Facial oil(s) for Acne-prone skin
Excess of sebum - the oil your skin produces naturally - can cause breakouts but all skin requires proper hydration. In fact, without proper moisture, your sebaceous glands will try to soothe the skin and can go into overdrive and produce more sebum, leading to breakouts.
Dehydrated skin can also create microscopic cracks in the skin, the perfect home for bacteria, which also contribute to breakouts.
Why using facial oil to Keep Blemish-Prone Skin Clear?
- Oils help regulate the skin’s own oil production
Applying oil to the skin can mislead it into producing less sebum. The skin will produce more sebum to counteract drying skincare products or dehydrated skin. Face oils help bring balance by deeply nourishing the skin.
- Face oils with a high level of linoleic acid will help to bring balance back to blemish-prone skin
A study highlights that the sebum of acne-prone individuals tends to be deficient in a certain type of fatty acid called linoleic acid. That topical application of linoleic acid can help reduce mini pimples and the size of clogged pores on your face.
- Antioxidant-rich face oils prevent sebum oxidation, a key player in blemishes and acne
Some researches have shown that acne patients experience more oxidative stress than people with clear skin. This oxidative stress causes sebum oxidation or the oxidation of the skin’s own oil which is the trigger that encourages acne as oxidized sebum is comedogenic (pore-clogging) and causes inflammation in the skin.
- Face oils help to break up the dirt trapped in pores
A spot or a breakout is nothing more than a gummy blend of oil and dead skin cells. Because like-dissolves-like (oil and oil can mix whereas water and oil do not), therefore applying oil to the skin can help to break up this body of waste and clear it from the pore.
Which oil should we use in Acne-prone skin?
We recommend using oils with a high concentration in linoleic acids and antioxidants.
- Pumpkin seed oil is rich in antioxidant vitamins A and C, as well as zinc. Vitamins A and C help prevent the sebum oxidation behind many outbreaks while zinc helps calm inflamed skin. Pumpkin seed oil is especially helpful for keeping skin clear since it’s very high in linoleic acid.
- Grapeseed oil: Like pumpkin seed oil, grapeseed oil is incredibly rich in linoleic acid, helping bring balance back to blemish-prone skin. It’s also antioxidant-rich and a very light, easily absorbed oil.
- Jojoba oil is a light oil that is easily absorbed. It mimics the skin’s sebum, tricking it to produce less oil, which is why it’s especially helpful for individuals with oily skin. Its similarities to skin’s natural oils help your skin over time rather than forcing it to become dependent on it.
- Rosehip seed oil is a dry oil that penetrates the deepest layers of the skin where it regenerates cells, increasing collagen production. It is rich in vitamin C and essential fatty acids, all of which are known to help heal scar tissue. It is also high in retinoic acid, which studies show reduces the appearance of wrinkles and brightens skin.
If you do a blend, you can add:
- Avocado oil has a high concentration of omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E. It’s naturally anti-inflammatory, making it great for sensitive or irritated skin and it adds an extra bit of moisture needed after cleansing or in the dryer winter months.
- Buckthorn fruit contains antioxidants, Vitamin C and the rare omega essential fatty acid 7, which can help protect the skin, improve the skin’s appearance and smooth fine lines.