All my life, especially during the teenage years, where pimples and acne covered every inch of my face (yes I'm exaggerating, but it felt like that!), I felt that the culprit was excess oil. Every advertisement campaign that promised flawless skin talked about “oil-free” products for acne prone skin. 

And I bought into that whole thing. Until I knew better. 

Because facial oils are nothing less than magic. They are much like a miraculous potion in a bottle that helps your skin heal, replenish, regenerate and look it's absolute best. 

If you have oily skin you might be thinking that the last thing you want to put on your face is more oil and those of you with dry skin might be thinking, “Give me all of it! And then some more.” But it doesn't matter what your skin type as there are loads of benefits for everyone out there, no matter how oily or dry your epidermis is. All you need to know is which one is right for you. 

So if this whacky-sounding concept has gotten you interested, and you want to learn more about what the right oil can do for your skin, read on to find out.

What Are Facial Oils?

Facial oils are a single or combination of extracted plant or fruit oils such as jojoba and sunflower seed oil.  They help to soften the surface layer of the skin. They also help to strengthen the skin barrier by trapping moisture and hydration, making the skin look dewy and radiant.

How Do Facial Oils Work?

Facial oils contain two different kinds of fatty acids, linoleic fatty acid, and oleic fatty acid. Oils come in a combination of both these fatty acids but people with acne-prone skin should lean more towards the linoleic one. Oily skin lacks these specific fatty acids so it produces an abundance of oil to replace them. However, the excess results in more acne breakouts, worsening the condition of the skin. Oils that do have linoleic fatty acids are rosehip, hemp seed, and grape seed oils. While oils that have oleic acids are olive, avocado and apricot oils which are great for drier skin due to their thicker consistency. 

Is There Any Perfect Time to Apply Facial Oils?

Yes, there is. 

Around midday, the skin is the oiliest, with sebum production decreasing as night time approaches. So the best time to use facial oils would be during your night time skin care routine, after you’ve applied your favourite moisturizer. If you feel your skin requires the added hydration throughout the day, applying a lightweight oil during your morning routine wouldn’t hurt either. 

Different Ways to Incorporate Facial Oils in Your Skincare Routine

Oil Cleansers

Double cleansing is our favorite step. Perfect for oily skin as well as removing your makeup in one swipe on your most lazy days without the fear of irritating your skin and causing inflammation or redness. No, you don't use essential oils or your favorite jojoba oil to remove dirt from your skin. There are specific oil cleansers out there that dissolve all the oil-based products and sebum from your skin resulting in a clean yet radiant look. However, you can use jojoba oil using a q-tip to remove that stubborn mascara that just won't get off. This prevents your eyes from developing early fine lines resulting from excessive rubbing of your eyes.

DIY Masks

Using DIY face masks is one of the easiest ways of self-care. You apply your homemade masks and lie down, enjoying a moment or two of peace. Let it work its wonders while you listen to smooth jazz. What else can one ask for?

Facial Oils work great as face masks. You can use different oils individually or in a combination with your other favorites and voila! A mask perfect for nourishing and hydrating your skin. Leovard Oil Fusion is a perfect blend of your favorite oils. Oils like flaxseed, argan, and green tea help soothe your skin and reduce inflammation, while sunflower, almond, and coconut oil provide gentle exfoliation to your skin, helping to replenish it and even out your complexion.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of Leovard Oil Fusion

Directions:

1. Apply the Oil Fusion on your face avoiding your eye and mouth area.
2. Rub it in for 3 minutes in gentle circular motions.
3. Let it sit for 2 more minutes.
4. Rinse off with a gentle cleanser.

Soothing Agent:

Many of these facial oils have potent healing and soothing capabilities such as jojoba oil and flaxseed oil. They penetrate deep into the skin layer, and kickstart the process of healing and replenishing. They also work wonders in remedying any inflammation and redness, making them a perfect pick me up for sensitive skin.  

Locking Moisture In:

We all know that using a moisturizer every day is a must. You can't skip this step as a moisturizer helps the different layers of your skin rejuvenate. It also stimulates the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, resulting in smooth and hydrated skin that is deeply nourished. But that moisture is so easy to lose. Especially during the night. But facial oils can help to lock in that moisture, making your skin feel soft and hydrated throughout the night. 

Take Away

Loving and pampering yourself is a feeling unlike any other. And what better way than to give yourself a treat using the best of facial oils, be it a massage or a DIY mask. It truly is the perfect way to unwind and relax, while letting the oils do their job of making you feel great inside out.

Because at Leovard, we believe in treating ourselves the way we deserve.

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