There was a time when the word oil conjured up images of greasiness but now you may be finding yourself using them to wash your face, to protect and treat your hair and to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. For those of you who still fear that oil will break you out or wonder if you really need another product, it’s worth examining oils in a little more detail.

Face oils are formulas made from natural oils, they don’t penetrate as deeply as serums and many are designed to nourish and hydrate the outer layer of skin.

They can also augment the effects of your moisturiser. If you use a face oil before your moisturiser, the oil can help to prep the skin for your moisturiser aiding the penetration of the ingredients.

There are a plethora of oils available that can target a range of concerns from blemishes to ageing. They are multitasking products that can improve the overall health and appearance of your complexion, helping to refine the skin texture leaving it brighter, clearer, softer and looking more youthful.

Oils help to form a protective barrier which locks in moisture, they help to balance skin meaning they can benefit those with dry, oily or combination skin. If your dry skin has been aggravated by central heating or air conditioning and has become flaky or prone to redness, oils can help to nourish and moisturise as well as sooth and calm irritation.

If you have oily or blemish prone, oils are nothing to be feared.  While using oil on skin may sound counterintuitive, a facial oil can help to balance your natural oils. When the skin is replenished it signals to the sebaceous glands to slow down their production of oil which keeps the skin balanced, healthy and clear.

Acne treatments tend to be drying so using a dedicated oil not only replenishes skin and prevents it from producing excess oil but can also help to clear congested pores resulting in clearer, smoother skin. Oils are also easily absorbed meaning that most won’t clog pores or leave a greasy film over skin.

Facial oils can also help to regenerate and repair skin, they can help to strengthen skin, speeding up the healing process, improving hydration and making it less vulnerable to reactions and sensitivity. They create a protective barrier over skin which helps protect it against environmental damage and toxins. This is particularly beneficial to city dwellers who need extra protection against pollutants which cause premature ageing. It can also benefits those who suffer from rosacea as facial oils can strengthen and protect skin.

As oils need to massaged into skin, they improve circulation which leads to a soft, plump, radiant complexion. While traditional face oils merely hydrated and protected skin, formulas are now designed to brighten, plump, decongest and regenerate targeting fine lines, wrinkles, dullness and an uneven texture delivering a potent dose of vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients for soft, smooth, glowing skin.

As you reach your late 30s you may notice your skin getting drier, this is because skin’s natural oils decrease. Oils can help to plump skin by replenishing lost moisture and delivering free radical fighting antioxidant ingredients that help to treat signs of ageing. They can also help to calm skin and reduce inflammation that may be caused by potent anti-ageing ingredients making them gentle yet effective.

The purpose of all the products in your skincare routine should be to treat skin concerns in order to improve the condition of your skin. You want hard working products that keep your skin clear, soft and radiant and mean you will need less make-up.

Facial oils are a great source of antioxidants and vitamins for skin and they can be quickly and easily absorbed nourishing the skin with moisture and leaving a radiant glow.

After cleaning, toning and applying serum, gently press a few drops onto your face until it absorbs to quench skin and seal in hydration. Massage into face, neck and décolletage using upwards and outward movements. Leave to sink into skin before applying your moisturiser.

If you’re someone who avoids putting it anywhere near your skin this has hopefully elevated your fears as oils can have benefits for all skin types and skin concerns. If you are someone who uses oils for an array of purposes we would love to hear your favourite ways to use them.

It’s All Good is a treatment facial oil with Vitamin E, peach kernel, sunflower and olive oil that helps to hydrate, rebalance and replenish skin smoothing skin and leaving it with a radiant glow. It helps to protect and support sensitive skin and works to treat the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.