Your voices have been heard, I’d really like to make these weekly but it’s so hard juggling work, family and this crippling anxiety and depression😊 A whole lot of you took to my Instagram stories (@bombshell_sa) and decided to vote on your preferred topic for the week. The winner was ‘Best oils for your face”. Therefore, without further odo, let us begin😊
Oils are an essential part of any skincare regiment, whether morning or night. They assist in locking in moisture and sealing in hydration. They fortify the skin barrier and even assist in keeping out those nasty toxins, like everyday pollutants and stressors. Now for a bit of science to help you pick the best oil for your face, remember when shopping for oils regardless of which oil you buy make sure it is organic (due to not wanting parabens, petrolatum or sulphates to be included into the ingredients list because this will alter the chemical composition of the oil). When it comes to oils they are measured on a scale of “LINOLEIC ACID AND OLEIC ACID”.
To put this simply, an oil high in Oleic acid, like avocado oil is perfect for oily skin, because it contains monosaturated fatty acids also known as the omega-9 fatty acid. These acids assist dry and flaky skin by maintaining the level of hydration within the dermis, omega 9 fatty acids are also proven to slow the effects of ageing by improving skin elasticity, helping in the appearance of plump youthful skin. Dry skin and ageing skin will benefit largely from oils high in linoleic acid. Examples include Almond, olive, moringa, avocado, marula and rosehip oil. These oils moisturize and fortify the skin barrier. A key point to look out for in an oil that is good for dry skin is that it’s a lot thicker and has a very slow drying time.
\
​
​
​
​
​
One of my favourite oils falls under the category for anti-ageing oils. These oils are rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and nutrients that can assist in protecting you from the sun; fight free radicals and stimulate collagen production. The great thing about these oils is that most are for anti-ageing but then work well with acne-prone skin too. For example rosehip oil is great for anti-ageing but the way the composition of the oil is set up, its amazing for hyperpigmentation and acne-prone skin. Most (not all) anti-ageing oils are high in linoleic acids, this just means that they are considered “dry-oils” that won’t break you out, clog your pores or leave a greasy film on the face.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Oily acne-prone skins have low levels of linoleic acid and higher levels of oleic acid in their skin surface. Therefore, they produce a lot more sebum (oily secretions produced by your pores/glands). Sebum can be very comedogenic to your face, these oils are your skins way of moisturizing itself but often not these oils cause acne and imperfections. Those with oily skin will have to use oils high in linoleic acid. These oils are not only light-weight, fast drying and easily-absorbed, but they penetrate deep into the pores to extract the sebum oils and neutralize the oil production done by your face. Jojoba oil is a magnificent oil when it comes to neutralizing oil production. It mimics the oils on your face counteracting dryness or oiliness effectively.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
NB!!!
WHEN USING ESSENTIAL OILS LIKE LAVENDER, LEMON AND TEA TREE OIL. PLEASE BE AWARE OF THESE OILS REQUIRING TO BE DILLUITED WITH WATER OR A CARRIER OIL (ROSEHIP, GRAPESEED, HEMPSEED, AVOCADO, ETC). ESSENTIAL OILS ARE EXTREMLEY POTENT AND IF NOT DILUTED CAN DO A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE SKIN AND SKIN BARRIER.
​
I hope all this information on oils in skincare was extremely helpful and can be successfully implemented into your skincare, remember that there is nothing called a quick fix. Your skin needs a turn over time of 30 days to visibly see and feel results. Also please be extremely kind, gentle and respectful to yourself and your skin, its not that serious, always have fun.
Love always, Bats. 😘
