ARE OILS GOOD OR BAD FOR YOUR SKIN

Are oils good or bad for your skin?

Generally, oils are healthy to use on the skin. In this post you will find the good and the bad of using oils. I also list the best oils to use as moisturisers, and the best way to apply oil to your skin.

Naturally, oils have different effects depending on skin type, temperature, consistency, and purity.

The purity of the oil you use is important to the health of your skin. Nowadays there are many ways to extract oil from its source, and some methods of extraction adulterates the oil, making it impure and bad for your skin. This is because oil that is extracted with chemicals, change in structure and viability. And when you use an impure oil it can have an adverse effect. So check to make sure the oil you’re buying is pure, with nothing added or taken from it. Cold pressed oils are a healthy alternative to use, because the oil isn’t extracted with heat or chemicals. Because natural oils are pure, with no added preservatives, or chemicals, they make a healthy moisturiser for dry skin, itchy skin, dull skin, and ageing skin.

Before we move onto the benefits of using oils, let us look at the negatives that might occur from using oil on your skin.

WHY OILS ARE BAD FOR YOUR SKIN

OIL CLOGS SKIN PORES

Yes oils are healthy moisturisers, but they are also notorious for clogging skin pores. And clogged skin pores leads to rough skin, bumps, and acne breakouts.

But this shouldn’t discourage you from using oil to moisturise your skin, just make sure that at the end of the day you wash off the oil, exfoliate with a scrub, or a washcloth.

OIL TRAPS DIRTS ON THE SKIN

Because oil has a thick and sticky consistency it traps dust, and dirt on the skin, which makes the skin dirty. And dirty skin is not good, it leads to dermatosis, and other skin problems. So if you use oil, just remember to wash your skin and exfoliate to keep your skin clean.

OIL MAKES THE SKIN HOT AND SWEATY

Some oils make our skin feel hot and sweaty, especially thick oils. This is an advantage in cold seasons, because the oil will help your skin keep warm. And a disadvantage in hot seasons because most oils will make your skin sticky, uncomfortable, and even lead to sunburn.

But before you remove oil from your skincare routine, in the hot seasons, you should consider using a lightweight oil, and in small amounts.

OIL MAKES SKIN GREASY

Greasy skin isn’t comfortable. A skin that is greasy and oily is a contrast from a glowing skin.

For this reason, use the right oil for your skin depending on how dry and oily your skin feels. And, only use a small amount of oil at a time.

Here are some examples of oils that although healthy, they make oily skin feel greasy, these oils are better suited for dry skin, and for dry weather: Olive oil, Coconut oil, Castor oil, and Shea butter.

But, if you have oily skin, it’s better to use oils of light consistency such as: Jojoba oil, Rosehip oil, Argan oil, and Grapeseed oil. These oils are also good to use in humid weather.

These are some of the downsides of using oil on the skin. If you know of other negative effects that oil has on the skin kindly share in the comment section.

Now let’s move on to the advantages of using oil.

WHY OILS ARE GOOD FOR THE SKIN

NATURAL OILS ARE FREE FROM ADDITIVES AND PRESERVATIVES

Unnatural moisturisers have synthetic preservatives, and additive chemicals that harm our skin. But natural oils are clean from addictive chemicals and preservatives, which makes them healthy to use.

OIL SUPPLIES NUTRIENTS TO THE SKIN

Natural oil replenishes the skin with nutrients which repairs damaged skin, and helps maintain a healthy skin structure.

OIL SOOTHES SKIN

Oils work effectively to soothe the skin, and some oils have antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Oils such as Jojoba oil, and Olive oil are antibacterial, and antipruritic, they work well to soothe dry and itchy skin, while making the skin soft, moisturised, and healthy.

OIL SOFTENS THE SKIN

Oils are healthy and natural moisturisers that leave the skin soft, and silky.

OIL MAKES THE SKIN FIRM AND GIVES A YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE

Natural Oils reduces lines and wrinkles on the face, and helps to strengthen sagging skin. Because oils are rich in fat they replenish the skin, to give it elasticity, and fill-up wrinkle lines for a youthful appearance.

OILS THAT ARE GOOD FOR REDUCING WRINKLES AND FINE LINES:

Jojoba oil,
Rosehip oil
Olive oil- provides much elasticity to skin, and fills up fine lines and wrinkles fast. But olive oil is also a thick oil that clog pores. So do use the oil sparely, and as a face treatment.

OILS GIVES A HEALTHY GLOW AND AN EVEN COMPLEXION

This is another advantage of using natural oil on your skin, because over time the oil heals the skin to reveal an even complexion. And also oil provides the skin with a healthy natural glow.

NATURAL OILS THAT ARE GOOD FOR THE SKIN

Olive oil
Jojoba oil
Coconut oil
Almond oil
Rosehip oil
Shea butter
Argan oil
Moringa oil
Sunflower oil

LIGHTWEIGHT OILS THAT ARE GOOD FOR THE SKIN

Jojoba oil
Rosehip oil
Argan oil
Moringa oil
Sunflower oil

These oils are healthy to use as moisturisers. However, do use a little amount at a time, and remember to exfoliate, and wash off the oil from your skin at the end of each day.

THE BEST WAY TO APPLY OIL ON YOUR SKIN

The best way to apply oil on your skin: Is right after you have showered, when your skin is damp (not dripping wet), put a little bit of the oil in your hands, rub the oil together as though warming it, then apply it on your skin. This will help your skin absorb the oil better, and you use less oil.