Beauty Oils Decoded: Which Ones Should You Be Using
From nourishing the hair and washing away makeup and impurities, to treating stretch marks and healing scars, soothing eczema and preventing wrinkles, beauty oils are hot property right now. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, beauty pundits and health experts are singing their soothing and rejuvenating praises, and the major cosmetic houses, hair and skincare brands are jumping on the bandwagon, big time.
If you’re a little hesitant about creating an oil slick on your already-shiny face, you needn’t be. Whatever your skin or hair type, there’s an essential oil or oil blend product out there for you. Read on for our grease-free guide to navigating beauty oils.
Which Oil is For You?
Before we get started, it’s important to determine which skin type you have. Check out this handy article I prepared earlier. You’re welcome.
The (Almost) A-Z of Beauty Oils
Argan – this ‘liquid gold’ is extracted from the argan tree, native to Morocco. Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, it’s ideal for softening and hydrating the skin, both face and body, and as a conditioner or hair treatment to tame frizz, prevent split ends, and generally give you super shiny, soft, supermodel-worthy tresses.
Great for: dry skin, dry hair. Can also be used to cleanse normal to dry skins.
We love: Argan Life Argan & Almond Body Oil
Avocado – we all know how good the natural fats in avocados are for us on the inside, but did you know the oil can also be used as a beauty product? Packed full of vitamins, it is a very effective natural moisturiser, increasing elasticity of the skin, and can help relieve the itchiness associated with dry skin conditions like psoriasis.
Great for: all skin types, including mature and dry skins. Also a popular oil to use for cleansing acne-prone skins.
We love: Avado Organics Certified Organic Avocado Oil
Carrot Seed – high in antioxidants, carrot seed oil is wonderful for skin rejuvenation and can be used as a natural anti-ageing facial treatment. Used with a carrier oil, it also makes a great nourishing hot oil treatment for your hair, and is reported to help stimulate hair growth.
Great for: all skin types, due to its balancing properties. Particularly good for rejuvenation of mature skins. Helps strengthen hair and also protects it from UV rays.
We love: Odacite Wild Carrot Serum
Chia Seed – not just for putting in your breakfast pudding, chia seeds have purported beauty benefits when the oil is extracted and applied topically. The high level of omega-3s in chia seed oil is said to boost collagen production, resulting in younger-looking skin. It’s great for oilier skins, as it is very light and absorbed more easily than most other oils.
Great for: all skin types, including oily skins.
We love: Perricone MD Chia Serum
Coconut – you’d have to have been living under a rock not to have heard the benefits of coconut oil for health (when consumed or used as an oil in cooking), or used topically on the hair and body. Rich in vitamin E, it’s been recommended for use as a moisturiser, body lotion, hair mask, massage oil (when mixed with other essential oils), cuticle treatment, makeup remover, teeth whitener… the list goes on!
Great for: all skin types.
We love: Puretan Pure Moisture Organic Extra Virgin 100% Coconut Oil
Jojoba – packed with vitamins and minerals that promote healthy skin and hair, jojoba has been popular in beauty circles for a long time, and for good reason. It can be used alone, but is often used as a carrier oil for other essential oils. Jojoba has moisturising properties, making it great for all skin types, and also possesses anti-microbial properties, making it suitable for acne skins.
Great for: all skin types, including dry AND acne-prone. Can also be used to promote shiny hair, treat dry scalps, and stimulate hair growth.
We love: Jojoba Company 100% Natural Australian Jojoba
Macadamia – rich in essential fatty acid palmitoleic acid (Omega 7), macadamia oil helps prevent moisture loss by repairing the skin’s protective layer. Easily absorbed, it leaves the skin hydrated, but non-greasy.
Great for: all skin types. May also help clear breakouts.
We love: Thursday Plantation Macadamia Oil
Olive – found in pantries across the country, high quality extra virgin olive oil is the ultimate health and beauty multi-tasker. It’s a cheap and effective body moisturiser, and can also help prevent stretch marks while pregnant. Make like Cleopatra, and add some to the bath for smooth, soft skin, or warm some up for a shine-inducing hair mask.
Great for: Very dry skin. Preventing stretch marks.
We love: Cobram Estate Extra Virgin Light Olive Oil
Rose Hip – Long hailed as a beauty saviour, rose hip oil can be used to treat uneven pigment, scars and fine lines. Hailed as nature’s Retin-A, it’s an anti-ageing super star. It also contains linoleic acid, which may also have benefits for acne sufferers.
Great for: all skin types, including pigmented and acne-prone skins, and mature skins showing signs of ageing.
We love: Sukin Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil
Vitamin E – you know the drill. Vitamin E’s intensely hydrating, making it a star moisturising ingredient, and it’s long been touted as the best thing since sliced bread when it comes treating scars and fading stretch marks.
Great for: dry skin and treating scarring.
We love: derma e Vitamin E Skin Oil
Four More Gold-Star Beauty Oils…
The Serum
The Face Oil
The Cleansing Oil
The Body & Hair Oil
