We've Struck Oil!

We’ve Struck Oil!

April 20, 2010 Beauty

New products that contain plant-based oils are great for moisturizing parched skin and hair.

Not too long ago, oil (namely mineral oil) used to be a skin-care industry pariah. Greasy and pore-clogging, people did everything to skip the oil and snatched up “oil-free” products. However, discoveries of good-for-you plant-based oils are changing people’s minds. New products in today’s market contain plant-based oils of high quality that are nutrient-rich and won’t cause clogged pores that lead to breakouts. They also absorb faster and penetrate the skin and hair more deeply, all without the heavy, greasy feel.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba (ho-HO-ba) is a botanical extract of the seed of the jojoba tree (Simmondsia chinenis). It isn’t actually an oil, but rather a wax ester. This wax ester is important because it’s known as a natural moisturizing factor (NMF), which gives it the ability to mimic the lipid content of skin. By doing so, it is theorized that applying jojoba to the skin can “trick” the skin into thinking it is producing enough oil, thus balancing oil production. The bottom line is that jojoba oil is non-comedogenic so we can use it without fear of breakouts.

Argan Oil

Popularly known as Moroccan oil, argan oil is produced from the kernels of the argan tree. It is very emollient because it contains a combination of unsaturated fatty acids of Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9. It is also unbelievably high in Vitamin E and phytosterols. These phytosterols mimic human sterols, which makes argan oil highly penetrable in hair and skin. It does wonders for dry, damaged, unruly hair because it has the ability to enter the damaged crevices of hair to help seal moisture in and block frizz.

Macadamia Nut Oil

macadamia nuts 2 Weve Struck Oil! Macadamia nuts are extremely rich in essential fatty acids, and its oil closely resembles sebum. Because macadamia nut oil has the ability to act like the body’s natural oil, it acts as the ideal replenishing agent with fast and highly effective absorption. Macadamia nut oil also contains a very high amount of palmitoleic acud, which is an Omega-7 fatty acid that helps to stimulate growth of healthy skin and hair. Omega-7 plays an essential role in the body’s lubrication, as well as softening and protection of hair protein structures. All these components are what leaves hair and skin hydrated, healthy, and luminous.

Emu Oil

emu2 300x275 Weve Struck Oil! The emu is a large, flightless bird that is indigenous to “the Land Down Under” and has diverse applications ranging from cosmetics, soaps, and shampoos to analgesics. Clinical studies have assessed emu oil’s moisturizing properties and have found that compared to mineral oil, had better moisturizing properties, superior texture, and better skin permeability.

Tea Tree Oil

tea tree flower 300x193 Weve Struck Oil! Tea tree oil comes from steam distillation of the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia . Tea tree oil according to the Journal of Applied Microbiology, is known to have antimicrobial properties and have been used to treat gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria such as E. Coli. Tea tree oil has a compound, terpinen-4-ol, which most likely lends its antimicrobial properties. That said, products containing a certain percentage of tea tree oil may be effective in treating skin issues, such as acne.