Facial Oils: Are They Worth It?

 

   Facial Oils seem to be a trendy step in a skincare routine as of lately. They are beneficial for someone who's of a more drier skin type. Some facial oils are filled with antioxidants, fatty acids and other nutrients. However, if you're acne-prone, I wouldn't recommend facial oils even if they're suggested as "non-comedogenic" since there is still no telling if you'll still develop clogged pores from which ever formula that may be. They're meant to coat, protect & lubricate the epidermis (outer most top layer of skin), it's meant to stay & hydrate on the skin's surface with also penetrating the top surface. Leaving it silky, smooth, & soft. There are also some problematic botanical oils that can cause a reaction, something to be cautious about. As well as stay away from essential oils! They are a main culprit to adding a sensitized barrier and a pretty significant amount to a possibility of a reaction (as in a rash, redness, etc.) They are meant to be applied as the last step of your nighttime routine and during your morning as the second-to-last step before your Sunscreen, since it's the most occlusive product as part of your skincare regimen.

   In my personal opinion, I find it being not as a necessary step of a routine. I find that good, emollient moisturizers that a mixture of water & oil-soluble ingredients (humectants & occlusives) work just as well if not better for hydrating both dehydrated (lacking in water) & overall dryness (lacking in oil production). Our skin naturally produces oil but sometimes not to the extent we need for healthy skin barrier function. Skincare is trial & error at times and seeing what works for you and what agrees with your skin happily. A facial oil may be nice to have for the intended skin types mentioned above, however surely not a necessity though I personally feel. Even they are meant to seal the skin with moisture and act as a barrier to protect it. They can temporarily plump the look of skin also, which is great for anti-aging concerns. There are other treatments that could exceed its benefits is just my overall opinion on facial oils. So are they worth it? I don't generally believe so, if you have chronically dry skin they can help a bit though. It's not just worth the expensive amount nor the money to shell out for.

P.S. Remember a Facial oil is NOT a moisturizer itself and not meant to be used alone, make sure to pair it up with a moisturizer!

Yours truly always,

Mr. Skin Care Guru