Face Oils are one of the most misunderstood categories in the skincare world.
Anecdotes from family and friends and online beauty reviews, may have weighed in on your opinion of whether face oils are for you.
People have different experiences with face oils depending on their individual skin biology and the particular face oil or blend that they use. So, other people’s experiences, or even your own experience with a particular face oil, does not necessarily translate to how your skin will interact with the whole face oil family.
Traditional skincare advice which you may have heard about face oils should be taken with a grain of salt, as they may be outdated or not sufficiently nuanced. (For example, you may have heard that those with oily skin should always steer clear of face-oils altogether. We’d like to suggest that this is not the full story!)
By avoiding face oils categorically, just because you have oily skin or because you don’t understand what a face oil does, you may be missing out on some truly wonderful benefits for your skin!
In this blog, we arm you with an up-to-date understanding of face oils (and Ceramides) so you can decide whether your skin may benefit from the use of a face oil.
Understanding Ceramides
A good starting point to understanding the benefits of a good face oil, is understanding Ceramides.
Ceramides can be likened to the building blocks or bricks of a building when it comes to the skin's structure. They are essential components of the skin's outermost layer, the stratum corneum, forming a vital part of its barrier function.
Just as bricks provide strength and stability to a building, ceramides help maintain the integrity of the skin barrier, keeping it resilient, hydrated, and protected.
The Role of Face Oils in Ceramide Formation
One of the key benefits of face oils is their ability to help build ceramides.
Here's a break-down of how this happens:
Essential Fatty Acids:
Many face oils are rich in essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6. These fatty acids are the building blocks for Ceramides, providing the raw materials needed for their synthesis.
By topically applying face oils, you supply the skin with these essential nutrients, helping to replenish and reinforce the skin's Ceramide levels.
Moisture Retention:
Face oils create a protective barrier on the skin's surface, helping to trap moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss. By enhancing the skin's hydration, face oils support the optimal functioning of Ceramides.
When the skin is well-hydrated, Ceramides can effectively retain moisture within the skin, promoting a healthy and plump complexion.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties:
Many face oils possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe and calm the skin. By reducing inflammation, face oils indirectly support Ceramide synthesis.
Inflamed or irritated skin may have compromised Ceramide levels, and by addressing the underlying inflammation, face oils contribute to the restoration of a healthy barrier function.
To reap the benefits of Face Oil and promote Ceramide synthesis, you may wish to incorporate the use of a face oil into your skincare routine.
How to Incorporate the Use of a Face Oil Into Your Skincare Routine
1. Cleanse and Tone:
Begin with a gentle cleanser and toner to prepare your skin for optimal absorption of the face oil.
We recommend our Cucumber Milk Cleanser for use on dry skin or the Green Tea Cleanser for use on normal to oily skin.
2. Moisturise:
Apply your regular moisturiser to hydrate the skin.
Our Aloe Vera Face Cream is ideal for dry and combination skin, whereas our Probiotic Face Cream is specially formulated for oily or acne-prone skin.
We also have the Super Sexy Face cream for men.
3. Apply Super Berry Face Oil:
Finally apply your Face Oil. This will help to ensure that the oil effectively seals in the hydration provided by the moisturiser.
Our Super Berry Face Oil is a 100% natural, youth boosting treatment oil that works like a multi-vitamin pill for the skin. It is suitable for all skin types and helps with:
-
softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
-
intense hydration and plumping of the skin
-
promotes skin elasticity; and
- reduces blemishes and skin imperfections
Be Mindful of any Products you use on your Skin
As always, we recommend you take into account individual skincare concerns and patch-test prior to introducing new skincare products for use. Email us for free and comprehensive skincare consult today!
Email: info@melvory.com
