Types of Oils for Skin
Here are some natural oils that can benefit the skin.
Coconut Oil
Research suggests that coconut oil has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound healing properties. It can also help with damaged hair and skin barrier repair.
Almond Oil
There’s some research suggesting a link between topical application of almond oil and anti-aging effects. Almond oil may also help with skin barrier repair.
Grapeseed Oil
Studies suggest that grapeseed oil has anti-bacterial, antioxidant, and wound healing properties. It may have possible anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects as well.
Olive Oil
According to animal and human studies, olive oil may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound healing effects when applied topically. There’s also a possible link between topical application of olive oil and anti-aging effects.
Sunflower Seed Oil
There’s evidence that sunflower seed oil may help with skin barrier repair. Research also shows that it has anti-inflammatory effects and may help with wound healing.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is a popular skincare oil that can help with skin barrier repair. Studies suggest that it has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects. Topical application has also been shown to have an anti-aging effect on skin by improving skin elasticity.
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip seed oil may help with skin barrier repair. There’s also evidence that it can help fight signs of aging and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Jojoba Oil
There’s promising research on jojoba oil that suggests it can aid in skin barrier repair. It also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound healing properties. Jojoba oil can also improve the absorption of topically applied medications. It may have anti-bacterial effects.
Marula Oil
Research shows that marula oil has significant moisturizing benefits for the skin. It’s also non-irritating and may help the skin retain moisture.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has been used to help manage acne, as an anti-fungal, and to reduce inflammation.
Safflower Seed Oil
Sometimes used in cooking, safflower seed oil has also been used directly on the skin to help manage signs of eczema.
How Oils Are Used for Skincare
Cosmetic and skincare companies frequently use natural oils as ingredients in their products. Natural oils are popular because many are gentler on the skin than synthetic ingredients. You’ll find natural oils in all types of products, including cleansers, moisturizers, face masks, soaps, face oils, serums, and more.
Many natural oils, like coconut oil, can be directly applied to the skin. Although, you should be careful when using oils directly on your face—especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
Note that natural oils are not the same as essential oils. Essential oils should be diluted with a carrier oil because they are very potent and can cause irritation. Do a patch test on your skin when using any product for the first time to check for potential allergic reactions.
Composition
Why are natural oils so effective for the skin? It’s because they contain a host of ingredients with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, including:
Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin E Vitamin D Polyphenols Flavonoids Botanical antioxidants Coenzyme Q10 Omega-3 fatty acids
Benefits
Natural oils have a variety of research-backed benefits.
Many natural oils:
Moisturize (keep the skin from losing moisture)Soothe the skin (have an emollient effect)Have antioxidant effects (prevent damage from free radicals)Have anti-bacterial propertiesHave anti-inflammatory effects
Barrier Repair
Evidence shows that many natural oils have a barrier repair effect. Oils with more linoleic acid than oleic acid may do a better job at repairing the skin barrier. Oils with more oleic acid may irritate the skin.
Reduces Scarring
Some natural oils, like rosehip oil, help with wound healing and may also reduce the appearance of scars.
Reduces UV Damage
Sun damage can seriously impact the look of your skin. Natural oils won’t protect your skin from sun damage (you need sunscreen for that) but some may help reduce UV damage. One 2007 animal study found a link between topically applied almond oil and the prevention of structural damage due to UV radiation.
Risks
Natural oils are great because they often don’t pose the same risk for irritation as synthetic chemicals in cosmetics and other skincare products. However, that doesn’t mean that using natural oils doesn’t pose a risk.
Because the skin on your face is more sensitive than on other parts of your body, you may experience irritation when using oils directly on your face as opposed to your arms and legs. Applying oils to your skin before going out in the sun can also increase your risk of sunburn.
A Word From Verywell
There’s a lot of promising research about the potential benefits of natural oils for skin health. That said, a skincare regimen that works for someone else may not work for you. If your skin is easily irritated or if you have a skin condition like eczema, talk to your dermatologist before adding natural oils to your skincare regimen.
