There's something so elegant about skincare oil blends. We work with many botanical oils at our studio, and they strike that rare balance of luxury and simplicity. They smell lovely, shimmer in the light, and absorb beautifully. In addition to the sensory experience, oil blends pack a punch in terms of efficacy. We've outlined some of our favorite benefits:
Skin needs oil. Yes, even oily skin!
Using facial oils on dry skin feels pretty much a no-brainer, but it may seem counterintuitive for those with naturally oily skin. Products marketed for oily skin tend to prioritize eliminating oils and getting skin squeaky clean (alcohol astringents, oil-free moisturizers, etc.). The trouble is, skin needs oil in order to maintain a healthy balance. If it doesn't get enough, it panics and over-produces its own. This can lead to skin that is even oilier—causing clogged pores, breakouts, inflammation, and overall unhappy skin. Using a facial oil can help keep moisture levels in check for skin that is balanced and nourished.
That said, not all oils are created equal. Synthetic oils like mineral oil are said to clog pores and can irritate skin. And some oils are simply too heavy for oily skin. We kept all this in mind for our Regenerative Facial Serum, which contains only natural oils that provide lightweight, yet rich moisture suitable for all skin types.
Oil blends contain 100% active ingredients.
The beauty of an oil blend is that it's just that: a blend of wonderful oils. There's no stabilizers, fillers, conditioners, or water which you often see in creams or lotions. Every botanical oil we use provides specific benefits for your skin: vitamins, fatty acids, anti-bacterial properties, photo-damage protection, increased cell-turnover—the list goes on and on. You certainly get your money's worth, and your skin gets nothing but love and nourishment.
Oils lock in hydration.
For optimal health, skin needs both hydration (water) and moisture (oil). Oils help to moisturize skin and provide a gentle barrier to seal in skin's water content. Some oils, like hemp—used in our Repairing Body Oil—are also humectants and attract additional moisture into the skin. To maximize these properties, we recommend using oil blends immediately after hydrating, i.e. applying our serum after using our toner, and using body oils right out of the shower or bath.
Oils won't sweat off.
It's summer, and we're sweating. But even in the heat skin still needs moisture, and oil blends are an absolute lifesaver. Lotions and creams often contain waxes or other ingredients designed to sit on top of skin. In the heat, these can mix with your sweat and melt into a streak-y, drippy mess. This can clog pores which causes uncomfortable inflammation, particularly in the heat. Oils on the other hand, absorb quickly, stay put, and leave no film behind.
We hope you enjoyed this little love letter to oils—clearly we're fans and we hope you are too. Happy summer and happy moisturizing!
About the author: With a deep interest in storytelling and building connections, Jenna draws on her previous production experience working with our natural ingredients as well as a close connection with our founder Jess to create thoughtful articles that bring Palermo's vision and values to life.