What You Should Know About Facial Oils
Facial oils infused with plant and farm-fresh extracts have exploded into the mainstream market lately, with promises to give you pristine skin with natural ingredients. But, not all facial oils are created equal. Tropika Club goes on a deep dive into facial oils, as well as essential oils, to see what they do for your skin.
Table of Contents
No Time to Read? Here’s a Snappy Summary of This Article
- Facial oils are moisturisers that contain plant-based oils: They can help hydrate, nourish and protect the skin, as well as balance its oil production.
- Facial oils are suitable for all skin types, even oily or acne-prone skin: They can help regulate the sebum levels and prevent the skin from overproducing oil, as well as soothe inflammation and heal scars.
- Facial oils should be applied after water-based products and before creams: They can help lock in the moisture and enhance the absorption of other ingredients, as well as create a protective barrier on the skin.
- Facial oils should be used sparingly and massaged gently into the skin: They can be used once or twice a day, depending on the skin’s needs, and should be warmed up between the palms and pressed lightly onto the face.
- Facial oils have different benefits depending on their composition: They can contain various antioxidants, vitamins, fatty acids and essential oils that can target different skin concerns, such as aging, dullness, dryness or sensitivity.
How Do Facial Oils Work?
Facial oils supplement the natural oils that your skin produces. The biggest benefit of facial oils is that it adds moisture to your skin and repairs the skin barrier that retains the moisture. Some oils also have bonus benefits with their antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties. But, not all facial oils are created equal.
Different Oils for Different Skin
As with any skincare product, you have to consider your specific skin concerns when choosing a face oil.
If you have sensitive skin, look for oils or essential oils rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and inflammatory ingredients. The fatty acids reinforce the skin barrier while the antioxidants combat future damage on your skin. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory ingredient soothes your skin – so you won’t be getting any phantom itches. Not sure where that leaves you? Think avocado oil, Marula oil, chia seed oil and sunflower oil, just to name a few.
For dry skin, coconut oil will help a lot, as does Marula oil. They are full of antioxidants and vitamins that will thoroughly nourish and hydrate your skin.
If your skin is on the oilier side, opt for lighter oils like argan and jojoba. These oils won’t feel heavy or greasy on your skin, all the while curbing your skin’s excess oil production.
Should You Apply Facial Oil Before or After Moisturiser?
This debate has roiled beauty influencers everywhere. But we’re gonna go with applying facial oils after you applied your moisturisers. Before you send us hate DMs on Instagram, hear us out.
If you put on facial oils first, the moisturiser you apply afterwards won’t be able to pass through by the facial oils. Plus, your moisturiser won’t evaporate as quickly since the facial oils help trap it on your skin.
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How to apply facial oils
There are many ways to apply serums and facial oils. One way is to use a jade roller or Gua Sha tool to massage the products into the skin.
The most common is to add a few drops of the serum or essential oil to your hand and rub your hands together to activate it. Then, gently press the serum or oil into the skin and massage around your face. Afterwards, just take it easy and brew a cup of tea; allow the product to fully absorb before layering on other skincare products.
By the end of it all, your skin should feel supple, as if it’s totally free of makeup and other products after your oil cleanse. Depending on your skin type, you may not need to moisturise afterwards.
But, you need to look out for an increase in breakouts, especially after you’ve been oil cleansing for a couple of weeks. If that does happen, you may need to use a gentle face wash after you use facial oils, change the oils you use, or even stop oil cleansing altogether.
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Types of Facial Oils
Seed Oil
If your skin is incredibly oily as in, you’ve never once felt a dry patch on your face opt for grape seed oil, you should definitely try Seed Oil. It’s a natural astringent (and a bit more drying than jojoba oil), so it’ll help mattify your skin.
A cult hit is the rosehip seed essential oil. It’s a pretty spectacular skincare ingredient, thanks to the high levels of vitamin A for plenty of youth-boosting effects. With its high omega fatty acids, The Ordinary’s 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil is so wildly popular, ruling Reddit threads and best-seller lists. Plus, the rosehip in the formula helps reduce the appearance of acne scars. Oh, and did we mention it costs about the same as a Hainanese chicken rice lunch?
Argan Oil
Argan oil is packed with vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. It’s light enough to use as an every-day, non-greasy moisturiser. But it can also be used to treat more severe skin conditions, such as eczema or rosacea. Thanks to its superb antioxidising properties, argan oil works wonders in improving skin’s elasticity by fending off free radical damage, leaving skin radiant.
Coconut Oil
Chock-full of vitamin E, coconut oil can be used as a traditional moisturiser. Because it is full of fatty acids, coconut oil acts as a barrier on the skin that locks in the moisture inside your skin. It’s naturally antibacterial and antifungal too. So it can help you protect your skin from the elements.
Natural Oils
Yes, even oily and acne-prone skin can benefit from natural facial oils or organic serums, contrary to popular belief. Natural oils can help to balance your skin’s natural sebum production, fight acne-causing bacteria, and even reduce the frequency of blackheads by keeping pores clear. The best oils for oily prone skin are castor oil, sunflower, grapeseed, jojoba, and olive oil. For natural oils and extracts that are great for treating acne, you can look to rosemary, pomegranate, coconut, neem, burdock, and tea tree oil.
Japanese beauty brand DHC’s Deep Cleansing Oil features olive oil as a hero ingredient. The oleic acid from olive oil clings onto and removes makeup, pore-clogging oil, and even dead skin cells, while also conditioning your skin.
