How to use natural oils for personal care
Text: Daria Tatarkova
Natural oils can serve as a great help in caring for themselves: they are able to help smooth out skin irregularities, cope with peeling, or vice versa - with fat. Many natural oils are real multitaskers, they are cheaper than many products containing them, and the origin and composition of the oils themselves are easy to track. We figured out how good ten natural oils are, and asked the beautician, pharmacist and founder of the Organic Pharmacy brand Margo Marron to comment on them.
Margo Marron Pharmacist, founder of The Organic Pharmacy
Natural oils - one of the whales, which keeps the world of cosmetology: they include vitamins A, E and many others; they moisturize, nourish, protect, they can be used on the face and hair, both in pure form and as an additive to daily care, making them masks, instead of cream and even for washing. Despite the seeming absurdity, many natural oils perfectly dissolve makeup and skin impurities, while they themselves are not comedogenic and do not imply further care. Washing with oils is also suitable for owners of oily skin: the use of oils close in composition to sebum helps to regulate it and, unlike drying agents, does not make it necessary for the skin to restore the protective barrier and produce extra sebum.
Essential fatty acids, which are part of many natural oils, are extremely important for the health of the whole body and the skin, including, but they are not synthesized in humans on their own, therefore they must be consumed with food. The lack of these acids leads to wilting of the skin and its inability to absorb moisture, but it is possible to restore their balance with the help of cosmetics and oils. Oleic acid restores damaged cell membranes so that they can retain moisture again; The epidermis improves its protective functions, while slowing the aging process of skin structures and activates the metabolism inside the cells. Linoleic acid ensures the penetration of biologically active substances into the deeper layers of the skin, helps retain moisture in the cells and helps get rid of dryness and flaking.
Always choose the first cold pressed unrefined oils - this phrase means that the oil is obtained by pressing the raw product without any thermal and chemical treatment, which causes irreversible damage to the beneficial properties of the oil. So you get the most useful and rich in vitamins substance.
Coconut
First, when it comes to beauty oils, it comes to mind, perhaps, coconut. Those who do not know anything about him, obviously lived somewhere in isolation - for the last couple of years everyone felt like his miraculous properties: from beauty bloggers to weight-loss specialists and adherents of healthy cuisine. Someone takes it before meals, someone uses for oil washes, instead of hair conditioner, and some - even when cooking instead of butter and sunflower oil.
With him, it is important not to overdo it. Coconut oil is extremely nutritious, so first it is worth trying it out in small quantities. Both the skin and hair from coconut oil masks become radiant - it perfectly compensates for the lack of natural oils and has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
Margo Marron
In most cases, it is common practice in cosmetology to use refined coconut oil, but in our laboratory we prefer to use pure coconut oil of the first cold-pressed, thick and dense white. Despite this thickness, it is completely non-comedian, has a powerful anti-bacterial effect, creates a protective layer on the skin that prevents sunburn and weathering, and is also suitable for all skin types.
Olive
Olive oil is well suited not only for recipes of Mediterranean cuisine, but also for improving skin condition - it contains a large amount of antioxidants. It has anti-inflammatory properties, it can be used as a base for a scrub (only, please, do not use sugar as an abrasive, as half of YouTube suggests). The most popular combination for oil washes includes exactly this - olive oil perfectly moisturizes the skin without clogging the pores. If you combine it with castor oil or hazelnut oil for washing, you should take into account the peculiarities of your skin: the drier it is, the more you need the first, up to the complete rejection of the second.
Margo Marron
When applied externally, olive oil retains moisture and nourishes the skin and hair with vitamins A, E, D, B and K. It perfectly cleans the skin from impurities and removes even waterproof makeup, it can be applied instead of eye cream, and it does not necessarily wash off : If your skin is not very oily, you can use butter instead of night cream and leave it on your skin until the morning.
