Facial Oils – the new way to moisturize

I have always had good skin, thanks to the genes given to me by my Thai mother who has wonderful skin, yet I’ve always been interested in ways to keep my face and body smooth and free from environmental and aging damage. Even though I am only 21, I am keenly aware that if you want beautiful skin when you’re 40, 50+, you really have to start now. And I’m not saying you need to start investing in expensive beauty creams like ‘Creme de la Mer’ and whatnot. I believe that a great starting point is to start using facial oils.

Facial oils are a wonderful and natural addition to your beauty routine. I know it sounds counter-intuitive to slather an oil on your face (“Won’t I just become a grease ball?!”), but it really does work. And instead of just giving you all empty and opinion based claims, I did some research and my own experimentation to help back up my statement. That is what this blog is truly about after all – giving solid and sound advice that has been stripped away from all the marketing and PR (public relations) fluff.

I found several articles touting the benefits of certain types of facial oils, and finally found some views from dermatologists on them. I thought it was important to voice the opinions of dermatologists because they are experts about our largest organ: skin. Dr. Gervaise Gerstner is a celebrity dermatologist and has described facial oils as “an excellent way to get antioxidants and vitamins quickly into the skin … Oils are absorbed quickly, and soften the appearance of fine lines.” Basically what Dr. Gerstner is saying is that oils will not leave your face oily and greasy (as they are absorbed quickly) and that they will actually give your skin a lovely and glow-y look. Furthermore, David Colbert, a dermatologist from New York, has said that oils are gentle and do not irritate the surface of your face which makes them perfect for people with sensitive skin.

Hopefully by now I have got you convinced that you should use facial oils. But Alice, I hear you ask, what facials oils should I use and how should I even use them? Great question – I encourage you to experiment with a range of facial oils and see what works best for you. I have tried jojoba oil, rose hip oil (might I mention that Miranda Kerr is also a fan of rose hip oil?) and sea buckthorn seed oil so far. I do not personally like sea buckthorn seed oil. It did make my skin extremely soft and is great for people with rosacea buuuut .. it smells gross lol. 

Sea buckthorn seed oil and rose hip oil

My personal favorites so far are Rose Hip Oil and Jojoba Oil. Both oils were really lightweight and saved me during winter from having a disgusting dry and cracked face. To apply it, I would recommend using just three to five drops and to put them on the cheeks, forehead and neck. Never forget the neck, as the neck is one of the first tell-tale signs of ageing!! I still really want to try sweet almond oil, argan oil, pomegranate seed oil, and baobab oil so keep an eye out for a future post on those 🙂

Before trying ANY new beauty routine, I urge you to consult your doctor first, especially if you have highly sensitive or problem skin. Go to your local dermatologist and ask for an allergy test, and once you are cleared for usage, go ahead and experiment! Please let me know how they work out for you, and what your favorite facial oils are 🙂

Honestly yours,
Alice

Sources
Best Health
StyleList
Fox News Magazine