- Importance of Face Oil
- Face Oil vs Moisturizer
- Benefits of using Face Oil in Winter
- How to Use Face Oils in Winter
- Face Oils for Different Skin Types
- FAQs
Winter can be very hard on your skin. The cold weather outside and the heaters inside make your skin lose its natural moisture. You might feel tight, dry, or even itchy on your face during winter. If you are feeling something like this, you are not the only one.
Mostly, people fear using oils on their faces. They believe face oils will cause pimples and make them look greasy.
But it’s a MYTH.
Using face oil is the best way to have healthy glowing skin in winter. In fact, it is an essential part of a proper winter skin care routine.
In this blog, we’ll learn how face oil benefits your skin and why it is a winter skincare essential. Also, we’ll discuss some of the best face oil options for different skin types.
Why Winter Skin Needs Face Oils
The dry winter air acts like a sponge and pulls moisture out of your skin.
Your skin barrier gets compromised due to cold weather. To maintain its health, you need to add face oils in your winter skincare.
Face oils work by forming a protective seal over the skin barrier. They provide your skin the good fats it needs to keep itself strong and soft. Your skin can grow red and flaky extremely fast without this extra treatment due to less production of natural oil in the winter.
What Are Face Oils and How Do They Work in Winter?
Face oils are natural liquids derived from fruits, seeds, and plants.
They are not the same as lotions or creams. Usually, a cream is a blend of oil and water that chemical emulsifiers hold together.
But face oil is just pure oil.
There are three main functions of face oil:
- Deep nourishment: Face oil contains Vitamin E, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. They help to reduce inflammation and dryness, improve skin elasticity, and restore the skin’s natural glow in winter.
- Locks in moisture: Face oils form a thin layer on the skin that locks in moisture. That’s why they are best applied after moisturizers.
- Makes Skin Barrier Strong: Cold weather weakens the skin barrier. Face oils help restore lipids and protect the skin from extreme cold weather conditions.
Face Oil vs Moisturizer: What Is Better for Winter?
The answer is BOTH.
Face oil and moisturizer work together but differently on your skin. That’s why you need both of them in cold weather.
- Moisturizer: It adds hydration to your skin and prevents water loss.
- Face Oil: It helps seal in that hydration and support the skin’s lipid barrier.
If you only use face oils, your skin may still feel dehydrated. If you only use moisturizer, the dry winter air might draw the moisture out of your skin before it can sink in.
Therefore, the best practice is to apply the moisturizer first and then put the face oil on top. By this, you are adding the moisture to your skin first and sealing it through face oil.
Face Oil Benefits in Winter Skincare
When you start using the right oil, you will see changes quickly. Here are the top face oil benefits for the winter:
- Deep Hydration and Locks in Moisture: They act as a protective layer on your skin, locks in moisture from serums and moisturizers and reduces water loss.
- Strengthening the Skin Barrier: They help reinforce the skin’s natural barrier by replenishing lost lipids in your skin and reducing moisture loss.
- Deep Nourishment: They provide essential fatty acids and nutrients to help keep your skin soft, smooth and healthy.
- Reduce Dryness and Flakiness: They soften rough patches and reduce flakiness by locking in moisture and smoothing the skin.
- Anti-Aging Benefits: They help soften fine lines and improve skin texture by keeping the skin well-nourished and hydrated.
The Right Way to Use Face Oils in Winter
You have to use face oil at the right time for it to work better.
If you put it on in the wrong order, it might not do anything at all.
Follow these simple steps for your morning or night winter skincare routine:
- Wash your face: Use a gentle winter face cleanser that doesn't make your skin feel tight.
- Keep your skin slightly damp: Do not dry your face completely with a towel. Oil moves better on damp skin.
- Apply your moisturizer or serum: Use your regular serum or moisturizer first. Let it sit for about a minute so it can absorb into your skin.
- Add your Face oil: Take 2 to 3 drops of your face oil and warm it between your palms. Gently press it onto your skin, starting with the cheeks, then the forehead and chin. Avoid rubbing too hard.
- Don't forget the neck: Use the oil on your hands to gently press it onto your neck and upper chest, areas that often get dry in winter.
You must add a SPF 50 winter sunscreen such as Clinikally SunProtect Sunscreen SPF 50 or UV Doux Silicone Sunscreen Gel, during daytime as face oil does not protect you from harmful UV rays.
Best Face Oils for Different Skin Types
NOT every face oil is the same.
Some face oils are very heavy and some are as light as water. You need to choose the one that matches your skin type. It depends on your skin type, how dry or oily your skin feels in winter, and how your skin usually reacts to oils.
Here are some of the face oils options for different skin types:
Face Oil for Dry Skin
If your skin is very dry or flaking, you need a heavy oil with a lot of fatty acids.
- Marula Oil: It is very thick and rich, great for very cold places where the air is very dry.
- Avocado Oil: It is perfect for fixing dry patches and making skin feel thick and healthy again.
