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, often an incorrect application method is the problem. Since facial oils are very concentrated, a little goes a very long way and less is usually better than more.
If your skin feels oily hours after application, you should reconsider your technique.
Can a face oil replace your moisturizer? For some yes, but for others maybe not. If you have very dry or maturing skin a face oil alone may not contain enough of the "heavier" ingredients found in an organic oil-based moisturizing cream. The two products play different moisturizing roles and support each other.
For my 70 year old facial skin, a face oil alone is enough during summer months but not during the drying winters. If you are going to use both, apply the facial oil first and allow a few minutes for it to absorb before apply your face cream.
Is Your Face Ready?
The best way to apply facial moisturizers is on freshly cleaned, warm and damp (not wet) skin. Clean skin allows oils to better penetrate deep layers and stop leftover makeup from clogging pores.
Creams and oils work best with a little damp 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 leading to more hydrated, plumper skin.
Note that your skin should not be wet, just a bit moist, or the skin will be unable to hold the oil. Remember that oil and water do not mix!
How Much to Use
Again, facial oils are very concentrated, so start slowly. The key is to use them sparingly.
The recommended amount for your décolleté, neck, and face is about 4 to 6 drops. If doing 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. Just 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 and remember to begin with clean, damp skin.
Dropper Method
We suggest applying our facial oil directly to your skin with the dropper. Placing the oils on your hands first will probably give you soft hands, but you want to get the most benefit for face!
While it may be called a facial oil, the sensitive skin on your neck is especially prone to signs of aging or dryness.
Begin with only a drop on each cheek, one drop on your neck, one on your décolleté, and one on your forehead, focusing on problem areas (remember you can always add more if needed).
If you choose to do your face only, place one drop on each cheek and one on your forehead. If you have an oily T-zone, but dry flaky cheeks, limit your facial oil application to dry problem areas only.
Patting the oil onto the skin with your fingertips is often thought to be more effective than rubbing the oils into your skin. Patting can aid in oil absorption and nourish deeper skin layers. But using a gentle "rub" in sections will also work, especially if time is a factor.
EYES: Take extra care around the eye area since rubbing or pulling that delicate skin may help encourage those annoying eye wrinkles. My eye technique:
- I place less than pea-sized amount of oil on my left ring finger to use a my "dipping pot".
- Then I use the ring finger from the other hand to dab small amounts of oil gently around the eyes.
- Using a dabbing motion, I gently smooth the oil into the skin, beginning at the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner of the eye.
When applying moisturizer to your neck or décolleté, massage in an upward soft stroking motion, until completely absorbed.
A face oil is a great product to use with facial massage. Using small circular strokes in an upward, outward motion, massage slowly and 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 and can help with lymphatic drainage.
TIPS:
- Any oil left on your fingers can be used anywhere that needs some extra TLC, like the ends of your hair or your cuticles.
- If your skin is very dry it may need an additional application during the day. We suggest taking a tiny spray bottle filled with clean water to give your face a quick mist before reapplying.
Palm Method
While your skin is still slightly damp, place a few drops of face oil in the palm of one hand and then warm the oil by gently rubbing the palms of your hands together. Then press both your palms onto your face with firm but gentle pressure and hold for a few seconds. Then gently massage until it feels absorbed. Some believe that this warming process helps to better activate all the goodness in your oil and enhance absorption.
When To Use a Facial Oil
It is usually suggested that a facial oil be used in the morning. 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. You need to pay attention to YOUR skin!
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.
When applying a face oil at night, we recommend applying the oil at least 20 to 30 minutes before going to bed. The oil needs time to soak into your skin, rather than into your pillow.
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. Using too much over time can make your skin lazy. Over moisturizing signals your own sebaceous (oil) glands to slow down natural moisture production, which can result 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"
