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What are skincare oils?
Posted by Pure Cosmetica on 11th Oct 2022
Skincare oils are essential for long term skin health. Here we'll find out what they are and why we need to incorporate them into our daily skincare routine.
What are skincare oils?
Skincare oils are plant-based oils that can be applied on the face, body and hair.
They are purely formulated with 100% natural botanical oils, essential oils and extracts. As a result of their purity, skincare oils contain a vast array of healing and skin supporting benefits. They are rich in antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory properties and aid in skin rejuvenation, making your skin feel healthy in the long term.
Active ingredients, such as Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate or Retinyl Palmitate, are often added in the formulations for a benefit boost.
Why do we need to use skincare oils
Skincare oils have the ability to reach further into the skin’s barrier and replenish its natural oils (extracellular lipid layers). The presence of oils in the skin is essential to maintain proper dermal barrier function, as it is responsible for keeping out free radicals (toxins, irritants), regulating sebum production and retaining moisture in the skin.
A healthy skin barrier keeps your skin nourished and moisturised longer. A damaged skin barrier leads to skin problems such as eczema and acne.
Skincare oils do not replace moisturisers, we do need both as they complement each other.
The key difference between skincare oils and moisturisers is that moisturisers can contain up to 90% water and their main function is to hydrate the skin. Just as on any surface, moisture evaporates from the skin, so it is important to seal it in by following up with a skincare oil.
The benefits of skincare oils
- Skincare oils contain antioxidants: Antioxidants protect the skin by limiting free radicals that are caused by environmental (pollution, make-up) or internal factors (stress, diet). They correct the visible signs of ageing by allowing the skin to repair itself. Antioxidants are also good at calming skin inflammations and preventing abnormal skin pigmentation from sun exposure.
- Oils help reduce the clogging of pores: Deficiency in linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid) – naturally found in your skin’s protective lipid barrier – creates stickier sebum (oil) which is more likely to clog your pores. Skincare oils rebalance the skin barrier and help regulate sebum production.
- Oils increase skin moisture retention: When there aren’t enough natural oils in your skin, water escapes making it dry and flaky. Skincare oils help supplement your natural skin oils, adding moisture and revitalising the skin’s protective barrier that keeps that moisture locked in.
How to use skincare oils
On the face
The rule of thumb is to apply your skincare from thinnest to thickest. More often, facial oils are the heaviest/thickest consistency and can penetrate the moisturiser, so it’s best to apply them after your moisturiser or water-based serums.
On the body
Apply body oils anytime day and night. Pure Body Luxe skincare oils have a dry finish, so they never feel greasy.
On the hair and scalp
As a styling aid, apply a small amount to wet or dry hair after shampooing to help restore shine and minimise frizziness.
As a deeply nourishing reparative mask to stimulate growth, apply enough oil to coat the hair from roots to ends. Massage into scalp and leave to absorb and condition for 30 minutes but preferably overnight.
Can also be applied daily directly just to the ends to instil shine and control. Easily washed out with shampoo.
Not sure where to start your skincare oil journey?
Our Discovery Sample Set is the perfect place to start. This set will introduce you to our full collection of face and body oils in a convenient 5ml size – perfect for a skin nourishment boost while you're out and about!