Does the idea of applying an oil to your face give you visions of a greasy oil slick? Breakouts? Blackheads and pimples? You’re not alone. We’ve been trained to believe that oil is bad for our skin and should be avoided. But wait! There’s news! Turns out that not only is oil good for our skin, it can be fantastic, and yes, that also means your face. It’s really all about your skin type! That helps determine which oils will have the best benefits for you.
Grape Seed Oil
Known for its great anti-aging benefits, Grape Seed Oil is light, absorbent and helps to regulate your skin’s natural oil production—making it ideal for oily skin!
–Found to lighten age spots and pigmented skin caused by UV rays
–Has more linoleic acid than most oils
–More antioxidant power than Vitamins C and E
–It contains a flavonoid complex that acts as an antioxidant. In addition to fighting off free radicals, these complexes also stabilize collagen and maintain the skin’s elastin, for a visibly firmer appearance.
Use Grape Seed Oil directly on your body to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and saggy skin. This oil is often found in many cosmetic products (we use it in our hand salves and essential oil blends). Use it like you would Marula oil, by adding a drop or two to your favorite facial moisturizers and sunscreens for an added boost.
Olive Oil
Once referred to as “liquid gold” by Homer, Olive Oil has been used as a beauty and skin care remedy by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Egyptians and Romans. Today, it’s still prized for:
–Erasing stretch marks and minimizing wrinkles
–Anti-aging therapy and deep hydration
–Rich in antioxidants, such as Vitamins A and E, polyphenols, phytoserols and the rare compound, hydroxytyrosol
–Helps repair skin and neutralize free radicals that cause skin damage
–Natural ability to stimulate cells and bring skin back to a firmer, healthier state
–Penetrates deeply and creates a protective barrier that traps moisture without clogging your pores
–Gentle and non-irritating, it’s a good choice for sensitive skin (if you’re prone to acne, you may want to proceed with caution, as there are reports that olive oil can clog the pores).
Use olive oil as nighttime facial moisturizer on clean skin. Mixed with a little sugar, it makes an excellent exfoliating facial scrub (use gently!). Add 3 – 4 tablespoons of olive oil with a few drops of an essential oil like lavender to the bath for a fragrant, hydrating soak
As a skin care remedy, 100% cold-pressed, extra-virgin Olive Oil is best. We use 100% organic olive oil in our herbal decongestant salve.
Marula
Although prized by African women for centuries, Marula oil’s (Sclerocarya birrea) new status in the US as a “miracle oil” beauty treatment stands up to the tests: it simply has superb protective and nourishing qualities.
— Antioxidants fight free radicals in the skin cells (that contribute to aging and dullness)
— omega fatty acids (provides moisture and reduces fine lines)
— Vitamin C (8 times the amount in oranges! Reduces sun damage and support collagen)
— Vitamin E (supports cell regeneration and collagen production).
Other benefits:
— Non-greasy, easily penetrates the skin and absorbs quickly
— Increases elasticity, firmness and suppleness with continued use
— For acne-prone skin: Marula oil helps regulate the skin’s natural moisture level, and does not clog pores (noncomedogenic)
— Helps protect and repair damaged skin and fade scarring and redness
— Is remarkably stable and has a very long shelf life
See why they call it miracle oil? Simply put: Marula oil gives radiant glow where it’s needed.
Massage just two or three drops of this light, non-greasy oil on your face, neck and décolleté as a stand-alone moisturizer or layered under another facial moisturizer, if your skin is on the drier side. A couple drops can also counter-act the drying effects of sunscreens. It is fast absorbing, lightweight, and has a smooth texture that also makes it wonderful as a makeup primer. You can find it in it’s pure form here, and blended with other amazing (also organic) oils in our Gorgeous Rose Face Serum.
Come back soon for Part 2 of this series. We’re not done yet! Illuminating the beauty & benefits of nature’s gift of glorious oils deserves in-depth reporting. Part 2 will continue our breakdown of whether the right facial oil for you might just be right under your nose.
Part 1 of 2.
Skin is my thing. Besides being owner of an organic skin care line,  I’m a fair-complected gal living in sunshine-y Austin, Tx. Hydrating, protecting, nourishing…it’s all important to me on a daily basis. And the #1 question I’m asked is: “What do you do for your skin?”.
