Oils have somewhat of a bad rep. There is a common misconception that using face oils will make your skin even oilier, block your pores or leave your skin looking greasy. However, oils are incredibly nutritious, even for the oiliest of skin types, and deserve to sit proudly in your skincare routine. Packed with natural goodness, from skin plumping essential fatty acids to photo-chemicals (vitamins, antioxidants, sterols, polyphenols etc), there’s more to oils than meets the eye. We chatted all things oil with Holistic Therapist Ellie Gill, who shared her key takeaways of how to make the most of face oils, while busting some common misconceptions along the way.
A Q&A on oils with Ellie Gill, Holistic Therapist
Q
What is your advice for people with oily and sensitive skin types when they think about using oils?
A
I love using oils on the skin for so many reasons. Many of my clients find it strange when I suggest they use oil skincare products initially but they soon understand why after they’ve been using it for a little while and never go back. If you have oily skin, there’s no need to worry about it making your skin even oilier. If you use the right oil products it can actually help balance how much sebum your skin is producing and bring it back into balance. If you have sensitive skin, using an oil can be a great idea too, as the ingredients are often much more soothing than using a harsh foaming cleanser.
Q
People also often worry about hard butters and waxes clogging pores and causing breakouts. Can you share your advice on how to approach this?
A
It’s pretty unlikely that a hard butter or wax would clog the skin to be honest. You don’t want comedogenic oils that prevent dirt and oil from escaping but this has nothing to do with texture. A synthetic similar looking balm would almost definitely clog the skin. However, balms composed of Candelila wax or a natural butters like A-Game, are readily absorbed into the skin and unlikely to block the pores. If you have oily skin, using a regular exfoliant is alwas a good idea and essential to keep the skin clear. You can always try Take-Off-Touch-Down which has a gentle yet effective exfoliant, salicylic acid, especially if you’re travelling, or even on lazy days.
Q
What are the best practices for using essential oils if I have sensitive skin?
A
Essential oils need to be treated with respect. I think a lot of people presume if something is natural it’s completely safe, which is not true at all. If you’re making your own products you must always dilute an essential oil within a base oil, never apply them directly onto the skin. However, essential oils when diluted can be extremely helpful for treating skin conditions. My favourite ingredient to look for in skincare is Rose essential oil. If you have redness, Rose oil can help to soothe the skin, and it’s also great at reducing acne. Reach for A-Game which contains rose wax to calm any redness when you’re on the go.
Q
What’s the best way to use facial oils to get the most from them?
A
I use oils to cleanse the skin and also moisturise. Applying the oil is also a great opportunity to give yourself a really good face massage. This is the best thing you could do for your skin because it will help boost circulation and aid lymphatic drainage resulting in glowing, plump healthy looking skin.
Ellie Gill is a Holistic Therapist. Find out more at elliegill.co.uk
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