You should definitely, undoubtedly be using face oils.
There. I said it. Now here’s why:
Adding oil to your face is something most of us do our best to avoid–especially those of us who are prone to breakouts and acne. But over the last year or so face oils have exploded onto the scene, and have found their way to almost everyone’s medicine cabinet–and for good reason.
Although it may seem like beauty oil came out of nowhere, it has actually been around for quite some time. 40,000 years to be exact! In Australia, emu oil is thought to have been used by aboriginal tribes as a moisturizer (source).
Not only do face oils have history on their side, they also have science to back them up. “When you look at young, luminous skin, you are seeing skin at its healthiest; skin cells held together by an abundance of oils. As we age, we produce less of the oils that give our skin a healthy glow. So, your job is to add them back into the mix. Doing so is one of the most important ways you can support your skin, because a healthy lipid barrier prevents dehydration by helping skin retain moisture.” (source) Still not convinced? There are tons of reasons why face oil is amazing–here are just a few!
FACE OILS OFFER FREE RADICAL PROTECTION AND KEEP YOU LOOKING YOUNG!
According to Dermatologist David Colbert, “many botanical oils, including argan, passion fruit, and African marula oils, are potent antioxidants. In the morning, massage a few drops onto clean skin, wait two minutes, and apply sunscreen or foundation as usual.” So not only is your skin getting an extra dose of moisture in the morning, it also has the added benefit of protecting you from free radicals that have been shown to advance the signs of aging.
Dr. Colbert goes on to say that face oils can actually help your anti-aging creams absorb faster at night, “If you apply an oil before your anti-aging cream, the oil molecules behave like tiny Trojan horses, tricking the skin into letting active ingredients—like retinol, glycolic acid, and vitamin C—deeper into the skin and closer to the collagen-producing fibroblasts, all without irritating the surface.” (source)
So, are you ready to get carded well into your 50’s? Invest in a face oil (like Shine!) and not only will you be getting the added benefit of free radical protection, but those costly serums and creams you’ve invested your hard earned money into will start working much better. Sounds like a win-win to me!
PIMPLES AND PORES? SAY NO MORE!
One reason people are hesitant to invest in a good face oil is because they believe it will make their already oily skin even worse. This is not the case at all! When used correctly, face oils can benefit those of us with oily skin types. Just be sure you’re using the right one! “Using jojoba oil in moderation can actually reduce oil production, making a great addition to your topical acne regimens, which can be drying,” says Dr. Rebecca Tung. Not only will jojoba oil reduce oil production, it can also clear out your pores and make them appear smaller and less noticeable. (source) Oily skin and acne usually go hand and hand, so what to do about those pesky breakouts? Try incorporating tea tree oil into your routine. It’s a great oil for clearing up acne!
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST FACE OIL
So at this point you’re probably wondering “Wow! Face oils are amazing! Why haven’t I tried one sooner?” I’m wondering the same thing!
It can be difficult to chose the best face oil, especially when so many use cheap filler products for the base oil. The active components in your face oil will be mixed in concentrations of 1-10%, so your base oil will take up at least 50% of the oil. Pay attention to what you’re putting on your skin–and what you’re really paying for!
Avoid products that use soybean oil as the base, and always be skeptical of those with olive oil bases, as we probably don’t know what that is (80% of olive oil is fake, source). Grapeseed oil is low in nutrients, except for Omega-6 fatty acids, which are great for skin. Sunflower oil is rich in vitamin E and Omega 9 fatty acids.
All that being said, I believe that the best base oils are those that are rich in nutrients and essential fatty acids, meaning: it better come with more bang than just moisture. Pomegranate seed oil is a stellar base oil, as it provides a high concentration of vitamin C along with a great EFA profile. Jojoba oil is also a great base oil, as structurally, it shows similarity to sebum, the oil in human skin, helping increase penetration of active ingredients. Jojoba oil is 100% Omega-9 fatty acids, so it probably should not be a solo base. Meadowfoam seed oil is also very similar to Jojoba oil in composition and effect, at a cheaper price point. Argan oil is rich in oleic and linoleic acids, polyphenols and tocopherols, making it a another suitable base, along with sunflower oil and grapeseed oil.
SHINE: A TRULY STELLAR FACE OIL
If you’re looking for a face oil that uses premium ingredients with a bang, look no further than our SHINE brightening face oil.
Shine uses pomegranate as the main base, with jojoba and argan as the secondary and tertiary bases. Licorice extract (carried by sunflower seed oil), bearberry extract and lemon peel oil act as the brightening agents, thanks to their natural supplies of glabridin, arbutin, and vitamin C respectively. Pomegranate oil and grapefruit seed oil add additional brightening vitamin C for a complete skin brightening profile, fragranced lightly with jasmine.
Light and silky in feel, this is a great starter face oil for those who just want to dip their toes in the water. For those with darker or more prominent discoloration, use SHINE as a spot treatment only. For those with light sun damage or slight darkening overall, use SHINE as a total face or body oil. A few drops go a long way.
SHINE: GET IT WHILE IT’S HOT
Our newest product SHINE, is a great product to start with if you’re looking to add face oils to your routine! If you’re feeling really spicy, you can snag the SHINE + WINK Duo for just $90.
