Vegetable oils: Natural treasures for radiant, healthy skin
To choose a plant oil for your skin, start from what it needs: sweet almond or avocado for dry skin, jojoba for combination to oily skin, prickly pear seed or argan for mature skin, hemp for combination and sensitive skin. 2 to 3 drops on clean, slightly damp skin, morning or evening, are enough.
Plant oils are simple skincare: a single raw material, cold-pressed, with no water or preservative. Rich in fatty acids and often in vitamin E, they nourish the skin and help it stay supple. Here is how to choose yours and use it every day.
Why use a plant oil on your skin?
The surface of the skin is protected by a film made of water and lipids. The fatty acids in plant oils are close to these lipids: they help maintain this film, which limits water loss. The day-to-day result: softer, suppler skin that feels less tight. Well chosen and used in small amounts, an oil does not leave the skin greasy.
Which oil for which skin type?
| Skin type | Recommended oil | Why | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry, tight-feeling | Sweet almond, avocado | Rich, nourishing, comfortable textures | In the evening, or after the shower on the body |
| Combination to oily | Jojoba | Very fluid, dry touch, close to sebum | Morning or evening, 2 drops |
| Blemish-prone | Nigella, as a small touch | 1 drop mixed into a gentle oil | In the evening |
| Mature, dull | Prickly pear seed, argan | Nourish and bring radiance | In the evening, with a massage |
| Combination and sensitive | Hemp | Light, rich in omega 6 and 3 | Morning or evening |
To go further for your skin: which organic plant oil for sensitive skin and which organic plant oil for oily skin.
How to apply a plant oil
- Cleanse your skin, then pat without drying completely: slightly damp skin spreads the oil better.
- Put 2 to 3 drops in the palm of your hand and warm them between your palms.
- Apply with gentle presses on the face, then smooth from the centre outwards.
- Or mix 1 drop into your usual cream if you prefer.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using too much: a few drops are enough for the whole face.
- Leaving the bottle in light or heat: keep it tightly closed, in a cool place.
- Choosing an oil that is too rich for combination skin: prefer jojoba or hemp.
Pauline's tip: start with a single oil for two to three weeks before trying another, to see clearly how your skin takes to it. And always do a patch test in the crook of your elbow before first use.
Choosing a good plant oil
- Cold-pressed and virgin: this is what preserves its fatty acids and vitamin E.
- Certified organic: all Naturoleum oils are COSMOS Organic certified by Ecocert, 100% pure and packaged in France, in glass bottles.
- Keep the opening date in mind: use it within 12 months of opening.
Good to know: the basket discount applies automatically, -10% from 2 oils and -15% from 3.
Frequently asked questions
Does a plant oil make skin greasy?
No, if the amount is right (2 to 3 drops) and the oil suits your skin type. Jojoba and hemp are the lightest.
Can an oil replace my cream?
Yes, many skin types are happy with it. Applied to damp skin, the oil nourishes and helps keep the skin supple. You can also keep your cream and add a drop of oil to it.
Morning or evening?
Both work. The evening gives the oil time to absorb; in the morning, let it absorb for 5 minutes before make-up or sunscreen.
How long does a plant oil keep?
12 months after opening for Naturoleum oils, bottle tightly closed, away from light and heat.
Key takeaways
A good plant oil is pure, cold-pressed and chosen for your skin. A few drops on damp skin are enough for soft, comfortable skin. For the body, see also our guide to the organic plant oils to hydrate the body and face.
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