Natural is trendy.
Celebrities, like Julianne Moore and Cate Blanchett, who use natural and organic skin care are shouting from the rooftops about the importance of avoiding heavy metals and other toxins found in mainstream cosmetics and skin care. Many are ditching the long lists of hard-to pronounce ingredients for natural alternatives. More and more celebrities are incorporating face oils as a staple in their skin care routines, because oils are very versatile.
Since the facial oil explosion of options hit the market in recent years, many celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Miranda Kerr, have adopted the use of these antioxidant, nourishing oils.
Just why are they turning towards these nectars for their celebrity skin care?
Oils Are the Gatekeepers of Hydration
- Humectants draw water into the skin to hydrate the cells. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are great humectants.
- Emollients soften skin.
- Occlusives trap the humectants and emollients onto skin so it can stay soft and hydrated through the day.
Oils can function as an occlusive and as an emollient.
Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, dermatologist, explains that oils “put a sealant on your skin by coating the top layer.” If you load up on humectants first, using the oil after will help to keep the moisture from escaping. Inas Anis, nurse practitioner, esthetician, and anti-aging skin care specialist advises that oils “can be combined with other products to get enhanced effects”. Her favorite combinations are serums (to treat) or moisturizers (to lock in hydration).
Julianne Moore is an advocate. She uses both a cellular renewal day cream with SPF 15 and a face oil to keep her skin protected and hydrated. “I layer them for extra moisture,” she told InStyle. “It soaks right in and never feels greasy.”
Oils Are Full of Fabulous Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that help to protect your skin from damage done by regular metabolism (essentially, life), and environmental insults like sun damage and pollutants. Antioxidants also aid in repairing damage after it’s already happened. And oils are naturally full of fabulous antioxidant vitamins.
- Argan oil is extremely concentrated in vitamins A and E, which work to smooth fine lines and soften skin.
- Marula oil contains up to four times more vitamin C than an orange! Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that helps to fight hyperpigmentation.
- Sunflower oil is also high in vitamin E.
- Rosehip oil is “amazing for protection against environmental damage,” states celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas. It’s full of vitamin C to treat dark spots and vitamin A to promote cell turnover, as well as moisturizing fatty acids. Former Victoria’s Secret angel Miranda Kerr says that she wakes up with glowing skin whenever she applies it before going to bed.
Oils Can Be Good for Cleansing, Too
Vargas explains that “oil cleansers break up makeup on the face in a gentle way instead of stripping the skin, so skin won’t feel irritated after.” It sounds pretty hokey to be using an ingredient meant to seal in moisture as a cleanser, but it’s true!
“Warm Bodies” star, Teresa Palmer, uses avocado oil to keep her from getting zombie-like mascara circles around her eyes when washing her face. She claims to use either avocado or sweet almond oils to remove her makeup.
Cate Blanchett creates her own refreshing homemade scrub that includes macadamia oil or olive oil, sea salt, and grapefruit juice.
Even People with Oily Skin Can Use Oil
Quick-drying oils like grapeseed, apricot kernel, argan, and marula are perfect for most skin types.
Many people make the mistake of trying to strip their oily skin of the excess oil. The problem is that the skin “believes” it’s already dry and is producing excess oil to compensate. Trying to get rid of oils may actually cause your skin to generate more, creating a vicious cycle.
Certain oils can actually help to balance your skin’s oil production, get rid of excess oil on your face, and minimize the appearance of pores. If you have oily skin, jojoba is a great choice. “Jojoba tells the body to stop overproducing sebum, thus controlling oily skin,” explains Vargas.
There’s a Facial Oil for That!
No matter what your problem or complaint, you could find an oil that would complement your treatment protocol. Here are just a few:
- Acne-Prone Skin: macadamia, jojoba, tea tree, and camellia flower
- Dry Skin: maracuja, argan, olive, sunflower, jojoba, coconut
- Sensitive/Damaged Skin: primrose, argan, yangu
Transformers actress Megan Fox talks about making a hydrating post-winter mask by mixing two parts grape seed oil with one part Aquaphor for skin that’s soft and dewy. Actress Aubrey Plaza travels with a balancing face oil blended from jojoba and avocado oils. “It soothes my dry skin after a long flight,” she says. “I add a few drops to my moisturizer.”
Palmer says that avocado oil has the added benefits of getting rid of redness and fading fresh acne scars.
The Next Generation of Face Oils
The new, next generation of face oils have arrived, and they’re proving to pack a huge punch, combining the benefits of a natural oil, with added bonuses like antiaging, evening skin tone, and hard-core blemish fighting abilities thanks to the inclusion of ingredients like retinol. A-listers like Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz are paying attention.
“Retinol products, while effective at reducing signs of sun damage and acne scarring, can also cause dryness and flakiness”, explains Sunday Riley, whose brand of facial oils is touted by fans like Julianne Moore and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
In walks DELTA-5 by Sciaessentials. This cutting-edge, 100% natural organic oil has been scientifically proven to have strong benefits in relieving inflammation of the skin. This is attributed to a novel, potent anti-inflammatory component that no other oil on the market has: Sciadonic acid. Derived from conifer seeds, sciadonic acid’s anti-inflammatory benefits have been enjoyed by indigenous peoples through their diets. This mechanism has been studied for over 30 years by the famous research scientist (who has appeared on Montel Williams and other shows) Dr. Alvin Berger. Now it’s available in a safe, easy-to use oil obtained by completely sustainable resources.
Beauty blogger Cindy Bachelor of mystylespot.net has taken notice.”This AMAZING all-in-1 luxurious high-quality anti-aging skincare product from Scia Essentials not only minimizes fine lines and wrinkles and gives skin a lovely luminous glow, but it also reduces red inflamed skin, acne, sunburn, and is super hydrating for dry skin too! It leaves skin feeling so soft, smooth, and supple for a natural, more youthful appearance!”
Model Kristina Plisko demonstrates how this amazing oil relieves lines and puffiness under her eyes.
People are taking notice! This next-generation power-house oil is something to watch!
