How To Shop For A Face Oil
How To Select The Perfect Face Oil For You Skin Type
A one size fits all approach does not work when using a face oil as many plant oils are comedogenic (pore clogging) and need to be formulated by skin type to avoid skin problems. When formulated to integrate with our natural lipids a face oil is one of the very best ways to restore that youthful glow that we have when were young.
Cold-pressed plant oils have a very large molecular structure so if you apply a plant oil to your face and it has not been formulated to match the skin’s natural lipid ratio of Ceramides, Cholesterol and Fatty Acids the oil will just sit on top of the skin and possibly clog the pores.
One Of The Biggest Misconceptions About Face Oils
There is this false notion that plant oils hydrate the skin, however this is not possible because there is no water in a plant oil. Our skin needs both lipids and water for optimal radiance and a face oil is best when accompanied by a water based mist or essence to create a perfectly balanced lipid profile.
How To Apply A Face Oil
Always apply a face oil after you have hydrated your skin with a water based mist or essence so that the face oil can seal the water into your skin and create an occlusive layer that allows the water to hydrate your skin for several hours.
What To Look For In A Face Oil
Not all face oils are created equal and depending on your skin type depends on the type of oils you should use. There is this notion that the more exotic the plant oil the better it is when in actuality all plant oils have a unique fatty acid profile and need to be categorized by skin type.
Avoid Pore Clogging Plant Oils
When looking for a face oil it is best to avoid the most problematic pore clogging oils which are: Avocado Oil, Evening Primrose, Coconut Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Moringa Oil, Cocoa Butter. These oils are wonderful in a rinse off Cleansing Oil or for dry skin types.
CARRIER PLANT OIL COMEDOGENIC SCALE BY SKIN TYPE
*Below is a numbering scale from (0-5) that ranks the comedogenic
rating for each plant oil and the likelihood of clogging the pores.
0 – zero pore clogging (ideal for all skin types)
1 – very low (can be used by most skin types)
2 – moderately low (most skin types can use a minimal amount of level 2 plant oils)
3 – moderate (lipid dry skin types only - not for oily or acne skin)
4 – pore clogging (should only be used to treat true lipid dry skin types only)
5 – extremely pore clogging (should only be used in body care)
BEST PLANT OILS BY SKIN TYPE
All Skin Types
Argan Oil (0), Black Cumin Seed Oil (1-2), Black Raspberry Seed Oil (1-2), Blueberry
Seed Oil (0), Cacay Oil (1), Daikon Seed Oil, (0), Grape Seed Oil (1), Olive Oil (1-2),
Plum Kernel Oil (2), Pomegranate Oil (1), Prickly Pear Seed Oil (1), Red Raspberry
Seed Oil (0-1), Rosehip Seed Oil (1), Sea Buckthorn Oil (1), Shea Butter (0-1), Phyto
Squalane (0-1), Strawberry Seed Oil (1), Sunflower Seed Oil (0)
Oil Dry Skin Types
Argan Oil, Abyssinian Oil (1), Acai Berry Oil (1), Amaranth Oil (2), Apricot Kernel Oil (2), Avocado Oil (3), Carrot Seed Oil (3-4), Cupuacu Butter (4), Jojoba Oil (2), Kukui Nut Oil (2), Flax Seed Oil (4), Macadamia Nut Oil (4), Mango Butter (2), Olive Oil (1-2), Palm Kernel Oil (4), Papaya Seed Oil (2-3), Pequi Oil (3), Plum Kernel Oil (2), Pomegranate Oil (1), Prickly Pear Seed Oil (1), Rice Bran Oil (2), Shea Butter (0-1), Tea Seed Oil (2), Phyto Squalane (0-1), Strawberry Seed Oil (1), Sweet Almond Oil (1)
Sensitive And Anti-inflammatory Skin Types
Argan Oil (0), Babassu Oil (1-2), Borage Oil (2), Cucumber Seed Oil (1), Hemp Seed Oil (0), Mango Butter (2), Meadowfoam Seed Oil (1-2), Oat Oil (1-2), Peach Kernel Oil (2), Sacha Inchi Oil (0-1), Sea Buckthorn Oil 91), Shea Butter (0-1), Phyto Squalane (0-1), Sweet Almond Oil (1), Sunflower Seed Oil (0), Tamanu Oil (2)
Acne Skin Type: (should only use oils with a (0-1) score
Hemp Seed Oil (0), Hazelnut Oil (0), Rosehip Seed Oil (1), Cacay Oil (1), Castor Oil (1), Goji Seed Oil (0), Meadowfoam Seed Oil (1-2), Neem Oil (1), Pumpkin Seed Oil (1), Red Raspberry Seed Oil (0-1), Sacha Inchi Oil (0-1), Phyto Squalane (0-1), Safflower (0), Strawberry Seed Oil (1), Sunflower Seed Oil (0), Watermelon Seed Oil (1)