You’ve probably heard that people with oily skin are more prone to blemishes than people with normal or even dry skin. If this is true, it stands to reason that putting oil on your face is a bad thing. But what if everything you currently know about oil and acne is wrong? Here’s how using an organic face wash and adding oil intentionally to your face can actually help balance your skin and make you less prone to breakouts.
How Oil Affects Your Skin
Your body naturally produces oil to keep your skin soft and supple. Without it, your outer layer would dry up and eventually peel away. Unfortunately, some people have a problem producing too much oil. When this happens, the pores can become clogged and bacteria can get trapped in your skin. Unfortunately, many people with oily skin think the answer is to deprive their skin of moisture. If you do this, your skin may dry out for the short term, but your body will likely compensate by producing even more of its own oils.
So, how do you help balance your body’s production of oil and minimize breakouts? The answer may surprise you. Adding specific types of oil to your organic face wash routine can deliver the results you want. Applying oil topically to your face lets your body know it doesn’t need to produce so much of its own oil anymore.
Choosing the Right Oil
Hormone changes can stimulate the production of acne. For women, hormones change significantly during menstruation. There are certain oils that can not only soothe irritated skin and keep acne at bay, but minimize your other monthly symptoms as well. If possible, look for an oil or combination of oils that have some or all of the following ingredients:
- Clary sage
- Bergamot
- Peppermint
- Geranium
- Lemon
Clary sage calms inflammation and can keep skin irritation at bay to reduce acne. Bergamot combats anxiety and depression. Peppermint relieves nausea, fights cramps and soothes irritated skin. Geranium decreases fatigue and helps balance your temperament. Lemon is a potent mood-booster that can help you glide through your period with minimal side effects.
In addition to using these natural ingredients, you can also minimize cramping and irritation by using natural feminine hygiene products. The best organic tampons don’t contain chemicals, fragrances, dyes or other components that can make your monthly symptoms worse.
Now that you know how natural oils can benefit your skin, it’s important to be aware of the harmful oils you should avoid at all costs. Never put polyunsaturated fats on your face or anywhere else on your body. Polyunsaturated fats are usually made for cooking. They can speed up the aging process by causing cell damage and oxidation. The list of polyunsaturated oils to keep away from your face include:
- Vegetable oil
- Fish oil
- Peanut oil
- Sesame oil
- Avocado oil
- Palm oil
- Soybean oil
This list isn’t exhaustive but includes some of the most common culprits. Oils that are generally good for your skin include many essential oils and healthy saturated fats such as coconut oil and shea butter. Try applying a healthy oil to your face after using an organic face wash and watch how your skin responds.
