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19 September 2024The use of vegetable oils in skin care goes back centuries.
Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and Greeks, discovered the many benefits of these natural oils for the skin.
Thanks to their richness in essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, they provide numerous benefits to our epidermis.
Today, faced with the diversity of oils available, choosing the right vegetable oil can seem complex.
This article will guide you through the selection process, so you can find the perfect oil for your skin type.
Why choose a vegetable oil to care for your skin?
Vegetable oils are an excellent alternative to conventional skincare products, which are often full of chemicals.
They are 100% natural and generally well tolerated by even the most sensitive skin.
What’s more, they have many beneficial properties for the skin, including :
- Deep hydration
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Antioxidant properties
- Regulation of sebum production
Unlike conventional creams and lotions, which often contain synthetic substances that can irritate the skin, vegetable oils are a gentler, more environmentally-friendly option.
They are also rich in essential nutrients that deeply nourish the skin and repair damage caused by free radicals, sun or pollution.
Know your skin type before choosing a vegetable oil
It’s essential to know your skin type before choosing a vegetable oil, as each skin type has different needs.
Here’s how to identify your skin type and the vegetable oils best suited to it.
Identify your skin type
- Dry skin: Your skin tends to feel tight, rough or cracked.
It may also look dull and lack suppleness. - Oily skin: Your face is constantly shiny, especially in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin).
You’re also more likely to develop acne or blackheads. - Combination skin: You have oily areas, particularly on the forehead, nose and chin, and dry areas on the cheeks.
- Sensitive skin: Your skin reacts easily to cosmetic products or the environment.
It is prone to redness, irritation and inflammation. - Mature skin: Your skin is showing signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines or loss of elasticity.
Vegetable oil for dry skin
Dry skin often lacks natural sebum, leading to dehydration.
A vegetable oil rich in fatty acids and vitamins is ideal for deeply nourishing and protecting the skin.
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- Pure Avocado Oil 125ml – This oil is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins E and A. It deeply moisturizes and helps restore the skin’s lipid barrier.
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- Pure Almond Oil 125ml – Gentle and soothing, almond oil is ideal for softening and soothing dry skin irritations.
Vegetable oil for oily skin
Contrary to popular belief, oils can be beneficial for oily skin.
Simply choose light, non-comedogenic oils to avoid clogging pores and control excess sebum.
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- Jojoba Oil – This oil mimics the skin’s natural sebum, helping to regulate its production.
It is light and does not leave a greasy film on the skin. - Pure Linseed Oil 125ml – Linseed oil is ideal for its anti-inflammatory properties and rapid absorption.
It is particularly beneficial for skin prone to acne and excess sebum.
- Jojoba Oil – This oil mimics the skin’s natural sebum, helping to regulate its production.
Vegetable oil for combination skin
Combination skin requires a balance between hydration and sebum regulation.
Plant oils must meet both these needs without weighing the skin down or drying it out.
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- Pure Coconut Oil 125ml – Known for its moisturizing properties, coconut oil is ideal for nourishing dry areas while remaining light enough for oily areas.
- Jojoba Oil – An excellent choice for balancing sebum production in oily areas while moisturizing drier parts.
Vegetable oil for sensitive skin
Sensitive skin often reacts to aggressive cosmetic products.
Gentle, soothing plant oils, such as those mentioned below, can calm redness and inflammation without irritating the skin.
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- Calendula Oil – Calendula oil is gentle and anti-inflammatory, making it perfect for soothing irritated and sensitive skin.
- Pure Almond Oil 125ml – Rich in vitamin E, this oil is ideal for soothing and softening sensitive skin, while protecting it from external irritants.
Plant oil for mature skin
Vegetable oils rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids are perfect for helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and maintain skin elasticity.
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- Pure Castor Oil 125ml – Thanks to its moisturizing properties and ability to stimulate collagen production, castor oil is ideal for mature skin seeking a firming effect.
- Pure Avocado Oil 125ml – Avocado oil is particularly rich in antioxidants and vitamins, helping to protect skin from free radical damage and reduce the signs of aging.
How to choose the right vegetable oil
When choosing a vegetable oil, it’s important to check several criteria to ensure the product’s quality and effectiveness.
Here are a few points to consider:
Check the quality of the vegetable oil
Always choose high-quality oils, preferably organic, cold-pressed and unrefined.
Low-quality oils, often refined or blended with synthetic substances, may contain pesticide residues or chemical solvents.
These impurities can irritate the skin or reduce the oil’s effectiveness.
- Cold-pressed: Cold-pressed oils retain their nutrients and benefits, as they are not exposed to high temperatures during extraction.
- Certified organic: Choose certified organic oils to ensure that they contain no pesticides or other chemicals.
Choose a vegetable oil adapted to your specific needs
Vegetable oils can be used for a variety of purposes.
