Crazy About Oil: Skin and Hair Oils Review
It’s been a while since my last entry, but I meant to share my thoughts on oils that I have been using for my skin and hair recently. Three oils I am crazy about are: Bio-Oil, Argan Oil and Clarins Santal Face Treatment oil. I have heard about all three for while but only recently got to test them literally on “my own skin”.
Bio-Oil
So, according to the Bio-Oil manufacturers, it is a specialist skincare oil that moisturizes dehydrated and ageing skin, thus improves the texture, tone and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone. Bio‑Oil should be applied to the affected areas twice a day for a minimum of 3 months.
Bio‑Oil has won 80 skincare awards and has become the No.1 selling scar and stretch mark product in 11 countries since its global launch in 2002. Impressive list of ingredients includes: Calendula Oil, Lavender Oil, Rosemary Oil, Chamomile Oil, Vitamin A and Vitamin E.
My own experience: I bought Bio-Oil after bad sunburn, which led to excessive and painful skin pealing in the areas of my body, where skin is tender and sensitive, like chest. I applied a dab of Bio-Oil twice a day as instructed. The oil is light enough and gets absorbed into the skin quite quickly, leaving it soft and moisturized. It definitely helped the healing process and made pealing less painful. I would recommend applying it all over the body if you want to try something different to your normal moisturizing cream.
Argan oil
Argan oil is considered a miracle oil and a best-kept beauty secret. Many people swear by its amazing effects on skin, hair and nails. The oil is produced from the kernels of the argan tree, endemic to Morocco, which is valued for its nutritive, cosmetic and numerous medicinal properties and has been used by local beauties for thousands of years until the secret has leaked into the west. It’s one of the rarest oils in the world due to the small and very specific growing areas, so don’t be surprised by its relatively high prices or fooled by the fakes.
According to studies, Argan oil’s anti-ageing properties and natural anti-wrinkle effect are due to high levels of Vitamin E and saponins, which soften the skin. Its antioxidant properties help to neutralize free radicals. Yet it does all this quite naturally. The oils are pure – there are no synthetic chemicals that could cause irritation in sensitive skin.
Argan oil helps to reduce signs of ageing and prevents dehydration and sun damage due to daily exposure, protect and repair skin, prevent formation and reduce appearance of stretch marks, renew cell structure and revitalize skin for more elasticity reduces active blemishes and visible scars, strengthen brittle nails, restore remarkable shine to hair, care for scalp to advance hair growth, and help to mend split ends.
My own experience: after some deliberation over its price, I actually bought a bottle of Argan Oil treatment from Moroccan Oil (100ml- £30) and I have to say I don’t regret the splurge. First of all, the oil is very light and lasts forever. I just need one pump of it, which I rub in my hands and then apply thoroughly on washed hair, while massaging head scalp. It’s non-greasy and gets absorbed into my hair very quickly before. I do that daily before I go to bed so that when I wake up, my hair is silky soft and shiny, making it is easy to brush and style. And it smells nice too (an important factor for us, ladies)!
I also tried a cheaper version of Argan hair oil from Boots (100ml-£12.99). It’s not bad but somehow feels a bit greasier and heavier than the Moroccan Oil. If the cost is an issue, I would chose this version and just put a bit less in the hair.
Clarins Santal Face Treatment Oil
Lastly, I wanted to mention that face oils have recently become a huge trend in the beauty market. I got to try Santal Clarins Face Treatment Oil as part of the freebies I got with my Clarins purchase. According to the beauty giant, the formula used in all Clarins face oils is comprised of 2-4% essential oils (which is the optimal level to ensure the most effective results) diluted in a ‘supporting’ oil, in this case Hazelnut Oil.
Santal Face Treatment Oil is based on essential oils of Sandalwood, Cardamom and Lavender that aim to decongest, help restore comfort to reddened skin, stimulate the epidermis. ‘Supporting’ Hazelnut Oil was chosen for being the most stable natural oil available. It has many skin care benefits, including protection against dehydration, balancing sebum production,
purifying and deep cleansing the epidermis, softening and promoting skin suppleness, highly penetrating without leaving no oily residue, being very rich in vitamin E with antioxidant benefits and excellent for repairing damaged hair and nails. There are no artificial preservatives in Clarins oils as the essential oils they contain act as natural preservatives!
My own experience: Before I go to bed, I put on the damp skin a bit of Santal Face Treatment oil, which is light and you need only a tiny dab on a finger for the whole face. It penetrates skin very quickly, making it soft and smooth by the time I wake up. It also helps with redness and dry patches if you have dry or combination skin.
Anyway, I hope you find this information useful. Let me know if there are any other oils you use and find very good for your skin. Let’s share the knowledge!
