Oils from plants and flowers have long been used in beauty treatments. The ancient Egyptians pressed olives and used the oil as an after-sun balm. The Queen of Sheba was said to have planted an almond plantation so she could extract the oil and use it for her skin. Cleansing oils are especially good for sensitive, dry skin that cannot tolerate foaming cleansers.
“Oils are the oldest natural skincare,” says Liz Earle, author of New Vital Oils (Random House, 2003) and founder of Liz Earle skincare. Unlike water-based products that soak into your skin, oil-based products stay on the surface longer and prevent existing water from escaping. That’s why it’s good to switch from water-based products to oil-based ones during winter time, suggests Natural Health Magazine (www.naturalhealthmag.com)
For silky smooth skin, apply oil after a bath or shower, when your skin is still damp, to lock in moisture. Best oils for your body include grapeseed, almond, peach or wheat germ, if you have dry skin.
Beauty oils for face and body usually have fewer preservatives than water-based products since water can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Best lightweight oils for the face include jojoba, argan, thistle and cucumber. Oil-based cleansers typically have fewer abrasives than water-based ones so the wash feels less irritating. And you can even skip a moisturizer after removing your makeup and daily grime with a cleansing oil.
Whether you use skincare products to cleanse, moisturize, remove makeup, or pour into a steaming bath, you’ll find beauty oil that works best for you.
Suggested product:
Organic Cleansing Oil with Cherry, Argan and Sea Buckthorn combines cherry, argan, and grapeseed oil to soften and moisten skin while cleansing with a natural emulsifier.
