Facial oils are trendy
Facial oils are currently experiencing a hype and are enjoying growing popularity. The trend towards plant-based, certified organic ingredients, clean beauty and sustainable products has greatly increased the popularity of facial oils. It is hard to imagine your daily care routine without them. If you are looking for natural, minimalist skin care with just a few ingredients, you will appreciate facial oils as an extremely well-tolerated all-round care product that is also uncomplicated and versatile to use. While oil oils were often considered too heavy or comedogenic (clogging pores), there are now light, non-comedogenic facial oils. They bring balance not only to dry, mature or sensitive skin, but also to oily skin. They are suitable for all skin types, balance the sebum composition and regulate sebum production, and counteract blemishes, itching or redness. Facial oils can be used for many skin needs: soothing sensitive skin, treating acne, lightening the complexion of hyperpigmentation or slowing down skin aging (slow aging).
In this article, you will learn how facial oils work, what possible uses there are and whether skin care with facial oils alone can be effective and useful.
How do facial oils work?
Facial oils work in different ways to nourish, protect and regenerate the skin. They contain a variety of active ingredients, such as fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, which penetrate deep into the skin and support different skin functions.
Facial oils ensure a healthy, radiant complexion. They protect the skin from moisture loss by forming a protective layer on the skin's surface and strengthening the skin barrier. They prevent the skin from losing water. This function is particularly important for dry skin, as it keeps the skin soft and supple.
In the cold season, facial oils are an indispensable protection against wind, cold and dry heating air. At low temperatures or in dry room air caused by convection heating, facial skin quickly loses moisture and is prone to dry wrinkles. Facial oils offer ideal support here: They smooth fine lines and prevent moisture from escaping from the upper layer of skin.
Depending on the specific fatty acid pattern, facial oils can also be effective against itching, pimples, small pigment spots or acne scars. They promote an even complexion. In addition, the essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants contained in a facial oil can slow down the aging process of cells by fighting free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that are created in our bodies. They can cause damage to cells, proteins and even DNA if they are not neutralized. They arise from normal metabolic processes in the body, but are exacerbated by smoking, alcohol, air pollution, unhealthy diet, excessive UV radiation or constant stress.
How can facial oils be used?
You can use facial oils in a variety of ways to enrich your skincare routine. When used correctly, facial oils complement your skincare routine in many ways and ensure smooth skin and a radiant complexion. Here are some tried and tested methods and tips on how to use facial oils optimally:
- Use facial oil pure
Apply the facial oil to your still damp face immediately after cleansing. The facial oil will lock in the moisture on your skin.
Application: Put 3-5 drops of the facial oil on your fingertips and press it gently into the skin. This ensures even distribution and a pleasant skin feeling. - Enrich facial cream
Mix the facial oil directly into your care cream to enhance the nourishing effect - particularly ideal for cold days.
Application: Mix 1-2 drops of oil into a small amount of face cream and apply to the face, neck and décolleté. This method is particularly suitable for very dry skin. - In combination with serum instead of cream
Use the oil after a hydrating serum instead of a moisturizer to lock in the moisture.
Application: Apply the oil directly after the serum. This not only moisturizes the skin, but also optimally protects it. - as a base under make-up & for a natural glow
Facial oils are ideal as a primer under makeup to give the skin a natural glow and make it appear softer.
Application: Massage 1-2 drops into the skin before applying your foundation. Allow the oil to absorb so that the make-up adheres better. - For facial massages
Facial oils are ideal for facial massages as they provide sufficient lubricity while also nourishing the skin.
Application: Put a few drops of oil on the palms of your hands and massage it into the skin using circular movements. Use light pressure and tapping to stimulate blood circulation. - Targeted care for dry or inflamed areas
Use facial oil to treat dry or irritated areas of skin.
Application: Apply the oil to dry areas such as around the eyes, lips or cheeks and massage it in gently to soothe skin irritations. - Night care for intensive regeneration
Facial oils are ideal as an overnight treatment for intensive care overnight.
Application: Apply a generous amount of oil over your serum in the evening Face and neck. During nighttime regeneration, the skin can absorb the nutrients particularly well. - Mixing with foundation
A few drops of facial oil make your foundation lighter and give it a natural glow.
Application: Add a drop of oil to a small amount of foundation, mix both on the back of your hand and apply to the face. For a radiant, fresh look. - Enriching a facial mask
Mix a few drops of facial oil into your facial mask to intensify the care effect.
Application: Add 2-3 drops of oil to your mask to provide your skin with even more rich care. - for removing make-up
Cleansing oils can even remove waterproof make-up.
Application: Wet your face, massage in 3-5 drops of cleansing oil and then wipe it off with a cotton pad. - Additional care for eyes and lips
The sensitive skin around the eyes and lips particularly benefits from the care with facial oil.
Application: Gently apply a drop of oil to the eye or lip area to avoid dry skin.
Is skin care with facial oils alone effective and sensible?
Some people prefer a minimalist, as natural as possible skin care - free of any additives or fillers. In principle, such a puristic facial care routine based exclusively on facial oils can be sufficient. Facial oils are versatile, easy to use and can be used in various phases of the skin care routine, such as for oil cleansing, instead of a facial cream, as a make-up base or for facial massage.
Facial oils as the sole skin care product are sufficient if the barrier layer of the skin surface is intact, your skin is in a stable balance and is healthy. In young, healthy skin, the skin's own fats (lipids) fulfill the function of the skin's own emulsifiers, which transport the oil-bound active ingredients of a facial oil into the deeper layers of the skin. However, the older we get, the drier our skin naturally becomes. Not only is there a lack of moisturizing lipids, but there is also a lack of moisture. In older skin, the barrier layer that protects against moisture loss is also weaker than in younger skin, so that moisture cannot be bound in the skin as well.
Why facial oils alone are often not enough
- The difference between moisturizer & moisture loss protection
Facial oils lock in moisture in the skin and protect against moisture loss, but do not provide moisture themselves. To provide the skin with optimal care, an additional moisturizer, such as a hyaluronic serum or a facial toner with hyaluronic acid, is necessary. These products supply the skin with moisture, which is then locked in by the facial oil. Without a moisturizing serum or toner, facial oils can only seal the skin, but not provide sufficient moisture.
- Targeted active ingredients for specific skin needs
Facial oils alone are often not enough to treat various skin problems, such as acne, pigment spots, uneven skin texture or fine lines. Specific skin problems require targeted active ingredients - such as bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, phosphatidylcholine, vitamin C or niacinamide - which are contained in facial serums, moisturizers or regenerating facial masks.
Conclusion
Skin care with facial oils alone can work in some cases, especially for young skin with an intact skin barrier or as a minimalist restart after perioral dermatitis (POD), i.e. for extremely sensitive, over-cared skin. However, a skin care routine with additional moisturizers such as hyaluronic acid or aloe vera in a facial serum or facial toner offers better long-term results. Facial oils are a valuable part of skin care, but they work much better when combined with moisturizers and active ingredients that address your specific skin needs. Facial oil also forms an ideal combination with emulsifier-free DMS facial creams. The myrto facial creams with phosphatidylcholine and beta-glucan ensure that the facial oils can be absorbed deeply, the skin barrier is strengthened, your skin is hydrated and protected from moisture loss.
