Unlocking the Power of Oils: A Comprehensive Guide to Beauty and Wellness

Oils have been a cornerstone in beauty and wellness routines for centuries. Composed of fatty acids, they make up a significant portion of the lipid layer covering our skin, making them a familiar and beneficial substance for our body. But not all oils are created equal. Let’s delve into the world of oils, their types, uses, and benefits.

The Basics of Oils

Oils are primarily composed of fatty acids, which constitute about a third of the lipid layer on our skin. This makes natural oils a familiar and beneficial substance for the skin, acting as a building material for it. Understanding the basics of oils is crucial to harnessing their full potential in beauty and wellness routines.

Types of Oils and Their Unique Benefits

Vegetable Oils: Nature’s Nourishment

Vegetable oils are fats extracted from plants such as avocados, olives, nuts, and seeds through a pressing method. These oils are excellent for nourishing and regenerating the skin, as well as activating lipid metabolism. You can apply them directly to the skin 2-3 times a week and to the hair and scalp about twice a week. However, it’s important to note that vegetable oils do not moisturize the skin but help retain moisture.

Essential Oils: The Power of Plants

Essential oils are derived from parts of plants that aid in their survival, such as attracting insects for pollination or protecting against pests. These oils are typically obtained through pressing or steam distillation, resulting in a complex substance with 150 to 500 components. Essential oils have cosmetic, therapeutic, and psycho-emotional properties. They penetrate deeply into the skin and spread throughout the body via the capillary network. Due to their irritating properties, essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin, except for tea tree oil, lavender oil, and myrrh oil, which have excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Mineral Oils: A Controversial Choice

Mineral oils are a byproduct of petroleum and do not nourish the skin. They are sometimes used in extreme conditions like severe cold or atopic dermatitis to create a waterproof film that aids in skin regeneration. However, mineral oils are often added to cosmetic products to reduce costs. Frequent use of mineral oil-based cosmetics can disrupt skin function and lead to dehydration.

Mastering the Art of Using Oils

Skin Care with Oils

Oils such as rice, argan, sasanqua, sesame, and macadamia can be used directly on the skin. Macadamia oil, known as a “dry” oil, is quickly absorbed, leaving the skin matte. Active oils rich in polyunsaturated acids should be used as additives to oil mixtures, not exceeding 20% of the total. For example, for 8 ml of macadamia oil, add no more than 2 ml of evening primrose oil.

Hair Care with Oils

To promote hair growth, use oils like avocado, sasanqua, and hazelnut. For overall hair health, coconut and olive oils are effective. To address issues like dandruff and seborrhea, mix essential oils such as tea tree, rosemary, fir, birch tar, cedar, or any citrus oil with vegetable oils. For hair loss, add essential oils that improve microcirculation, such as bay, rosemary, thyme, or cinnamon bark oil.

Aromatherapy with Oils

Essential oils can be used in baths by diluting a few drops with a tablespoon of salt, sour cream, or fatty cream, waiting 10-20 minutes, and then dissolving the mixture in water. Never add pure essential oil directly to water, as it can cause burns.

Choosing the Right Oils

When selecting oils, trust your nose. If you dislike the smell of an oil, it’s not suitable for you. Essential oils should have a psycho-emotional effect before they have a cosmetic one. Therefore, choose oils that you personally enjoy. The same essential oil can smell different to each person.

Safety and Quality Considerations

Allergies to natural essential oils are rare, but individual intolerance (dizziness, nausea) can occur. Allergic reactions are more common with synthetic essential oils. Always read the labels before adding essential oils to cosmetic products, as they can enhance the penetration of other components. Avoid adding essential oils to shampoos, as they need 5-15 minutes to absorb, while shampoo is typically rinsed off quickly.

For infants, safe oils include apricot, peach kernel, almond, sasanqua, shea, and argan. For pregnant women, avoid essential oils in the first trimester, especially sage, geranium, bog myrtle, and calamus. From the fourth month of pregnancy, 1-2 drops of the same oils recommended for infants can be used.

Quality natural oils should be stored in dark glass bottles with a cap that controls the first opening. Oxygen negatively affects oils, turning them from a beneficial product into a catalyst for free radical reactions. The more frequently you open the bottle, the more negative the impact on the oil.

For more information on the benefits and uses of oils, you can refer to authoritative sources like the National Center for Biotechnology Information.