January 31, 2019
Building a good skincare routine that works for you can be a tricky trial-and-error that can wreak havoc on your skin. Oil buildup, adult acne, pimple flare-ups, blackheads, even flaky, dead skin can all be the results of skincare that doesn’t work for you.
And what if you just want something NATURAL, chemical-free, fragrance-free, and just overall healthy for your beautiful skin? If you’re like many ladies and gentlemen out there, you’ve probably turned to one of the hottest trends right now: essential oils.
But are essential oils the best option for natural skincare? We sat down to talk about essential oils, what we’ve seen when they’re used in skincare, and what options you have for the best natural skincare.
By: Kaitlyn, NP & Alison, LE
Kaitlyn Hunter: Essential oils have so many good uses, but not every single skin type is suited to use them. We’ve actually been noticing an increase in patients coming in who have recently started using essential oils — and noticing new issues with their skin. Alison, what have you seen recently?
Alison Clay: We’ve noticed more clogged pores and acne breakouts. People who already have oily or acne-prone skin even develop a film over their skin, with dead skin on top and clogged pores underneath. It’s terrible for skin health!
KH: I agree. Anyone with oily-prone skin, underlying acne, or large pores will know that it’s tough to keep their skin properly exfoliated. Some essential oils, which are supposed to be natural and good for their skin, can actually make their oil production and acne worse.
AC: Essential oil as skincare is best for three types of skin: dry, mature, or normal.
KH: If that’s the case, why do you think essential oils are a hot trend in the skincare industry?
AC: Honestly, people see and hear the word “natural” and gravitate towards that. They assume anything natural will be good for them, but we know from food allergies and sensitivities that that isn’t the case. The same goes principles apply to skincare!
KH: That’s true! I also think a lot more people are trying to work out more and eat healthier, and they want to extend that healthy philosophy into their skincare with more natural ingredients. There are advantages to using essential oils and natural skincare products, but they also have their limitations.
It’s important to research what you want to put on your face. For example, there are a lot of medical-grade lines that are great for your skin. Our favorite, SkinBetter, is gluten-free, vegan, and is very close to being natural. But it also has the same strength of medical products.
There’s a fine line between finding the skincare lines that are pure of chemicals and fragrances and those that have the strength of medical lines. We all have different skin types and different needs, so we all are going to need a different set of products.
If you have any more questions, make sure to check out our skincare blogs or to call our office at 513-791-9474 to set up a personal and complimentary skincare consultation.