9 Oils to make your skin glow during the winter time

​For most people, dry, itchy skin is a big part of midfall and winter. There are many ways to address this issue such as using moisturizers, opting for gentle, nondrying cleansers, even running a humidifier in your house, which helps the skin by adding moisture to dry air. However, for those people who suffer from dry, flaky, irritated skin, a little bit of oil or an all-natural body butter may be just what the dermatologist ordered.

​The key to using oils and butters successfully is to find the right one for your skin, in the right type of

product. For example, some may feel good on your body but not on your face, or maybe you don't like the feeling of oil or serum and prefer a lotion or cream. Test with different formulas until you find something that works for you. There are a lot of natural oils out there with many different health benefits. However, you can use the following nine beneficial oils as a starting point. These are the ones I have personal experience with, as I used them successfully for many years as ingredients in my dry and mature skin care products.

Argan oil. Has traditionally been applied both topically and orally to improve the health of skin, hair, and nails. It contains some beneficial properties and vitamins that boost skin health. Its health benefits include: protect from sun damage, moisturizes skin, good for psoriasis and eczema, treats acne, heals skin infections, improves wound healing, and has antiaging effects.

Avocado oil. Has numerous health benefits for your body, this is mostly related to its content of antioxidants and healthy fats. However, avocado oil can also contribute to skin care by moisturizing and nourishing, relieves inflammation, prevents and treats acne, accelerates wound healing, treats sunburn skin, reduces signs of aging, improves nail health, and improves scalp health.

Coconut oil. This is another oil best known for its health benefits such as cholesterol lowering, improving brain function, and much more. However, many studies have found that it has benefits for the skin as well. These studies show that coconut oil is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, treats acne, moisturizes dry skin, and speeds up wound healing.

Jojoba oil. The wax structure of jojoba oil is similar to the oils of our skin. Which means it not only moisturizes but is also absorbs faster than other oils. Jojoba Oil contains many nutrients and antioxidants, and helps manage inflammation, reduce fine lines, control acne breakouts, soothe sunburn, and more.

Olive oil. An ancient beauty secret. It’s the ultimate ingredient in skin salves, creams, and lotions. Use it to remove makeup, soothe cracked heels, deep-condition hair, or just to moisturize dry skin. Olive oil prevents premature aging, has antibacterial effects, moisturizes skin, and is anti-wrinkle.

Rosehip seed oil. Because of their fantastic healing properties, rosehips were used by the ancient Egyptians, Mayans and Native Americans as a remedy for many ailments including infections, stomach, and menstrual cramps, nausea, and indigestion. For the skin rosehip seed has anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, protects from age spots, reduces the appearance of scarring and stretch marks. 

Rice bran oil. One of my new favorite oils, it is considered a beauty secret in Japan. I like it so much I made it one of the ingredients in the face and neck serum I designed and I use it on my face and neck every night. Rice bran oil is rich in antioxidants, treats dark spots eczema, and acne, slows down aging, boost hair growth, is deeply hydrating and moisturizing, helps firm and tighten skin, and give skin a youthful glow.

Cacao butter. It is a skin-loving source of healthy fatty acids it works excellent for naturally healing dry, sensitive skin. It is rich in antioxidants, prevents skin dryness and peeling, heals chapped lips, fight signs of aging, soothes burns, rashes, and infections, treats mouth sores, prevents and treats stretch marks and scarring.

Shea butter. Like cacao butter, shea butter is loaded with healthy fats and antioxidants. It moisturizes dry skin, treats acne and blemishes, is anti-aging, provides relief to itchy and peeling skin, is anti-inflammatory, restores the elasticity of the skin, prevents and treats stretch marks and scarring, repairs damaged hair, prevent hair loss, soothes a dry, itchy scalp, and heals split ends.

Remember, when you apply a moisturizer, body butter or only plain oil to your body, you’ll want a smooth a thin layer over damp (not dry) skin. Don’t leave too much excess on your skin and try to let the oil soak in for as long as possible.

​Until next week,
Toni