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Everyone knows how excess oil can be bad for beauty; it can attract dirt to your skin, cause makeup to streak and run, and give your face a less than flattering shine in photos, among many other things. It’s true that excessive oil production can complicate your beauty regimen and the way you shop for skincare products and makeup, but it’s also a mistake to believe that all oils are bad for your skin. In fact, adding oils to your skincare routine can help in regulating oil production. Yes, you heard that right: people with oily skin can benefit from using oils.
Many people assume that oils automatically cause breakouts, but the truth is many oils are non-comedogenic—they neither clog pores nor cause the onset of acne. Oils are lipophilic, meaning they naturally attract other oils such as the sebum produced by the skin and the oil-like ingredients in makeup. This quality makes them excellent cleansers that can immediately remove makeup and sunscreen, and they are a great addition to your regimen if you’re into double cleansing.
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Considerations when Using Oils
Barring the inclusion of problematic ingredients like fragrances, oils are generally safe for anyone, including those with sensitive or blemish-prone skin. To make the most out of your beauty oil, however, you still need to find one that addresses your skin or hair needs.
Oil type
Heavy oils like avocado are best avoided during the day as they can cause makeup to break down faster and make your face appear oilier. Instead of these, use lighter and more absorbent oils during the daytime. Use heavier oils before bed so your skin can soak them up overnight. Photosensitive oils or oils that react to light, like lemon and grapefruit essential oils, should be used only at night because these can actually damage the skin and cause redness.
Also, it’s important to take note that there are still comedogenic oils that can clog your pores, an example of which is coconut oil. To see if an oil is working for you, test it on your neck or jawline and see how your skin feels. Make sure not to use too much oil to avoid weighing down your hair or making your face too oily.
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Skin or hair type
Those with dry skin can benefit the most from highly absorbent, moisturizing oils like argan, sunflower, and olive oil. Those with oily or acne-prone skin should be wary of over-stripping their skin of oils, as this can actually cause the skin to overcompensate and produce more oil in the process. Some of the oils they should try are macadamia, jojoba, and camellia oil. In particular, camellia oil, the main ingredient of Sulwhasoo’s Camellia Hair Oil, keeps skin soft and supple and makes hair lush, silky, and shiny.
Also, don’t make the mistake of using body oils for your face. Facial oils are made for fast absorption, which makes them ideal if you want to put on makeup after. Body oils are formulated differently and may have fragrances that can irritate the face or ingredients that can clog the pores.
Essential oils and carrier oils
As a rule, do not use essential oils that are not diluted in carrier oils. Essential oils of lavender and eucalyptus are volatile compounds and irritate the skin when applied directly, plus they evaporate quickly before even penetrating the skin. Diluting them with carrier oils like grapeseed, olive oil, and jojoba oil makes them more stable, plus it allows you to enjoy the effects of both the essential oil and the carrier oil.
Finally, make sure to read and follow the instructions before application. This way, you’re sure you’re using the product properly and that you’re reaping all the benefits that your beauty oil can provide.
*Disclosure: This is a guest post. It contains affiliate links for compensation. All opinions are those of the guest contributor only.
