C O L U M N S

Welcome to the oil slick! It helps your skin look great. Let’s look into the benefits of anti-ageing facial oils.

So how high would you jump if you were told that there is yet another category of a beauty product that works to keep your face smooth and taut-skinned? The category is anti-ageing oils for the face.
Yes, these oils are a fantastic find. Not only do they help prevent the formation of wrinkles, but the slippery oils will deter unnecessary tugging and pulling on your skin, which is thought to be a contributing factor to the formation of wrinkles.
Most facialists would probably recommend isometric exercises to strengthen facial muscles. That is because the weakening of the facial and neck muscles leads to sagging skin. If massaged properly with the help of a good facial oil, the same sagging skin will become toned and you will notice a reduction in the fine lines and wrinkles.
Facial oils not only effectively lock the natural oils into skin, they also encourage skin to regenerate its own oils. This gives skin a renewed freshness. You will not need to use much make-up and the wrinkling process can be dramatically slowed.
Serums and moisturisers containing natural oils are preferred to regular oils which are high on the grease factor. But though oils are greasy, they are more effective beauty treatments. They leave the skin smooth and glowing. And oil can easily be removed from the face with a soap-free cleanser or a non-drying soap product.
The most common facial oils are made of rose oil, calendula, sandalwood oil, lavender and geranium. Other ingredients used in facial oils to delay wrinkling are wheatgerm, apricot, soyabean, olive almond and avocado oils. Some oils also contain extracts of primrose flower, borage seed, jojoba and carrot. These provide the purest, most natural and effective way of delivering essential nutrients into your skin’s upper layers. The result is a more youthful appearance.
If you feel there is a specific area of your body which is more wrinkled than others, you may apply these oils there as well. Work facial oils into your routine. Every night, before you turn in, cleanse your face thoroughly, pat it dry and apply in the facial oil. Using your finger pads, lightly and steadily, tap-massage the oil all over your face and neck. Don’t wash off or tissue away the oil. Leave it on overnight for best results.
For maximum benefit, cleanse, tone, moisturise and then massage the facial oil as the last topical application.
Top 10 Oils To Make You Look Younger
1. Calendula oil rebuilds cells and works wonders for dry skin.
2. Soy oil is rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9 (the fats the body and skin needs) and it helps skin regain elasticity. However, some people are allergic to it so please do take a patch test before trying it out.
3. Sandalwood oil triggers hormones in the brain which signal the skin to release collagen and elastin.
4. Rose oil gives bloom, warmth and helps repair broken veins. But make sure that you have a good tolerance for it as it may cause headaches in some people.
5. Geranium oil gives warmth to the skin, repairs it and even helps broken veins. This oil, however, can be sensitive on most skins.
6. Frankincense oil preserves and revitalises skin.
7. Mandarin oil releases collagen, exfoliated dead skin and firms. Sensitive skin may not tolerate this oil well.
8. Grape Seed oil is a powerful antioxidant for the skin.
9. Neroli oil refreshes cells gently. It can smell a bit strange but when mixed with a base or a carrier oil, the smell vanishes!
10. Coconut oil is an antioxidant and is wonderful for most skin types.