Toxin-Free Beauty Reviews: Pacifica Skincarma Restorative Roll-on Face Oil

It's about time to debunk the beauty myth that face oil isn't for everyone.

Personally I have combination skin and have always been scared away by the idea of layering my skin with even more grease on my already shiny t-zone and cheekbones. I have to admit I haven't had much luck with face oils when I was in my early twenties. I think it was hugely due to the fact that those oil blends I used on my skin were far from natural and organic ( and most likely contain mineral oil as cheap filler). It wasn't until I tested rosehip oil which was pretty much 'love at first pump' ( I've detailed how I discovered various beauty uses of rosehip oil here). A good face oil, in fact, has the magical power to help you fight breakouts and regulate sebum production - I know it sounds totally counter-intuitive but hey, trust me, I've experienced its transformative effect first-hand. The real trick to score a winning oil? Know which face oil is best for your skin type. Rosehip oil is the BFF for mature and dehydrated skin, while jojoba oil, tea tree, lavender and eucalyptus oil are saviours for acne-prone skin with their anti-bacterial and soothing compounds.

On a quest to convert you into an oil worshipper, we have Sueanne in our Beauty Review Team road-test this gorgeous toxin-free face oil from Pacifica. Read on and let me know if this sounds like the holy grail oil for you!

Brand Spotlight: Pacifica

All Pacifica products are gluten-free, 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

First of all, it would be of great benefit to you if you could just spend a minute reading through this list of harmful ingredients present in MOST skincare products that Pacifica does not endorse or use.

Pacifica's skincare products are formulated without: Animal testing Animal ingredients

FD&C colour: This essentially is artificial food colouring or food dyes - which are tested on animals to determine the safety of these chemicals for the use as food additives.

Phthalates: Used in cosmetics to help the product cling to the skin to increase longevity. They are often disguised under the term "fragrance".

Paraben s: It is the most widely used preservative in personal care products to prevent bacterial growth but has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues - yikes!.

Sulfates: Skin products that contain these agents strip away the protective lipids (natural fats) that encase the skin, thus upsetting the moisture balance and drying the skin out, doing more harm than good.

Propylene Glycol: It dissolves the fats and oils your skin needs to stay nourished. Your skin reacts by becoming parched and dry thus requiring more applications of moisturiser.

Benzene: Exposure to low levels of benzene vapours may cause dermatitis (a local skin reaction characterised by dry, itchy, red skin).

Mineral oil: Applying it to your skin repeatedly can cause various negative hormonal effects, including ovarian dysfunction, endometriosis and damage to the immune system. Additionally, although it acts as a moisturising agent, it actually seals off your skin, preventing it from breathing.

Petroleum: It is pretty much similar to mineral oils. Although it locks in moisture, it does not allow moisture to be absorbed from the atmosphere. It may also cause skin photosensitivity or promote sun damage.

Triclosan: Used as a bactericide in personal care products has been linked to heart disease and heart failure. It was also first registered as a pesticide.

(Editor's n ote: Knowing your ingredients and reading your product labels are the best ways to avoid the dangerous trap of greenwashing! Read about why you should care about greenwashing in beauty products here.)

As I was shopping to replenish some of my skincare products with my girlfriends recently; I realised that, due to female nature's inevitable need to have a luxurious amount of choices and products to pick from at home, we may often prioritise wrong things when it comes to picking out skincare products.

On your next shopping trip, before you feel the need to purchase a pretty looking and heavenly smelling skincare product*, do make sure to look out for the existence of these ingredients mentioned above. You don't wanna burn a hole both in your pocket and your skin!

*Note: These should be your lowest priority!

Product Road-tested: Pacifica's Skincarma Restorative Roll-on Face Oil (1 fl oz)

What it contains:

Tiare oil, Tamanu oil & Marigold meant to soothe, hydrate and nourish dry & stressed skin. It's suitable for all skin types.

Tiare oil: Known as the "sacred oil of the Polynesians", it's cultivated by soaking Tiare Tahiti blossoms (an exotic gardenia) in refined coconut oil. It has immense soothing and moisturising properties.

Tamanu oil: Extracted from the Tamanu tree, it's highly beneficial as an antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. Most potent in healing acne scars, eczema and sun damage.

Marigold: Derived from Marigold flowers, it's known for its ability to brighten skin and protect from blemishes.

How I use it & my verdict:

As my skin tilts towards the drier end of the scale, this restorative face oil has worked some wonders for me in keeping my face moisture intact for the entire night while I sleep. In case you're worried about your face being drenched in that oily orsticky feeling - well, good news - it doesn't!

I have replaced my nightly skincare routine for one week with just using the restorative roll-on face oil right after my toner. No cream moisturiser, no leave-on sleeping mask, nothing. Just plain ol' toner and the face oil - to put to test how it truly could work for me.

Because it's a roll-on, the amount of oil being applied as you roll it on your face is 'controlled'. It's not excessive and you don't have to worry about it dripping all over your face - it is always a good amount. I take my time with the roll-on as it functions as a face massage for me (it also improves blood circulation around my face), I enjoy it a lot as my nightly routine, plus it smells like a soothing blend of your homemade chamomile tea! What's not to love?

Using it as part of my night skincare routine, I found that my face doesn't produce excess oil when I wake up the following morning as my skin still feels supple and not oily. It also prepares my face for a full application of make-up the next morning before I head out.

Tips: To add more charm, I usually put it in the fridge for 30-45 minutes before shower so it would be cooling as I roll all that coolness around my face, making it perfect for a hot summer night! I also focus around my under-eyes (especially when I get eye bags or dark eye circles from staying up late) and it feels really refreshing and comfortable. Don't need cucumbers on those lovely eyes anymore!

The roll-on face oil comes in a really handy size, making it extra convenient to bring along for travelling too.

So tell me fellow green beauty junkies, are you in our oily tribe? Do you love face oil and which oils have you found work best for your skin? Have you had an 'oil disaster' using the wrong oil type? Drop me a note below and let's help each other out on our hunt for the holy grail oil!

Till next time. Stay beautiful inside & out.

P.S. ⇒ Be a green beauty bunny and join our tribe! Make sure you sign up to our mailing list HERE to be among the first to know about our monthly toxin-free beauty reviews & giveaway.

Disclaimer: Lace n Ruffles was gifted by the brands mentioned in the post while all opinions are genuinely our own. We can't guarantee that all products we recommend will suit you. We only use products we personally think are good having tried them on myself or by our beauty team while everyone's skin is different and it's possible to be allergic to anything. Wherever possible, test products out on yourself before purchasing. We always trial products such as moisturiser and serum for at least seven days before reviewing, while some other products like face wash and makeup might only be tested once.