You guys may know by now that I LOVE OILS.
OILS OILS OILS. They’re QUEEN.
A moisturized face means a dewy, plump face & I’m all about it. I’ve been known to go to bed looking like wet rat, covered in oils head to toe.
NOW WAIT…don’t let the words FACE OIL scare you off. Oils totally get a bad rep. People think that if you use oil on our face you’ll instantly get a million pimples with a shiny forehead. This is not the case.
Actually, oily skin overproduces oil because it’s dry. That’s where acne & pimples come in. Replenishing your skin with natural, healthy oils is balancing & makes your skin HEALTHIER & so glowy.
Since we love an oil, BIPPITY BOPPITY BOO, here’s a post on how to use them & all the benefits.
WHEN SHOULD YOU APPLY FACIAL OIL?
Over the years I’ve been able to really pick the brains of TONS of board certified dermatologists & experts in the skincare world. Think: Kate Somerville, Dr. Dennis Gross ( 6000 times – LOL ), Dr. Kay Durairaj, Tiffany Masterson, Dr. Harold Lancer & so many more. Sidenote: they’re all featured in GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE SUN sharing all their insider tips.
So all these experts I’ve talked to say that oil should always be applied last. What you want to do is layer your products from thinnest to thickest on your face. If you use oil first, all your serums & potions won’t properly absorb into the skin. Makes sense, right? BUT, if you’re using oil on your face during the day, you want to apply SPF over it. So oil, then sunscreen (you should know I’m loving Elta MD lately).
Also while we’re talking about ‘layering,’ I’m a big fan of patting products onto my face instead of rubbing. This really helps with the ‘layering’ aspect. Just one of the tips I got from GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE SUN.
We’re going to get into all the ways you can use oils, but you should know that I will not even think about applying makeup without putting oil on my face first. It makes your makeup lay so well & your skin so glowy.
You may have seen on Instagram Stories that I like to put oil on a beautyBlender (make sure it’s damp), then I use IT Cosmetics CC cream over top. In fact, I have a beautyBlender specifically for skincare products & another one for makeup, and another one for SPF.
Let’s get into more ways you can use oils on your skin. Drumroll plz.
HOW TO USE FACIAL OILS:
♡ To Remove Makeup/Double Cleanse:
Love a double cleanse. If you aren’t familiar with a double cleanse, it’s when you use an oil or a balm ( Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is a ride-or-die which is why it’s in the TSC x Elemis kit ) & massage it into your face. Then, take a baby washcloth ( more on that here ) & gently wipe all your makeup & impurities away. THEN, use your normal cleanser to rinse away any leftover residue & continue with your skincare routine.
If you haven’t tried a double cleanse you have to. Get ready to watch your makeup LITERALLY melt away.
♡ To Moisturize:
Applying oil gives your skin a hydration boost. I like to think of it as replenishment for your skin’s natural oils.
♡ For Facial Massage:
There is nothing more fountain of youth vibes than doing facial massage with a good oil. There are so many ways to facial massage: gua sha, vibrating tool, your hands, PINK BALLS & even using The Skinny Confidential ice roller gives your face a massage while helping with lymphatic drainage.
♡ When You Get a Facial:
Most facialists start & finish a facial with an oil. If they don’t, just request it.
♡ After Ice Rolling:
Always wait to apply your products & face oil AFTER you ice roll.
♡ Rub It on Your Cuticles:
This is so great to moisturize dry cuticles. When I get a Russian manicure, it feels so good to rub oil on your cuticles that night.
We also asked @mimievarts all the ways she uses oil, because like us, she LOVES an oil. Her fave ways to use them are to:
+ mix them in with foundation
+ mix with toner on a cotton pad
+ take off leftover eye makeup
HOT TIP: if you’re on your way to get a spray tan, make sure you aren’t wearing any oil or product on your face or body. More spray tips are here.
FINDING THE RIGHT FACE OIL FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE:
♡ Aging & Inflammation:
THE SKINNY CONFIDENTIAL ICE QUEEN FACE OIL
A high-quality, cooling facial oil packed with antioxidants that penetrates quickly to help hydrate, firm & reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, leaving skin soft & supple.
It’s rich in Vitamin C because it contains pomegranate seed oil, raspberry seed oil, & blueberry seed oil. Plus, it’s vegan, cruelty free, gluten free & has no synthetic fragrance.
ICE QUEEN FACE OIL & THE HOT MESS ICE ROLLER were created to fight inflammation. If you are dealing with inflammation – ICE ICE ICE. It’s my #1 beauty tip for fighting inflammation, bringing down redness, calming reactive skin & making you look contoured & PLUMP.
How to use: after cleansing your face, apply 3 to 5 drops of oil in your hands. Rub your hands together and press the oil into your skin. In the morning, use your ice roller to help your skin absorb it into your face.
♡ Dry:
Drunk Elephant Marula Luxury Facial Oil
This oil has omegas 6 & 9 (what up healthy fatty acids) & is so good if you have dry flaky skin. It’s also great if you have uneven texture & are fighting signs of aging.
How to use: apply a few drops into your hands & pat onto your face or anywhere that’s dry.
Sidenote: if you want more from Tiffany Masterson, the founder of Drunk Elephant, be sure to listen to her podcast episode & check her out in GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE SUN.
♡ Oily/Acne-prone:
Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster
This is a good oil for everyone but especially if you have oily skin. The reviews for this one say that it’s super light-weight & absorbs really quickly, which is ideal if you are already feeling oily.
As I said above, oily skin is usually oily because your skin is too dry & overproducing oil.
How to use: apply to your entire face after cleansing, or use on targeting zones. You can also mix a few drops into your foundation.
♡ Sensitive:
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oat & Hemp Seed Dry Oil
This oil is amazing for sensitive skin that’s prone to redness & dryness. But you should know that every skin type can use it too. It’s infused with cannabis sativa seed oil & colloidal oatmeal that helps to hydrate & calm reactive, sensitive skin.
Our editor, Hilary LOVES this stuff & first heard about it from Jackie Schimmel of The Bitch Bible. She says it literally brings down redness & irritation overnight.
How to use: after cleansing, apply a few drops into your palms & press it onto your face. You can also add this to your moisturizer &/or use it on your body, hair or nails. So versatile.
There you have it. A ton of different ways to use facial oil & some our team’s favorite oils for you to try.
If you’re into skin be sure to grab GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE SUN. You’ll learn so many tips from the world’s best skincare gurus. Think: all you need to know about Botox & fillers, beauty superfoods & the most loved products of from skincare insiders.
I would love to know your thoughts on oils? Tell me everything.
x, lauryn
+ check out how to organize skincare in your bathroom.
++ scope the colostrum moisturizer you have to try.