Oil in skincare should never be a contentious topic, but it is. Many of us have a close minded suspicion of oils, and our skin is worse off for it. People regularly tell me that they won’t use oils because they make skin oilier, or because they clog your skin. These are all myths, and very unhelpful ones at that.
A skincare routine that includes good quality oils is key to good skin – no matter what your skin type, oils will benefit you. Though it might seem counterintuitive, oils are good for oily skin as well as dry.
While they insulate and moisturise all skin types, oils will keep oily skin comfortable.
When you use products which are intended to “dry out” oily skin – namely alcohol-rich cleansers and toners – you pitch skin into oil production overload as it tries to compensate for the lost oil.
Ditch the alcohol and include a facial oil in your routine two to three times per week; skin will be more balanced, and less oily as a result.
Mineral oil – a petroleum by-product which is pumped into cheaper products to bulk them out – can congest the skin.
If you see it on the ingredients list for a product, avoid it. It is essentially petroleum jelly, and has its uses, but none of those are on your face.
Oiling a squeaky hinge might be more appropriate. It is also a very cheap ingredient, so its presence in expensive products generally indicates that corners have been cut, and it isn’t worth spending on.
The higher it is on the ingredients list, the more of it is in the product, so always check ingredients before buying. Good quality oils can very easily approach the price of a high-end serum, so if you’re investing, it’s worth conducting a bit of research first.
YSL Forever Youth Liberator Water-in-Oil (€80) has just been released and is a lovely option for genuinely dry, mature skins.
The texture is incredibly light – more like a serum than an oil, and though it doesn’t disappear into skin (a good oil won’t), it doesn’t leave any greasy heaviness either. On a dry skin, this also works beautifully under makeup.
Nude Progenius Rescue Oil (€70) is just another hit from a brand that rarely seems to get anything wrong. This rich but light golden oil contains rosemary and thyme oils which explain the delicious, almost medicinal scent.
Cold pressed rosehip oil offers omegas 3 and 6 as well as vitamin C. This oil is as effective as it is luxuriant.
Crème de la Mer The Renewal Oil (€180 from October) is a new departure from one of the world's most famously expensive skincare brands. Though at almost €200 this is very expensive indeed, it is significantly less expensive than many la Mer products.
Mineral oil free, this concoction contains the brand’s famous mineral broth at the bottom of the bottle – shake vigorously to combine it with the oil, and you have a very hardworking, long-lasting product.
lkennedy@irishtimes.com
