GLOW UP

THESE OILS LOCK IN MOISTURE AND GIVE YOUR SKIN DEWY, GLOWING HYDRATION

It wasn’t too long ago when face oils were taboo. But in recent years, with the input of dermatologists and expert estheticians, we’ve learned that oils are beneficial to a skin-care routine. No matter what type of skin you have— dry, normal, or oily—oils are crucial for locking in hydration, protecting the skin’s natural barrier, reducing fine lines, and promoting a healthy, dewy glow.

“There are many benefits to oil, but it all depends on what skin-care condition you are addressing,” says celebrity skin-care guru and esthetician Joanna Czech. “Oil dissolves oil, so any skin type, including oily skin, can use them. However, it’s important to follow oil with a moisturizer, or mix a few drops of oil into your moisturizer to avoid dehydration.”

Face and body oils nourish the skin through high-quality ingredients, which might include naturally derived botanicals and essential vitamins, like vitamins A and C. Face oils support the lipidic layer, which protects our skin from environmental toxins and pathogens. Karyn Grossman of Grossman Dermatology suggests sunflower-seed, coconut, jojoba, argan, rosehip seed,

evening-primrose, and milk thistle oils, which provide antiaging properties coupled with barrier repair. Luckily, many of the luxury face and body oils on the market contain one or more of these naturally derived oils without parabens or synthetic filler ingredients.

“Most people think oils hydrate the skin, but they predominantly work by creating a barrier on the skin, preventing the skin’s hydration from escaping into the environment,” Dr. Grossman says. “Consumers also tend to enjoy the luxurious feel of oils.”

One of the first oils to make waves in the skin-care world was Vintner’s Daughter, in part thanks to Gwyneth Paltrow’s praise of the brand. Its Active Botanical Serum (which is actually a face oil) is formulated with 22 nutrientrich botanicals made via a proprietary infusion method. The oil has whole plants, brightening vitamins, balancing minerals, moisturizing fatty acids, and free-radical fighting antioxidants for radiant, healthy skin.

Other companies have followed suit. Symbiome’s sumptuous oils feature all-natural, bioactive-rich ingredients sourced from an organic farm in Brazil. Its ethos is centered on sustainability, like regenerative farming, reducing energy costs, less packaging, and give-back initiatives. The oils are created using a unique fermentation method to unlock and optimize the bioavailability of valuable nutrients and enzymes. Other oils, like Everyday Oil, which is an all-over body oil, take an even more simplistic approach by using 100% organic, plant-based ingredients, which include some of Dr. Grossman’s favorites, like organic coconut, jojoba, and argan oils, with essential oils like organic bergamot, blood orange, and patchouli for a tantalizing scent.

“Be careful with essential oils on their own as they can be active and irritating, and don’t use oils that are not made specifically for skin care,” Czech says.

It’s also important to look for oils that are formulated without parabens, chemicals, or alcohols. Monastery Skincare, with its luxurious look and feel, uses botanicals from around the world that have unique scents and properties to soothe and heal skin. Monastery’s Gold oil is made with sandalwood-nut oil, a medicinal oil from Australia, and raspberry, jasmine, plumeria, vetiver, orange, and rosewood to address damage from the sun, irritation, dryness, redness, or puffy skin.

So how do you use an oil?

“To get the best out of your oil, you should use it at night over your moisturizer, preferably one containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin or sorbitol, which are all humectants that draw water into the skin, or mix a few drops into your moisturizer for a lighter touch,” Dr. Grossman says.

Cult-favorite skin-care brands, like Tata Harper and Augustinus Bader, have created high-quality face and body oils to enhance your skin regimen. Created by a biomedical scientist who is an expert in stem cell biology, Augustinus Bader’s The Body Oil and The Face Oil use the brand’s patented TFC8 technology for firmer, stronger, and renewed skin. The oils address hyperpigmentation, cellulite, and fine lines. Meanwhile, Tata Harper, a 100% natural, nontoxic skin-care brand, has antioxidant and natural retinol face oils to help protect and clear skin. The body oil has antiaging properties and is meant to be used on the entire body or even through the ends of your hair to nourish damage and prevent fly-aways.

“It’s really important to treat the body as we do the face, so I would recommend using both,” Czech says. “There are some oils you can use on both, but generally speaking, use face oils on the face and body oils on the body for best results.”

Face and body oils nourish the skin, and more iterations are coming to the market all the time.