Plant Oils
Oil is essential to skin health and a functioning skin barrier. Oil can keep the skin lubricated and protected from moisture loss. I love using oil for the skin, but just like anything else, choosing the oils right for your skin is critical.
There is a lot of talk about oil's health benefits, both internally and externally. Oil is an integral part of skincare and is in almost every product, from cleansers to makeup removers and more.
What is plant oil?
This may seem silly, but it’s an excellent question. Plant oil is a concentrated plant byproduct that provides various benefits, from powering a car to softening skin. It’s extracted from plant leaves, flowers, or seeds. Almost all plants have the ability to produce oil, and many have beneficial qualities for skin health.
Whole plant oils like olive oil can be used directly on the body, and concentrated essential oils should be diluted into a carrier oil or other medium.
How does oil work for skincare?
Oils work by maintaining skin moisture with emollient or occlusive powers. An emollient helps lubricate and soften the skin, while heavier occlusive oils help to lock in moisture by adding a sort of block to the top layer of the skin. In skincare, we use oils for cleansing, masking, moisturizing, or as a nutrient boost.
Are seed oils bad for the skin?
While we know that certain oils are unhealthy for consumption, there is mixed evidence of using oil on the skin. For example, it’s been found that some oils can cause or exacerbate atopic dermatitis. Some oils are better for the skin than others; for example, sunflower seed oil is not as detrimental to the skin barrier as olive oil (1, 2).
This may seem surprising since olive oil has been used in beauty for centuries, but the best takeaway from this article is that each oil has a different and unique effect on the skin.
When planning your skin care regimen, research and consult with a skincare professional. This step can help mitigate negative or long-lasting effects like dermatitis or a compromised skincare barrier.
Goop wrote a concise and informative article about seed oils; it is worth checking out for more information. And Primally Pure covers some health benefits of avoiding over-processed seed oils.
Which oils are okay for skin care?
There are a lot of plant-based skin oils that have incredible benefits, but generally, I like to recommend the basics. Some oils that I’ve had a lot of success with include:
Jojoba Oil
Hemp Seed Oil
Sunflower Seed Oil
Grape Seed Oil
Argan Oil
Sesame Oil
Borage Oil
Pomegranate Seed Oil
Olive based Squalane Oil
Essential Oils for the skin include:
Helichrysum
Rose
Tea Tree
Geranium
*Note that essential oils are highly concentrated and must be diluted into a carrier oil for use on the skin. Always do a patch test to rule out allergies or negative reactions. Damaging your skin barrier can be long-lasting or permanent!
Usually, I would add my favorite product recommendations - but with a general product like an oil, it is best to get a recommendation from your skincare professional. As always, you can reach out to us or schedule a consultation for more information!
Danby SG, AlEnezi T, Sultan A, et al. Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatr Dermatol. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22995032/
Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/