Castor
A castor can definitely be useful in order to re-grow eyebrows after that unsuccessful decision to pull out a little more or eyelashes, as advised by your grandmother. It is obtained from a plant with an unattractive name castor oil, but let it not be scary - it helps smooth out stretch marks and scars a bit, you can add a few drops to daily care products, but most importantly, it is indispensable for cleansing the skin. Castor oil gently dissolves impurities and in combination with moisturizing oil - jojoba or olive oil - is effectively used in oil washing. Contrary to popular belief, in many cases of skin problems, it is necessary not to permanently dry the skin with drugs, but to dissolve impurities without removing the natural oil barrier of the skin - and then castor oil comes to the rescue.
Margo Marron
Ricinoleic acid, which is part of castor oil, gives it tremendous nourishing and emollient properties, helps to cope with dry skin, peeling and loss of elasticity. However, it can cause an allergic reaction, so you need to use castor oil very carefully and to a point. On the eyelashes, use literally one drop, distributing from the tips to the base and trying not to touch the skin of the eyelids.
Tea tree
Tea tree oil, familiar to all Lush fans, using it in its popular Tea Tree Water. The antiseptic properties of tea tree oil can not be compared, perhaps, with almost no other - this is the best way to dry a nasty pimple for a night, or even for a couple of hours. It perfectly removes redness and helps fight oily skin without overdrying it. It can be used as a point, and as an additive in the means used to combat imperfections or acne. The main thing to remember - unlike most other oils, it is extremely toxic when taken orally, so you should not experiment, but leave it on the shelf with the banks.
Margo Marron
One of the most effective essential oils. It has unique antiseptic, antifungal and bactericidal properties, and therefore is actively used for healing cuts and burns, and for treating acne-prone skin. Despite the pronounced smell and quick effect, the oil is not allergenic and its application to the skin in its pure form does not lead to irritation, burns to the skin and mucous membranes.
Avocado
In the category of "the most undervalued butter", avocado oil will definitely win - there is no such hyip as around coconut around it, but it definitely does not lose to it. Unlike many other oils, it is obtained not from pits, but from pulp. It contains vitamins A, E, antioxidants and much more - in practice this means that if it suits you, you can use it for everything: washing, moisturizing, for the face, body and hair - this is really a universal oil. Besides the fact that it can help improve the skin and lighten the scars and help mature skin, you can safely cook on it to get all the nutritional benefits of avocado in full.
Margo Marron
Avocado oil is close in composition to the sebum. It promotes the production of collagen, has excellent regenerative properties and is suitable for washing, but is not recommended for application to the skin as a care in its pure form, since it is rather heavy - it is better to mix it with other oils.
Macadamia
Macadamia is a plant originally from Australia, which gives incredibly tasty fatty nuts, from which they later receive the same name oil. Besides the fact that they can be eaten, contained in nuts - and accordingly in oil - substances have a very beneficial effect on the skin. Thanks to fatty acids, the oil perfectly moisturizes the skin and hair, restoring tone and elasticity, while it is perfectly absorbed. Especially good this oil will be perceived tired and fading skin, as well as dyed and damaged hair - it will provide them with excellent growth, returning the desired healthy state. It is often used as a means to remove makeup, if you are tired and you are well, very lazy to fully wash.
Margo Marron
Macadamia oil is an excellent regenerating and rejuvenating agent. When applied to the skin it acts as an antioxidant, makes the skin soft and velvety, restores firmness and elasticity, moisturizing and caring for it. Contains palmitic fatty acid, which is very important for hair, which is excreted in small amounts by sebaceous glands.
Hazelnut
Cedar oil is an excellent analogue of castor oil to cleanse the skin, if the second does not suit you. It is an astringent, that is, it possesses a stiffening effect - which is not necessary for owners of dry skin, but for those with a tendency to be very fat, this effect may be pleasant. Pore size, of course, is dictated by genetics, but visually it helps to reduce them. This oil is safe in its pure form for cleansing the skin and especially it is suitable for those who constantly face skin problems and inflammations. As with other nut oils, use hazelnut oil with caution if you are allergic to nuts in general.
Margo Marron
Fundamental oil is used in the treatment of rosacea, serves as a protective barrier in sunny, windy and frosty weather, cleanses the skin and heals inflammation, which helps to eliminate acne and skin abscesses, and is generally perfect for everyday care. When added to hair products, it makes the hair shine and prevents it from falling out, as well as “seals” the hair scales and thus allows to preserve the color of dyed hair for a long time.
