Oils have been a major part of our culture be it from cooking to treatment of many skin problems as our grand mothers always taught us.
Oils are a major component of skin in the form of lipids hence, it only makes sense to add oil base in almost all skin care products from soaps to sunscreens.
What are these oils in skin?
Our body is engineered in a way to protect us from any harms that may come forth. Oils in skin work in the same way as oil works in motor, preventing our skin cells from wear and tear along with keeping the water safe guarded.
Do we all need oils?
WHO recommends 8 tsps of oil to be consumed for maintaining a healthy body via diet. Our skin, being the largest organ does require it’s oils to function, hydrate, fight ageing, heal and protect our skin barrier.
How can one look for these oils in skin?
Fats or oils are stored in our body in the form of Essential fatty acids (linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid) or omega 3 and 6 in simpler terms.
Most products require oil base to allow absorption of the active ingredients into the skin where oil acts as a Ola or Uber chauffeur to deliver the active ingredient to the target cell.
Where does the skin care industry stand on oils?
A recent problem was faced by the manufacturers at ‘Clinique’ where all their oil free products were questioned in a law suit. This has been mentioned to educate the readers that oils or fatty acids are required in some amounts and there are no products that can be signed off as ‘oil free’ as they may contain some precursor or product of oil.
Uses of few oils for skin and hair :
JLo started a whole cult with her brand ‘JLo beauty’ which surely did receive some mixed reviews yet the uses of olive oil were well stated in the brand goals which stands true to all.
Avocado oil : Good for dry-sensitive skin. Gives better results when mixed with vitamin E oil.
Argan oil : Makes hair silky and nourished.
Castor oil : Holy grail for hair loss. Allows moisture entry into skin.
Coconut oil : Not suitable for acne pone skin as it is comedogenic. Most cleansing oil in the oil family.
Coffee seed oil / Caffeine oil : Best for hair growth, Mcaffiene is doing a great job in this market.
Grape seed oil : Most similar to skin oils hence the best for skin, hair. Used for a silky and smooth effect.
Hemp seed oil : Hydrates skin or hair for 24 hours once applied.
Kokum butter : Has the best moisturiser effect.
Oat oil : Suitable for sensitive skin, absorbed the fasted in skin. Hydrates for long hours.
Olive oil : One of the best oils for Indian skin types for smooth hair, skin, fights ageing. (Pomade or extra virgin are the best ones)
Palm oil : Best in summers for oily prone or combination skin.
Rose hip oil : Best for dry or ageing skin due to presence of vitamin A and C.
Soy bean oil : Leaves skin or hair well conditioned and gives a creamy texture.
Almond oil : One of the best hydrating oil for hair, has anti-greying effect.
Wheat germ oil : Used for hair, acts like a talc to dry and hydrate the right amount.
Squalane oil : Present in NMF (natural moisturiser factor) as Squalene Hence, the most natural in oil table. Best oil for dry, ageing, sensitive skin Or any skin type.
Skin types and oil;
Every one needs and uses oil in one way or other via products like soap, lotion, serum, sun screen, etc.
Oily skin types can use products in more watery or gel based formulations. Dry skin types can use products in any formulations, mostly lotions, creams or butters. Eczema prone skin can apply thick emulsified ointments or butters.
Sensitive skin can do with medium thickness lotions with more natural or mineral oil forms.