Oils have infiltrated the beauty scene for many reasons. They are extremely versatile and can be used anywhere from acne scars to cracked heels.
Why add oils to your beauty routine?
Oils can improve the appearance of your skin and hair. Oils can help even out your skin tone and moisturize your lips. They also serve as a moisturizing makeup remover.
Are oils for all skin types?
Yes and no. The next point will explain this in more detail.
Dry Oil vs. Wet Oil
Dry oils are not exactly dry, what this refers to is the rate at which the of oil absorption on the skin. Generally speaking dry oils as lightweight and quick-absorbing. After a few minutes of applying dry oil, you likely won’t even notice it was applied. On a more scientific level dry oils are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, namely linoleic, and made of vegetable, seed, and herbal oils. Examples of these oils are avocado, evening primrose, sunflower, and more. Dry oils work with all skin types, and we got more detail below about adding dry oils to your beauty routine.
Wet oils would be what you generally come to think of as an oil – something like massage oil. These oils often sit on top of the skin and give a “wet” feeling. Common wet oils would be coconut, castor, or jojoba among others. These oils take a longer time to absorb into the skin and often are great for extreme dryness or itchiness. These oils are often not recommended for oily or acne-prone skin.
Face Oils
Face oils give skin an instantly smooth, soft feeling. They are full of essential nutrients, fatty acids, and antioxidants. They tend to sit on the skin thus adding a protective barrier.
High
- UMA Oils Anti Aging Face Oil ($175)
- RODIN Olio Russo ($170)
- Algenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil ($82)
MID PRICE
LOW
- Burt’s Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil ($12.41)
- The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil ($9.80)
Cleansing Oils
Cleansing oils cleanse by mixing with oils that are naturally on your face and those from makeup. Cleansing oils (aka good oils) remove all the other oils (bad oils) with it leaving your skin radiant and smooth. Cleansing oils bind to surface impurities- dirt, makeup oils, etc.- and pull them out without clogging pores. Oil cleansers also contain antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients that improves the texture of your skin while they clean.
High
MID PRICE
- Kiehl’s Since 1851 Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil ($32)
- BareMinerals Oil Obsessed Total Cleansing Oil ($30)
LOW
- Burt’s Bees Cleansing Oil ($14.39)
Hair Oils
Hair oils are used to add extra smoothness and shine to all hair types. Hair oils have a variety of purposes; smooth flyaways, improve the texture of hair or add in moisture.
High
MID PRICE
- MOROCCANOIL Treatment ($34)
- Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil ($28)
LOW
Body Oils
Body oils help to provide extra nourishment for your skin. Some oils even help to repair the skin by healing scars, reducing the appearance of stretch marks, and combating cellulite. These include rosehip, lavender, and geranium oils.
