Everything You Need to Know About Beauty Oils

I swear when I tell you this – the best thing I've ever done for my skin was slathered oil across my face.  It's been over a year since I discovered Rodin Olio Lusso, a luxurious face oil that I use all the time (see post here) and since, the demand for beauty oils has exploded.  Results drive passion for a product, which drives me to want to tell you about it.  Here's a breakdown on different types of oils and why you need them in your life. Body Oil:

When you get out of the shower, pat yourself dry and use a body oil on your damp skin. Unlike lotions and moisturizers, the oil can penetrate deeper into your skin and really boost hydration.  Of course, you can still apply lotion on top and I recommend you do as it keeps getting colder out.

• Salma Hayek's Jojoba Dual Phase Body Oil, $12.99 at CVS
• Fresh Sugar Body Oil, $45 at Sephora
• Neutrogena Body Oil, $7.99 at drugstore

Face Oil:

Face oils have multiple benefits and each cater to different skincare needs from moisturization to acne and aging.  You will not break out from applying the proper face oil to your skin.  Determine your skin's needs and use a face oil alone or under a moisturizer.  For example, tea tree oil is an antibacterial and helps to prevent acne.  You'll notice skincare benefits as well as that effortless, model-like, dewy sheen.

• The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil (acne), $9.50 at thebodyshop-usa.com
• Rodin Olio Lusso Face Oil (moisturization), $150 at oliolusso.com
• Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil (aging), $50 at clarinsusa.com

Hair Oil:

Not only will it help condition your strands (hello hot tools), but it can also help make them stronger.  There are so many ways to use it depending on the type – ie: massaging your scalp and hair and leaving it on overnight as a real treatment, running it through your strands and leaving it on for 10 minutes before you shampoo or simply as a styling product.

• Leonor Greyl Huile Secret de Beaute, $66 at leonorgreyl-usa.com
• Matrix Biolage Exquisite Oil Tamanu Oil Blend, $22 at salons
• Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishing Moroccan Argan Oil Leave-In Treatment, $12 at avon.com 

Multitasking Oil:

If you're going to invest in one, this is it.  They're great to use on your skin, hair and nails to say the least.  I bring one along with me when I'm traveling.

• Bio-Oil, 11.99 at drugstores
• Votre Vu Amour D’Ore Les Vitamines Pour Vous, $49 at votrevu.com
• Caudalie Divine Oil, $9 at Caudalie.com

Healing Oil:

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their healing properties and now, research is backing up their claims.  Some provide relief for your body and others for your mind.

• Weleda Arnica Massage Oil (muscles), $22.50, at Whole Foods
• Jurlique Clarity Blend Essential Oil (mind), $23 at jurlique.com
• Elemis Quiet Mind Temple Balm (mind), $30 at timetospa.com

The Ultimate Face & Hair Oil Cheat Sheet

I'm not sure how you feel about it, but a few years ago I was completely skeptical.  Rubbing oil on your face just sounds like an oxymoron.  Deathly afraid of breaking out I wouldn't do it.  And rubbing oil into my scalp?  Are you kidding?  Sounds like I'm just asking to look like a grease ball.  Well ladies, I guess you can say I learned a thing or two about beauty. Truth is: oils help regulate the sebum production in the skin and on your scalp.  Here's the deal: Hair

• Purpose: Condition, add shine shine & reduce frizz
• Types: Argan & monoi are the most popular types.
• Use: Massage a dime sized amount into your scalp.  If you have fine hair keep it concentrated there, but if you have medium to coarse hair take it down to the mid-shaft and ends.  You can treat your hair with oil weekly.
• Product Recommendation: Leonor Greyl Regenerescence Naturelle Hair Oil (natural), Borghese Salermo Silkening Hair Oil (light weight), Moroccanoil Oil Treatment (medium, but they also have a lightweight version)

Face

• Purpose: Regulate oil production, add moisture & calm the skin
• Types: There's one for all skin types.  Tea tree for acne prone, balancing for oily complexions, hydrating for dry and so on...
• Use: Despite what you think, using oil on your face can only help regulate oil production.  Yes, even if you have oily skin.  If you strip your natural oils, you're only encouraging more production.  Use oil at night in place of your moisturizer if your skin is really dry or add it to your moisturizer.  Use an oil that suits your skin type nightly for best results.
• Product Recommendations: Rodin Olio Lusso (hydration), Darphin Chamomile  Oil (sensitive skin), The Body Shop Tea Tree Collection (acne prone), Josie Maran Argan Oil (mature skin)

Intern Review: Run, Don't Walk, Towards Hair Oil

As the seasons change from humid summer to crispy fall, so does my daily hair regimen. During the summer months, my hair is frizzy, huge, and downright gross. It takes four different products to weigh it down. The complete opposite is true for the colder seasons; my hair becomes dry and brittle... until Jeannine asked me to test Ojon's Restorative Hair Treatment, $19.50. The description had me hooked by boasting repairing damaged hair in just one treatment without parabens, but when I read in the directions to take the balm and rub between my palms to create an oil I wanted to abort the mission then and there. My hair is very fine and gets oily all on its own. I don't need products to add to the grease that forms within twenty four hours of shampooing. However, I couldn't resist the terrific, tropical smell and decided to try it out – at least for testing purposes.

I started by taking a very small amount (the box suggests 1/2 a teaspoon, but I used even less) and creating the oil. I then mentally crossed my fingers and ran the oil first through my ends, then the rest of my hair. After a couple minutes, I combed my hair to ensure it was thoroughly saturated. Despite my initial inhibitions, I was ecstatic with the results! My hair looked shinier and healthier than ever and I couldn't even feel the oil. The effect lasted throughout the day with no signs of greasiness. I have been using it every day since and my hair has never looked better!