Why I love face oils

Face oils are blends of essential oils used to comfort and hydrate the skin. It may seem counterintuitive, but all skin types can benefit from oils—they replenish essential nutrients and fight environmental stresses, sun damage, scar tissue, and premature aging.

WHY:
Conventional cleansers strip the oil out of the skin, leaving us feeling tight and dry. Thus begins the endless search for a moisturizing product with just the right level of conditioning—not strong enough and we’re fighting wrinkles and crinkles, or so hydrating that an oil slick takes hold. And when natural oils are stripped away, the skin overcompensates by creating even more oil. The logic behind using face oils instead of—or in addition to—a moisturizer is that they penetrate the skin almost instantly to restore the natural moisture balance.

WHAT:
Face oils are made with pure plant oils, such as rosehip, argan, pomegranate seed, grape seed, evening primrose, sweet almond, jojoba, apricot kernel, and sea buckthorn, which are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. Rosehip seed oil, for example, is rich in vitamin A, unsaturated essential fatty acids, and vitamin C, and is renowned for its skin-healing properties. It is credited with healing scars, eczema, and sunburns, and can help repair damage skin cells, reduce pore size, and result in firmer, smoother skin. There’s no down side.

USE:
My own experience with face oils began with rosehip oil. After a few cautious applications, my skin took on a definite glow and began to feel much softer and more hydrated, and—dare I say it—younger. No breakouts, no shiny forehead, just softer, healthier skin.

Face oils can be used as a daily moisturizer or added (2 or 3 drops) to your usual moisturizer. They’re also the perfect overnight hydrating treatment as they allow the skin to breathe. It’s best to apply face oils immediately after cleansing, while your skin is still damp, so the oil can lock in the moisture. And they may be a bit harder on the bank account, but since you only need 2 or 3 drops at a time, you’ll find that a 1-oz. bottle will last you months and months.

Some people even prefer to cleanse with oil, following the adage that like dissolves like. Plant oils break down dirt and makeup, clearing out the pores without stripping the skin of its natural protective layer. For cleansing, smooth 4 or 5 drops onto wet skin and gently massage. Wipe clean with a soft facecloth and warm water.

TRY:
Check out Fresh Faced’s face oils and serums:

John Masters Organics 100% Argan Oil: Beneficial for both hair and skin, argan oil helps retain moisture, improve elasticity, and soften hair and skin while adding instant sparkle and shine.
Soapwalla Restorative Face Serum: Rejuvenates and revitalizes skin, visibly reducing fine lines and redness.
One Love Organics Love Springs Eternal Youth Preservation Serum: Contains watermelon seed oil to smooth, dissolve buildup, and provide a rich composition of essential fatty acids; and Bulgarian rose oil to tone and moisturize.
One Love Organics Skin Savior Waterless Beauty Balm: Pure, cold-pressed plant oils and extracts cleanse the skin of dirt and makeup without stripping its natural moisture.
John Masters Organics Vitamin C Anti-Aging Serum: Vitamin C, in its natural amino-acid, polypeptide form, penetrates deep into the skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, crow’s feet, and premature aging.