Oils are underrated and I totally understand why. If you’re oily and acne prone, there’s that tendency to run away from them because you probably think your skin cannot handle any more oil. Three / four years ago, you couldn’t convince me to put oils on my face. Now I really enjoy using oils because of their nutritious benefits.
Oils promote healthy skin. Okay! Oils are rich in antioxidants and fatty acids that nourish the skin, heal and sustain the skin’s outermost lipid barrier. Interestingly, I started with putting whipped shea butter on my face whenever it felt sore, bruised and irritated. My skin would heal so fast and that encouraged me to use oils for my skin. I particularly love The Ordinary for oils because they are always cold pressed. Cold pressed oils have all their fatty acids and vitamins intact making them the most nutritious types of oils for the skin.
Not all oils are created equal. Their composition of certain essential fatty acids, with linoleic and oleic fatty acids usually being the most abundant, makes particular oils more suitable for particular skin types. For the purpose of this write up, I am talking about plant oils and specifically the ones I’ve tested and I love.
You’re probably thinking, “How can plant oils benefit my already oily, acne-prone skin?” Read on!
Our skin consists of lipids made up of essential fatty acids, ceramides and cholesterol, all that help to keep your skin’s lipid barrier functional. Acneic skin has been shown to have an abnormal level of Linoleic acid (Omega-6 essential fatty acids), a fatty acid that balances sebum production and oiliness. Due to its deficiency in acneic skin, the skin overcompensates by producing more oleic acid (Omega -9 fatty acids) and sebum in general. An overproduction of sebum leads to clogged pores and breakouts. Interestingly, our skin can’t make this fatty acid so we need to get it topically or by ingesting it. Long story short, oils will benefit all skin types even oily & acne prone skin. These are four types of oils i have tried and my skin actually loves.
I had to empty this oil into my old Mac prep and prime bottle all thanks to ants.
1.| The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold pressed Argan Oil; This product consists of just one ingredient – Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil. I first tried The Ordinary Rosehip seed oil but since it broke me out i got this one as a replacement. My skin loves this oil a lot. Apparently, Argan oil is an antioxidant, Vitamin E, omega 6 & 9 rich oil that is suitable for all skin types and helps with cell turnover and regeneration. Its almost balanced composition of Omega 6 & 9 fatty acids makes it both ideal for oily and dry skin without either skin type suffering because of it. Asides that, it is super nourishing for ageing skin due to its cell regenerative properties. This oil doesn’t clog my pores or break me out. It’s a thick oil so I suggest using this at night. I always suggest that oils are better used at night / in the colder rainy months.
2.| Organic Life Plus Coffee Oil*: Who knew Coffee beans had oil in them. Oh well.. As a new oil fanatic, i was more than delighted when i got this product from Organic life plus. They are an Organic, all natural hair and skin care brand with lovely oils and i really appreciate that. Coffee bean oil is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory oil. Its anti inflammatory properties make it effective at reducing puffy eyes / skin and calming inflamed skin. Its antioxidant properties make it effective at reducing fine lines and wrinkles. According to Organic life plus, Coffee oil has a whopping 61.24% of linoelic acid making it more suitable for oily and acne prone skin. I really enjoy this oil in my night time routine and I always look forward to using it. My skin always feels plump and nourished when i use it. If you love the smell of coffee, you’re acne prone and looking to add oils to your skin care routine, this is a good one!
3.| The Ordinary ‘B’ oil.* Now this oil is special because it is much more than an oil. It is a blend of 8 different skin nourishing and healing oils in purified form of micro algae. This oil blend contains squalane and oils of marula, argan, baobab, pataua, brazil nut, inca inchi, rosehip and borage seed oil with the antioxidant and essential amino acid benefits of micro algae. Amongst all, Micro algae is notable for instantly hydrating and conditioning the skin, making it more soft and supple. I’m not going to go into the fatty acid composition of each oil but just know this oil is fantastic for even oily skin. This oil is much thicker than the coffee oil, quite moisturizing and sinks into my skin nicely. It doesn’t make my skin greasy and it plums it really well. Oh and by the way, its green color is as a result of the high concentration of its algae component.
4.| Arami Essential Glow Oil (Raw Shea Oil): Now this oil took me by surprise because I absolutely love it on my body! Shea oil and Shea butter come from the same source so they are definitely sisters. Shea oil just like Shea butter is a natural healer and has nourishing, protective and anti-inflammatory properties. It treats dry skin, eczema and its vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids lend extremely nourishing properties to it. My skin actually have no problem with shea butter / Oil because it’s dry and typically can handle richer and thicker oils. This sweet smelling oil from Arami Essentials isn’t heavy though, it sinks into my skin fast and makes it glow. Now i don’t know if it is cold pressed but I absolutely love how my body feels with this oil on it.
I’m a huge fan of oils as they have really helped my skin. I always say the right oils are good for your skin! Are there any oils you’ve tried and you love? I’d be happy to hear!
Let’s Connect!
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
