Natural oil such as shea butter oil, coconut oil, olive oil and more have been used widely for maintaining the prime health of skin & hair for centuries. Generation after generation has believed and relied on them for moisture, protective layer and antibacterial qualities. With the rise of modern cosmetic and wellness industries in the market, people started overlooking the benefits of these simple substances but the last decade has shown that they are now emerging back in the public eyes. A big reason for that is people striving for effective products that are both affordable and additive-free.
But if you are worried about which oil would be best to use in your skincare regime and what’s the difference between them, then you are at the right place. In this segment, we will be talking about the inclusion of natural oils in your skincare regime to attain radian and healthy skin.
- Is it safe to use natural oils on my skin and hair?
This is not a new concept since natural oils have been used widely for skin and hair care for centuries now. Various studies suggested its use in ancient Egypt or Asia while other studies have suggested ancient Greek athletes using the olive on their skin to make their skin look more luminous on the competition day.
However, make sure that the regimen you are following in your daily life is also suitable for your skin. For instance, individuals having acne-prone skin can use the natural oils to keep their body moisturized but putting the same oil on their face would only be allowed after getting a green signal from the dermatologist. Skin type like dry, oily, sensitive or combined all plays a major in how various skin products and oils will impact your skin.
Apart from that, the factor you need to put in mind while using natural oils is how soon you will be heading out in the sun after applying them. If you are putting them on your face, extra caution needs to be taken since oils will have an intensified effect of using radiation on your face. The best way to steer clear of sun damage while using natural oils is to apply them differently during different times of the day. During the morning period, use a thin layering of them on your skin since they will be absorbed in about 15-20 minutes. While at night time, when your skin isn’t exposed to the sun, you can apply the oil liberally. You’ll know when the amount is adequate once your skin stops absorbing the oil.
- How to start using natural oil in your daily skincare regime?
Get in touch with your dermatologist before applying any natural oil to your skin or face. The following natural oils are the most popular picks.
- Coconut oil
This oil gets absorbed in the skin pretty easily and shows a range of health benefits including Vitamins E & K along with having antifungal and antibacterial properties. Studies have shown that coconut oil is better than olive oil in keeping your skin moisturized. If you are looking to use coconut oil for your face or skincare, ensure that it is cold-pressed and unrefined.
- Olive oil
Although olive oil isn’t responsible for triggering an allergic reaction, you should always look to invest in extra-virgin variety for best results. It is enriched with Vitamins K, A, E & K while some studies backed with scientific evidence showed it as a perfect replacement of a moisturizer.
- Sunflower seed oil
High in Vitamin E, this oil is widely available and gets absorbs easily into the skin to make it an excellent pick as a natural moisturizer since it absorbs quickly into the skin. It is also an excellent pick for keeping the infants’ skin protected without causing any aggravate atopic dermatitis.
- Shea butter
Shea butter is a tallow-like substance that is often present in solid form but melts at body temperature and is a good pick as a moisturizer and hair product. You can also combine unrefined & organic shea butter with coconut or olive oil to create a smoother texture for application.
- Almond oil
This is prepared from pressed raw almonds which is full of health benefits such as potassium, zinc, proteins and Vitamin E. Having a lighter texture than shea butter and olive oil, almond oil is preferred by many to use on the face. However, experts suggest considering the dermatologist first as it can cause allergic responses in people with sensitive skin.