WHAT OILS DO I USE

Sweet Almond - Prunus amygdalus, P. dulcis: Sweet almond oil is obtained from the nut of the tree, which is native to Asia and the Mediterranean. This oil is

rich in oleic and linoleic acids along with vitamins E & A as such Almond Oil is a great moisturizer and  fights against inflammation in skin allergies. This oil helps in reducing wrinkles and dark circles

 The oil has no scent and is a great nutrient for softening and conditioning the skin. It's been known to be especially suitable for eczema, itchy, dry and inflamed skin. Since it contains glucosides, vitamins and minerals, it makes a fabulous massage oil.

 

Apricot Kernel Oil Prunus armeniaca (Kenya)

A wonderful oil similar to sweet almond, but more suitable for sensitive and prematurely aged skin. is high in oleic and linoleic fatty acids,Oleic acid is commonly known as an omega-9 fatty acid with wonderful emollient properties. Emollients are ingredients that when applied, make hair and skin softer and more pliable. While emollients do not truly moisturize (meaning they do not penetrate the hair), they do increase the hydration level of hair and skin by preventing evaporation. Linoleic acid is the fun stuff, and definitely the star of the show. Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid with a laundry list of benefits internally and externally. According to a study at the University of Maryland Medical Center, omega-6 fatty acids can stimulate hair growth. Also an emollient, linoleic acid helps control hair hydration by controlling water loss.Altogether, the fatty acids in Apricot Oil come together to serve three wonderful functions at the molecular level:

 

Close: They shape the substance that seal scales of the hair cuticle, in the same way that cement keeps together the bricks in a wall. Because the scales are “cemented” together, they make for a smooth surface, which enables the hair to protect itself against external aggressions, and to reflect light (shiny hair).

Barrier: Also known as sealing. They prevent the water that was absorbed by the hair from evaporating.

Sponge: Fatty acids are also mild humectants. They are able to absorb small amounts of water from the air’s humidity in order to help maintain hair hydration.

Apricot Oil is also rich in Vitamins A & E. Vitamin A supports skin health and repair, a wonderful property for those suffering from dry scalp, psoriasis, dandruff, or eczema. Additionally, it can help soothe irritated scalp, and soften fine lines in the skin. Vitamin E supports healthy hair growth, and is believed to prevent hair loss. When combined with fatty acids, Vitamin E acts as a preservative preventing free radicals from eliminating their effectiveness. It also prevents UV damage, which is just in time for Spring and Summer!

Argan Oil  The golden-colored oil, extracted by hand from the fruit of a thorny tree that grows in southwest Morocco, soothes rough skin and gives hair a nice shine. To make argan oil, Moroccan workers—mostly women—peel the outer layer of the tree fruit then pound its inner nut with a rock to extract kernels, from which the oil is extracted. Argan oil can be directly applied to the face, skin, hair and cuticles, or added to other products Companies say argan oil's nutrient-rich composition—including vitamin E and an omega-6 fatty acid called linoleic acid that has anti-inflammatory properties—makes it healthy for the skin. it takes one worker 45 minutes to crack enough nuts to make a four-ounce bottle of this wonderful oil

 

 

Avocado Oil nourishes and restores dry, dehydrated, and mature skin. This is a rich, heavy oil to which eczema and psoriasis, respond  well to because of its  high content of vitamins A and E. It's also a highly therapeutic oil rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, vitamins D, protein, pantothenic acid and fatty acids.

Avocado Oil increases epidermal elasticity, while thoroughly moisturizing and softening stubborn, dry or cracked skin.

 

Borage seed oil (borago officinalis) is a wildflower commonly called the "starflower" It is derived from the seeds of the Borago officinalis (borage).

 Borage seed oil has one of the highest amounts of linolenic acid (GLA) of all seed oils — higher than Blackcurrant seed oil or Evening Primrose oil, to which it is considered similar. Borage seed oil has been used to treat skin disorders such as eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and neurodermatitis. 

