December 19, 2023
8 min read
Oil for skin health and beauty dates back thousands of years, used for moisturising in indigenous tribes and sacred beauty rituals as far back as ancient Egypt. Although people have used oils for hair and skin health for centuries, some of you may still be wondering if face oils are an essential beauty product and if they are suitable for your skin type and routine. If this sounds like you, read on to dive into the world of face oils and discover how you can incorporate a suitable face oil into your daily skincare ritual.
What Are Oils And How Are They Different From Moisturisers?
Face oils are concentrated skincare multitaskers that often contain:
Base ingredients
Base ingredients nourish the skin while retaining and protecting the benefits of any active ingredients that have been added to the formulation. Camellia Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Macadamia Oil and Jojoba Oil are a few examples of base ingredients.
Specialty Oils
These oils are included to target and support specific skin types. Some examples of specialty oils include Raspberry Seed Oil for Age Defence, Pomegranate Seed Oil to reduce Sun Damage and Chia Seed Oil to increase hydration while repairing and protecting the skin’s barrier.
Active Ingredients
Bio-active ingredients are included to deliver results at a cellular level. These can include Australian Native Extracts such as Davidson Plum and Kakadu Plum to support age defence, brightening and protecting the skin from environmental factors.
You can learn more about LAMAV’s formulations and our exclusive 3 Tier Formula here (https://lamav.com/pages/our-formulas)
If you’re wondering why it’s not enough to just apply moisturiser, there are a few differences in the benefits that moisturisers and oils can deliver to your skin’s health. While moisturisers are an essential step in your daily skincare routine, that’s exactly what they do - moisturise. And while brands are now producing moisturisers that include active ingredients to support skin concerns, they are often not concentrated enough to produce serious results alone, as the main focus for the product is to hydrate the skin.
Face oils don’t just moisturise your skin, they’ll also lock the moisture in while providing your skin’s barrier with an additional layer of protection. Our skin’s barrier is made of natural fats and oils, so it makes sense to replenish and protect our skin with oil. Including an oil in your skincare routine can also stimulate collage production to support age defence, correct uneven skin tone and brighten the skin.
Face Oil Ingredients - How To Choose The Right Facial Oil For Your Skin Type
Believe it or not, face oils can support overall skin health for all skin types and treat a variety of skin concerns with scientifically proven results. Yes, even those of you with oily or acne prone skin can benefit from the right face oil! Read on to find your skin type and ingredients to look out for when choosing a face oil.
Ageing & Acne Prone Skin
Raspberry Seed Oil is known for its anti-inflammatory abilities, helping to soothe inflammatory skin conditions such as acne. Rich in linoleic acid, essential fatty acids and antioxidants such as vitamin A and vitamin E—it’s also deeply nourishing for the skin and assists in reducing the visible signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles by helping to promote collagen synthesis and fight free radical damage.
Sea Buckthorn Oil is one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin A, providing a powerful antioxidant shield to reduce oxidative stress.
Argan Oil is derived from cold pressing argan nuts and commonly known as ‘Moroccan Oil’. This skin-protecting superfood is characterised by its light, non-greasy formula, making it ideal for oily or acne-prone skin types as it helps to balance the skin’s natural lipid levels without clogging pores. Containing an abundance of vitamin E, as well as essential fatty acids and antioxidants—argan oil is deeply moisturising, anti-inflammatory and known to protect the skin from scarring by supporting and strengthening skin structure.
Baobab Oil is native to Eastern and Western Africa and derived from the ‘Tree of Life’. This oil has an impressive phytochemical profile, rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory linoleic acid (Omega 6) making it ideal for acneic skin due to its non-clogging properties. This nourishing oil is quick to absorb and also contains up to 10 times more vitamin C than oranges, which is essential for healthy skin function and promoting cell renewal. Baobab oil also assists with collagen formation, for plumper, smoother skin.
We Recommend: LAMAV’s Vitamin A Repair Oil as it contains all the goodness of the oils mentioned above, with the addition of 2% Bakuchiol for serious skin smoothing results.
Dry, Mature & Sensitive Skin
Chia seed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acid and phytosterols to replenish the skin's moisture barrier, reducing roughness of the skin and providing long-lasting hydration.
Acai and Marula oils e-energise and repair stressed skin, restoring its healthy glow while providing immediate comfort for dry skin.
