Myths about using facial oils

Growing up, I had oily skin in the summer and dry, yet still oily skin in the winter. I also had acne. As a teenager who knew nothing about skincare, I treated the symptom. I tried everything to dry out the oily areas and moisturize the dry areas. I would never think to use an oil on my skin--hello to more acne and even more oily skin!

Boy was I wrong.

To be fair, I think information about good skincare is more accessible now than ever. This 80s gal had access to an immature internet and a subscription to Seventeen magazine. But even now with a wealth of information from global experts in skincare, myths about using oils still exist.

What myths, you ask?

Myth #1: Face oils make your skin more oily
Our skin naturally produces oil. This oil, called sebum, protects and moisturizes our skin. A skin imbalance occurs when these natural oils are stripped away by harsh cleansers, weather, genetics and other factors. An imbalance causes our skin to overcompensate and produce more oil.

Adding an oil to your skincare routine helps restore balance, which signals your skin to slow production of sebum. An oil also creates a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, which protects the skin against infection, damage and early signs of aging.

Myth #2: Face oils cause or aggravate acne
In most people, natural oils are not responsible for breakouts. Factors such as diet, hormones and lifestyle make skin more prone to acne. Certain oils, including lavender, lemon, frankincense and rosehip help fight acne by reducing inflammation, reducing scarring and fighting acne-causing bacteria. Nature is so cool, right?

Always check ingredients in your oils! Synthetic oils and mineral oil can cause breakouts.

Myth #3: Facial oils are not an anti-aging product
This one boggles my mind! Dry skin shows wrinkles sooner and produces deeper wrinkles than hydrated skin. Hydrated skin stays smooth and firm. But oils do more than lock in moisture. Marula oil, for example, includes amino acids that have hydrating, anti-aging properties, fatty acids that add moisture and antioxidants that fight free radicals and help minimize skin damage caused by the environment.

Myth #4: Facial oils are only for winter
Our skin needs moisture and nourishment in the summer, too! And more moisture does not mean more oily skin. Moisture helps maintain the skin’s balance and prevent pesky skin imperfections. Not to mention the benefits certain oils provide for minimizing skin damage--think sun damage.

Tell us, did any myths about using oils ever prevent you from trying one? Any that we didn’t cover?
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