Looking for a more potent experience? DHC even has an Olive Concentrated Cleansing Oil. Let this beloved classic work on your dry skin and then watch it emulsify beautifully with water.
Other Essential Oils
For nourishing dry skin, we recommend looking for denser essential oils, like avocado oil, while the calming and soothing oils like rosemary, evening primrose, and camellia are best for sensitive skin.
And when you find the right combinations, it’ll work like magic – like how lavender essential oil and evening primrose oil teams up in Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Squalane. The lavender essential oil restores moisture and soothes redness and irritation. Meanwhile, the evening primrose oil repairs the skin barrier. This is night-time oil only needs two or three drops for the whole face to last your sleep.
At The End of The Day
While facial oils can be easily incorporated into your skincare routine, proper skincare can help prevent the most common skin-related conditions. Whether you’re dealing with pesky pimples or looking for wrinkle relief, everyone has their own skincare routine that works.
Conclusion
You might think that facial oils are only for dry skin, but that’s not true. Facial oils are actually great for all skin types, even oily or acne-prone skin. They can help your skin look more radiant, healthy and youthful. Here’s what you should know about facial oils and how to use them.
Facial oils are moisturisers that contain plant-based oils, such as jojoba, rosehip, argan, almond, grapeseed and more. These oils have different benefits for your skin, depending on their composition. For example, jojoba oil is similar to your skin’s natural sebum, so it can help balance your oil production and prevent breakouts. Rosehip oil is rich in vitamin A and C, so it can help fade scars, brighten your complexion and boost collagen production. Argan oil is high in vitamin E and fatty acids, so it can hydrate, nourish and protect your skin from environmental damage.
Facial oils are a versatile and beneficial addition to your skincare routine. They can help you achieve smoother, softer and more radiant skin. They can also address different skin concerns, such as aging, dullness, dryness or sensitivity. You just need to find the right facial oil for your skin type and use it correctly.
At Tropika Club Magazine, we love facial oils and we want to share our passion with you. We have curated a list of the best facial oils for different skin types and needs. Whether you want to hydrate, brighten, firm or calm your skin, we have the perfect facial oil for you. Check out our article on the best facial oils in Singapore and discover how they can transform your skin. Don’t forget to also browse our website for more beauty tips, reviews and deals on the best beauty services in Singapore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between facial oil and serum?
Facial oil and serum are both moisturising products that can deliver active ingredients to your skin. However, facial oil is usually more occlusive and emollient, meaning it can seal in the moisture and prevent water loss. Serum is usually more lightweight and penetrative, meaning it can reach deeper layers of the skin and deliver antioxidants, peptides, vitamins and other beneficial substances. You can use both facial oil and serum in your skincare routine, but make sure to apply the serum first and then the facial oil.
How do I choose the best facial oil for my skin type?
The best facial oil for your skin type depends on your skin concerns and preferences. Generally, you want to look for facial oils that are non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts. You also want to look for facial oils that have ingredients that suit your skin needs. For example, if you have dry skin, you might want to look for facial oils that have hydrating and nourishing oils, such as argan, almond or avocado oil. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you might want to look for facial oils that have balancing and anti-inflammatory oils, such as jojoba, grapeseed or tea tree oil. If you have sensitive or irritated skin, you might want to look for facial oils that have soothing and calming oils, such as chamomile, lavender or rose oil.
Where can I buy facial oils in Singapore?
You can buy facial oils in Singapore from various online and offline retailers. Some of the popular online retailers that sell facial oils in Singapore are Sephora, Beauty Insider and Tropika Club Magazine. These online retailers offer a wide range of facial oils from different brands and price points. You can also buy facial oils in Singapore from physical stores, such as department stores, beauty stores and pharmacies. Some of the physical stores that sell facial oils in Singapore are Watsons, Guardian and Tangs.
How often should I use facial oil?
The frequency of using facial oil depends on your skin type, concerns and preferences. Generally, you can use facial oil once or twice a day, depending on your skin’s needs. You can use facial oil in the morning to give your skin a boost of hydration and protection before applying makeup or sunscreen. You can also use facial oil in the evening to help your skin repair and regenerate while you sleep. However, if you have very oily or acne-prone skin, you might want to use facial oil less often or only on certain areas of your face. You can also adjust the amount of facial oil depending on the season and climate. For example, if it’s very hot and humid, you might want to use less facial oil or skip it altogether. If it’s very cold and dry, you might want to use more facial oil or layer it with another moisturiser.
How do I use facial oil with other skincare products?
You can use facial oil with other skincare products in your routine, but you need to follow the correct order of application. Generally, you want to apply your skincare products from the thinnest to the thickest consistency, or from the lowest to the highest pH level. This way, you can ensure that each product can penetrate your skin effectively and work synergistically with each other. The typical order of applying skincare products is:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Essence
- Serum
- Eye cream
- Facial oil
- Moisturiser
- Sunscreen
You can adjust this order depending on your skin type, concerns and preferences. For example, if you have oily skin, you might want to skip the moisturiser or use a gel-based one. If you have dry skin, you might want to use a cream-based moisturiser or add another layer of facial oil. If you use a water-based serum or moisturiser, you might want to apply them before the facial oil. If you use an oil-based serum or moisturiser, you might want to apply them after the facial oil.
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