The Pro's & Con's of Using a Facial Oil
In recent years it seems everyone is recommending the use of Facial Oils, whatever your skin type. And, if you were oily or acne prone and afraid of putting oils on your face, the recommendations were even more fervent.
If you have very oily or acneic skin, using a face oil may not be a great idea for you. It may feel uncomfortable, it may clog your skin depending on the oil, you might not need an oil/moisturiser. Whatever anyone else says or recommends, you are the person who knows your skin best so, don't feel bamboozled into using one.
Whatever your skin type, it is good to know a little about the properties and benefits of all the oils - it can be a bit confusing and sometimes the stories of distant tribes having the best hair or skin, or someone being able to cure their child's medically incurable skin disease, can seduce us!
Different natural oils provide the skin with vitamins, anti-oxidants, lipids, ceramides, fatty acids, Omega's, anti-inflammatories etc. to lesser or greater degrees. But let's be clear... There is no single oil that is the be all and end all for skin, just like there is no single skincare ingredient, that will reverse all skin ageing. Simple.
Here is a brief outline of what some of the oils do for your skin.
Jojoba Oil* (not to be confused with Jojoba Wax) is not actually an oil but a complex of waxy esters. It is a light, smooth, replenishing emollient and full of fatty acids. It is restorative and renowned for many skin benefits including improving, dry skin, elasticity and suppleness. Jojoba is rich in natural antioxidant tocopherols (antioxidants), to help protect skin.
Grapeseed Oil* feels light and provides great 'slip'. It is well known for its antioxidant qualities that protect collagen and elastin, the building blocks of the skin, from being damaged. It has soothing properties and is naturally rich in Omega-6 and Omega-9 essential fatty acids so, offers excellent skin hydration without feeling greasy. Grape Seed Oil is also reported to help reduce acne.
Echium plantagineum seed oil is proven to regenerate dermal tissue. It has excellent antimicrobial properties and provides outstanding anti-inflammatory protection. It’s the most potent plant source of Gamma Linolenic Acid and Stearidonic Acid. It contains potent forms of Omegas 3 and 6, critical for cell membrane integrity and it provides powerful protection against oxidative damage. It out performs fish oils and others, such as blackcurrant and borage oils. It addresses many of the first visible signs of skin ageing, as well as fine lines. This oil is a super-rich source of saturated 
fatty acids and phospholipids, thus excellent for dry skin and it's said, those who have eczema-prone skin. It acts in the following ways:
• Smooths lines by accelerating skin cell regeneration
• Essential fatty acids in an optimum balance, helps repair the skins barrier to improve hydration and soften the skin.
• Repairs skin at a cellular level and boosts collagen and elasticity
• The best known anti-inflammatory properties (better than fish oils), to help prevent skin ageing while calming sensitive and acneic skin types. In addition it could be beneficial in treating skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema (seek medical advice on this).
• Helps to prevent skin damage from UV rays, but does not replace an SPF!
Sweet Almond Oil is super rich in Vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, proteins, potassium and zinc, besides a number of other minerals and vitamins, which explains why it is so good for our skin and hair. Almond oil contains high levels of Vitamin E, which is one of the most potent antioxidants known. It can help repair some of the damage done to collagen. The oil is especially rich in proteins, and can provide the amino acids required in the formation of collagen. This oil can prevent dehydration by reducing moisture loss from the skin. It has a beautiful texture that feels great on skin. This is found abundantly, in Melting Cleansing Balm™.
Argan oil is most commonly used as a hair oil and following that as a skin moisturiser. It is high in vitamin E and fatty acids. It absorbs easily and is non-greasy and non-irritating, which makes it a great natural moisturiser.
Cacay Oil* (Kahai on table below) Is rich in Vitamins A, E and F (Linoleic Acid which accounts for a huge 75% of its composition). It revitalises the skins radiance, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and gives skin a long lasting hydration. Cacay Oil contains 50% more Vitamin E and double the amount of Linoleic Acid than Argan oil. It has 3 times more natural Retinol than Rose Hip Oil which is known for scars and stretch mark reduction. Cacay Oil is proven to improve skin hydration, elasticity and firmness over a 28 day period. It also has wrinkle improving attributes, starting after 14 days of use. MERUMAYA® were the first to include this in skincare.
Oat Oil* is rich in skin identical lipids including Ceramides, Phospholipids, natural antioxidants and vitamins. In addition to the rich, luxurious skin feel, Oat Oil supports the skin’s natural lipid barrier to improve moisture retention and condition. Such is the high content of skin lipids in Oat Oil, it's considered to be almost liquid skin!
Squalene* from olives, has a natural affinity with the skin, being one of the main components of sebum and it's hydrolipidic film. It is a multifunctional oil offering soft spreading and rapid skin absorption. It prevents moisture loss and restores the skin suppleness and elasticity.
Moringa oil is rich in vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help heal minor skin complaints such as cuts, bruises, burns, insect bites, rashes and scrapes quickly. It is reported to be good for hair growth.
Marula Oil contains antioxidant protection to defend against premature skin ageing. It is rich in essential fatty acids, oleic Omega 9 and linoleic Omega 6, which hydrate and nourish, improving elasticity.
Coconut Oil can penetrate hair better than other oils. My mother used to give us a weekly, overnight treatment when we were kids and had hair that reached our bottoms. It's naturally antibacterial and antifungal and is an excellent moisturiser. There are opposing views with regards treating acneic skin. Coconut Oil hardens when it cools and there is concern, that it might harden to 
it's waxy state when on the skin and block pores.
Abysinnian Oil (Crambe Oil) contains an unusually high level (over 50%) of Erucic acid, which delivers incredible skin feel and smoothing benefits. It contains an abundance of both Linoleic and Linolenic Acids. Linoleic Acid, an Omega 6 fatty acid, is helpful with skin regeneration, while Linolenic Acid, an Omega 3, is anti-inflammatory, cell-communicating, and skin conditioning. In Youth Preservation Moisturiser SPF20
* These oils are in Everything Everywhere Beauty Oil™. Probably the most sophisticated and versatile beauty oil on the market. The benefits of the ingredients speak for themselves and in addition, there is no need to buy separate oils for face, body, hair, cuticles, etc. In a 50ml bottle, it also offers extraordinary value.
If you enjoyed reading this post, you might want to check out these related posts:
Cacay (Kahai) Oil - The New 'Miracle' Beauty Oil?
Is Natural Skincare Better than Snythetic or Chemical?
Best Ingredients for Beautiful Skin
Retinol & Acid Toners - More Is Not More
