Our favourite botanical oils for skincare

As more people come to appreciate the benefits of using potent and pure oils in their skincare regime, manufacturers have flooded the market with oil based skincare products. The problem? Not all products are as potent as you might expect them to be, meaning the the oils marketed as being key ingredients won’t have the desired effect.

Take products 'infused' with natural oils like Argan, rosehip, and jojoba oil as an example. Some brands use only 0.1% of these oils within their products - the silky feel is provided not by the botanical oils, but by the use of slip agents and silicones (such as dimethicone, cyclomethicone and liquid paraffin) that are very inexpensive by-products of petroleum mineral oils. Slip agents and silicones do more than act as cheap fillers - they have been linked to cancer, reproductive disorder, and skin irritation. These inferior products are then slapped with labels that see them marketed as healthy options for your skin.

Aside from the fact that the oils are in concentrations too small to be effective, their beneficial properties are minimal in comparison to the damaging potential of the synthetic ingredients they’re blended with.

They can’t penetrate the skin because of their limited bioavailability. What that means is that when it comes to delivering nutrients to your skin, they fall short.

On the other end of the spectrum are petroleum based ‘synthetic oils’, like Bio Oil, that are dressed up as a near medical option when they contain slip agents, fillers, fragrance and dyes.

With all that choice and all the various marketing claims, it can be hard to know which oils we should trust on our skin.

Nutrient Dense Botanical Oils Are Nature’s Gift to Skin

Using products made only from bioavailable botanical oils means you’re using pure-plant power that can be absorbed readily into the skin where they can deliver their rich moisturising and restorative properties. Here are some of our favourite nourishing pure plant oils for skincare:

Hemp seed oil

contains a unique combination of healthy fats, antioxidants, and antibacterial properties
high in essential fatty acids (the building blocks of healthy cells), making it a vital part of a healthy ageing ritual
a great option for acne, eczema, and psoriasis as it balances out oily skin by hydrating and regulating natural oil production

Borage seed oil

exceptionally high in essential fatty acids, making it an ideal choice for dry and irritated skins, as well as sensitive and acne-prone skin types.
applying Borage seed oil topically in a soothing skincare oil blend can provide your skin with the essential fatty acids that it’s lacking to prevent dehydration and inflammation

Rose oil

the many fatty acids in rose oil make it an excellent option for hydrating dry and itchy skin, particularly when used as a refreshing toning mist.
the skin easily absorbs the oil, allowing its antioxidants to travel deep into the skin's layers where it can help heal scars, fight inflammation, and promote circulation

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

packed with antioxidants and vitamins, EVOO is prized for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-ageing properties
used in a cleanser, EVOO gently breaks down impurities while building the skin's moisture barrier to keep skin well hydrated

Avocado oil

the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents in avocado oil help your skin stay smooth, strong, and elastic
can heal the dry, irritated, and flaky skin associated with eczema and psoriasis
keeps skin hydrated without leaving an oily residue, especially useful when used as an oil cleanser.

ESSENTIAL OILS

German chamomile oil

an extremely healing oil, especially if you have sensitive skin, German chamomile oil is widely used in face oils that are designed to improve dry, inflamed, or irritated skin
it’s the skincare oil you should turn to if you want to treat specific conditions such as eczema and dermatitis

Sweet orange oil

antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, making it an ideal ingredient in your facial oil blend if you suffer from acne
increases the skin’s ability to absorb vitamin C, and increase collagen production and blood flow, all of which are necessary for anti-ageing

We believe that soothing botanicals are simultaneously the foundation and future of ageless skincare.