What Are Natural Oils? Cold Pressed Plant Oils for Skin and Hair Health

What Are Natural Oils?

Natural oils are plant-based oils derived from nuts, seeds, fruits, and other plant sources. They have a long history of being used topically on skin and hair for cosmetic and medicinal purposes across various cultures.

As awareness grows around using natural ingredients for self-care and skincare, these plant oils continue gaining popularity for their nourishing properties and benefits for skin and hair health.

Where Do Natural Oils Come From?

Some of the most common plant sources used for extracting natural skin oils include:

• Nuts - almonds, walnuts
• Seeds - sunflower, pumpkin, rosehip
• Fruits - olives, avocados, coconuts
• Beans - soybeans
• Grains - wheat germ
• Trees - tea tree, jojoba
• Flowers - lavender, ylang ylang

The oils are extracted from these plant sources through various methods like pressing, solvent extraction, maceration or distillation.

They are rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins and other nourishing compounds beneficial for skin and hair conditioning.

Classification of Natural Oils

Natural oils get classified in two main categories:

Essential Oils

Essential oils are highly concentrated oils extracted from the seeds, flowers, stems, roots or other parts of plants. Popular for their therapeutic aroma, these need to be diluted before applying to skin.

Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are usually cold pressed or otherwise extracted from nuts, seeds and fruits. They have mild scents and form the base used to dilute essential oils before topical use.

They are called carrier oils because they carry the essential oils onto the skin. Carrier oils typically make up about 95% of any essential oil blend.

Benefits of Using Natural Oils on Skin

Here are some of the research-backed ways that vegetable and plant-based oils can improve skin health and vitality when applied topically:

Moisturizing Skin

Natural oils mimic the activity of the skins own protective oils. Applying them topically helps reinforce and restore moisture levels in dehydrated skin.

Oils supply nutrients that improve the skins barrier function. This locks in moisture and reduces water loss through the epidermis.

Smoothing Fine Lines and Wrinkles

As skin ages, its ability to retain moisture drops off. Natural oils penetrate deeply to replenish hydration in vulnerable areas where wrinkles form.

Their nourishing fats and antioxidants support collagen production beneath the surface to maintain firmness and elasticity in maturing skin.

Improving Skin Texture and Tone

Besides hydrating skin cells, the bioactive compounds in plant-based oils provide anti-inflammatory and regenerative activity.

Soothing oils high in vitamin E, lycopene and polyphenols help calm irritation. Over time, this evens out redness, blotchiness and blemishes for a clearer, brighter complexion.

Protecting Skin with Antioxidants

Environmental pollutants generate cell-damaging free radicals through oxidation reactions. Applying antioxidant-rich natural oils neutralizes these threats.

Their vitamins and plant sterols scavenge destructive free radicals before they can harm cells. This supports overall skin integrity for a youthful, healthy glow.

7 Best Natural Oils for Skin Health and Beauty

While all plant oils offer skin advantages, some stand out for their exceptional therapeutic properties. Here are 7 of the top natural oils to nourish your bodys largest organ:

1. Sweet Almond Oil

Pressed from raw almonds, this mild oil gets easily absorbed by skin without clogging pores. It excels at:

• Calming irritation and itchiness
• Relieving dry, flaky skin
• Preventing moisture loss
• Boosting cellular regeneration

Rich in omega fatty acids and vitamin E, almond oil protects, softens and rejuvenates skin exceptionally well.

2. Apricot Kernel Oil

Apricot oil contains gamma linoleic acid (GLA) which helps maintain the skins moisture barrier. Additional benefits include:

• Reducing appearance of fine lines
• Fading age spots and acne scars
• Easing inflamed, irritated skin
• Promoting skin elasticity

Its light texture allows easy absorption without leaving an oily residue.

3. Avocado Oil

Highly emollient avocado oil moisturizes dry, mature complexions by:

• Boosting collagen production in skin
• Increasing amino acid content
• Improving skin thickness and density
• Reducing appearance of age spots and wrinkles

The oils vitamins A, D and E defend skin cells against UV radiation damage as well.

4. Rosehip Seed Oil

With a high concentration of skin-nourishing acids and vitamins, rosehip oil regenerates skin cells, fights aging and reverses UV damage by:

• Increasing moisture levels and firmness
• Reducing wrinkles and fine lines
• Helping fade acne scars and dark spots
• Boosting skin radiance and tone

This lightweight oil gets easily absorbed while leaving skin smooth and vibrant.

5. Pomegranate Seed Oil

Pomegranate extract contains a rare plant-based emollient called punicic acid highly active in:

• Fortifying and repairing the skin barrier
• Improving moisture retention
• Boosting new cell turnover
• Protecting against premature aging

This nourishing oil leaves skin looking supple, radiant and youthfully resilient.

6. Jojoba Oil

Waxy in texture, golden jojoba oil closely resembles the natural oils produced by the skins sebaceous glands. Its highly effective at:

• Softening rough, dry skin patches
• Calming sensitive, irritated skin prone to rashes
• Clearing acne by breaking down sebum buildup

As a non-greasy oil, it gets absorbed rapidly without blocking pores.

7. Sunflower Seed Oil

Hydrating sunflower oil protects the lipid skin barrier while assisting with:

• Boosting skin immunity
• Fighting acne bacteria
• Reducing inflammation and redness
• Improving skin regeneration and healing

High levels of vitamins E and K help this light oil nourish sensitive or prematurely aging complexions.

How to Select the Best Natural Oils

With an ever-growing array of plant oils marketed for skin and haircare, it helps to know what to look for when selecting natural oils.

Seeking Cold-Pressed Oils

Cold pressing uses force alone to crush nuts, seeds or fruits and extract their natural oils. No heat or chemicals get introduced.

Cold-pressed oils better preserve the beneficial phytonutrients, vitamins andintegrity of the original plants. This provides more nourishing and therapeutic benefits.

Choosing Unrefined Oils

Unrefined oils do not undergo processing with heat or solvents. This keeps their valuable phytochemicals intact for better skincare results.

While unrefined oils have shorter shelf lives and get rancid quicker, their skin enhancing nutrients remain potent in each batch.

Seeking Organic Seal-Approved Oils

For the highest safety and purity standards, certified organic seal approval ensures:

• No toxic pesticide residue exposure risk
• No GMO ingredients
• No synthetic additives or processes

Organic certification provides confidence in both ethical, sustainable practices and oil quality.

In Conclusion

Natural plant oils provide a safe, effective option for nourishing and beautifying all skin types when included in skincare routines.

Cold pressed carrier oils high in fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins boost hydration, calm irritation, even skin tone, and protect from oxidative damage when applied regularly.

Following organic and unrefined sourcing ensures purity for obtaining the full benefits these diverse botanical oils offer for restoring skins health, vibrancy and youthfulness.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.