Self-isolation skincare
During this unique time, why not take advantage of self-isolation to give your skin the nutrients it needs? Follow these tips during quarantine and, when social gatherings can resume, your skin will be glowing with health!
Eating a healthy diet free of processed foods, staying well hydrated, avoiding excessive sun exposure (which causes photoaging), exercising regularly (to improve blood circulation and detoxification) and avoiding smoking are all key elements for healthy skin. The use of safe and clean cosmetic products can also help preserve and protect your body's precious exterior. To personalize your skin care to your skin type, simply combine a few appropriate carrier oils with various essential oils.
As a general rule, a 1-2% dilution is safe for most people: that is, 6-12 drops of essential oil combined with 30 ml of a carrier oil.
CARRIER OILS FOR DRY SKIN
Dry skin can appear parched, dull and raw. It can crack, flake and appear tight or inflamed. It usually dries out more in extreme cold and windy conditions. Oils that help maintain moisture (called emollients) or those that provide a protective barrier against moisture loss can help promote soft, supple skin and reduce cracking.
For dry skin, sesame, argan, avocado, coconut, rosehip seed and sweet almond oils are good choices.
For extremely dry and cracked skin, consider using for a period of time shea butter, pure vitamin E oil, castor oil, or the most “resistant” emollient, lanolin. However, these ingredients may not be suitable for the face due to their thick texture.
If your skin is both dry and sensitive, consider using tamanu, fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, evening primrose oil or jojoba oil.
CARRIER OILS FOR OILY SKIN
Oily skin appears shiny, sometimes greasy, and is prone to acne and clogged pores. Hormones and a diet rich in processed foods can often play a role. People with this skin type can benefit from a cleansing and exfoliating treatment and a clay mask. However, excessive dryness can sometimes lead to reactive overproduction of oil.
For oily skin, consider lightly applying a carrier oil, including argan, apricot kernel, grapeseed and jojoba. These oils are also suitable for oily and sensitive skin, although you may want to add evening primrose oil to the mixture.
CARRIER OILS FOR AGING SKIN
As we age, the skin regenerates less effectively and its levels of melanin (skin pigment), collagen and elastin decrease. As a result, the skin is thinner, looser and more wrinkled, accompanied by age spots. Aside from genetics, lifestyle, including dietary habits, can exacerbate or temper these effects. Consider using a combination of rosehip oil (one of the most popular choices) with one or more of the following oils: argan, jojoba and/or sweet almond.
MORE INFORMATION ON OILS
Argan: It is good for dry skin (and hair) and has additional anti-aging properties.
Avocado: It is excellent for very dry, chapped skin, as well as for scars and stretch marks.
Castor: It protects the skin against wind or extreme cold.
Fractionated Coconut: It is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is suitable for dry skin that is also sensitive.
Sesame: It is useful for dry skin, especially due to chlorine and windburn.
Rosehip Seed: It is ideal for dry skin that is inflamed and/or aging.
Sweet Almond: A good emollient and conditioner, perfect for dry, chapped and flaky skin.
Apricot Kernel: It has a light texture and is good for dry skin that is also sensitive.
Evening Primrose: It is rich in GLA, excellent for dry and inflamed skin (eczema, psoriasis).
Jojoba: A wax considered to mimic our own sebum. It is used against inflammation and acne as well as dryness.
Shea Butter: It is useful for dry skin, especially for healing scarring and/or regenerating the skin.
Tamanu: It is an excellent regenerator for damaged, dry, inflamed or infected skin.
Vitamin E: It is ideal for dry, cracked, damaged and/or peeling skin.