Skincare products are ever evolving. The use of oil on the face is one of them. It's trending and in some cases it's even beneficial. However, if you don't choose wisely and you don't use it properly, you could create more problems and adverse results. This article will ensure you don't make costly mistakes if you’re using face oils.
This is where size matters, ladies. The reason we have different kinds of skincare products, such as essences, serums, creams, and moisturizers are due to the molecular size of the ingredients in each product. Typically, essences and serums are lighter weight, but creams and moisturizers are heavier. There are exceptions to these rules but in general it's a good rule of thumb. And heavier still are exfoliants and sunscreens because we want these products to work on the top layer of skin. Therefore, the larger the molecules in a product, the harder it is to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.
Products with smaller molecules are required to reach lower layers of the skin. This matters if you’re seeking to improve wrinkles and avoid dehydration. These products must be able to penetrate to the deeper layers of the skin to be effective.
Here’s the first mistake to avoid. Never put oil on your face first. You essentially have sealed off the top layer of skin and nothing you apply afterwards will penetrate. This goes for devices as well. Microcurrent, ultrasound and LED cannot penetrate oil products. Use your devices before you apply an oil if you don’t want to sabotage your results – and possibly ruin the device. Having said that, if the facial oil is truly a lightweight product, it could go on after your serums and before your moisturizer.
Another mistake is buying oils with questionable ingredients. Avoid oils containing ingredients like paraffin, mineral oils, lanolin acids, petroleum or petroleum jelly, beeswax, vegetable, and other waxes. These ingredients are known to clog pores and make acne prone skin worse. Quality facial oil products should not have water, preservatives, PEGs, BHA, BHTs or added fragrance.
For example, petroleum seals off the skin so nothing can get in or out, which can lead to clogged pores. Alternatives to petroleum include high grade coconut oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil.
The last mistake I want to warn you about is using the same oils on the face as you do the body. Facial oils should be lighter than the oil used on your body. The skin on the face is much thinner than the skin on the body. Using a heavier oil on the face can have adverse results like clogged pores.
Finally, test an area on your face before fully committing to the use of a facial oil. If your skin tolerates it without breaking out or forming bumps, it’s probably safe for your skin. If you find using oil is causing breakouts, it just means it’s not right for your skin. Stick to what works for you.