Babassu Oil

The Babassu oil or cusi oil comes from the fruits of the Babassu palm trees that are native to the Southern American regions particularly in Brazil. A Babassu palm tree grows for up to 20 metres tall and the oil extracted from its seeds are widely being used as an alternative to coconut oil. The Babassu palm tree fruits are harvested from August to November by the local and native women of Brazil called the “Babassu breakers.” These women collect the fruits that have naturally fallen down to the ground and break them using an axe, hence, the name. They get the meat or flesh of these fruits and cold-press them until they get a clear vegetable oil from them. Babassu oil has become very popular in the beauty industry because it possesses a number of fatty acids that are beneficial to the skin’s overall health. 50% of the Babassu Oil’s composition is made up of lauric acid while the remaining 50% is made from a combination of Stearic, Myristic, Palmitic and Oleic acids. It is also rich in Vitamin E and Phytosterols which act as the oil’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agents.It also works wonders in treating itchiness and dryness to skin and scalp. The oil is also being used to treat a number of skin diseases and illness like eczema. The Babassu oil blends well on the skin which makes it a good moisturizer without the greasy after-feel. It’s a great addition to organic hair care products because its mild and it doesn't strip off the natural oils from the hair strands. It’s moisturizing qualities conditions and restores the hair’s elasticity and health.

 

 

 

Coconut Oil

Extra virgin coconut oil (EVCO) has a myriad of health benefits. When eaten, it can help regulate blood sugar, fight heart disease, speed up weight loss, and improve the immune system. Used topically, it can dramatically recover the condition of both skin and hair, preventing wrinkles and making your tresses stronger and shinier. EVCO is a natural and effective way to lessen your exposure to toxins without having to sacrifice any superficial benefits of a beauty routine. Surprisingly, you can use it on your face without worrying about breakouts. In fact, many people have been able to see some success in treating acne and eczema with coconut oil. This is likely due to it’s natural antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.

 Another feature you might not expect from using an oil topically is that when applied to the skin, EVCO does not leave a thick, greasy or overbearing residue. It actually absorbs quite quickly and is not uncomfortable to wear under makeup or clothing.

 

 

Castor Oil (Ricinus communis L) This oil, derived from the castor bean and obtained by cold pressure, is rich in fatty acids and very moisturizing and lubricating to the skin in general. It acts as a humectant, attracting moisture to the skin.

 

Vitamin E is an integral part of the skin’s antioxidant defenses, primarily providing protection against UV radiation and other free radicals that may come in contact with the epidermis ( top layer of skin ). Oral supplementation with only vitamin E may not provide adequate protection for the skin, and co-supplementation of vitamin E and vitamin C may be warranted to effectively increase the photoprotection of skin through the diet. However, topical vitamin E seems to be an effective mechanism for both delivery to the skin and providing a photoprotective effect. Additional anti-inflammatory effects of topical vitamin E have been seen in the skin, although more studies are needed to determine if vitamin E primarily works as a free-radical scavenger or can have other effects on inflammatory signaling. Use of unesterified vitamin E, similar to that found in natural sources, has provided the most consistent data concerning its topical efficacy. The vitamin E family consists of eight different tocopherols and tocotrienols, and it will be important for future studies to determine if one or more of these molecules can have unique effects on skin function.

 

Grape Seed Oil is available naturally from varieties of Vitis vinifera grapes. Through complicated extraction processes, the plants are able to produce useful compounds in the forms of oils which offer plenty of benefits Skin needs a good supply of linoleic acid to help to strengthen cell membranes and improve skin health generally. Grapeseed oil contains this fatty acid, so it can be a good solution to improve or cure various skin conditions such as acne.

The oil also has a considerable amount of antioxidant ability thus it can prevent the pores from clogging. Clogged pores usually trigger acne breakouts, so regular application of grapeseed oil may prevent the problems.

Another good thing is that the oil possesses anti inflammatory properties. Therefore, it does not only prevent acne breakouts, but it also helps to cure any existing acne problems.

