How to Use a Natural Face Oil
Our skin naturally loses the ability to retain moisture as we age. Our facial skin tends to become thinner and lose its elasticity. Our skin also produces less oil, which means it dries out more easily. This can exaggerate the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Facial oils can help prevent water loss and keep skin plump.
Proper hydration is key to retaining a healthy glow. The most basic function of a facial oil is to hydrate and soften the skin by preventing water loss.
The Best Way to Apply a Face Oil
Less is More
For those who have tried facial oils but do not like them, an incorrect application technique is often the problem.
If your skin feels oily hours after application, you should reconsider your technique.
Since facial oils are very concentrated, a little goes a very long way and less is usually better than more.
Is Your Face Ready?
The best way to apply facial moisturizers is on freshly cleaned, warm and damp (not wet) skin. Creams and oils work best with a little water moisture. Facial oils are better able to lock in moisture when the skin is more pliable after a warm wash and damp skin also ensures that the oils spread evenly and absorb effectively into your skin.
Note that your skin should not be wet, just a bit moist, or the skin will be unable to hold the oil.
How Much to Use
Again, facial oils are very concentrated.
The recommended amount for your décolleté, neck, and face is about 4 to 6 drops.
For your face only, you need about 2 to 3 drops of oil per treatment.
If your skin is extra dry a couple more drops may be helpful. Listen to your skin and don’t overdo it. This might appear to be a very small amount but start out small, you can always add more.
Application Technique
Now that your skin is ready you need to choose an application method.
While many people have their own special technique for applying face oil, here are two favorites. Always be sure that your hands are clean.
Fingertip Method
Place the drops of facial oil in the palm of one hand. Then use a fingertip on your other hand to apply one dab on your neck, one on your décolleté, one on your forehead, and one on each of your cheeks. If you choose to do your face only, place one dab on each cheek and one on your forehead.
You should not be "rubbing" the oils into your skin. Using small circular strokes in an upward, outward motion massage gently with your oily fingertips until most of the oil has been absorbed. The gentle massage will also give your skin a nice circulation boost.
When applying moisturizer to your neck, massage in an upward stroking motion, until completely absorbed.
Palm Method
Place the drops of facial oil in the palm of one hand and then warm the oil by rubbing the palms of your hands together. Then gently press your palms onto your face (you can also include your neck and décolleté) ensuring it is applied evenly. This will help your skin absorb the oil. Then gently massage until it feels absorbed.
When To Use a Facial Oil
It is usually suggested that a facial oil be used in the morning in place of a moisturizer. If your skin is extra thirsty, apply the face oil and allow a few minutes for it to absorb. Then use your natural cream moisturizer as usual for extra hydration.
There is a debate as to whether you should apply moisturizers at night.
One school of thought is that you should not moisturize at night. While you sleep skin cells are hard at work naturally repairing, regenerating, balancing oil production, and flushing out impurities.
Applying moisturizers may prevent your skin from breathing, interfere with the skin’s natural regenerative activities, and may cause your skin to become dependent on moisturizers.
The other school of thought is that since cell repair and regeneration is higher at night, skin loses more moisture and needs the extra moisture. Also, since the skin’s ability to absorb ingredients peaks at night, your skin may be able to better absorb the nourishing, moisturizing ingredients.
If you choose to moisturize day and night, a light facial oil may be better than a heavy cream. Just remember that your skin needs time to breathe. Too much moisturizing with thick, heavy creams is not a good thing since it may send a message to your own sebaceous glands to slow down natural moisture production, resulting in chronic dry skin.
If you have very sensitive skin or are simply trying a new product for the first time, we always recommend doing a patch test.
For external use only. Discontinue use if irritation occurs. Best if used within 6 months of opening.
Please Note: Our Sea Buckthorn Oil is unrefined and has a strong fruity musky scent that is characteristic of Sea Buckthorn. Tamanu Oil has a rich, deep scent with a bold dark color. Both oils may naturally separate or solidify at cold temperatures. If your oil solidifies, simply place the bottle in some warm water.
**The deep orange color of sea buckthorn oil can stain skin, clothing, and surfaces. While staining of the skin washes off easily staining of clothes and linens may be permanent.
For more detailed information about face oils please read our blog, "What are Facial Oils and How to Use Them"
