Oils are a taboo in the beauty conversation for some, whereas it is a holy grail that some swear by. However, it is becoming increasingly popular due to the trend of double cleansing in K-Beauty and natural beauty. Today, we will look at how to incorporate oils into your daily beauty routine, for your skin type!

Oily Skin
I know it sounds counter-intuitive to apply oils onto oily skin, but when used correctly, it actually will help with oily skin! When your skin is dehydrated, the sebum glands will actually overcompensate and produce even more sebum due to a lack of moisture. Therefore, by providing your skin with sufficient moisture, it will not secrete extra oils, and actually regulate oil production. However, be sure to use the right oils to prevent clogging your pores! People with oily skin should choose dry oils that rank lower on the Comedogenicity Scale, like argan oil, rosehip oil and almond oil. These oils will not clog your pores, but rather absorb quickly into your skin due to their lightweight nature. Astringent oils like grapefruit oil can also work in tightening skin tissue to regulate and reduce oil production.

Acne-prone skin
Blemish prone skin need to be non-comedogenic, since acne is caused by clogged pores. Therefore, oils that are safe for oily skin can also be used for acne-prone skin! Also, oils that have antibacterial properties such as tea tree oil can be utilised as a spot treatment for those pesky pimples that cannot seem to go away, or applied after the skin barrier has been compromised to prevent any further infections. Argan oil also contains Vitamin E, which is an anti-inflammatory agent which helps to keep your breakouts under control. It also has antioxidants that help with fading scars, which are inevitable in acne prone skin!

Dry Skin
Skin that is dry will intuitively benefit the most from oils, since they require more moisture and hydration! Dry skin requires oils that absorb slower into the skin, forming a layer on the skin layer which prevents moisture from leaving the skin. Wet oils are great at that, and some examples include neem oil, almond oil, and jojoba oil! These oils will reduce transepidermal water/moisture loss, therefore helping your dry and parched skin.

Sensitive Skin
Everyone should be cautious when using essential oils, especially since some of them can be photosensitive, and cause your skin to be extra sensitive to light. If you have sensitive skin, avoid these oils especially since your skin is already sensitive to begin with – you wouldn’t want to get chemical burns from carelessness! Some photosensitive oils include bergamot oil, citrus oils (lemon/orange/grapefruit) and warming oils (cinnamon). Should anyone wish to try these oils, do ensure that they are in safe concentrations, dilute with carrier oils before application, like lemon oil under 2%, grapefruit oil under 4%, and bergamot oil below 0.4%, to prevent any undesired side effects. Also avoid sun exposure for 12 hours after application – apply tons of sun protection and preferably only apply them at night, so that it is not that reactive when you leave the house in the day!

We hope that you have a better understanding of oils and its wonderful benefits when included in your beauty routine. At the end of the day, it is best to listen to your skin and what it needs. So, remember to always apply sunscreen (whether you are wearing oils or not), do patch tests before applying it all over your face, and treat your skin with respect and care!

References:
https://livingthenourishedlife.com/best-essential-oils-for-skin/
https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/news/a17569/argan-oil-for-face/
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/what-is-dry-oil