Best natural oils for your skin concerns - Acne, Oily, Dry, Hyperpigmentation

Topical oils to replenish and nourish your skin

I know what you’re thinking of “There is no way I’m going to put another layer of oil on my oily skin!”. However, did you know that as we age, the production of lipid (oil) drops which results in rough, dull and dry skin. Naturally occurring lipids promote healthy and youthful looking skin! When your skin barrier is compromised, you are more prone to irritation and transepidermal water loss. That is why applying oils topically helps to replenish and nourish our skin.

Understanding oils (fatty acid profile)

Let’s first try to understand the natural oils on our skin. The three most important lipids for the skin are

• Ceramides enhance the skin’s hydration and overall barrier function
• Cholesterol helps in the recovery of the skin barrier as well as keeps the skin looking youthful by improving the skin elasticity appearances
• Fatty acids help maintain the lipid balance

Plant oils are packed with amazing skin benefits but not created equal. The composition of linoleic acid and oleic acid in each oil plays an important role in deciding which type of plant oil is suitable for you.

Generally, people with oily and acne-prone skin are deficient in linoleic acid. As such, we can aid in balancing our oil production by applying the oils rich in linoleic acid. If you have dry skin, you might want to consider oils that are higher in oleic acid which is thicker and more nourishing for the skin.

What oils should I be using?

Acne-prone skin

Oils such as rosehip oil and grapeseed oil are higher in linoleic acid would be great for acne-prone skin. They moisturise, refine your skin as well as clear pores. On top of that, they regulate excess sebum production as some oils such as jojoba oil are a similar match to your natural skin oil. Check out our other blog post for other tips to clear acne naturally! 

Dry skin

Richer oils (higher in oleic acid) such as avocado oil and marula oil are great for hydrating dry and irritated skin.

Hyperpigmentation

Tamanu oil is incredible for targeting hyperpigmentation and acne scars. It has shown wound-healing and skin regenerating properties as well as promote cell proliferation and production of important skin components in healing scars such as collagen and glycosaminoglycan. However, tamanu oil can feel greasy on the skin so you might want to use it as a spot treatment rather than slathering it all over your face!

Comment below and let us know what's your favourite oil remedy!