Our Chemical Romance – The Truth About Oil

By Nicolle

By now you should know that I’m a clean beauty freak – I’ll try almost any sort of DIY trick, natural remedy or recently recommended product. Despite my adventurous spirit regarding cosmetics, even I was a little wary of the current face moisturizer trend: OIL.

Keeping oil away from our faces has been a line beauty product pros and amateurs alike have towed. Most conventional products are labeled “oil-free” and we’re constantly bombarded with “shine-eliminating” tips. While I don’t want a greasy face as much as the next person, I’m beginning to realize that oil (natural oil, that is) is not the enemy.

Natural oils have a multitude of benefits for our skin, ranging from helping it retain moisture to preventing wrinkles, and oil isn’t really the culprit when it comes to break-outs and acne. Ready to jump on the oil bandwagon? Check out these natural moisturizers:

Coconut oil: Touted as one of mother nature’s miracles, coconut oil can be used on everything from your face to your feet. It has great antioxidant properties and fights free radicals, which can help reduce the signs of aging. It’s also antibacterial and helps treat and sooth acne-prone skin. To keep some money in your pocket, grab an organic, cold-pressed jar from the grocery store. If you want to splurge, check out RMS Beauty’s amazing Raw Coconut Cream.

Extra virgin olive oil: Yep, you can put the same fatty oil on your face as you do on your salad. Olive oil is a little thicker than coconut oil, so I don’t recommend it for already oily skin or for acne-prone peeps. Its thickness makes it great for dry-skinned guys and gals, especially in the winter. Pick up an organic, cold-pressed bottle at your grocery store (I just use the Whole Foods 365 brand).

Jojoba oil: This is one you may not have heard of, but its natural properties make it the oil that most closely mimics skin’s natural oil, sebum. Jojoba absorbs into skin fast and also helps reduces signs of aging, as well as dark spots. Again, go for an organic option when selecting jojoba oil. I like the Desert Essence brand personally.

Argan oil: This is likely the one you’ve heard of, if you’re savvy about using natural oils as moisturizers. Not only does argan oil have fatty acids and vitamins that help your skin renew itself quickly and reduce the signs of wrinkles, it’s also anti-inflammatory, calms acne and heals dry skin. I’ve used the (slightly expensive) Josie Maran brand, but want to try Amal Oil’s (you can get it cheaper with this promotion).

If you’re interested in facial oils with other essential oils added for specific skin issues, check out brands Weleda, Pratima or Dr. Hauschka.

Your turn: What do you think, readers? Will you jump on the facial oil bandwagon or does the thought of rubbing more oil onto your face freak you out? Let me know in the comments below or drop me a line at [email protected].