Hands down the greatest find for my face has been Tamanu Oil. This is an oil that I don’t really hear mentioned much at all, but it has made such a huge improvement in the little congested bumps on my cheeks, as well as helped a lot with breakouts – both preventing and healing them! Tamanu Oil comes from a kernel that grows on the Tamanu Tree found in Southeast Asia. The oil is a deep brownish-green and is pretty much solid under about 85°F so you need to run the bottle under hot water before you can use it effectively. It’s not heavy and it is absorbed pretty quickly into the skin (though it’s not the fastest that I’ll be discussing). I only use this at night because I do wake up a bit shiny, but nothing terrible and it makes my skin so soft! To mention just a few of the amazing benefits, it is a topical healing agent chocked with antioxidants and boasts anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, pain relieving, and antibiotic properties. Given it’s multitude of healing properties, Tamanu Oil has been used to effectively treat acne and acne scarring, eczema, psoriasis, toenail fungus, stretch marks, age spots, skin rashes, scarring and dermatitis. I definitely see an improvement in active acne, congestion, inflammation and skin softness. It’s an absolutely wonderful oil that I highly recommend to anyone suffering from acne or related issues. I have used one from AuraCacia and am currently using one from Shea Terra Organics (which I think I prefer). Look for a first cold-pressed version to get the most benefits.
A similar oil to Tamanu is Seabuckthorn Oil. This is another one that I have found to be great for acne, though I feel it is a bit heavier on my skin and is another that I would only use overnight. It is a kind of deep amber colored oil that is liquid at room temperature. Again, this oil has regenerative properties that make it great for helping heal burns, wounds, eczema, basically any kind of issue in need of repair. There is some evidence that it may help with thinning hair as well. Seabuckthorn Oil is quite high in antioxidants including Vitamins A and C, which are known for their anti-aging properties. This oil is particularly unusual because it not only contains the essential fatty acids Omega 5, 6 and 9, but it also has a high concentration of Omega 7, or Palmitoleic Acid, and is a difficult ingredient to come by that aids with healthy hair, skin and nails. The combination of nutrients in Seabuckthorn Oil makes it an anti-aging wonder and a healing powerhouse. I have been using the Sibu Beauty Seabuckthorn Oil, as well as some of their other seabuckthorn-based products for a while now and I love them!
A fast-absorbing lighter oil that I use during the day and under makeup is Argan Oil. As with most skincare oils, this is great for hydrating the skin and keeping it balanced. Argan oil is rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants making it yet another anti-aging powerhouse. It is safe even for sensitive and acne-prone skin and is a definite must have for me, especially in the colder months! Though I haven’t used it on my hair, it is said to be great for shine, manageability and “healing” when used sparingly, and it can be used to hydrate virtually any area on the body (though it would get pretty pricey on the body!). If you find standard Argan oil to be too heavy on the skin, Josie Maran actually has an even lighter formulation for those afraid of oils or on the oilier side of life. I have combo skin that can get quite shiny throughout the day and I find regular Argan oil to be the perfect balance of hydration without boosting the shine. I feel like Argan oil is kind of like a good “starter” oil in that it works for most everyone, is gentle and still has fantastic benefits. My go-to has been the Josie Maran Argan Oil, but there are tons on the market – just try to find a first cold-pressed version to retain the highest quantity of nutrients.
A do-it-all oil that I absolutely do not know what I would do without is Coconut Oil. Coconut oil can truly do damn near anything. I cannot use anything else as a shaving cream. It is spectacular for shaving (read more about that here if you’d like) because it stays put, provides good slip, seems to keep razor bumps at bay, and hydrates all in one simple step! I often use it to moisturize my body after showering too. It is a bit on the heavier side, but you will feel so soft! If you’re suffering from particularly dry and/or itchy skin, try slathering your body with Coconut Oil. Too heavy? Do a quick rinse after applying and you’ll probably be good. Coconut Oil is also fantastic for removing makeup. I use it most often for stubborn lip colors (I’m looking at you liquid lipsticks!), but it can be used for the entire face. Many people swear by Coconut Oil as an overnight hair mask, but I have never tried it. I should add that some people find Coconut Oil can cause breakouts, but I have never found this to be an issue and I am acne-prone. I am so in love with Coconut Oil and I feel like everyone needs to try it…unless of course you’re allergic! J In general, it’s best to look for Virgin Coconut Oil as it is the purest and retains the highest concentration of benefits.
Something that I have tried for my hair – more specifically my scalp – is plain old simple Olive Oil! Last winter I had the itchiest dry scalp with some pesky flakes here and there. Out of sheer desperation, I doused my scalp with Olive Oil and finally found relief (you can read more about it here)! J Any oil can really work for this, but I don’t want to spend a fortune to cover my entire scalp and I wanted something light enough to avoid weighing my hair down since it’s applied to the scalp. Olive Oil is absolutely perfect, plus it helps remove product buildup, imparts shine and hydrates! It is also great for deep cleaning makeup brushes. Like Coconut oil, Olive oil can also be used as a makeup remover, to hydrate the skin and is a fantastic ingredient to have on hand for beauty DIYs. I don’t think I would use it as a face moisturizer due it’s consistency – it can feel a bit greasy – but if you can think of a way you’d like to try this oil, it will probably serve the purpose!
There you have 5 of my favorite beauty oils. There are so many different oils with so many wonderful benefits available these days. A little bit of research will yield a variety of oils that very well may be the solution to your current beauty woes. I hope you found a few of these to be of interest and hopefully at least one or two types and/or uses are new to you. J If you are afraid of trying oils on your skin or hair, don’t be! It may take a bit of trial and error to find what suits you best, but the benefits are well worth some experimenting! And should you feel you are too oily for beauty oils, just try one. You may find, as I have, that the oil can actually help keep your skin more balanced and much happier! J Let us know what some of your favorite oils are because there are just so many available these days and I’d love to hear more recommendations! Have a wonderful weekend and I hope to see you back again next week!!! J
