Skin care ingredients go in and out of fashion, and there was a time when using oil on the skin was considered a bad idea. Thankfully, those days have passed, because oils are one of the best things you can layer into your skin care routine to keep skin healthy, dewy, and moisturized. Winter is an especially good time to start using oils if you don’t already, as their richer moisturizing properties and other benefits are great for your hands and face—anywhere exposed to the harsher weather. Read on to learn which oils are beneficial for your skin and hair, and how to incorporate them into your routine.
Should Oils Go First or Last in a Skin Care Routine?
Oils should always come last in your routine, however determining which product fits the bill isn’t so simple. From cleanser to moisturizer, many of the products you use as part of your multi-step daily routine probably contain some oils. Products that are mostly or purely oil-based are the ones you should save for last, especially face oils. Because of their occlusive qualities, using pure oils earlier in your routine could block your other products from absorbing into the skin. Patting these on at the end, on the other hand, enhances your natural moisture barrier and seals all those good ingredients in for the day or night.
Which Oils Are Good for Skin and Hair?
Different oils have different properties, and using the right one, or a combination of a few can keep skin looking its best at any age.
Marula Oil
Marula oil is derived from the marula tree, which is native to sub-Saharan tropical Africa. Because it’s lightweight and has a fatty acid profile similar to ours, it absorbs easily into the skin. This makes it an effective moisturizer for dry or aging skin, helping to smooth fine lines, prevent stretch marks, and keep skin hydrated. It’s also packed with antioxidants, protecting you from the free radicals caused by exposure to UV rays and pollution. Due to its anti-inflammatory benefits, marula oil can also help with acne, advancing wound healing and preventing scarring.
Rosehip Seed Oil
If there’s a holy grail of skin oils, it’s rosehip seed oil. With its high percentage of antioxidants (polyphenols, vitamins B, C and E, and carotenoids), rosehip oil is known for its healing and hydrating properties, as well as for encouraging elasticity and collagen production. Because it’s noncomedogenic, most people can use it without worrying about breaking out. Most impressive of all is its ability to reduce dark spots and other signs of photoaging because of its high percentage of skin-brightening Vitamin C. If sun damage is a concern, a photofacial can help to reduce the signs of aging caused by sun exposure, including fine lines, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation.
Jojoba Oil
For both skin and hair, jojoba oil is the way to go if you’re feeling dehydrated. Jojoba oil is a humectant, meaning it attracts and locks in moisture wherever you put it. It’s on the heavier side, however, so you may want to use it on dry areas of the body and brittle strands of hair rather than the face. Often, dryness, dullness, and skin laxity are due to factors more profound than dehydration. Venus Versa™ and Venus Legacy™ treatments renew skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin, two of the building blocks for firm, youthful-looking skin.
Rosemary Oil
Although studies are inconclusive so far, this fragrant oil is revered for its hair growth abilities. While it may not be a miracle cure for thinning hair, it does have moisturizing benefits for the strands and scalp, so it’s worth incorporating if you’re feeling dry in those areas. Massage into the scalp and hair all the way down to the ends and leave on for twenty minutes as a moisturizing mask before showering, or use on the ends to seal split ends. It smells great, too! If hair loss is something you’re struggling with, consider hair restoration for a permanent solution to hair loss, thinning, or balding.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a multipurpose wonder as far as skin care is concerned. Its hydrating, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and healing properties make it a great moisturizer, but it can also serve as makeup remover, an ingredient in DIY spa recipes, lip balm, hair mask, and more. However, it has one drawback—it’s known to clog pores, so it won’t be right for every skin type, especially those who are acne-prone. Still, on dry winter hands and nails, it’s a lifesaver.
It’s a great time to add oils to your skincare routine. Give your skin a fresh start—and make all that effort you put into your routine every day worth it—with a Venus Glow™ facial renewal treatment. Venus Glow™ treatments remove dirt and old product build-up, giving pores a thorough clean and hydrating for a fresh, rejuvenated complexion. You can book a treatment near you today by using the search field below.
