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Should You Use A Facial Oil?

Using oil on your face can seem a little counterintuitive if you battle oily skin and breakouts. Applying oil to the face may create visions of clogged pores and an overly shiny complexion, but, according to the experts, oils are a great addition to your beauty regimen regardless of skin type. In fact, oils do not cause breakouts, can decrease inflammation, help plump your skin, increase the effectiveness of anti-aging creams and have the potential to help clear acne.

What Are Face Oils?

To be clear, we’re not talking about mineral oil. And, it’s not the same stuff that makes your T-zone shiny – that’s sebum, which is produced by the body.

Plant-based facial oils are moisturizers that provide a bigger boost of hydration than regular lotion moisturizer, says thegloss.com. Technically, oils are lipophilic (fat loving), so they absorb into the skin’s lipid barrier keeping your skin hydrated. And, according to the beauty experts at L’Oréal Paris in thestylelist.com, this absorption helps to soften the appearance of fine lines.

Still not ready to run out and buy your first bottle of oil? See the opinions of the true believers at luellajune.com: Oils prevent skin damage and breakouts, they’re full of antioxidants, they’re some of the best anti-agers, and they’re basically the surest thing to getting the dewy, glowy skin we all desire.

Who Can Use Face Oils?

Turns out that applying face oil actually dates back to the ancient Egypt, Greek and Roman empires. Today, face oils include a combination of extracts including coconut, jojoba, almond, hemp, avocado, rosemary, ylang ylang, argan, and others, depending on brand.

With oily skin, these natural ingredients trick your skin into thinking it already has enough oil, shutting off sebum production, says Should You Swap Your Moisturizer For Face Oil? In dry or blemished areas, the soothing plant materials help to lock-in moisture by forming a protective barrier, while also cleaning out or refreshing pores.

These traits make face oils great for dry, oily, or combination skin as they balance, detoxify, and mattify with just a minuscule amount of liquid.

How They Work

According to thefashionspot.com, natural botanical oils impart nourishment that isn’t created in a lab, unlike so many moisturizers. They help protect against environmental free radicals that result in aging skin. Due to their fast absorption, they leave skin soft, supple and plump. Certain oils, such as argan, are anti-inflammatory, which means they help with redness and reduce irritation. Plus, dermatologists shared with allure.com that oils aid in creating better absorption of anti-aging products.

How To Apply

Check out thebeautydepartment.com for step-by-step instructions for using face oil with your daily moisturizer, but in the meantime: apply moisturizer first and then pat the oil on top. The oil creates a moisture barrier, sealing the moisturizer into the skin and helping to prevent the air from making it dissipate.

Be sure and check with your skin care professional to determine the best face oil for you, as well as application method. And remember — Learn to sleep on your back and keep that precious oil on your face (and not on your pillowcase!) so it can do its job.