For many years I have been a huge fan of facial oils and have been blending my own and using professional pre-blended oils for the past 25 years.
Applying a few drops of facial oil to your skin acts as a carrier and increases the absorption of any cream that is applied over it.
Most evenings I apply a mixture of a pure carrier oil - grapeseed is one of my favourites due to it’s antioxidant and anti-ageing properties - blended with a selection of pure essential oils. The phytohormones in essential oils work wonders for all skin types - even oily skins. Many people with oilier skins don’t realise that certain essential oils actually reduce the production of oil and can prevent breakouts.
Bramley Diamonds Tissue Oil -
R19.99
Locally produced in South Africa Bramley Tissue oil has the Beauty Without Cruelty bunny on the packaging.
This tissue oil is super light and instantly absorbed into the skin - unlike a few other tissue oils that I have tried that tend to coat the surface of the skin hours after application.
I loved the super light fragrance and my skin felt silky soft. It can be applied daily to stretch marks, scar tissue and very dry skin.
The Body Shop Oils of Life - Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil -
R292
The Firming Shaping Essence Facial Oil is a Vegan formula (yay!) using 99% oils of natural origin, including Black Cumin oil from Egypt, Rosehip Oil from Chile and Camellia Oil from China.
I love the packaging - it reminds me of an old apothecary - a lightly tinted glass bottle with a dropper lid. It is absorbed into the skin almost instantly. The pleasant fragrance of the essential oils lingers after application. Not tested on animals (bonus), this lightweight daily facial oil left my skin feeling instantly hydrated.
Application - 2 drops under your moisturizer and night cream.
Theravine Hydrating Pinotage Face Oil -
R280
Locally produced in Stellenbosch - Theravine Pinotage facial oil range has long been one of my favourites. The aromatic combination of Angelica, Sweet Orange, Neroli and Rose essential oils with Pinotage grape-seed oils is heavenly fresh.
The anti-oxidants found in grape derivatives are 50 times the strength of Vitamin E and 20 times the strength of Vitamin C with regards to their levels of anti-oxidants.
Packaged in a frosted glass bottle with a dropper lid, it can be used morning and evening, before moisturising.
Soy Lites Luxury Beauty Oil -
R225
Another South African favourite of mine. Originally they produced soy candles, however, they have now branched out into other Soy products, including their Luxury Beauty Oil.
An excellent product for people suffering with eczema or psoriasis, it contains both Marula and Baobab Oil, great for moisturizing both skin and hair.
Marula Oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, making it one of the most nutritive African skin care oils and great for dry skin formulations. It can also help to reduce redness and heal damaged tissue.
There is no fragrance and my skin felt silky and soft after application.
Packaged in a tinted glass bottle with pump top it is easy to apply.
Clere Radiance Body Oil - R59,95
The 5 oils are Olive oil, Castor oil Coconut oil, Argan oil & Magnolia oil. It also contains glycerine and superfruit serum for anti-ageing.
It left a beautiful, non-greasy sheen on my skin and has many uses; as a post- wax or shave treatment for legs, stretch marks and can also be used on hair to smooth frizz. It has a very light fragrance, which is great if you want to use it on body and hair.
Very well priced, it’s easy on the pocket, this is a winner.