I’ve tried it all, ever since Ivory soap first landed in my teenage cabinet: the chemical-laden, the chemical-free, expensive, affordable, trendy and good old go-tos (Noxema, anyone? Oil of Olay?). Clinique, Lancome, Estee Lauder and most of the other department store staples were adored in turn, and Origins had me at “natural”. That’s when I started researching what was in those tubes and bottles, and got serious about skin care.
Originally I was concerned about everything being 100% organic, but keeping my expectations balanced has become more important. It’s what they don’t use that really counts: no unnecessary chemicals, fillers, parabens, or additives. The shorter the list of ingredients, the more I’m drawn to the product, and natural/organic do get stronger considerations. Although I’m a pretty crunchy gal, I’m practical too, and I want results that give me bang for buck.
CLEANSERS are fairly easy. Coconut oil is a no-brainer. Neutrogena has a nice gentle liquid makeup remover that is light and hydrating (some drug stores have their own, cheaper version). For extra cleansing (sweaty day? in Austin? you bet!), Neutrogena’s ultra gentle hydrating cleanser mixed with Cellular Skin Rx’s Polishing Grains (made of ground adzuki beans and found here)Â twice a week does a nice job of removing dead skin cells and leaving a fresh, shiny new face.
(that’s not me, btw. that’s sweetie pie daughter Hannah.)
SUNSCREEN – Instead of skipping sunscreen, fall in love with it! Your skin will be eternally grateful, now and later. I’ve used lots of brands, but Elta MD has a really elegant feel, is chemical-free, uses mineral UV blockers (zinc and titanium dioxide are your friends), contains antioxidants and is a moisturizer that contains sunscreen. The reason this is important? Sunscreens can be very drying, and you need the moisturizer to keep skin from getting parched and tight (or add a couple drops of Marula oil or Gorgeous Rose Face Serum).
VITAMIN C – if you want antioxidants that fight the free radicals caused by UV rays, brighter, more evenly-toned skin, and to preserve the utterly-important, plump, radiant, youthful collagen, this right here is a secret weapon. Ten years of using Cellular Skin Rx’s C+ Firming Serum, and I still get compliments nearly every day on my skin. I see a difference if I skip even a day or two (where’s my glow?). And the best part? Serious quality for a much lower price than the high dollar companies. C+ is a totally affordable, totally effective long-term strategy, well-researched and utterly reliable. **BONUS FACT** CSRX was founded right here in Austin in 2004.
VITAMIN A DERIVATIVES, otherwise known as retinoids (retinol, Retin-A, or tretinoin). The gold standard for maintaining smooth skin, unblocking pores and keeping your collagen production steady, Retin-A goes has lots of variations, and the real thing needs a prescription. An OTC version, which is a good starting point, is Retinol. Neutrogena has one, and ROC does too.
LASERS – IPL (which stands for Intense Pulsed Light),  is my personal favorite, although there are laser variations. I go every winter to Wellsprings Dermaspa here in Austin (Shannon is a laser rock star). Here’s what I like about IPLs: they can even out skin tone, brighten the skin and give it a youthful glow, and can stimulate small amounts of collagen near the surface of the skin to improve texture. *see a laser technician to see what’s right for you*
**Read more about IPLs and see before and after photos here.
This is a picture of a lovely flower because I don’t have one of a laser. ;-)
My favorite organic skin care product, of course, is one I hand-make myself: Gorgeous Rose Face Serum. It’s a skin soothing powerhouse, with apricot oil, calendula-infused grapeseed oil, marula, jojoba, rosehip seed oil, evening primrose, chamomile, carrot seed, rose absolute, and palmarosa. Here’s how to use it: smooth it on as a makeup primer, a few drops on your face and neck at night before bed (to hydrate and decrease wrinkles), or add a couple drops to pretty much anything you put on your face, including sunscreen. Look for it here.
 Speaking of night creams, I am not currently in love with any particular one at the moment and am on the hunt. What’s your favorite? Comment below.
 
Nearly forgot. SLEEP! It’s free and fantastic for your skin. Makes all the difference. Skin cells regenerate while you sleep, did you know? You can’t go wrong with plenty of zzzz’s.
And YOGA. Aahh, yoga. It works wonders on stress, which decreases cortisol hormones, relaxes muscles, puts a serene smile on your face and increases the blood flow, giving a good, healthy glow. You can’t beat that, and if you click here, you’ll find my favorite instructor, Suzanne Deason, on Amazon.
Now, off I go to garden in the beautiful spring sunshine. In a hat. With sunscreen. ;-)
Marula
