Which skin oil is suitable for my skin type?
Skin oils are especially used in the cold season because they provide rich care. There are a variety of application options and manufacturers’ claims can be promising. Here you will learn which skin oil matches your skin type and what you should consider.
What exactly are skin oils?
Just as skin types differ, so do their needs. Skin oils are intended to meet these varying demands and optimally protect the skin from moisture loss and environmental influences. They are used either short-term, for example to relieve skin conditions, as part of daily body care, or for massage. Oils are also used to remove make-up and dirt particles from pores.
Skin oils include facial and body oils as well as massage and sun oils. However, because skin oils contain a lot of fat, the persistent rumor exists that they should not be used on oily or blemished skin. The exact opposite is true. Using the right care oil can reduce sebum production in oily skin and prevent skin inflammation. But which oil is right for which skin type? We clarify this question here.
What types of skin oils are there?
Whether a skin oil suits your type depends on the proportion of saturated fatty acids. Natural cosmetics distinguish between drying, semi-drying and non-drying oils. But what exactly is the difference?
Decisive for whether an oil is absorbed quickly or slowly is its fatty acid profile. For the face, quickly absorbing oils are often used; body and massage oils may leave an oily film on the skin. The skin type also plays an important role in selecting the skin oil. For oily skin a drying oil is recommended, for dry skin rather an oil with a high fatty acid content.
Drying skin oils
Drying skin oils are those with a proportion of unsaturated fatty acids of more than 50 percent. These so‑called drying oils absorb quickly and do not leave an oily film on the skin. Examples include rosehip oil and grapeseed oil.
Semi-drying skin oils
Semi-drying oils have an unsaturated fatty acid proportion between 20 and 30 percent. They are richer, which means they are absorbed more slowly. They are also called medium-spreading oils. These include evening primrose oil and prickly pear seed oil.
Non-drying skin oils
These oils provide particularly intensive care, absorb very slowly, are re-fatting and leave a glossy film of oil on the skin. This category includes, for example, coconut oil and avocado oil.
Massage oils
Non-drying oils are often used for massages, because the oil film facilitates the massage while also conditioning the skin.
Shimmer oil
Shimmer oils give the skin a glow. This is achieved by fine glitter particles added to the shimmer oils. The glitter effect intensifies when the skin is tanned.
Sunscreen oil
Sunscreen oil is intended to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UV radiation and the consequent sunburn while also conditioning it. The higher the sun protection factor (SPF), the better the protection.
Finding the right oil for every skin type:
Which oil suits oily and blemished skin?
If you have oily or blemished skin, you should choose a drying oil. It absorbs quickly and thus prevents shine. Thanks to sebum-regulating ingredients, the skin produces less oil because it already receives sufficient amounts from outside. In addition, drying facial oil can be used on pimples, as it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. These facial oils suit oily skin:
- Argan oil
- Rosehip oil
- Castor oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Hemp oil
Which oils cause skin blemishes?
Some cosmetic oils are not suitable for blemished skin because they can clog pores and trigger impurities such as pimples. These oils are described as comedogenic. These include coconut oil, olive oil and wheat germ oil. You should avoid these if you have blemished skin.
Which oil is suitable for irritated and sensitive skin?
You can recognise sensitive and irritated skin by frequent redness and irritation. For skin care, use natural oils without paraffin. These include:
- Evening primrose oil
- Borage oil
- Marula oil
- Blackcurrant oil
- Hemp oil
Which skin oil should I use for dry skin?
Dry skin needs rich, moisture-restoring care, so you should avoid non-drying oils. Especially in the cold season the skin quickly dehydrates, for example from heated indoor air. Oils with a high content of saturated fatty acids quickly compensate for moisture loss, so that dry, often itchy areas become supple again. These skin oils are:
- Coconut oil
- Almond oil
- Rosehip oil
- Argan oil
- Jojoba oil
- Avocado oil
Are skin oils recommended for rosacea?
Rosacea is among the most common skin conditions in adults. The skin itches, burns, is reddened and extremely sensitive; small papules often form. Dermatologists and cosmeticians generally advise against skin oils. Special creams that are intended to reduce redness are preferable.
Which skin oil suits mature skin?
With age sebum production decreases and the skin becomes drier. Nourishing, regenerating and moisturizing oils cold-pressed from seeds or nuts closely resemble the skin’s natural lipids, which is why they are best suited for mature skin. These include:
- Jojoba oil
- Almond oil
- Avocado oil
- Argan oil
Which oil is suitable for normal skin?
Normal skin tolerates various oils. A drying skin oil that absorbs quickly and does not leave an oily film on the skin—such as rosehip oil or hemp oil—is recommended.
How to apply skin oil correctly
First cleanse your skin thoroughly, removing make-up and dirt from the pores. Lightly dampen your skin afterwards so it can absorb the oil more effectively. If you use the skin oil in the evening, it can act overnight. Put a few drops into your palms and warm it slightly by rubbing them together. Then distribute it evenly over the skin and massage it in well.
Face or body?
If you are wondering whether you can use the same oil on your face as on your body, bear in mind that the structure of facial skin differs from that of the REST of the body. Facial skin is thinner and more permeable. Therefore the care oil does not need to be as rich as for the body. Depending on skin type, a drying oil is often sufficient. For dry, chapped facial skin, however, it is advisable to use a non-drying oil.
What to look for when buying a skin oil
- Use cold-pressed or virgin oil, as it still contains all active ingredients.
- Pay particular attention to high-quality ingredients for facial care. Organic oils are somewhat more expensive, but for the most part contain natural ingredients that suit facial care and are better for the environment.
- To preserve the nutrients for a long time, store the skin oil protected from light. The darker the container, the better the oil is protected.
Useful tips for skin oil
- You can use the skin oil to remove eye make-up. Even waterproof make-up can be removed with oil without difficulty.
- If you mix a few drops of oil into your day cream, you protect your skin from environmental influences.
- If you mix serum with oil and apply it to the still-damp face, you enhance the serum’s effect.
- If you blend a little oil into your foundation, your face gets a healthy glow. You can also use it as a highlighter for cheeks and lips.