Jojoba
Many people get scared when they find out that jojoba oil (or jojoba, as you like) is in the strict sense of the word and not oil at all, but liquid wax immediately associates with something soldering pores tightly. In fact, the oil is suitable for very many people, does not cause a negative reaction from the skin, it is perfectly absorbed and restores the water balance. Proteins in its composition resemble collagen - it is not surprising that they are credited with the ability to return skin elasticity.
Margo Marron
The composition of the oil, and in fact wax, is incredibly similar to the sebum, and the pH is as close as possible to the normal pH of human skin, and therefore it is suitable for any skin type and regulates sebum production, dissolving greasy plugs. It also has anti-inflammatory and healing properties and is ideal for treating acne.
Rosehip
Rosehip oil, Miranda Kerr's favorite remedy, according to the tabloids, is one of the most nutritious. It is an excellent tool for restoring damaged skin, contributes to its renewal and healing: it helps to dissolve scars, burns, spots from acne, it is even recommended for the treatment of eczema. To moisturize the skin in general, it may be too oily, especially if your skin is not prone to dryness, but the point - on the very scars - or as an additive to the existing cosmetic products, it is suitable.
Margo Marron
Natural rosehip oil contains the greatest amount of essential fatty acids among all known oils that are important for the healthy functioning of cell membranes. Antioxidants in the composition of the oil - including ascorbic and retinoic acid, lycopene, lutein, rubixanthin, xanthophyll and zeaxanthin (carotenoids) - restore elasticity and radiance of the skin.
Almond
Many who have used sweet almond oil, first of all, mark its light texture - unlike some other oils, it does not leave behind a feeling of fatness, it is not inferior in its caring properties. It has a soothing effect, helps to remove the redness of the skin. An interesting bonus of almond oil is its ability to help with dark circles under the eyes: many people note that after using it, the bruises under the eyes become less. The oil has a light, even neutral smell, and therefore it is often used as a base oil. It is well absorbed, moisturizing dry and mature skin and not clogging oily and combination. If you doubt the cleansing of the skin with oil or even the compatibility of oils with your skin care, many people advise to try almond oil first, due to its gentle but effective effect.
Margo Marron
Almond oil perfectly moisturizes and nourishes the thinned skin under the eyes, making it denser and thus lightening the bruises. Vitamin E helps to slow down the aging process of the skin and serves as a UV filter, vitamin A moisturizes the skin, and vitamin F normalizes the work of the sebaceous glands and thereby prevents the expansion of pores. When buying, be careful and take only sweet almond oil, because bitter almonds are very toxic and are not intended for skin care.
Argan
If you have ever used the popular Moroccanoil oils, then the miraculous properties of argan oil are familiar to you firsthand - this is probably one of the most useful hair oils. It is obtained from the fruit of a rare argan tree growing in Morocco. 100% argan oil works even better than cosmetic products containing it, which are often added with silicones to make your hair smooth for sure. Pure argan oil can be applied in order to fight dryness and signs of aging on the whole body. The main thing - to use it prudently, because it is extremely nutritious. The oil will help to heal dry cuticles, in the treatment of skin diseases, and the hair with it not only ceases to split, but also dries much faster if applied a little after washing. The main thing to remember is that if you find cheap argan oil, it is most likely a diluted fake.
Margo Marron
One of the rarest and therefore the most valuable and expensive oils. The unique nutritional and firming properties of argan oil are due to the very high content of vitamin E, which is an ideal natural nourishing, moisturizing, softening and healing agent. That is why argan oil is recommended for strengthening and intensive restoration of dry and split hair and even nails.
Always use 100% cold pressed oils and, before using this or that oil on your face, do a test on a small area of skin to make sure that you are not allergic. Be careful what kind of oil you take inside: never experiment, if it is shown only for external use. The susceptibility of the skin to oils, as well as to any drug, is individual - always keep this in mind.
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