Skin Tightening: Astringent is one of the most important ingredients contained in grapeseed oil. The substance will stimulate biological tissues to contract and draw together. It is medically useful for various purposes especially for reducing swelling. Cosmetic companies also sell a lot of products that use this substance as an ingredient. 

Regular application of grapeseed oil will basically deliver a good amount of astringent which is useful for skin toning and tightening. For these purposes, people with oily skin will take the most of grapeseed oil’s advantages.

 

Hazelnut Oil has a light, slightly sweet, nutty aroma. Its scent is also an indication of its fine texture, which is light and easily absorbed. It penetrates the skin easily and does not leave an oily residue behind.

Despite its light texture Hazelnut oil is rich in many nutrients including Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. It is high in oleic acid which helps increase shelf life (can last up to 12 months if stored correctly), as well as having a moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effect. This constituent is also found in our skin oil, sebum, as well as in Jojoba, Macadamia Nut, Avocado, Almond and Camellia oil.

 Hazelnut oil also contains high levels of linoleic acid – an essential fatty acid which is involved in maintaining the integrity of the outer layer of the skin.

Phytosterols are also there. Plant-based sterols, which are highly penetrative, can be converted to Vitamin D, and can help resolve damage, reduce inflammation, increase water retention and moisturize skin. In hair products they can help condition hair strands and reduce static.

 Hazelnut oil is therefore an effective skin tonic and moisturizer. Its astringent effect helps to tighten skin tone, regenerate cells and strengthen surface capillaries. It makes it an excellent choice for massage, especially facial massage and is particularly good for oily/acne prone skin types. Its various constituent elements and its light texture make it a favorite choice as an addition to sun creams, as it is also thought to help partially filter the suns rays.

Hemp Seed Oil   is obtained by pressing hemp seeds. Cold pressed, unrefined hemp oil is dark to clear light green in color, with a nutty flavour. The darker the color, the grassier the flavour. Refined hemp seed oil is clear and colorless, with little flavor and lacks natural vitamins and antioxidants. Refined hemp seed oil is primarily used in body care products.  

This oil is particularly moisturizing for dry, damaged skin and for eczema and psoriasis. Hemp seed oil penetrates the skin quickly and some describe it as a dry oil  The oil does not contain detectable Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The green color in hemp seed oil is a result of the high level of chlorophyll which is naturally present in the seeds.Hemp seed oil is considered to be the most nutritional oils available. It has a plethora of medicinal, nutritional, and cosmetic uses, making it a wonderful multipurpose ingredient. Hemp seed oil provides the body with complete protein, nutrition, and with all the essential amino acids necessary for health and wellness. The pleasantly nutty taste of hemp seed oil makes it easy to incorporate into your culinary recipes. 

 

Jojoba oil   is the liquid produced in the seed of the Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) plant, a shrub, which is native to southern Arizona, southern California, and northwestern Mexico. The oil makes up approximately 50% of the jojoba seed by weight. It is not really oil but a liquid wax, and since it is composed of wax esters, it is an extremely stable substance and does not easily deteriorate.

It is pronounced "ho-ho-ba", and only became important in the 1970s when whaling was banned, since it has almost the same properties as the oil obtained from the sperm whale.

The structure of jojoba oil closely resembles that of your own skin sebum, and because of this it has a natural affinity to the skin, and is readily absorbed without making the skin feel greasy or tacky nor does it clog the pores.

It has exceptional skin-softening properties, as well as the ability to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, promoting skin suppleness while assisting with the rejuvenation of the skin. It forms a non-greasy, non-tacky layer with exceptional trans-epidermal water control – thereby prevent dehydration of the skin and excessive water loss.

Jojoba oil is well tolerated by people with skin problems and does not aggravate acne, and also helps to break down sebum in plugged-up pores. In dermatological tests done by Christensen and Packman, it was shown that jojoba oil increases the skin's suppleness by 45% and after 8 hours the effect was still present.It was also found that jojoba oil softens and smoothes the skin with fine line reduction and in one test done, 20 women's skin compliance increased with 37% after 30 minutes and remained so for a hour. Continued use of jojoba oil results in reducing superficial facial lines. Tests at Michigan University showed that five of the most common skin bacteria plus certain skin fungi couldn't survive in jojoba oil. Jojoba oil destroys the bacteria staphylococcus and pseudomonas. Jojoba oil can help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis.

