Anti-Inflammatory Facial Oil
Inflammation is the body’s natural immune response to damage or injury. Think of when you bump your knee or elbow and it swells up after. That swelling will eventually pass and your bump will heal, healing that is guided by that inflammation. Although usually beneficial, this inflammation is not always necessary and can acatully cause more harm than good. Chronic inflammation, a lot of inflammation over time, can lead to a variety of health issues, including skin problems such as acne, eczema, and aging and it puts a lot of unnecessary stress on the body. Chronic inflammation can result in the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Two essential proteins are responsible for the skin’s structure and elasticity. This can result in sagging, wrinkles, and a loss of firmness and smoothness in the skin.
Inflammation can also lead to the development of acne, eczema, and other skin conditions that cause the skin to become red, itchy, and swollen. If not properly treated, this inflammation can lead to scaly patches or bumps forming. Not an ideal skin texture people work toward. In some more extreme cases, chronic inflammation can result in the development of skin cancer.
To protect the skin and reduce the risk of inflammation, it is important to practice good skincare habits, such as cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing regularly, and, most importantly, protecting the skin from the sun by wearing sunscreen and protective clothing. Avoiding excess exposure to irritants and pollutants which can also help to reduce inflammation in the skin. Using an anti-inflammatory face oil can also help reduce inflammation and improve the overall health and appearance of your skin.
First, let's define an "anti-inflammatory face oil."
Anti-inflammatory facial oils are oils, big shocker I know, designed especially for the delicate skin of the face by packing in numerous anti-inflammatory ingredients. These oils reduce inflammation in the skin, soothing and calming any of redness or inflammation. What’s crazy is that all these anti-inflammatory properties are naturally occurring and can be extracted from essential oils, plant extracts, and other botanicals.
Some common anti-inflammatory ingredients found in face oils include:
Almond oil
Almond oil is a potent source of vitamin E. This vitamin is packed full of antioxidant and (of course) anti-inflammatory properties which work together to reduce any redness and swelling of the face it also moisturizes and soothes the skin for added calming benefits.
Argan oil
Argan oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E (the same vitamin E as was just explained). These two nuggets of gold work together to nourish and protect the skin and the skin barrier. Daily application of argan oil to the face reduces any inflammation from the day and improves the appearance of dry, damaged skin.
Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil has an atomic structure that is the same as the natural oil (called sebum) the skin produces to protect and nourish itself. This natural oil is able to easily absorb into the skin with a non-greasy finish since our skin is accustomed to the chemical makeup of this plant-derived oil. Jojoba oil’s richness in vitamins and minerals reduces inflammation and improves the health of the skin without the skin registering that it’s anything other than sebum. This makes it very unlikely that your skin will react poorly to jojoba oil.
Lavender oil
Lavender oil is known for its calming and relaxing properties, it’s commonly used before bed as a pillow spray, but it also has anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. Lavender oil has been shown to reduce redness and swelling (in a sense, calm and relax the skin), and it is also useful for treating acne and other skin conditions. Overall inducing a full-body calming effect.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective for treating acne and other skin conditions. Tea tree oil’s bacteria-fighting ability allows it to simultaneously kill off harmful bacteria while also calming down any inflammation or irritation it caused.
There are many other oils that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, and you can always create to find blends of these facial oils to maximize the benefits you’re looking for. When choosing an anti-inflammatory face oil, it is essential that you read the label to ensure that you are purchasing a natural, plant-based oil. Avoid products that contain synthetic fragrances, colors, or other harsh and harmful chemicals as these further irritate your skin.
So, how do you use anti-inflammatory face oil?
The best way to use an anti-inflammatory face oil is to apply it to a clean and dry face. So, after cleansing and patting dry your skin. It’s quite simple to use on a daily basis, just add a few drops of the oil to your fingertips and gently massage it into your skin in a circular motion. If you are using pure essential oil (like lavender or tea tree), you must be extremely careful since the pure form is overly concentrated and has to be diluted before being applied to the skin. A high concentration of any pure essential oil is far too harsh for the skin to handle. You can few drops to your favorite moisturizer or carrier oil (like argon oil or jojoba oil) before application to dilute the pure oil, don’t worry, you’ll still see all the benefits.
It is best to use the oil at consistently night since this is when the skin's natural repair and regeneration processes are most active. At night, the skin's natural repair and regeneration process is accelerated as your body rests and resets for the next day. Your skin’s production of collagen (a protein that gives skin its structure and elasticity and its loss is connected to the development of wrinkles) is increased as well as the skin's cell turnover rate is heightened. Laying in the dark, your skin doesn’t have to fight against any sun or pollution damage and as a result, is able to repair and regenerate itself more efficiently during the night than during the day.
Your body goes into full repair mode at night since it no longer needs to be functioning. In addition to the increased production of collagen, the body also releases growth hormones to help with the body’s repair. These hormones signal to the skin to begin the natural repair and regeneration process. Blood flow is also increased, which delivers fresh oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells, aiding them in the repair and regeneration process.
As I’m sure you’ve already concluded, using an anti-inflammatory face oil can have a number of benefits for your skin. In addition to reducing inflammation, these oils can also help to nourish and hydrate the skin, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
If you have sensitive skin, it is important to test the oil on a small patch of skin before using it on your face or opt for more gentle natural oils like jojoba oil that are less likely to cause a serious reaction. Some people may be sensitive to certain ingredients, so it is always a good idea to patch test and start with a smaller amount of oil until you know how your skin will react, and be sure to dilute those pure concentrated essential oils so your face isn’t overwhelmed by their strength.