Depending on your needs, you should choose the one that meets your specific objectives.
- Moisturizing: Oils rich in fatty acids, such as avocado oil and coconut oil, are perfect for skin that lacks moisture.
- Sebum regulation: To balance sebum production, light oils such as jojoba or argan are ideal.
- Anti-aging: Oils like rosehip oil, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, are perfect for reducing the signs of aging.
How do you test a vegetable oil on your skin?
Before incorporating a new plant oil into your routine, it’s essential to carry out a skin test to avoid any allergic reactions or irritation.
Here’s how to perform a tolerance test:
The skin test method
- Apply a small amount of oil to a discreet area of your skin, such as the inside of your wrist or behind your ear.
- Wait 24 to 48 hours to observe any reaction.
If you notice redness, itching or a rash, the oil is probably not suitable for your skin. - If no reaction appears, you can use the oil with confidence in your daily routine.
Signs to watch for after applying vegetable oil
Even if a vegetable oil is reputed to be gentle and suitable for all skin types, it is still possible that some people may react to a specific component.
Look out for the following signs after application:
- Redness
- Itching
- Burning sensation
- Small rashes
If you notice these symptoms, stop using the oil immediately and consult a dermatologist if necessary.
Versatile vegetable oils for all skin types
Some vegetable oils are known for their versatile properties and can be used by all skin types.
These oils offer an excellent balance between hydration, protection and sebum regulation.
Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil is one of the most versatile.
It mimics the skin’s natural sebum, making it ideal for balancing sebum production in oily skin while moisturizing dry skin.
What’s more, it’s lightweight and non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores.
Argan oil
Rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants,argan oil is ideal for protecting skin from external aggression and restoring its elasticity.
It is suitable for all skin types, especially dry and mature skin.
The best vegetable oils for all skin types
In this section, we present a selection of vegetable oils available on our site, each with unique benefits for different skin types.
Pure Castor Oil 125ml
Castor oil is ideal for dry, sensitive skin.
It has anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties that help soothe and deeply nourish the skin.
Buy now here
Pure Coconut Oil 125ml
Coconut oil is an excellent option for moisturizing dry and combination skin.
Its light texture and richness in fatty acids make it a versatile oil suitable for many skincare routines.
Buy now here
Pure Avocado Oil 125ml
Recommended for dry and mature skin, avocado oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, providing intense hydration and an anti-aging effect.
Buy now here
Pure Almond Oil 125ml
Almond oil is known for its softening and soothing properties.
It is suitable for sensitive skin, reducing irritation and nourishing the skin.
Buy now here
Amla Oil 125ml
Amla oil is an excellent choice for revitalizing skin and hair thanks to its wealth of antioxidants and essential nutrients.
Buy now here
Pure Linseed Oil 125ml
Linseed oil is ideal for irritated or acne-prone skin, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
It helps balance sebum production and calm redness.
Buy now here
How do you incorporate a vegetable oil into your beauty routine?
Incorporating a vegetable oil into your beauty routine may seem daunting at first, but it’s actually quite simple.
Here are some effective ways to get the most out of your vegetable oil:
Using vegetable oil as a serum
After cleansing, apply a few drops of oil directly to your face.
Massage gently to absorb the oil.
You can also use it as a serum before applying your moisturizer for extra care.
Mix a vegetable oil with your moisturizer
If you find that using an oil alone is too rich for your skin, you can mix a few drops of vegetable oil with your usual moisturizing cream.
This will reinforce the benefits of your cream while providing extra hydration.
Apply vegetable oil as a face mask
For intensive care, apply a generous layer of oil to your face and leave on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing off with a gentle cleanser.
This moisturizing mask will leave your skin soft, nourished and radiant.
Mistakes to avoid when using vegetable oils
Although vegetable oils offer many benefits, it is possible to make certain mistakes when using them.
Here are a few pitfalls to avoid:
Use too much oil
Applying too much oil can make your skin too greasy and clog your pores.
We recommend using only a few drops at a time, adjusting according to your skin’s needs.
Neglecting oil quality
Buying cheap, refined oils can compromise the benefits you’re looking for.
Invest in high-quality, certified organic, cold-pressed oils.
Mix several oils without testing
Each oil has different properties, and mixing several oils without knowing their effects can lead to adverse reactions.
It’s best to introduce one oil at a time into your routine to see how your skin reacts.
Conclusion
Choosing the best plant oil for your skin type requires an understanding of your specific needs and the properties of each oil.
Whether you have dry, oily, combination, sensitive or mature skin, there’s an oil to suit you.
Vegetable oils offer a natural, nourishing solution to improve your skin’s health, reduce irritation and prevent the signs of aging.
By heeding the advice presented in this article and making informed choices, you can integrate vegetable oils optimally into your beauty routine and enjoy all their benefits.