Women have used plant-based oils worldwide to keep their hair, skin, and nails healthy for centuries - dating back to Ancient Egyptian times. But if you are someone with oily skin, chances are that you stay away from face oils at all costs. It is logical; these skin types are often prone to breakouts from excess sebum production, so avoiding oil products is sensible.
Contrary to popular belief, face oils are actually all-around amazing for any & all skin types - including oily skin. Since face oils are massively misunderstood and so beneficial for all skin types, let’s explore the benefits of face oil and how to navigate the world of these wondrous elixirs.
The Benefits of Facial Oils for Oily Skin
When cleansing oily and acne-prone skin, the most important is actually not to shy away from oil-based products but to keep away from detergent and soap cleansers - products with ingredients that strip the skin, leaving the skin vulnerable and disrupting the skin's mantle. The temporary "clean" feeling of tightness in the skin imparted by these products leads to excess sebum production and eventually leads to acne and breakouts.
Read more about the benefits of oil cleansing and how to choose the right oil cleanser here.
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 slog away dead skin cells that might clog pores.
Using 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 acne while diminishing post-breakout discoloration. Facial oils also provide an extra sealant of protection and can transform skin from dull to dazzling.
Choosing the suitable oils for your skin
As it is with choosing any skin care product, reading the labels and ingredients is essential to finding the perfect ones for your skin. For oily, combination, or acne-prone skin, look for formulas that do not contain comedogenic oils, such as coconut, wheat germ, soybean, and cottonseed, as they tend to clog pores.
In Carrier Oils & Their Comedogenic Levels, we dive into the comedogenic levels of different oils to give you more insight when choosing the best oils for your skin.
For those with dry skin, look for products with rich and nourishing oils like avocado, jojoba, and sunflower. For acne-prone and oily skin that is irritated, opt for clarifying and balancing oils such as tea tree, lemongrass, or calming oils such as rosemary and camellia seed.
Oils rich in linoleic acid are also suitable for acne-prone skin. On the other hand, oils rich in oleic acid are more suitable for dry skin.
Now let’s take a look at the best oils for oily skin!
- Jojoba Oil; A lightweight & non-comedogenic, this oil mimics skin's natural sebum to balance your oil production without leaving a greasy residue. It can also be beneficial for acne-prone skin as its small molecular size makes it able to penetrate into the deeper layer of the skin to aid in the absorption of active ingredients such as vitamin C and retinol to combat breakouts.
- Squalane; A non-comedogenic, lightweight, non-greasy texture makes it perfect for replenishing the skin's moisture barrier. Squalene absorbs well into the skin, leaving it plump and hydrated while simultaneously regulating sebum production.
- Argan Oil ; We have all heard great things about argan oil, whether it's to repair hair and add shine or use it topically to improve skin conditions. Argan oil is rich in vitamin E, and it is an anti-inflammatory for irritated skin. It is also known for its hydrating power regardless of skin type. If you have dry skin, it will help to lock in moisture. If you have oily skin, it helps reduce oil production by keeping the skin hydrated, preventing excess sebum production.