- Argan Oil: It is famous for making skin feel soft and glowing. These are the best choices for face oil for dry skin because they stay on the skin longer to protect it.
Face Oil for Oily Skin
Yes, even oily skin needs oil in the winter. During winter, oily skin gets dry too. It can lead to more production of oil on your face, increasing the risk of having pimples.
- Jojoba Oil: It acts just like the natural oil your skin makes. This can help your skin stop making too much grease because it thinks it already has enough.
- Squalane: This is a very light oil. It sinks in fast and does not feel sticky at all. It is one of the most popular oils for people who hate the feeling of oil. If you are looking for a face oil for oily skin, you can go for a product which contains squalane.
Face Oil for Combination Skin
If you have an oily forehead but dry cheeks, you need a balanced face oil.
In that case, you need a face oil which can solve both your problems.
- Plum Oil: It smells like almonds and has a gorgeous, silky finish. It is not too heavy for your oily spots.
- Grapeseed Oil: This oil is light and helps soften the appearance of pores while still giving you moisture. This makes it one of the best options when looking for a face oil for combination skin.
Face Oil for Sensitive Skin
If your skin gets red easily or reacts to every new product, you must be very careful.
You must use oils that are simple and have nothing extra added to them.
- Rosehip Oil: This is a very gentle oil. Many people love it because it helps with redness and scars.
- Sweet Almond Oil: This is a very basic, safe oil that has been used for hundreds of years to calm skin down. When looking for face oil for sensitive skin, always choose ones that say "cold pressed" and have no added perfumes.
Are Non-Comedogenic Face Oils Better for Winter?
Well, the answer is YES.
Non-comedogenic face oils are a great choice for winter. Some oils are very thick and can cause little bumps or pimples if your pores are small.
Non-comedogenic face oils mean the oil which does not clog your pores.
In the winter, you want protection, but you do not want breakouts.
According to the Comedogenic scale, oils are rated on a scale from zero to five. Zero means it will not clog pores at all. Five means it probably will.
Here are some of the ratings:
- Hemp Seed Oil: This has a rating of zero. It is very safe for everyone.
- Argan Oil: This has a rating of zero too.
- Grapeseed Oil: Rated one. It has very less chances of clogging pores.
- Rosehip Oil: It is also rated one. It is just like natural oil and less likely to clog pores.
- Jojoba Oil: This has a rating of two. It has a moderate likelihood of clogging pores.
- Coconut Oil: This has a high four rating. Even though it is popular, many people find it causes pimples on the face. It is better to use coconut oil on your body instead.
If you have skin that breaks out easily, always check if the oil is non-comedogenic before you buy it.
How to Choose the Face Oil for A Healthy Skin
When you are shopping, look at these simple things to make sure you get a high-quality product:
- Skin Type: Choosing the right face oil matters. Dry skin needs nourishment. Oily skin is compatible with lightweight oils. And combination skin needs balance.
- Bottle: Look for oils that come in dark glass bottles. Light and heat can ruin natural oils and make them less efficient.
- Ingredients: The list should be very short. There should be plant oils mostly. If the ingredient list is long, it might have a lot of fillers.
- Fragrance: Natural oils should smell like plants, seeds, or nuts. If it smells like a strong flower perfume, it might have added chemicals. It might cause irritation when your skin is sensitive to the cold.
- Color: Good face oils usually have a bit of color. For example, Rosehip oil is often deep orange. Argan oil has a nice golden color. If the oil looks as clear as water, it might be too processed.
Common Mistakes People Make When Using Face Oils
To get the best glow, try to avoid these common mistakes:
- Using Too Much Oil: You only need 2 or 3 drops for your whole face. If you are using more than that, your face might feel a slippery mess after some time.
- Putting Oil on Dry Skin: Apply it on little damp skin. If you put oil on bone dry skin, you are just sealing the dryness in.
- Forgetting the Neck and Ears: The skin on your neck and even your ears can get very dry in the winter. Always put a little oil there too.
- Rubbing Too Fast: Be gentle with your skin. Your skin can get micro cracks from the cold in winter. Pressing the oil in is much better than rubbing it, which can cause more redness.
- Not Using Sunscreen: The sun is still there in the winter. You must still use SPF 50 sunscreen after using face oil in the morning.
Final Thoughts: Are Face Oils Worth Adding to Your Winter Skincare Routine?
Winter skin does not have to be a problem you just live with. You can have a brilliant winter skin care routine that works every day with just a few drops of the right face oil.
Face oils are easy to use, natural, and work really well. They are the key secret to looking radiant even in winter. Start using it today, adding just a few drops and look how your skin feels in the morning. You might be shocked at how soon that dryness due to winter air goes away.
Adding a face oil is the easiest way to make your winter skincare routine better without buying ten additional products. A few drops of the right oil can make a noticeable difference.
Start using face oil, and have fun with your new winter glow!
