Face oils offer a deep level of natural moisture and protection that you might not have realised your skin is yearning for. However, they don't always get the attention they deserve, with the focus often on moisturisers and serums.
Forget any assumptions you may have about face oils; whether your skin is oily or already well-nourished, there are natural oils to target every skin type or concern. Explore what face oils are, and why you may want to start using them…
What is face oil?
A face oil is a skincare product formulated with a blend of plant-based oils, essential oils, or synthetic oils designed to nourish, hydrate, and protect the skin. Face oils are typically rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that benefit the skin's overall health and appearance.
Face oils are emollients, which means they form a protective barrier on the skin that keeps it moisturised by preventing water loss, while keeping environmental stressors like air pollution out.
So, what does face oil do?
Face oils play a versatile role in skincare by locking in moisture and creating a barrier that prevents water loss, keeping the skin hydrated.
Rich in essential nutrients, they nourish the skin with vitamins and antioxidants that support its overall health.
Counterintuitively, certain oils can also balance sebum production, making them suitable for oily skin types.
In addition, face oils provide a protective layer against environmental damage such as pollution and harsh, winter weather, while enhancing skin texture and tone for a radiant, dewy finish.
All botanical oils also function effectively as cleansing oils, adept at dissolving makeup and sweeping away impurities from the skin's surface. This dual functionality of using an oil-based cleanser ensures thorough cleanliness while benefiting from their inherent abilities to nourish, leaving the skin sumptuously moisturised.
Learning how to use face oils properly, including when is key to getting the most out of them.
Why use facial oils in your skincare routine? Here are seven benefits…
Face oils are so much more than just another step in your skincare routine. These transformative elixirs contribute to your complexion's overall well-being and luminosity. Here are seven reasons why you might consider incorporating a face oil into your day and night skincare routines:
1. Keeps skin moisturised and nourished
Facial oils are a blessing for all skin types, especially dry skin. They seal in moisture after applying moisturiser so that thirsty skin doesn’t immediately become parched again. Their emollient and occlusive properties form a protective barrier, preventing moisture loss and promoting the deeper penetration of beneficial ingredients from moisturisers (and other products like serums and essences) applied underneath.
If you’re looking to use face oils for dry skin, use a few drops in your morning and evening routine after moisturising. If you have oily skin, apply it at night for a balancing effect.
Whether you’re going au naturel with your complexion or enhancing your make-up, apply your face oil to the high points of your face for a natural highlight and youthful glow.
2. Creates a protective barrier for the skin
Applied as the final step in your evening routine, or before SPF in the morning, facial oil forms a moisture seal and a protective barrier against environmental stressors, pollutants, and the harmful effects of the elements. This defends your skin and maintains its health and vitality.
3. Addresses complexion concerns
Facial oils are effective in tackling issues like discolouration, especially for mature or dull skin. They brighten and revitalise, leading to a fresh and radiant glow. Incorporate them into your routine for noticeable improvements over time.
4. Fights free radicals
Choosing a face oil with antioxidants provides a powerful defence against free radicals which can cause cell damage and ultimately cause ageing. The antioxidants work to counteract the likes of UV and pollution, helping skin to maintain its health and radiance.
5. Boosts collagen for skin elasticity
Adding a face oil into your skincare routine can stimulate collagen production. Collagen is a key protein for skin elasticity, which helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. By choosing the right oil, you support your skin's natural ability to stay supple and youthful-looking, making it an effective component of any anti-ageing regime.
6. Improves makeup application
Facial oil makes an ideal pre-makeup product to prime the skin and create the perfect canvas, helping to smooth dry, flaky patches or blemished skin. It ensures even application, for a flawless base that lasts all day.
7. Supports in reducing breakouts
Contrary to the belief that facial oils cause clogged pores, the right amount and formula can help to keep acne at bay. Choose non-comedogenic oils to avoid clogging pores, such as Argan Oil and Abyssinian Oil, and enjoy the nourishing benefits without fear of breakouts.
Simply put, non-comedogenic products are lighter in weight and contain ingredients that won't clog or block the pores of your skin. Using these oils can help maintain clear and healthy skin by avoiding pore congestion and regulating oil production.
A natural oil that feeds your skin: l'étoile Infinie
Feed your skin with l'étoile infinie, an organic face oil containing nourishing ingredients like Argan Oil and Kukui Nut Oil. This lightweight, dry oil blend quickly absorbs to moisturise, brighten, and rejuvenate, minimising blemishes and imperfections, to restore a radiant, youthful glow.
Whether aiming to reduce the appearance of ageing signs, brighten your complexion, or achieve softer skin, high-quality facial oils provide intensive nourishment for thriving skin. This natural blend suits all skin types, helping to seal in hydration, soften fine lines, and protect against environmental damage for a luminous and balanced complexion.
Find out what face oil can do for you
Whether you aim to soothe away dry patches, brighten a dull complexion, or minimise the appearance of fine lines, there's an oil perfectly suited for your needs. Once you discover which oil is best for your face, make it an integral part of your daily skincare routine. Lavish your skin with care and it will respond in kind, leaving you looking and feeling radiant.
