How to get over your phobia for oils
Beauty oils are probably the most misunderstood and underrated of skin care products. You probably either swear by them and count them on your list of HGs or feel skeptical whenever the topic gets brought up. Yes, it DOES sound strange to deliberately apply oil when we’re constantly dabbing at our T-zone with oil control film. But the truth is, it’s not really as strange as you might think, and you may even not realize that quite a few oil-based products are already part of your current routine.
Know that you can fight oil with oil
First off, it’s important to remember that the oil our skin produces is vastly different from the oil used in skin care products. Beauty oils are great for moisturizing without the heavy feeling that comes with cream products. At the same time, oils are more nourishing and concentrated compared to gels. In fact oils like rose hip and tea tree are great for actually treating issues that usually accompany oily skin like acne, inflammation, and blemishes.
On the other hand, cleansing oils allow you to thoroughly cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural moisture – and causing skin to oil up even more in an effort to compensate. By incorporating oils into your skin care, you can actually discourage oil production over time!
It doesn’t necessarily have to feel like an oil slick on your face
Assuming you use it properly, of course. The fear of looking like a greasy cooking pan most probably stems from our experience with baby oil. Since most baby oils are made of mineral oil, it pretty much just sits on the surface of your skin, which gives that icky oily feel. Good quality beauty oil should be absorbed by skin soon after you apply it, and you’ll know it’s working because of how soft your skin would feel after.
The right oil matters
Have you ever tried using an oil-based product from your kitchen, and gotten a bad reaction that made you swear off oil forever? That’s because non-cosmetic grade oil is different, even if it’s extracted from the same ingredients. For example, food-grade castor oil is not as pure and has larger particles than the cosmetic-grade version, so it’s unlikely to produce the desired effect simply because your skin can’t absorb it. The tricky part is that not all oils in the market carry these tags. Instead, look for the terms “cold pressed” and/or “cold processed” on the label. Oil extraction using heat is faster and cheaper but it usually yields a thicker consistency. Cold pressing or cold processing on the other hand takes longer and is therefore more expensive, but yields a purer product with a more comfortable consistency.
Top beauty oils to try: Bio-Oil, Etude House Any Oil 21, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, Human Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil, Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Organic Rosehip Oil from Healthy Options
Apply it the right way
Simply slathering the oil on in copious amounts is definitely going to make you look and feel like a greaseball! The best way to get the most out of your beauty oil is actually by massaging it on. Just add a drop or two on your palm, warm it up by rubbing your palms together, then gently massage it onto your skin. Doing this will keep you from feeling greasy since the massage encourages your skin to absorb the product faster, plus you get a nice relaxing treat at the same time. If you still feel a little too oily afterwards or end up applying too much, you can lightly blot off the excess with paper towels.
Have we convinced you? Give oil a chance before shutting it down for good! And if you’ve tried using beauty oils, we'd love to know know what your experience has been like. Have you turned into an oil convert or have you banned it from your routine forever?
Sources: Annemarie, Into the Gloss, Debrief
Photography by Samantha Gonzales
