Non-comedogenic oils....sounds serious. These oils mean serious business and are the secret weapons to uncovering fabulous skin. Non-comedogenic oils do not clog pores, allow your skin to breathe while maintaining the hydration of the skin and keeping it free from breakouts.
Comedones, aka the big word for clogged pores, can lead to pimples and take the form of whiteheads, blackheads, or skin toned colored bumps when the pores come clogged with oil, dirt and debris. This happens when we use products that contain comedogenic oils.
Non-comedogenic oils do have this effect because they are naturally derived from plants. There are several non-comedogenic oils, so experiment on a small section of your skin to see which works best for your skin type. These oils have been proven to fight acne, wrinkles, scars, infections, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, hyperpigmentation and a myriad of other skin conditions. Let’s explore a few of them.
Grapeseed oil is high in antioxidants, linoleic acid, Vitamin E, D, and C and can be used on oily, combination, sensitive and aging skin. This is the oil of choice for those with sensitive, acne prone skin. Due to its high linoleic acid content, this oil is particularly potent for acne sufferers to prevent pores from clogging and aids in treating existing acne infections. Grapeseed oil is an excellent choice for oil cleansing acne prone skin. Shop for a cold pressed, hexane free, raw organic grapeseed oil.
Sweet almond oil contains high levels of fatty acids that help remove excess sebum that is responsible for clogging pores and causing breakouts. Sweet almond oil works best on dry, oily, sensitive and combination skin and is highly effective in lightening skin tone. For this reason, sweet almond oil is a staple in skin care regimens to lighten dark under-eye circles, treat hyperpigmentation, and to improve overall complexion of the skin. Look for cold-pressed extracted oil that is created using raw, organic almonds.
Olive oil is known as the secret weapon to ageless skin. Quality, organic olive oil contains squalene; a fat found in our own cells, Vitamin E and a rare antioxidant called hydroxytyrosol which has been proven to protect against free radical damage to the skin. The best type of organic olive oil for skin care is authentic extra virgin olive oil which is cold pressed and unrefined. Skin types of dry, combination, and aging work well with olive oil.
Castor oil has been called the “must have” by skin care and oil cleansing experts for years. This slightly sticky oil is known for its powerful purging and detoxing properties. Castor oil has two unique compounds, ricinoleic acid and undecylenic acid, which makes it the ideal skin choice for those suffering with mild to severe acne. Ricinoleic acid is an unsaturated omega 9 fatty acid that makes up 90% of castor oil. This amazing acid prevents harmful microbe growth, heals acne scars, and repairs sun damaged skin Undecylenic acid acts as a powerful germicide agent. The duo together boasts notable anti-aging benefits. As we age, our skin produces less collagen and the formation of the dreaded wrinkles begins. The continuous use of castor oil improves skin tone, moisture levels, and suppleness. Beware; castor oil can have a drying effect on the skin so choose a light, organic carrier oil to mix with. Look for organic, cold-pressed, unrefined and hexane free castor oil when adding to your skin care routine.
There are so many non-comedogenic oils and their awesome benefits to cover, so stay tuned for Part II. In the meantime, experiment with these awesome ones and see which one you prefer for your skin type.
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