 

Kukui Nut Oil

Cold pressed oil of the Candlenut Tree, originating in Hawaii. It is high in omegas 3 & 6, soothing, and softening to hair without leaving a greasy film. Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, it contains powerhouse antioxidants that help protect and prevent aging and damage of hair. It is believed to be beneficial for people suffering from psoriasis, eczema, acne, and other skin conditions, due to the anti-inflammatory nature of the fatty acid content.

 

Oil of Tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum)

Tamanu oil possesses a unique capacity to promote the formation of new tissue, thereby accelerating wound healing and the growth of healthy skin. This process is known as cicatrization. For this reason, it is a widely used traditional topical aid. In Pacific island folk medicine, tamanu oil is applied liberally to cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites and stings, abrasions, acne and acne scars, psoriasis, diabetic sores, anal fissures, sunburn, dry or scaly skin, blisters, eczema, herpes sores, and to reduce foot and body odor. Tamanu oil is also massaged into the skin to relieve neuralgia, rheumatism and sciatica. Tamanu oil is employed by Polynesian women for promoting healthy, clear, blemish-free skin, and is also used on babies to prevent diaper rash and skin eruptions. When the fruits of the tree are collected and cracked open, the blond nut kernel inside contains no apparent oil. But when the kernel dries on a rack for a month or so, it turns a deep, chocolate brown, and becomes sticky with a rich, pleasant-smelling oil. Using a simple screw press, the oil is squeezed from the dark kernels. The resulting oil of tamanu is dark green and luxurious. Though oil of tamanu is thick and rich, once it is applied to skin it is readily and completely absorbed, leaving no oily residue.

 

Rice Bran Oil also called Rice Bran Extract, is derived from the “Bran” layer of a grain of Rice. Bran is hard, brown, and high in oil content. Rice Bran Oil is known for its ability to cleanse, soften, moisturize, soothe, nourish, and smooth the skin. It slows the look of aging and brightens the complexion. Used topically, Rice Bran Carrier Oil improves circulation, evens out skin tone, and minimizes the appearance of dark circles and puffiness around the eye area. It increases skin’s natural regeneration, encourages moisture retention, and soothes irritation. Used in hair, Rice Bran Carrier Oil repairs dryness, damage, and brittleness. It facilitates hair growth while preventing the premature development of grey hair.

Rosehip Oil Rosehips are the tiny, reddish-orange, edible, spherical fruits that remain on a Rose bush after Roses have bloomed, lost their petals, and died and is often being regarded as the "Oil of Youth". This oil effectively reduces the appearance of scars, accelerates skin regeneration, facilitates the healing of wounds and burns, and soothes skin dryness and inflammation.

Rosehip Carrier Oil is suitable for all skin types, including skin that is sensitive, dry, oily, scarred, or damaged by UV radiation. Skin types that are oily or acne-prone will benefit more from using it sparingly, as it may aggravate such skin conditions. Rosehip Carrier Oil is reputed for its healing and anti-aging properties and is thus often featured in natural products for mature skin. It works to accelerate skin regeneration and to reduce the appearance of minor skin conditions such as those involving enlarged pores or age spots, thereby restoring, and maintaining a youthful appearance. It effectively soothes skin afflicted by dryness, eczema, hyper-pigmentation, and psoriasis. This lightweight, easily absorbed oil does not leave an oily residue on the skin's surface. It restores elasticity to skin with wrinkles and stretch marks, minimizing the appearance of both. This "Oil of Youth" replenishes skin's moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin that prevents its dehydration. Applied to areas with rough skin such as knees, elbows, and calloused heels, Rosehip Carrier Oil softens skin to restore its suppleness.