Facial oils are recommended by many dermatologists. But what are they, and what’s the difference between beauty oils, facial moisturisers and facial serums?
Green People Anti-Ageing Facial Oil contains rosehip and sweet almond oil, and has a beauty spa-like scent, sold in a glass bottle with pipette.
Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and affected medical conditions, and keep these products away from young children and pets. Never pour neat essential oils down sinks (either dilute well with water or bin).
What Are Facial Oils?
Facial oils are concentrated liquids derived from plants. They are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. In a nutshell, they lock in moisture. Each oil is unique, depending on the source it’s from:
- Jojoba Oil is similar to the skin’s natural sebum, so perfect to balance oil for all skin types. It’s from an American tree.
- Rosehip Oil is packed with vitamins A and C, and good to brighten skin, help skin tone and scars.
- Argan Oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, and good to hydrate and soften skin.
- Plant-based squalane (an alternative to real squalane, made from shark oil)
Choose the best oil for you, then mix a few drops into skin cream. Or if you don’t use a skin cream, just warm a few drops in your palm then massage into your face.
A Vegan Face Oil (with upcycled coffee)
Upcircle Organic Coffee Face Oil (renamed from ‘serum’) has smashing reviews. And not only is it vegan, but also made with upcycled coffee grounds, sold in sustainable packaging. Made with nourishing oils of jojoba (the closest to human sebum), sea buckthorn and rosehip (good for scars), use morning and night to firm skin, and boost your own collagen.
Rich in vitamin C, this oil can help to fade dark spots and scars, while brightening the complexion, due to the coffee. You can also use it as a softening hair oil.
To use, just add a few drops to your fingertips and massage into the skin, after moisturising. This will lock in hydration, to form a protective seal.
Once you’ve bought this bottle, you can just keep the bottle pump and order repeat orders to get new bottles with aluminium caps.
These photos are used with permission by the model, who was so pleased with results, she let the company show the difference!
The World’s First (solid) Vitamin C Serum
Facial serums are more specialised, and tend to address concerns like acne, pigmentation or wrinkles. You don’t need both, just go for a facial oil, if you don’t have any of these issues.
Vitamin C booster serum is the world’s first solid vitamin C serum with rosehip oil, sea buckthorn oil and vitamin C derivative that works to restore even skin tone, to leave a hydrated smooth complexion.
Green People also offer good organic skin serums, all in easy-to-recycle packaging:
- Balance Oil Serum is ideal for congested skin or perimenopausal spots.
- Age Defy Serum is perfect for older women to help prevent lines and increase hydration.
- Oy! Clear Skin Purifying Serum is for skin prone to acne.
An Amazing Hand Serum for Dry Hands
Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Hand Serum is a wonderful cream (expensive but you only need a little of it). And it works, check out the hundreds of testimonials from users. From people who say their dry hands have healed overnight, to others who say age spot have begin to disappear and others have the skin on their hands tighten. Even men love this cream!
This hand cream is sort of easy to recycle. In that you can put the container in recycling. But the top needs to be dropped off at a local branch of Neal’s Yard Remedies, and they’ll add it to their Terracycle Box. If you don’t live near one, set up one yourself!
This serum is clinically proven to firm and hydrate skin, and reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles and age spots on the hand. It’s also vegan-friendly.
This certified organic serum is enriched with restoring ribose, reviving narcissus extract (from daffodils) and rosehip seed oil (rich in vitamin A).
Its scented with frankincense essential oil, which has a very relaxing aroma. Avodi contact with eyes. In a consumer trial with 119 users over 6 weeks, 90% of users say the skin on the back of their hands was firmer, and 77% said lines on their hands were visibly reduced.
Simple Tricks to Prevent Scars and Age Spots
There’s nothing wrong with having a few laughter lines or scars. But if you wish to reduce age spots and scarring, don’t fall for the expensive miracle creams. Neals Yard rosehip oil is organic to naturally reduce hyperpigmentation and scarring with vitamin E. Just a few drops needed to give 250 uses per bottle used two times daily.
Scars are the skin’s natural way of healing from injury, but they can sometimes overreact. You might notice different types, such as hypertrophic scars, which sit above the skin, or keloid scars, which grow and spread. Atrophic scars, on the other hand, leave a sunken look, often seen in acne sufferers. Scars arise from injuries, surgeries, or even when we forget to be gentle with our skin.
Age spots, or liver spots, are flat brown spots that pop up usually as we get older. They tend to show up on areas most exposed to the sun, like your face or hands. Ageing is a factor, but sun exposure plays a starring role. Too much fun in the sun without protection can speed up their arrival.
Preventative Measures for Scars
Keep wounds clean and covered, and use a good skin cream to speed up healing. Avoiding picking or scratching scars, as this can make them worse or bigger. Scabs are the body’s natural bandage. Think of them as hard-working little hats protecting the skin as it heals. Let them do their job, and you’ll thank yourself later.
Preventative Measures for Age Spots
Keep out of strong sunlight and use a good sunscreen. Wash skin before letting pets lick your skin, as most natural sunscreens contain pet-toxic zinc or titanium oxide.
What you eat reflects on your skin. Foods rich in antioxidants can fend off the ageing effects of sun exposure. Think vibrant fruits and veggies like berries, spinach, and nuts. These goodies fight free radicals, keeping your skin bright and even-toned.
Exfoliation is key to refreshing your skin. It’s like shedding old skin to reveal a new, softer layer beneath. Use a gentle scrub once or twice a week to buff away dead skin cells. This encourages cell renewal and can gradually reduce the appearance of age spots, leaving your skin looking fresh.
