The nourishing properties of natural oils in skincare and beauty products have long been known, but it is only recently that oils have become a nightstand staple. The new generation of beauty oils are lightweight, hydrating and absorb ultra fast, making them the perfect multi-taskers for hair, skin and nails.
There is also a common misconception that face oils can’t be used by those with oily complexions and this is absolutely not the case! Oils help to balance the skin and reduce the over-production of sebum, while traditional cleansers and mattifying lotions can strip the natural moisture in your skin and actually stimulate your face to produce more oil.
Until I started thinking about this post, I had no idea how many beauty oils I had actually accumulated. Here’s a rundown of my collection:
NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi Usage Dry Oil
We’ve mentioned this miracle product a couple of times on the site (here and here) and I’m still very much in love with it. The scent is just out of this world and it absorbs instantly into your skin and hair. I like to spritz it on my arms and chest after a shower and it leaves my skin feeling soft and nourished without leaving an oily residue. The luxurious packaging doesn’t hurt either.
MoroccanOil Light
This version of the world-famous hair treatment is made for fine and light-coloured hair like mine, and is best used in towel-dried hair to protect against heat and leave your hair smooth and frizz-free. The ultra-light formula is easily absorbed and results in a natural, silky finish and brilliant shine without leaving a residue. It also smells delicious!
Bio-Oil
An oldie but a goodie, Bio-Oil is a specialist moisturizing oil that helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, ageing and dehydrated skin. It combines calendula, rosemary, chamomile and lavender oils with vitamins A and E to leave skin feeling super smooth. I pat it lightly onto my face in the evenings when my skin is feeling parched and rub it into flaky nail beds for an extra boost of hydration.
REF. Argan Oil/550
The lovely Brandslut gifted this to me for Christmas and I’ve nearly used up the whole bottle already! Similar to MoroccanOil, this Argan treatment for dry, tangled and flyaway hair hydrates, penetrates the hair shaft and strengthens as well as repairs. It leaves your hair looking healthy and shiny and reduces the potential for split ends.
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate
I got this in the special Kiehl’s rubybox in October last year and I’ve been eking it out ever since because I love it but can’t afford to buy the full size one yet! This fragrant elixir works all night to replenish the skin with moisture, enriching it with a blend of naturally derived ingredients including Squalane, Evening Primrose, and a blend of essential oils. You dab on a couple of drops before bed and it really does make the skin look plumper and more radiant by morning. I can see this being a lifelong skincare essential for me.
MAC Cleanse-Off Oil
This is a great oil-based product for those of you who are nervous about beauty oils to start with as you don’t leave it to soak into the skin. 100% mineral oil free, this make-up remover is effective (even on waterproof mascara) but gentle and conditioning. Botanically formulated with oils of olive fruit, evening primrose and jojoba seed, it rinses off easily and leaves no residue.
Image by me.