“Vegetable oils, the liquid gold energy of the sun, are good for us, used in the right way.”

Vegetable oils are the oldest used health and cosmetic material known to mankind. They are used because of low incidences of irritation, sensitization, and comedogenicity. They are moisturizing and softening on the skin.

As we age, the skin produces less oil and the natural moisturisation decreases. We age quicker when we produce less oil on the skin. So, the best natural replacements are vegetable oils. After menopause essential fatty acids reduce in the skin (these are important natural moisturising factor), it would be sensible to not just ingest, but also apply them onto the skin.

Vegetable oils provide the ideal solutions for every aspect of your skincare, from cleansing to moisturizing. There is a wide range of oils available that provide solutions for any type of skin.

However, it is crucial to choose your oils carefully, as many vegetable oils are highly processed and are subjected to overheating and solvents. A vegetable oil of good quality is cold-pressed, filtered, and extracted from organically-grown plants and fruits.

Clients often ask me, “Should I use oil on my skin? Will I break out? What if I have acne prone skin?”

The reason why clients break out is because they are not using the right oil. The product they are buying is not actually a good quality oil, but an inferior product that has been overly processed to extend its shelf life.

Only pure oils should be used on the skin, and even those should be selected carefully for breakout-prone skin to avoid adverse reactions.

Acne-prone skin already produces too much oil, so many clients are hesitant to use an oil on their skin. But jojoba oil, for example, has a very fine texture and is most suitable for oily skin. I also suggest using hazelnut oil as it has an astringent effect on the skin. Carrot oil is also a very good choice because it’s high in beta carotene that heals scar tissue, which problem skins are prone to have!

Tips for Using Vegetable Oils on Your Skin

When using a vegetable oil, massaging your skin can stimulate circulation, therefore eliminating toxins that can cause the breakouts.

Mixing/blending the vegetable oil with an essential oil that has anti-inflammatory properties, balances oil production, eliminates toxins by stimulating the lymphatic system, and is antiseptic works well in the treatment of problem skin. Kat’s Balancing Organic Face Oil was formulated for temperamental/breakout skin to calm, balance, and revitalize.

Unfortunately, TV advertisements associate acne or problematic skin with dirty or impure skin, leading to teenagers buying hash cleansers. This will strip the natural oils on the skin and over cleansing which, in turn, causes the skin to produce more oil. We need to look at the root cause of the acne or problem skin, diet, hormones, stress, etc., first.

You could also remove the jojoba oil after you have massaged the skin with a warm compress. Do this a few times a week to acclimatize your skin. Once you feel confident you could leave the oil on the skin.

I also love Marula Seed Oil because its light texture is fast-absorbing, creating a protective layer on the skin and providing long lasting hydration. It can also help with scar repair. Marula oil is non-comedogenic, so you don't have to worry about it clogging pores.

I would recommend to book a consultation to find the root cause of the skin problem or to find the best oil for you.

Why should we use vegetable oils on the skin?

Cold weather, air conditioning and heating can produce desert dry skin easily irritated and inflamed, oils are amazingly useful to apply to dry skin. (Apply Macadamia and Sea Buckthorn oil to the skin, which are rich in palmitoleic acid.)

Collagen in the skin has strong moisturizing and retentive powers. Collagen gives us plumpness and smoothness. Collagen will dehydrate if the lipid barrier is damaged or poor, look after the oil in the skin and the skin will look less saggy and dehydrated.

The acid mantle, which is important for skin health, our first line of defense against germs, is a mixture of sweat and oil and has its own microflora, containing elements that maintain crucial moisture. Massaging with vegetable oils supports this crucial system!

Cleansers can be made from vegetable oils lifting grime without aggravating the skin. I recommend using Kalahari Melon Seed Oil as a cleansing oil because it deep cleanses pores and removes excess sebum from your skin. Due to its high mineral and vitamin content, it is anti-inflammatory, perfect for acne and congested skins.

Good skincare starts with good oils, applied properly and reflects in a radiant look of health and wellbeing! Always choose the best quality , if one is much more expensive than the other usually the quality is different. Read more in my chapter Namibia's Powerful Botanical Skincare Ingredients about Africa’s powerful oils.