Best Oils for Nourishing, Healthy Skin - Coconut, Olive, Avocado

The Benefits of Using Oils on Your Skin

Using oils on your skin can provide numerous benefits. Oils contain fatty acids that help nourish, moisturize, and protect your skin. Certain oils even contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to help combat signs of aging. Using natural oils is an easy and affordable way to keep your skin looking its best.

Moisturizing Properties

One of the biggest benefits of using oils on your skin is moisturization. Oils help attract and seal in moisture in your skin cells. This helps hydrates dry skin and prevents moisture loss. Oils create a protective layer on the skin to trap in moisture.

This makes oils effective at treating dry skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and general dryness and flaking. The fatty acids in oils fill in cracks in the skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

Nutrients for Healthy Skin

In addition to moisturizing, many natural oils contain nutrients that benefit the health of your skin. Some oils are high in vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect your skin cells from damage. Vitamin E also helps your skin better retain moisture.

Some carrier oils are also high in linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid that helps stimulate skin growth and new cell generation. It promotes faster healing and regeneration of the skin.

The Best Oils for Healthy Skin

With all the oils on the market, it can get overwhelming determining which oils are best for your skin. Here are 8 of the best all-natural oils for healthy, glowing skin.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids that deeply hydrate the skin. It has antioxidant properties that help protect the skin from free radical damage. Coconut oil also contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties to protect skin from infection.

You can use coconut oil on your skin and hair. It’s excellent for extremely dry skin conditions. The thick oil creates a protective barrier to seal in moisture. Use a small amount and apply directly onto clean skin.

Olive Oil

Olive oil has many benefits for skin health. It contains antioxidants like vitamins A and E which help prevent premature aging of skin cells. The antioxidants in olive oil repair damage from UV exposure and pollution.

Olive oil is also anti-inflammatory. This helps calm irritation and inflammation from skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. The anti-inflammatory compounds reduce redness and swelling.

Apply a few drops of olive oil directly onto your skin. Massage gently using circular motions. Use it on both your face and body.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil has very high levels of oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that has powerful moisturizing abilities. The thick oil gets deep into skin tissue to hydrate dry, cracked skin.

Avocado oil also accelerates the skin’s healing and regenerative abilities because it contains vitamins A, D, and E. These nutrients revitalize damaged skin cells and encourage new cell turnover.

The oil absorbs well without leaving a greasy residue. Apply a teaspoon of avocado oil onto clean, dry skin and massage it in using broad circular strokes until fully absorbed.

Jojoba Oil

Though categorized as an oil, jojoba oil is actually a liquid plant wax. This wax mimics the natural oils within our skin, allowing it to be easily absorbed. The wax creates a breathable, non-greasy protective layer on the skin.

Jojoba contains nutrients like vitamin E and B, as well as minerals like zinc and copper. It has natural antibacterial abilities which help ward off infection and inflammation. This makes jojoba oil is effective for treating acne and breakouts.

Use jojoba as a daily facial moisturizer. It absorbs quickly and leaves your skin soft. You can also use jojoba oil on cracked lips, hands, cuticles, and heels.

Almond Oil

Almond oil has light texture that absorbs well without clogging pores. This makes it a great facial oil even for people with oily, acne-prone skin. It hydrates skin without making it overly oily.

It contains vitamins A, B, and E which remove dead cells, regenerate new ones, improve tone and elasticity. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that calm irritated skin.

Use a few drops of almond oil mixed in with your daily moisturizer. You can also apply directly onto skin before bed so it can hydrate your skin overnight.

Sunflower Seed Oil

Sunflower oil has one of the highest concentrations of linoleic acid among vegetable oils. Linoleic acid strengthens the skin barrier which locks in moisture. It accelerates cell regeneration to reveal smooth, healthy skin.

Sunflower oil is also high in omega 6 fatty acids and vitamin E. This nourishes the skin and protects against damage from free radicals and UV rays. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties to calm acne.

Use sunflower oil as an affordable, all-over body oil. Apply after the shower or add a few drops to your body lotion before moisturizing your skin.

Argan Oil

Argan oil has become popular to use on skin and hair because of its numerous benefits. It is extracted from the kernels of the argan tree. It is rich in fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid which are highly moisturizing for dry and mature skin.

It also contains lots of vitamin E which protects the skin from sun damage and free radicals. Vitamin E also helps evenly distribute pigmentation. This helps fade discolorations and age spots.

Use a few drops of argan oil morning and night after cleansing. Apply onto your face, neck and décolletage. You can use argan oil from head to toe to moisturize skin all over your body.

Tips for Using Oils on Your Skin

To reap the benefits of natural oils, it’s important to use them properly. Here are tips for effectively using oils on your skin:

Perform a Patch Test

It’s always best to do a patch test before applying an oil all over your face or body. Oils that work for some people can clog pores or cause reactions for others. Apply a dime-size amount on your inner wrist for a few hours.

If any irritation occurs, avoid using that oil. If your skin remains fine, you can safely use the oil all over.

Use a Small Amount

Using too much oil can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. You only need a few drops, depending on the size of the area you are treating. Gently massage in circular motions until it absorbs well into the skin.

Pay attention to any irritation that occurs with different usage amounts. Use less if your skin becomes too oily or acne develops.

Cleanse Before Application

Always apply oils onto clean skin so they absorb optimally into your pores. Dirt, makeup, and other debris can block your pores and mix with the oil, worsening breakouts.

Use a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type before patting your skin dry and applying oils.

Store Properly

As oils have a purely natural composition, they can become rancid if left in heat and light. Store your oils in dark glass bottles, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Keep oils in a cool, dark place like a cupboard for up to a year. Refrigeration can prolong their shelf life. Discard if you notice any changes in smell, texture or performance.

Additional Tips for Healthy Skin

While natural oils deeply nourish your skin, your lifestyle also impacts your skin health. Here are tips for overall healthy skin:

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water and eat hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables. Proper hydration keeps your skin cells functioning optimally so they generate healthy new cells.

Protect from Sun Exposure

Use a natural sunscreen when outdoors. Seek shade during peak sun hours. Sun damage can lead to discoloration, wrinkles and even skin cancer. Protect your skin whenever possible.

Manage Stress Levels

High stress causes elevated cortisol which triggers inflammation and skin issues like acne, eczema and psoriasis. Manage stress with yoga, meditation, journaling, or other relaxing activities.

Getting adequate sleep also allows your body and skin to recharge. Aim for 7-9 hours per night.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eat plenty of antioxidant and nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and proteins. These provide essential nutrients to build healthy cells and tissues.

Avoid inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy and processed meals which can trigger skin issues.

Feed your skin from the inside with vitamins, minerals and nutrients through food and supplements if necessary.

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.