What they do and what to look for in a face oil...
Face oils have a bad rap. When we hear the word ‘oil’ we immediately picture them leaving our skin greasy and oily, or its formula exacerbating acne-prone skin. But for most face oils, this isn’t the case. Face oils offer a wealth of benefits and most skin types should be using them - you just need to find the right one.
Oil is essential for your skin’s health. It acts like the ‘mortar’ that holds the ‘bricks’ (the skin cells) together. Without enough oil, your skin struggles to retain moisture. Oil is also essential for maintaining your skin’s natural barrier function. As we age, our sebaceous glands slow down and we naturally produce less oil. Supplementing your skincare routine with a face oil will help keep your skin nourished, youthful and glowing, regardless of your age.
What is a facial oil?
A facial oil is a concentrated and potent skin treatment whose primary role is to moisturise and nourish skin. Face oils support your skin’s natural production of oils and lipids to prevent water loss, and are hydrophobic, so they help seal in moisture by improving the skin’s natural barrier.
Facial oils are generally classified as one of two types of moisturisers: emollients or occlusives. Emollients work to soften and strengthen the outer layer of skin by filling in the spaces between skin cells, while occlusives act like sealants to trap water in.
Nourishing skin isn’t a face oil’s only job. The best facial oils are ones that also treat your top skin concerns, like ageing, pigmentation and inflammation.
Why you need a facial oil in your skincare routine
The outermost layer of skin - the epidermis - is oil-based. The film of natural oils on the surface of your skin, known as sebum, helps protect skin from dehydration, while also preventing germs, chemicals and irritants from entering the skin. Facial oils work in a similar way to support your skin’s oil production.
Every skin type can benefit from a face oil because all skin types have (and need) this natural layer of oil. Due to facial oils being enriched with skin-identical ingredients, they are well-recognised and absorbed by the skin, making them highly effective. They are able to penetrate deeply while also creating a protective moisturising barrier.
If you’ve never been a big fan of facial oils, chances are you simply haven’t found one that’s right for your skin type and concerns.
The benefits of a face oil
Nourishes skin
Our skin needs oil - in addition to water - to remain moisturised and healthy. The nourishing consistency of a face oil isn’t the only way that it pampers skin. Face oils help reinforce the skin’s lipid barrier function by locking in essential ingredients like water and nutrients into your skin. Oils that are high in linoleic acid (such as safflower oil, which you’ll find in our Bio+ Oil Serum) have been found to be particularly beneficial in supporting the skin’s barrier function.
Plumps skin
Without enough oil in our skin, lines and wrinkles can appear deeper and more prominent. Facial oils help skin remain supple and plump and are able to penetrate the lipid layer of skin more effectively to deliver moisture where you need it most.
Enhances skin’s glow
A good facial oil shouldn’t leave your skin looking shiny and greasy, but it can leave it radiant and glowing. The boost of moisturisation combined with the formula’s subtle sheen is a recipe for a healthy-looking glow. In addition to applying a face oil in your skincare routine, you can also add a few drops to your foundation for a luminous base, or apply it to the high points of your face to naturally highlight your features.
Protects skin
Face oils provide a proactive barrier over skin to prevent moisture from escaping and nasties from entering in. Oils that are high in antioxidants, like our Bio+ Oil Serum, also protect skin from free radical damage, which can accelerate skin ageing and lead to a loss of skin elasticity.
When to use a face oil in your skincare routine
Facial oils should be applied after serums (if you’re using one) and before your moisturiser. They can be used morning and night, however, if you have oily skin, you may only want to apply it at night.
3 things to look for in a facial oil
A dry oil formula - One of the biggest complaints about face oils is the greasy residue they can leave on skin. A dry oil formula won’t leave skin feeling oily or looking shiny. A dry oil is able to absorb quickly into skin while still offering the same moisturising benefits as a wet oil.
A non-comedogenic formula - Always look for an oil that’s non-comedogenic as it won’t clog your pores.
Benefits beyond moisturisation - Facial oils can be one of the hardest-working products in your skincare routine, if you choose wisely. Don’t settle for one that simply moisturises. Our SYSTÈME Bio+ Oil Serum is packed full of multivitamins, a combination of hand-picked oils, and a clinically-proven stable oil-soluble vitamin C derivative to help improve skin hydration, reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and brighten skin in one. It also has a non-comedogenic dry oil formula that sinks deep into the skin to deliver the nourishing benefits of an oil formula, without leaving behind a greasy residue.