Sandalwood Seed Oil is derived from a tree native to Southwest Australia and is traditionally used as an essential oil. Sandalwood seed kernel oil is now used in skincare for its hydrating, anti-ageing and skin-soothing benefits. Containing a complex profile of omega essential fatty acids (including a rarest fatty acid - Xymenic acid), it helps to target fine lines and wrinkles, strengthen and protect the skin’s delicate barrier function and support skin hydration. Often used as a skin-soother and astringent.
We Recommend: LAMAV’s Omega 3, 6, 7 & 9 Antioxidant Oil. Ideal for dry and sensitive skin, this complex formula repairs the skin barrier, boosting elasticity. The inclusion of CoEnzyme Q10 will provide a burst of antioxidants to reduce the visible signs of ageing.
Dull, Uneven Skin
Pomegranate Seed Oil is of one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits in the world, containing a plethora of skin benefits due to its polyphenol content. Containing skin-protective vitamin C, it protects against sun damage and collagen degradation, preserving skin firmness and elasticity. It’s also anti-inflammatory so is used to soothe irritated or sensitive skin types and may even help reduce the appearance of skin damage and scarring.
Kakadu Plum Oil also known as Billygoat Plum or Gubinge, contains incredible levels of vitamin C - more than 13 times the antioxidant activity than blueberries—making it an antioxidant powerhouse! Given that vitamin C is so essential for skin health, this nourishing oil helps to promote collagen production and encourage cellular renewal, protecting the skin from free radical damage and pigmentation.
Rosehip Seed Oil - Famed as one of the best anti-ageing ingredients, rosehip seed oil helps to repair and rejuvenate skin. It contains high levels of essential fatty acids, Vitamin A and Vitamin C, all vital for the maintenance of normal, healthy skin and collagen production. With lycopene and beta carotene, rosehip seed oil may also assist in lightening skin pigmentation.
We Recommend: Formulated with 10% Vitamin C, LAMAV’s Vitamin C Brightening Oil is the only oil you’ll need to brighten and even your complexion. The burst of antioxidants from Australian Native Extracts and nutrient rich seed oils will instantly nourish, clarify and protect the skin.
How To Apply Facial Oils
If you’re new to face oils, you may be wondering how they fit into your routine. The answer to this may be different for everyone, depending on your skin type and the other products in your routine. As a general guide, we recommend applying your serums, moisturisers and oils in order from thinnest consistency to thickest. As most serums are typically water based, you’ll usually apply your serum immediately after cleansing/toning, then moisturiser and finishing with a few drops of your chosen oil by warming in-between your hands and gently patting onto your skin. Using an oil last is a great way to lock in your previous skincare products, including all the goodness from their active ingredients.
AM or PM? Oils can be applied morning or night, but it really depends on your skin type and the type of oil you’ll be applying. Those with oily or acne prone skin may find applying face oil in the morning too much for their skin, and in this case it’s best to apply your face oil at night to nourish and repair your skin as you sleep. Those with dry or normal skin may find their skin responds well to applying a small amount of face oil in the morning, providing them with additional hydration to prevent dry skin as the day goes on. Throughout winter or for those who live in a cooler climate, applying facial oil in the morning can be particularly beneficial when it comes to hydrating and protecting the skin from environmental factors.
Oils are incredibly versatile and can be incorporated into your skincare and makeup routine in a variety of ways to support hydration, skin health and deliver a glowing complexion. You can mix a couple of drops into your daily moisturiser on days when your skin needs a little extra support or even mix in with your daily foundation to create your own glowing skin tint!
The Benefits Of a Face Oil Massage
There’s something special about using oils on the skin. The way they gently melt into the skin feels more like a self-care ritual than just another step in your skincare routine. Get the most out of your facial oil by indulging in a facial massage with your favourite oil and LAMAV’s Ayurvedic Kansa Wand, Quartz Gua Sha or Facial Roller and enjoy the following benefits:
- Improved Circulation and Lymphatic Drainage
- Boost Collagen Production
- Reduce Puffiness
- Smooth Fine Lines & Wrinkles
- Encourage Skin Cell Rejuvenation
- Enhance your skin’s ability to absorb & utilise your skincare’s active ingredients
- De-stress and promote relaxation for overall wellbeing
