It should be wrinkle-, oil- and pimple-free: For the sake of our skin, we dig deep into our pockets to provide it with the best nutrients and protect it from premature aging. Yet natural oils are much better for our skin on the face. We reveal why.
Using natural oils instead of conventional face creams is all the rage. Even celebrities prefer to use simple oils instead of overpriced creams.
There are many reasons for this. Above all, the many ingredients in cosmetics are off-putting. Facial oils on the other hand, have a short list of ingredients and are free of toxic substances.
Questionable ingredients in face creams
Have you ever read through the list of ingredients in your face cream? Probably not, because most of the time you don't understand what it says anyway.
If your cream smells like roses, flowers or vanilla, that's a bad sign. Because the fragrances can cause allergies and are also carcinogenic.
So here, the less you smell, the better.
Many face creams also contain hormonally active substances, which you should avoid using.
The negative effects of parabens and silicones are now well known, and many cosmetics are already labeled "Without parabens and silicones".
Thankfully, there are safe alternatives to fragrance like essential oils and parabens like potassium sorbate. These are a few examples of ingredients we use in our hemp moisturizing creams to keep the formulations free from harmful chemicals.
Difference between vegetable oils and essential oils
Instead of wasting your time searching the ingredient lists of conventional face creams for toxins or hormonally active substances, you could try plant and essential oils for your skincare.
There is an important difference between vegetable oils, which are pressed from nuts or fruits, and essential oils.
Because unlike vegetable oils, essential oils are extracted from leaves and flowers.
You can apply plant oils directly to the skin, but you should use essential oils sparingly. Often, plant oils are used as a base for facial oils and essential oils are added as needed.
Make sure that all the oils you use are of good quality, this is the only way to get the desired result and protect your skin from harmful substances.
The oils should be natural, cold-pressed and from controlled organic cultivation.
Facial oils despite impure skin?
When it comes to proper care for blemished skin, you've probably heard of comedogenic or non-comedogenic.
Comedogenic means whether an oil can clog pores and thus promote pimples and blackheads.
Therefore, anyone who is prone to blemishes should go for non-comedogenic oils. The best non-comedogenic oil for acne prone skin is hemp seed oil. Not only does it not clog pores, it contains linoleic acid which can thin your skin's sebum to make sure it can flow freely to escape your pores.
You should avoid olive oil and coconut oil on their own, because they have a comedogenic effect. But when mixed with other oils they can be a safe choice for oily skin.
Many people with oily and blemish-prone skin think that facial oils would only make their problems worse - however, it's the other way around.
While conventional face creams only mask the problems, face oils work deeper and fix the cause.
Due to the vitamin E contained in oils, many facial oils have an anti-inflammatory effect and are therefore good against impurities.
Vitamin E also ensures that the skin remains resistant and can fend off negative environmental influences such as those caused by air pollution.
The right application
With facial oils, it is above all the dose that makes the poison. Since conventional face creams get us used to using too much rather than too little, we also tend to overdose when using oils.
Here is a guide to the proper use of facial oils:
1. The right dose
For dry skin you can use 4-5 drops, for normal 2-3 and for an oily or combination skin already 1-3 drops are enough.
2. Cleanse the skin (morning & evening)
In order for the oil to be optimally absorbed into your skin, the skin should be properly cleansed before use.
For dry skin, it is recommended to cleanse with oil, oily skin can be well cleaned with the right tonic / facial toner.
3. Apply the oils on damp skin.
The oils, unlike face creams, should be applied to a slightly damp skin. For this purpose, water or even rose water is suitable, which is now often available in a convenient spray bottle.
Empyri's solution for this right application is the 3-step ritual. Our gentle cleansing oil travels deep into your pores to clear the way to absorb our moisturizing facial oil. And in between, our hydrating hemp toner dampens the skin for the perfect serum application.
The best oils for your skin type
Impure/oily skin
Vegetable oils: grape seed oil, hemp oil, sunflower oil
Essential oils: manuka oil, tea tree oil, chamomile oil blue
Dry skin
Vegetable oils: almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil
Essential oils: carrot seed oil, rose geranium oil, rosewood oil
Normal skin
Vegetable oils: argan oil, jojoba oil, walnut oil
Essential oils: rose oil, lavender oil, myrtle oil
Final Verdict
Yes, face oils can "replace" your moisturizer. In fact, a face oil is often the better choice for dry and mature skin. The key is to choose the right type of face oil that will hydrate, nourish, treat and protect your skin all day. For many people, using an oil for day and night in the Fall/Winter and switching to a light day cream in the Spring/Summer is a smart choice.