Discover the Benefits of Face Oil for Healthy, Glowing Skin

 

Okay, let’s get this out there right now. Oils do not hydrate. This is because they are inherently anhydrous, which is a fancy science word for saying that something does not contain any water.  You will find references to the hydrating properties of oil in articles, product descriptions, and blog posts – but, like a lot of stuff written on the internet, it just ain’t so. For the record, then- oil does not hydrate your skin.

However, plant-based face oils do a lot of things for your skin that are FANTASTIC. Face oils get a bad rap because folks are afraid that the oil will clog their pores. The right blend of plant oils, however, can provide incredible benefits for the health of the skin.

First of all, let’s start with where we are in life.  As we age, our skin goes through various changes, such as reduced collagen production, decreased skin elasticity, and increased dryness. Using the right plant oil blend in a face oil can be beneficial for older skin, as they contain vitamins, antioxidants, and nourishing omega fatty acids that can help improve skin health and address age-related skin issues such as dryness. Here’s a summary of the benefits these little powerhouses from nature provide for your skin. 

 

 

1.   Face oil helps lock in moisture

Plant oils are emollient, from the Latin emollire, which means “to soften,” and they can help to lock in moisture, preventing water loss from the skin. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with dry or dehydrated skin, as these oils can create a protective barrier that maintains the skin's hydration levels. As our skin ages, it loses its ability to retain moisture, so the oil’s ability to seal in the moisture is very beneficial to the skin. Face oils offer so many benefits for dry skin.

2.   Face oil is rich in omega fatty acids 

You’ve probably heard about essential fatty acids like omega-3s for brain health but did you know that many plant oils, such as those derived from chia, cranberry, and sea buckthorn, are high in essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6? Plant oils also contain other unsaturated fatty acids such as omega-7, omega-9 and omega-11, all of which provide varying benefits for the skin. These fatty acids play a crucial role in maintaining the skin's lipid barrier, which helps to keep the skin supple and prevent moisture loss.  All omega fatty acids protect the skin, but the essential fatty acids (EFAs) are particularly helpful for your skin’s good health and normal functioning.

3.   Face oil provides antioxidant protection

Plant oils often contain antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and various phytochemicals, including carotenoids, polyphenols, and more.  These antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals in the skin, which helps protect the skin from oxidative stress. 

What are free radicals? Sounds like a fun band, right? Nope.  Free radicals are actually unstable molecules with unpaired electrons that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures, such as UV radiation, pollution, and smoking.  Remember electrons from high school chemistry? Anyhow, these free radicals are not good for our skin – they are highly reactive and can cause damage to skin cells.

Now, your body is pretty good at dealing with these free radicals, but also gets help from antioxidants from external sources, like plants, for example – that’s why we’re supposed to eat our vegetables. These miracle worker antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating one of their electrons, stabilizing the free radicals and preventing them from causing further damage. For the skin, they act as a defense mechanism against oxidative stress.  That’s pretty cool.

4.   Face oil has anti-inflammatory properties

Certain plant oils, such as evening primrose, contain compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. These can help calm and soothe irritated or inflamed skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

5.   Face oil can help improve skin tone and texture

Plant oils can help improve the overall appearance of the skin by promoting a smoother texture and a more even skin tone. They can also reduce redness and promote a healthy complexion.

6.   Face oil can help wounds heal

Some plant oils, such as rosehip seed oil and calendula oil, have been shown to have wound-healing properties. These oils may help accelerate the healing process of minor cuts, scars, and other skin blemishes.

What are some of the best face oils for older skin?  Here are a few of our favorites that we use in our Daily Nourish Face Oil.

 

Rosehip (Rosa Mosqueta or Rubiginosa) Seed Oil

Regenerating and restorative, this oil contains a high amount of essential fatty acids that smooth and soften the skin. Vitamin A increases elastin content and promotes collagen formation by helping delay the age-related breakdown of skin and underlying tissues. Vitamins E and C nourish cells and shield against oxidation while creating a lipid barrier that protects and supports the skin. Rosehip oil is known as an astringent oil that displays notable antimicrobial action and absorbs fast leaving a non-greasy skin feel.

 

Prickly Pear Opuntia Ficus-Indica) Seed Oil

Inside the fruits of the prickly pear are seeds that contain oil containing multiple nutrients for skin. With large amounts of linoleic acid, Vitamin E, phytosterols, and polyphenols, prickly pear seed oil stimulates healthy cell production and turnover, provides protection, and helps skin retain moisture. It also soothes, hydrates, and reduces inflammation that can damage collagen, and it can prevent age-related skin damage. 

 

 

Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Seed Oil

This oil has properties mirroring the composition of sebum and this compatibility enables jojoba to help maintain the skin’s acid mantle and prevent trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) without causing greasiness or clogging pores. Jojoba contains natural forms of vitamin E, which works as an antioxidant and soothes and moisturizes chapped lips and dry skin and the antioxidant properties of this oil help smooth the skin and enhance its elasticity. It is typically non-irritating and allergic reactions are rare.

 

Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) Seed Oil

Pomegranate seed oil contains Punicic acid (omega5), which is a highly nutritious fatty acid for the skin, able to balance pH and condition the skin’s surface. Pomegranate seed oil is also anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial, and supports cell regeneration, helping to increase the elasticity of skin and repair sun and weather damage.  The oil we use is an upcycled ingredient and is cold-pressed from seeds that would otherwise go to waste in the juice industry.

 

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) Seed Oil

Rich in antioxidants and omega fatty acids, sea buckthorn supports the skin's moisture barrier while stimulating elasticity and cell regeneration. Extracted from the seeds of Hippophae rhamnoides shrub, native to Europe and the northern regions of Asia, this oil is known to be rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, unsaturated fatty acids, essential amino acids, and beta-carotene, making it a powerful natural antioxidant, which offers numerous benefits to the skin.

 

Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Oil

This lightweight and exceptionally nourishing oil has the highest natural omega-3 content of any carrier oil, which supports a healthy skin barrier by preventing water loss. It contains antioxidants and phytonutrients and protects the skin against environmental elements that can contribute to related skin issues.

Evening Primrose (Oenothera Biennis) Seed Oil

Rich in omega-6 fatty acids such as linoleic acid and gamma-linoleic acid (GLA),  which help maintain moisture levels and support the skin’s barrier function. Evening Primrose Oil helps reduce the loss of epidermal water while improving skin softness and elasticity and helping to alleviate inflammation.

 

Macadamia Nut (Macadamia Ternifolia) Seed Oil

Macadamia Nut oil is rapidly absorbed and considered a light oil beneficial for moisturizing dry and mature skin. It is quick-penetrating and helps to soften the skin. With a fatty acid content of 63% Oleic and 23% Palmitoleic, macadamia nut oil is anti-inflammatory and supports wound healing while supporting the skin’s barrier function.

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) Seed Oil

Cranberry seed oil offers a balanced fatty acid profile of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids which are key to keeping the skin’s moisture barrier intact, locking in hydration, and keeping out environmental irritants. This oil contains provitamin A carotenoids, phytonutrients, and antioxidant compounds that benefit skin health. Polyphenols, carotenes, quercetin, and anthocyanins protect against oxidation and free radical damage, while tannins keep the oil feeling light on the skin. This upcycled ingredient is cold-pressed from seeds that would otherwise go to waste in the juice industry. 

 

 

Plant-based face oils provide significant benefits for dry, mature and aging skin, which is why we love to use them in our Daily Nourish Face Oil.