Natural Oils for Anti Aging Skin Care
Depending on how comfortable you are with DIY, what I’m about to tell you is either going to a) frighten you or b) excite you.
I want you to go to your kitchen right now and get out your coconut, olive and grapeseed oils.
Yeah, the ones you use for cooking and baking.
These precious oils not only keep your home-cooked meals light and healthy, but they also work double duty as effective makeup removers, oil cleansers and even lightweight moisturizers. The key is figuring out which oil is right for you.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is having a moment. It seems that the masses are just now starting to discover the magic of this vitamin E- and K-rich oil that is usually reserved for baking delicious treats.
But believe me, coconut oil can be a treat for your hair and skin!
Use a dime-sized dollop of oil on the ends of your hair for a deep conditioning treatment; you’ll be amazed at how soft and silky your hair feels post-shampoo.
If you need deep restoration, leave coconut oil in your hair overnight to get maximum benefits before shampooing it out.
Like most of the oils we’ll explore today, coconut oil is also an effective makeup remover (yes, even waterproof mascara!) and is makes for a lovely body oil. Apply it right out of the shower to lock in moisture and get that sexy sheen.
If you’re a fan of the light, tropical scent, coconut oil can easily replace your shaving cream, body oil, body lotion, makeup remover and moisturizer. Seriously, just swap out whatever else you’re using in these categories and give coconut a try.
I recommend coconut oil for those with normal, oily, dry and sensitive skin. Always spot- and sniff-test to ensure your skin and nose agree with the oil!
Olive Oil
Who hasn’t heard of the amazing benefits of olive oil?
Besides being a heart-healthy fat, it’s another vitamin-loaded skin soother that can help simplify your entire beauty routine if you open your mind to the idea of using your salad dressing as a beauty oil.
Olive oil can be used the same way coconut oil is used, but I especially recommend it to those who have dry skin. Olive oil is thicker and tends to linger a bit after removal, so dry skin can really benefit from the extra shot of hydration.
Oily-skinned folks can also use olive oil, but you just need a smaller amount to get the benefits. Consider your budget and skin type here — olive oil is widely available and for those with normal or oily skin, you won’t need as much, so you could save some money by choosing EVOO.
Grapeseed Oil
One of my first flirtations in this world of natural and DIY beauty was with my old pal, grapeseed oil.
While it may not be as common in some kitchens, it’s easy to track down at the local market (check the oil aisle).
Grapeseed oil is lighter than coconut and olive oils, making it the clear choice for those with oily skin. It’s loaded with antioxidants and omegas, which help keep free radicals at bay, and again is one of those amazing multipurpose oils.
If you’re looking for something that smells good right out of the bottle, grapeseed isn’t it; it’s actually quite scentless, so if you’re an essential oil lover, you can make your own beauty serum by adding your favorite scent (I love jasmine) to your grapeseed oil.
I recommend purchasing a dropper bottle (about $3-$5, depending on size) and mixing grapeseed oil with about five drops of your favorite scent.
Regardless of which oil you choose, remember to apply sparingly, always adding more if needed instead of trying to remove excess , and store your oils in a dark, cool place.
As you become more accustomed to oils, I’m excited to share even more exotic picks with you on Redefined Mom.
Facial oils are a passion of mine, and I’ve seen amazing results (and have saved a lot of money!) by choosing what nature has to offer instead of buying a fancy jar of cream crammed with cheap ingredients but surrounded by expensive packaging.
Want to learn more about natural beauty? Read more on kimberlyloc.com and follow me on Twitter @kimberlyloc; please do send your natural beauty questions my way via the comments or social media, and I may choose your topic to write about next time on Redefined Mom!
Kim Wallace is the founder and editor in chief of lifestyle and natural beauty blog kimberlyloc.com. She works full time as a social media and web editor for a nonprofit in Kansas City and spends her free time testing and reviewing green beauty products for kimberlyloc.com.
I’ve been using olive oil as a makeup remover for quite a while now, and it works so well! I guess I didn’t think about the skin conditioning benefits that come along with it. The frugal me just realized it was much less expensive than makeup remover. Thanks for the tips.
I know, right? Frugal and useful…win-win. 🙂
Great little added benefit, right Jennifer? Olive oil is amazing for your hair, too.
While my skin is finishing up it’s “adjustment” period, I’ve been enjoying finally getting into a regular routine of washing my face with oil and then moisturizing both my face and body with oil. I also use a homemade lotion that is mostly olive oil. At first, I had a huge flare up but I think that’s partly because I had just realized peanuts might be causing my acne. I cut out the peanut products and then began to be extra diligent with my oil wash. I made my own blends. My face wash includes coconut oil, almond oil, avocado oil and vitamin E oil. I then added a few drops of tea tree oil for the acne problems. I might eventually change that once my acne is fully cleared up. It’s down to mostly lingering redness now and most importantly NO NEW ZITS! For the moisturizing blend I use on my face it’s the same main oil blend but I added rose and orange essential oils. For my legs, directly post shaving, I put on straight almond oil as it’s supposed to help alleviate itching. It’s bee working like a charm!
Your blend sounds amazing, Mary! There’s definitely a purging period when you switch to oil cleansing, but it’s well-worth it as your body is detoxing and you’re readying your skin for a new chapter — naturally beautiful! Rose and orange are lovely for a calming, moisturizing blend. Sounds like you got your routine down pat! Thanks for commenting on my post.