Putting oil on acneic skin doesn’t seem to make sense, and in most cases you would be correct. However, there are a few oils that are very similar to human sebum which can help heal your skin.
Try not to think of it as oiling your skin. The oil is just the vehicle. The ingredients it contains are what’s driving the bus. Your goal with acne is to get your skin back to a normal condition, and these oils are close to your skin’s own natural moisturizers — and they contain antioxidants as well.
Using these oils should help calm down acne breakouts and inflammation.
Squalene. Your natural sebum contains about 10 percent squalene. Squalene is good for all skin types and easily penetrates the skin. It does not clog pores, leave an oily residue, or cause allergic reactions. Because it helps your skin retain moisture, your oil glands should stop over producing.
Rosehip Seed Oil. This oil is high in antioxidants, Vitamin A, and essential fatty acids. It helps to regenerate tissue, heal burns (sunburn too), improves acne scars, and reduces wrinkles.
Neem Oil. I’ve talked about this one before. Neem has so many great qualities it’s being used for everything from skin care to bug spray. Acneic skin can benefit from it as well since it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities.
If you’re really averse to putting oil on your face, you can easily find a serum or cream which contains these ingredients. Stick with it and you should see your skin begin to calm down.
ARCONA Cranberry Gommage, Exfoliate AM
Dr. Bronner – Organic Castile Soap Unscented Baby-Mild
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Great article! Squalene mimics the natural sebum in our skin and is indeed acts to both neutralize overproduction as well as being a great anti-inflammatory. Argan oil works wonders for problematic skin and has the highest amount of squalene coming from the most ethical source. Ive co-founded a company called Arganica, natures age defying skin food http://www.arganicaoil.com which utilizes cold pressed argan oil which we import from a womens cooperative from Morocco. We love supporting the Berber women and we are happy to provide those with problematic a “natural” alternative.
I am not so sure. I think that one of the best ways to treat acne is through cleaning up your diet and making sure to keep the bacteria off of your face, you know the clean in and out method.
Another oil that I have heard works well is Olive Oil. I guess the fact that the oil can disinfect is one great factor anyway.
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We have to be careful if we want to use any oil based products, especially for those who have easily clogged pores. However, there are some good products, some of which you have already mentioned. Thanks for the wonderful tips! Keep them coming.
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This is interesting, as I have acne prone skin, but I have always thought that I should avoid oils on my face until recently. I noticed that although I do have acne flare ups, my skin seems really dry, even though I moisturize.
I’m thinking that you may have something here with the Squalene. I will look into products that contain it.
Thanks for the info.
I agree that certain natural oils could help in the repair of skin, especially the acneic ones. Natural oils, such as Argan oil, is rich with Vitamin E and natural fatty acids that would nourish the skin, and therefore could reduce skin darkening. Moreover, oils help moisten up the skin, thus reducing irritation and preventing further inflammation. Thank you for sharing this post!