For acne, scars and circles under the eyes: the properties of natural oils

Many people know about the benefits of natural oils. But often women use them for limited purposes. Flaxseed oil is drunk for weight loss, it is smeared with coconut oil for tanning, hair is strengthened with burdock, and eyelashes and eyebrows are “extended” with castor oil. Meanwhile, many oils have other, truly magical properties, thanks to which they can replace a whole arsenal of expensive cosmetics. Read about the features of using the most popular oils, take notes and save on branded cosmetics without compromising beauty and health.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is ideal for safe tanning / istockphoto.com

Coconut oil is incredibly nutritious. It is great for repairing dry, chapped skin (for example, after a summer vacation). Moreover, it can be safely used not only for the body, but also for the face: coconut oil treats chapped lips, moisturizes and smoothes the delicate skin around the eyes. In addition, it is ideal for a beautiful, long-lasting and safe tan: dermatologists have proven that this oil has natural protection against ultraviolet radiation (SPF at about 7-9 units).

Besides, Coconut oil - one of the leaders in natural hair care. Just a few masks from it are able to return the natural shine to dull strands. If you are concerned about dry and split ends, apply coconut oil to that problem area two to three times a week. And hairdressers advise using it after dyeing hair: it creates a protective film on the surface of each hair, thereby "sealing" the coloring pigment inside the curls.

Another interesting effect of coconut oil is that it is able to straighten and smooth unruly curls. Daily masks for two weeks (in combination with olive oil 1: 1) may well compete in their effectiveness with keratin smoothening. To maintain the effect of even hair, such masks are then enough to do two to three times a week.

Olive oil

Olive oil is great for makeup remover / istockphoto.com

Natural olive oil finds its application not only in the kitchen. It is an excellent basic care product for all skin types. Supporters of oil wash say that it copes with any dirt and perfectly works as a make-up remover (yes, it removes even waterproof mascara). As a bonus, olive oil saturates the skin with a whole complex of vitamins: it is especially rich in vitamin E, which maintains skin elasticity and smoothes fine wrinkles.

Along with coconut oil, olive oil can be used as an eye cream. And due to its anti-inflammatory properties, olive oil is ideal for making homemade scrubs. The only thing professional cosmetologists do not recommend combining it with sugar (many recipes from the Internet are based on this). It is better to use ground coffee for these purposes.

Castor oil

Castor oil removes impurities from the skin / istockphoto.com

Castor oil has two popular uses. The first is ingestion to cleanse the intestines and the whole body. The second is to stimulate the growth of eyelashes and eyebrows. And if doctors have questions about the first method of application, then beauticians are unanimous about the second method: it works. True, it must be used without fanaticism: one drop is enough for each eye. It is distributed over the eyebrows in the direction of growth. Along the eyelashes from tip to eyelid, trying not to get on the mucous membrane.

One of the interesting properties of castor oil is its ability to gently cleanse the skin. Therefore, many dermatologists advise using it in oil washing procedures (optimally in combination with olive oil). In addition, castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which helps the skin restore its elasticity. Therefore, it is quite effective in combating stretch marks and is able to smooth out shallow scars.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil fights acne and rosacea / istockphoto.com

Tea tree oil is a unique natural antiseptic. Usually it is used pointwise: for example, to dry an unexpected pimple, it is enough to put a drop of oil on it for just a couple of hours. This property can be used for problem skin prone to redness and breakouts. However, you cannot apply pure tea tree oil to your face (it can cause skin irritation). It is better to prepare a lotion based on it for washing (for this you need to add a few drops of oil to the infusion of green tea and / or sage) and regularly wipe your skin with it in the morning and in the evening.

A drop of this oil can be added to your regular face cream just before use. This life hack perfectly dries and mattifies oily and combination skin. However, remember that tea tree oil is only suitable for cosmetic purposes. It is quite toxic and can cause poisoning if taken internally.

Rosehip oil

Rosehip oil helps fight scars / istockphoto.com

An undeservedly forgotten oil that few people use. Nevertheless, in cosmetology, it is considered one of the most nutritious. It is the leader in antioxidants and fatty acids (such as omega-3 and omega-6). Thanks to this, rosehip oil is very effective for skin regeneration. True, because of its fat content, it is not very suitable for washing or using it instead of a cream. But when applied as a point, this oil is good for stretch marks, it is able to "dissolve" burns, scars and acne spots.

Hazelnut oil

Hazelnut oil helps shrink pores / istockphoto.com

Hazelnut oil has an amazing property - it slightly tightens the skin, reducing pore size. For dry and aging skin, this, of course, is a minus, but for owners oily skin the effect can be very pleasant. In addition, hazelnut oil is excellent at fighting acne, rosacea and skin inflammation. It is suitable for washing in its pure form, as it does not cause (unlike tea tree oil) irritation and flaking.

As a hair care product, hazelnut oil can be compared to both castor oil and coconut oil. It has been proven that masks based on it prevent hair loss. In addition, hazelnut oil has proven itself to be a good after-stain care. It "seals" the hair scales and helps to maintain hair color for a long time.

Almond oil

Almond oil removes bruises and circles under the eyes / istockphoto.com

Almond oil has a very light texture, absorbs quickly and does not leave a greasy feeling. Thanks to this, adherents of oil skin care advise beginners to start with it. This oil contains vitamins A and E, which effectively slow down the aging process, as well as vitamin F, which regulates sebum production, gently tightens pores, relieves redness and irritation. You can use almond oil instead of face cream: it is suitable for all skin types, without exception.

Almond oil is one of the few oils that is ideal for use on the skin under the eyes. Moreover, it has one magical effect: with regular use, it thickens these areas and visibly brightens them. Therefore, the owners of "chronic" bruising under the eyes you need to take a note of almond oil. The only thing dermatologists warn about is that when buying this oil, be sure to check what kind of almond it is made from. For cosmetic use, you need to take oil from sweet almonds. Bitter almonds contain toxic substances (hydrocyanic acid and benzaldehyde) that can be harmful to the skin.

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