Adding oil to your anti-acne skincare regimen might not make sense at first. After all, acne occurs when the pores of your skin are blocked with dirt and oil. Where’s the sense of fighting oil with oil?
But the truth is that special facial oils can combat excess sebum that aggravates acne while still moisturizing your face for a more balanced complexion. In fact, there are three kinds of natural oils that can help you win your longstanding battled with sebum (oil) that trigger or aggravate your acne
Moringa Oil
Moringa oil is dubbed the “Wonder Oil” in today’s natural beauty industry, with companies using it as a main ingredient in various shampoos, conditioners, creams, and facial serums.
Moringa oil is an essential oil derived from Moringa oliefera, which is a vegetable tree grown in Central and South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. The moringa tree itself is somewhat of a scientific wunderkind, with a researcher calling it one of the “most useful trees in the world” since it can resist drought, yield cooking oil, and purify water.
Benefits of Moringa Oil
Moringa oil is just as special as the tree it came from. It contains over 90 nutrients, almost 50 compounds rich in antioxidant properties, and over 30 compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. The oil also has a high concentration of a chemical called Behenic acid, a saturated fatty acid that has emollient, lubricating, and soothing properties.
Moringa oil, therefore, could be the key ingredient for your anti-acne regimen. This natural oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help treat acne; moringa oil has inhibitory effects on the growth and survival of bacteria from external pollutants. Its powerful antimicrobial properties also protect your skin from absorbing dirt and germs — both infamous for triggering breakouts and worsening acne.
Moringa oil can also help slow down signs of ageing. It rejuvenates your dry and dull skin, preventing the formation of wrinkles. It is also rich in vitamin C, which can repair damaged skin cells and prevent cell destruction. Vitamin C also protects your skin from UV exposure and free radicals that can cause premature aging to your skin.
Also, moringa oil is similar to the oil produced by the skin. Unlike other oils that sit on the surface of the skin, it doesn’t leave a greasy after feeling. Moringa has excellent skin penetration ability; it absorbs deeply into your skin, nourishing it with Vitamins A, C, and E — which help fight skin inflammation while giving you a radiant glow.
Directions for Use
Apply a small amount of moringa oil to your skin in the morning and before you go to bed at night. If you notice a few blemishes, directly apply oil to the affected area.
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is rich in compounds that promise to treat your skin right, such as linoleic acid and Vitamin E.
Benefits of Sunflower Oil
Linoleic acid, in particular, is known for its ability to help calm acne breakouts. This Omega-6 essential fatty acid is a building block for ceramides, one of the skin’s moisturizing elements. It also strengthens the skin’s protective barrier, so it can effectively keep irritants and water out.
Acne-prone individuals tend to have a low percentage of linoleic acid and instead have excessive levels of oleic acid, a non-essential Omega that locks in and retains moisture in the skin. When the skin lacks linoleic acid, its natural sebum becomes sticky and thick, clogging your pores and triggering acne.
Unlike oleic acid, linoleic acid is not produced by the body’s tissue. You’ll need to apply oils (such as sunflower oil) with high linoleic acid content topically to restore the natural balance between the two acids, leading to clearer skin with fewer breakouts.
Vitamin E, on the other hand, fights off free radicals on the skin, which come from daily environmental stressors like air pollution and sun exposure. It strengthens the skin’s protective barrier, as well as acts as a natural anti-inflammatory compound that soothes and calms the skin.
Directions for Use
Apply sunflower oil only on warm and damp skin (e.g., after bathing) to let the nutrients soak deep inside your skin. You can also apply it to the skin under the eyes to reduce wrinkles.
Olive Oil
Apart from being a delicious ingredient to your favorite pasta dishes, olive oil is a worthy addition to your skincare regimen. This natural skincare ingredient contains Vitamins A and E, both rich in antioxidants, which are substances that prevent oxidation. Oxidation produces free radicals that cause inflammation in the skin. These radicals also block pores, which lead to the development of pimples.
Benefits of Olive Oil
Olive oil’s antioxidants can help acne breakouts by neutralizing free radicals. Antioxidants (specifically Vitamin E), combined with olive oil’s antibacterial properties and monounsaturated fats, work together to cleanse your skin of pore-clogging oils and dead skin cells that cause blemishes. They also repair the skin by assisting in different kinds of cellular restoration processes, from healing support for scars to sun damage recovery.
Directions for Use
Less is more when it comes to olive oil application; using too much oil may lead to clogged pores, especially for people with oily skin. Start with a few drops on clean skin once or twice a week. Rub drops of oil into the palms of your hand so that you have a thin layer of oil before you apply it into your face.
The Power of Three Oils in One
You might wonder, “Do I have to buy all three oils just to give my acne-prone skin the best care possible?”
You can do so, but if you want to have the benefits of moringa oil, sunflower oil, and olive oil in one handy product, use Moringa-O² Herbal Therapy Oil for Hair, Scalp and Skin. It features a unique blend of oils extracted from moringa, sunflower oil, and olive oil. Infused with anti-inflammatory properties and antiseptic, this natural oil helps control blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and acne, as well as minimizes enlarged pores.
Fight oil with the power of three oils in one. Manage your acne concerns by including Moringa-O² Herbal Therapy Oil for Hair, Scalp and Skin to your skincare regimen.
For more information on our products, get in touch with us today.