The science of skin care products has now evolved to “el Naturale.” A lot of money has been invested and spent in perfecting the science of skin care botanically. Aromatherapy and essential oils are now incorporated into our daily beauty regime. Gone are the days of heavy oil-based foundation and other oil laden skin products and this is especially good news for those of us that are prone to oily skin naturally.
There are (2) two categories of “natural oils.” There are essential oils, and then there are carrier or base oils.
Essential oils are oils found naturally occurring in plants and it is the essential oil within the plant or flower that gives fruits, flowers and herbs their fragrance. Essential oils are obtained by distillation or expression. Essential oils are very highly concentrated, so they are used very sparingly.
The carrier oils – almond, sunflower, olive, walnut etc are used in much higher concentration in the skin care products we use, or they can be applied to freshly cleansed skin to nourish, soften, and protect it. These oils are used as the base for diluting essential oils. Oils have the capacity to penetrate the cellular level of our skin and deliver vitamins, oxygen and nutrients and thus help to stimulate cell metabolism and regeneration.
Many oils available have anti-bacterial properties, thus assist in reduce infections present in sensitive or damaged skin. It also makes sense that sunscreen protection is added to foundation makeup because of the damage the sun causes to unprotected skin.
Moisture that is actually lost from skin through sun and wind exposure needs to be replaced quickly so the surface of the skin remains soft and smooth. A good quality natural moisturizer does two things – it protects from external skin damage whilst it gives our skin a layer, under which our skin retains its own natural moisture.
With all this new knowledge now available on how to take good care of your skin, it is up to the individual to find a skin care program that is as close as possible to being the right combination for her. We have all heard of the dreaded “T” section on combination skin – greasy, oily forehead down to outside the bridge of the nose extending right down to the chin. Would you believe you can actually apply moisturizer to this part of combination skin; however, you would be mindful to look for a noticeably light moisturizer for this particular area.
Moisturizers are used as a base to which your foundation may cling to before finishing with an airbrushed powdered makeup to compliment and set the application of your foundation. Now your makeup can be finished off with a complimentary shade of airbrushed blusher, eye shadow, mascara and lipstick or lip gloss depending on the look you want.
Dr. Edward J Files is an accomplished website developer and author.