Today, it seems like every cosmetic company is launching pure face oils–and with good reason, these oils rehydrate dry and flaky skin quite successfully.

But with so many products on the market, it can be difficult to know where to begin.

What is Face Oil?

A good face oil is made from a pure, plant-based oil. A high-quality product doesn’t contain synthetic ingredients and is made with natural ingredients that aren’t derived from petroleum products. Words like “petrolatum” and “mineral oil” signal that a product contains petroleum-derived ingredients which can actually dry your skin out. Rather than chemicals, a product should be derived from plants, nuts, trees, and flowers.

How To Use Face Oil

Face oil can be mixed with your moisturizer or it can also be used as a stand-alone product.

• If you use it on its own, use it after your moisturizer.
• If you replace your moisturizer with it completely, add it in after you cleanse and tone your skin. It’s especially helpful for use overnight.
• Be careful not to overuse your face oil.
• Start with a tiny amount, depending on your skin type, and add more if needed.

How to Choose the Best Face Oils

1. Acure Moroccan Argan Oil ($13)

Acure Moroccan Argan Oil is reasonably priced and it’s organic, vegan, sulfate-free, and paraben-free. It contains vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and argan oil, which are all really good for restoring dry skin to its former vibrant state. You can use it on your face as well as on your cuticles and hair.

2. Aster & Bay Serum Absolute ($38)

Aster & Bay Serum Absolute is so good for your skin that you’ll become a skin serum addict. It’s an anti-aging product the smooths fine lines while rejuvenating tired skin. It contains abyssinian oil, which is a new innovation for skin rehydration. What’s more, it contains fatty acids as well as the antioxidant marula oil, which works on facial redness. It also contains chia seed extract and hazelnut oil.

3. VoilaVe Organic Rosehip Oil ($13)

Rosehip oil is another facial oil that like argon oil is gaining popularity because of its ability to repair skin. VoilaVe Organic Rosehip Oil is a particularly good product because it’s organic and contains no additives. It’s also cold-pressed, meaning that the oil is never heat-treated, a process that can reduce antioxidants. Rosehip oil also contains vitamin A and C, which are both important for treating scars, age spots, and general skin unevenness.

4. Nyakio Hydrating Facial Oil with Kola Nut ($50)

Nyakio is a yummy lightweight oil that contains kola nut, an African nut that helps your skin look more youthful. It doesn’t contain any synthetic ingredients and a little goes a long way. It also contains other anti-inflammatory ingredients like lavender oil and sesame seed oil that work on hyperpigmentation and redness.

5. Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil ($72)

This product is so much more than just an awesome name. It also contains virgin marula oil, omega-6 and -9 fatty acids, vitamin E, as well as other antioxidants. These ingredients diminish fine lines, wrinkles, and blotchiness no matter your skin type. Drunk Elephant doesn’t contain any synthetic ingredients or fragrances which can weigh down your skin. The name, by the way, comes from the fact that elephants actually get drunk eating the marula fruit.

Using Olive Oil on Your Face

One of the easiest and least expensive ways to add a face oil to your beauty routine is to add olive oil. Choose organic, cold pressed oil and substitute it for your moisturizer at night. Olive oil contains antioxidant protection like vitamin E, polyphenols, and phytoesterols. It doesn’t clog your pores like coconut oil, which is a bit heavier on the skin’s surface.

Start with about a teaspoon of olive oil. Rub your hands together and then gently apply, massaging it into your forehead, cheekbones, and chin. Be careful to avoid the eyes. Don’t overuse olive oil, because it can leave an oily finish if you do. It’s also better to use it at night so that it has time to sink into the skin’s surface. It can also be used to soften skin all over your body as well as your cuticles and hair.

Related on EcoSalon
Why Fruit Oils Are Your Skin’s New Jam
11 of the Best Oils for Skin: Natural Plant-Based Beauty
Is Coconut Oil Good for Your Skin or Just a Pain in Your Pores?

The post How to Choose the Best Face Oils (and Why They Work So Well!) appeared first on EcoSalon.

As much as we love oils for winter skin, there are times when they are less than convenient. When traveling, or carrying in your bag or to the gym, a bottle of oil can get messy. That’s where solid oils come in.

The ideal winter skin hydration product should work well on face, hands, lips, and body. And the best way to fend off dryness and cracked skin is to apply such a product multiple times each day. Because if there is one product you absolutely must have for winter, it is a good moisturizer. Once you’ve gone to the dry zone, it is hard to recover.

While oils are amazing at adding extra moisture to skin and revving up glow, they are not exactly tote-able. No one wants to end up with a grease slick inside their purse in the name of supple skin.

The answer to this winter skin dilemma? Solid oils. Same great moisture and softness for skin, convenient take-anywhere formula. Thinner and less greasy than most balms, these combine healthy oils that spread easily and quickly evaporate into skin.

Some cosmetic use oils are solid at room temperature. These include coconut oil, shea butter, cupuacu, mango butter, and babassu oil. Rather than a super thick or waxy feel, a swipe of these oils melt into skin and leave behind no greasy feel.

Solid oils can be used just like regular oils, on their own or over moisturizer. But there are other uses as well. They work great as makeup remover, quickly dissolving foundation and eye makeup. Solid oils also make the perfect product for the oil cleansing step in Korean beauty ritual. A swipe on lips keeps dryness at bay and makes a softening base for lip color. And use to keep hands smooth and cuticles in shape too.

Solid Oils for Winter Skin

RMS Beauty Skin & Lip Balm

SKIN Healing Calendula Salve

Revolution Organics All-Over Balm

Badger Balm Damascus Rose Beauty Balm

Trilogy Everything Balm

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

Related on EcoSalon

7 Rich and Luxe Organic Skin Balms to Soothe and Protect Dry Winter Skin

Pucker Up: 10 Surprising Uses for Lip Balm

Fight the Chap: 5 Best Ways to Soothe Our Winter Lips

Image of woman in winter with handbag via Shutterstock

The post Save Winter Skin (and Your Hand Bag) With Solid Oils appeared first on EcoSalon.