Oils have been used in beauty routines for centuries, dating all the way back to ancient times — Cleopatra being the most well-known to take advantage of their beauty benefits. During the summer, our skin, nails and hair often pay for the frequent exposure to chlorine, salt water and harsh sun, so we’ve put together a list of our top 5 beauty oils to recharge and refresh your body this summer. These all-natural oils are used in their purest form, so you don’t have to worry about the chemicals or toxic ingredients that some skincare products contain. Read on to see which oils made our list and how they can benefit you and your body this summer.
Although beauty oils have been used for thousands of years, they’ve exploded in the beauty world recently — the sales have more than tripled in the last 6 years, along with clay and mud. People are realizing the benefits they can get from using these natural substances and are incorporating them into their daily skin routine. With no harsh chemicals, you can safely use these oils on your hair, skin and nails in a plethora of ways this summer, from moisturizing dry skin to giving your skin some relief from sunburn, here are our top 5 oils.
1. Argan oil
Argan oil comes from the kernels of the argan tree native to Morocco. This healing oil is rich in vitamin A and vitamin E. Vitamin A promotes cell growth, while Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant which helps slow down the damage of cells. With the presence of these vitamins, argan oil promotes healthy skin, hair and nails and has restorative effects. The oil is packed with antioxidants, Omega-6 fatty acids and linoleum acid which will aid in reducing the signs of aging.
USES:
- Cuticle conditioner: Perfect your summer manicure by treating your cuticles to some TLC. Rub the oil into your nails to ensure they stay smooth and healthy.
- All over moisturizer: The salt water can be drying to the skin and nails; apply liberally to condition and moisturize.
- Soothes razor burn: Try to shave the night before a beach trip so the salt water doesn’t irritate your skin post-shave. If you forget, be sure to apply the oil to prevent bumps and redness.
2. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is made by pressing the fat from the white meat of the nut. It is rich in fatty acids, protein and vitamin E. High in antioxidant properties, coconut oil helps in preventing premature aging such as wrinkles and sagging skin. It also aids in moisturizing dry skin, is antibacterial and antifungal, and can penetrate skin and hair better than some other oils.
USES:
- Pre-sun skin treatment: Coconut oil can moisturize the skin and add a natural SPF of 4 before heading out in the harsh sun. Although this does NOT replace sunscreen, we suggest mixing it in with your favorite sunscreen for added moisture.
- Makeup remover: Waterproof mascara can be near impossible to remove entirely with some makeup removers. Coconut oil breaks up the makeup (even waterproof mascara) so you can be sure there are no remnants of it left on your lashes.
- Protect your colored hair from the sun: Warm up the oil in your palms and apply a small amount to your hair before going in the sun. It will not only condition your hair, but coat the cuticle to protect your hair from damage and color fading.
- Insect repellent: Mix some peppermint, tea tree or rosemary essential oils in with your coconut oil to help repel summer bugs.
3. Olive Oil
Olive oil is made by grinding the olives into a paste, then collecting the oil molecules that come together and concentrate. It has been used since ancient times to hydrate and nourish the skin, hair and nails. It doesn’t clog pores and penetrates quickly.
Among all the natural lipids, olive oil has the most similar chemical distribution to human sebum (sebum is the body’s own natural skin lubricant). This similarity gives olive oil a strong affinity to human skin. Olive oil is completely safe, easily absorbed and has a cell “re-fattening” capacity.
USES:
- Exfoliant: Mix with sugar or salt to make your own body or lip scrub to make your skin super smooth before hitting up the pool.
- Deep hair conditioner: The chlorine and salt water will take a toll on your hair. Warm up the oil, apply generously to hair, cover with a towel and let it do its work for 10-20 minutes before thoroughly shampooing it out.
- Cracked-heel repair and prevention: Keep your feet smooth by applying olive oil to your heels and putting on socks before bed as an overnight treatment.
4. Grape Seed Oil
Grape seed oil is extracted from the pips of grapes used to make wine. It is extremely rich in beta-carotene and vitamins C, D and E which promote healthy skin. Like argan oil, it too contains linoleic acid as well as palmitic and stearic — fatty acids that will aid in preventing wrinkles. This oil is also known for reducing the look of scars. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds present in this oil make it suitable for oily skin types. This oil has astringent qualities which help to tighten pores, which reduces clogging and lessens the chances of developing acne.
Uses:
- Manage frizzy hair from humidity: Rub a dime-sized amount on your palms and gently work it into your hair using your fingertips. Be sure to apply it sparingly — it’s lightweight and won’t weigh your hair down, but if you load on too much your hair will look greasy.
- Regulates oily skin: The summer heat can make oily skin even more oily. Combat this by using grape seed oil, which can help regulate your natural oil production.
- Reduces inflammation in acne: Breakouts can happen from all the summer elements. Apply oil to acne to decrease inflammation.
- Skin moisturizer: Grape seed oil can penetrate deeper than other oils, acting as a deep-conditioning treatment to the skin without making it look greasy.
5. Maracuja Oil
Harvested from the Passion fruit or Passionflower plant, maracuja oil is light and non greasy, which makes it a good emollient and moisturizer. It is an anti-inflammatory and contains antioxidants which promote healthy skin. The presence of lycopene helps aid the skin in recovering from sun damage. Maracuja oil also regulates the sebum level of the skin, which means it keeps the skin from becoming too oily or too dry. It is rich in essential fatty acids known to replenish and recharge the skin.
Uses:
- Helps treat sun damaged skin: Apply before bed as an overnight treatment to help rejuvenate the skin after a day in the sun.
- Skin brightener: Everyone wants bright, glowing skin for summer. Apply maracuja oil to the face and décolleté; the oil will boost collagen production due to its Vitamin C content.
- Chapped lip treatment: Apply to lips with sugar and use as a scrub, or on its own to hydrate and soothe chapped lips.
Now that you’re familiarized with these beauty oils and their benefits, you can really make the most out of them this summer. Give your body a little TLC by testing them out and seeing which one is your favorite! And since you don’t have to worry about sketchy ingredients, you can focus on more important things — like whether you’ll spend your day lounging poolside or relaxing at the beach!
This post is meant for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace medical advice from your physician, doctor or health care professional. Please read our terms of use for more information.
Source: NPD and Olive Oil Source
Photo credits: Kristen Love
