Vegetable oils, such as olive oil or coconut oil, have not only been used in cooking, but also as cosmetics since ancient Egypt. Produced from plants, oilseeds or even fruit, they have many virtues and are used to nourish and protect the skin. Some of them can therefore be applied directly to the face as a regular treatment.
Why use vegetable oil on your face?
Vegetable oils have been used as cosmetics for centuries. Nowadays, these vegetable oils applied to the face are mainly used to remove make-up, but they also have real nourishing properties for the skin. They are in the form of an oily liquid, concentrated in lipids, including fatty acids and ceramides. The layers of cells under the skin contain the same type of lipids, so the two elements react in a completely natural and effective way. Thus, vegetable oils naturally protect the skin on a daily basis against various external aggressions such as cold, wind or pollution without clogging the skin's pores. There are many different types of plant oils, some of which can be applied to the whole body.
Which product for which skin type?
There are many vegetable oils available today, so before choosing one, it is advisable to define your skin type and needs in order to select the most suitable product. Some oils are suitable for oily skin, others have anti-ageing properties and still others soothe irritated or dry skin.
- Plant oils to nourish dry and damaged skin
As its name suggests, sweet almond oil is extracted by mechanically pressing almond kernels. The resulting vegetable oil is a yellow liquid, rich in vitamins and linoleic acid, which makes it ideal for softening and protecting the skin. Sweet almond oil is often recommended for sensitive, reactive and irritated skin, with redness and dryness. Similarly, argan oil has real nourishing and anti-ageing properties. Highly concentrated in antioxidants and vitamins, it helps to make the skin more elastic and soothe itching. The fatty acids it contains nourish and regenerate damaged skin and protect it against external aggression.
- Plant oils for a youthful complexion
Argan oil is undoubtedly one of the best known anti-ageing plant oils, but there are several others. For example, rose hip oil and prickly pear seed oil also help to regenerate the skin and give it a smoother appearance. Rich in unsaturated fatty acids, they are ideal for soothing and softening the skin, but also for firming and restructuring it to erase wrinkles, especially on the face and décolleté.
- Plant oils for oily skin
Oily skin is the result of a disturbance in the production of sebum, which is produced in excess by the body. There are many plant oils available to remedy this phenomenon and restore normal, soothed skin. Among the most famous, we find jojoba oil. Its chemical composition is very similar to that of sebum produced by the body, which allows the production of sebum to be regulated quickly and completely naturally, while nourishing the skin in depth. Nigella oil has similar properties and reduces minor problems such as acne, pimples or clogged pores. It is often used to harmonise the skin and clear blemishes. Also known as black cumin oil, it is a product made from an oriental plant. Finally, hazelnut oil, with its fine, light texture, also helps to regulate sebum production and is ideal for oily skin.
Applying a plant oil to the face
A vegetable oil requires very few extra precautions compared to traditional creams. It is often recommended to warm it slightly before applying it to the face. In fact, in practice, it is enough to pour a few drops of oil into your hand, no more than four, and to warm it by rubbing your palms together before applying the liquid to your face. The ideal gesture is to make light circular massages on the surface of the skin to make the oil penetrate well. Once this is done, any residue can be removed by simply wiping the surface of the face with a cotton pad. Rinsing the face with clear, lukewarm water completes the treatment, with or without the use of a special mild soap to remove any remaining oil.
Using vegetable oils allows you to take care of your skin with natural and healthy ingredients. Ecosystem Laboratoire presents several products based on vegetable oils in its range of cosmetics.
