitivity of blemishes while diminishing post-breakout discolouration. Facial oils also provide an extra sealant of protection, and can transform skin from dull to dazzling.
Lucky for your skin, no two oils are alike – that means there’s plenty of hope for oily skin in search of treatment! If you want to reap all the potential benefits of using a facial oil, you’ll need to choose one that’s formulated specifically to your skin type.
So, what kind of facial oils should you choose and why? You’ll want to use lighter oils that can be absorbed quickly and easily into your skin, so there’s no pore-clogging residue left to torment your complexion. Look for oils with a smaller molecular size: argan, squalane, and jojoba oils do the trick. If the molecular structure of an oil is too big, it won’t be able to penetrate the top layer of your skin.
The 3 Best Oils for Oily Skin
Without further ado, here are the top 3 best oils for skin:
Jojoba Oil
Ultra-lightweight jojoba oil can help balance your own oil production without leaving behind a greasy residue. In fact, it’s the top choice for mimicking your skin’s own sebum. This similarity can essentially fool our bodies into producing less oil, meaning less chance for breakouts.
Jojoba oil can also be very beneficial for blemish-prone skin since it is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores. Thanks to jojoba oil’s small molecular size, it’s able to penetrate deeper layers of the skin. This can help carry along active ingredients like retinol and vitamin C to combat breakouts and breakouts.
To help regulate sebum production, try adding jojoba oil after a lightweight moisturiser. You only need a few drops of this holy grail of facial oils to do the job.
Olive Squalane
Olive squalane replenishes skin’s moisture barrier and leaves skin plump and hydrated. The texture is super-light, non-greasy, and absorbs well into the skin.
Squalane’s non-comedogenic quality is useful for balancing sebum production and regulating excess oil production in oily or blemish-prone skin types. Even oily skin types can benefit from squalane – especially if they’ve been stripped by drying products.
As for using squalene oil for oily skin, it can be used daily to maintain light moisture levels. Try using a few drops of this beauty elixir, or add to a lightweight moisturiser.
Argan Oil
We’ve seen it, heard about it, but don’t really know what secret skin weapons lie in argan oil. Not only does the vitamin E in argan oil act as an anti-inflammatory for irritated or sensitive skin, it may also bring balance to your skin’s sebum levels.
Combine the skin-soothing benefits of vitamin E with the powerful antioxidants in argan oil, and you’ve got a “liquid gold” love potion for fighting blemishes and fading spot scars. “Argan oil is rich in oleic acid, which can improve skin permeability and assist with other ingredients penetrating the skin barrier,” says Susie Wang, expert skin care chemist and co-founder of 100% PURE™. Now we’re true believers!
Lightweight Facial Oil for Day and Night
Intensive Nourishing Facial Oil
Our Nourishing Facial Oil is lightweight, making it a friendly choice for oily skin. This wonderfully silky oil moisturises without leaving a heavy, greasy feeling behind. So why is it so good for you in the first place? The main ingredient in this formula is grapeseed oil. It’s an amazing antimicrobial oil that helps fend off blemish-causing bacteria.
Grapeseed oil also contains an omega-6 fatty acid called linoleic acid. Your skin barrier is composed of tons of fatty acids and lipids that help your skin retain moisture naturally. Linoleic acid is one of the most prominent. Without them, you would develop a compromised skin barrier. In fact, studies show that blemish-prone skin usually lacks this particular omega-6. That’s why oils rich in linoleic acid are great for oily or blemish-prone types!
Working alongside grapeseed oil are blackcurrant and rosemary oils. We love using antioxidants like blackcurrant, which is rich in flavonoids and polyphenols. The rich pigment and strong flavour of these berries is proof of their impressive nutrient profile! This potent ingredient works to help boost UV protection and protect from free radicals found in pollution, smoke, and other environmental stressors.