FACE & BODY OILS ~ THE ANTIDOTE FOR WINTER'S HARSH AFFECTS

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Fruit and nut oils not only hydrate, they also soothe and calm, nourish and restore, and are ideal for face and body skincare regimens.  They’re also great when used all year long, but are especially beneficial when used during winter's assault on the delicate face and body.  Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and has the greatest amount of exposure to environmental and climatological elements.  Take care of it on a regular basis…it’s the only one you have!

Following are a few recommended products I’ve tested that are ideal for face and body.  Each hydrates, soothes, calms, nourishes, and restores.  Many of them, while categorized either for “face” or “body”, can safely be used on both.  For hundreds of years, many global cultures have relied on different fruit and nut oils to take care of their face, body, hair, and even culinary.  Whether it’s olive, almond, sunflower, jojoba, shea, dilo, marula, kukui, or argan, all of these oils have been beneficial, especially when incorporated into one’s skincare regimen.

~ For the Face ~

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The delicate and fragile tissue on the face, eyes, and neck are especially vulnerable to the often-nasty attacks of winter’s frigid winds and chilling temps.  Since the tissue is more easily dried out, it needs extra TLC to combat the attacks and keep the tissue always on the ready, no matter what the time of day.  The following products offer added protection and relief during these challenging times.  And, don’t forget to use your sunscreen or products that include this in their formulation, since the sun’s harmful rays doesn’t take a vacation just because it’s winter.

Decleor Micellar Oil Micellar Oil ~ Micellar Oil debunks the myth that oil and water don’t mix.  Decleor has perfected the technology with this formula, which gently deep cleans without irritating or stripping the skin’s acid and pH levels.  Key ingredients include cold pressed almond oil and olive Squalane.  Micellar Oil becomes transformed from an oil consistency to a creamy cleanser once water is added; this product left no residue and imparted levels of hydration without leaving any tacky or greasy residue; it was gentle and non-irritating.  http://www.decleorusa.com

Fiafini 100% Marula Beauty Oil ~ Marula is a nut oil with numerous natural properties ideal for cleansing, rehydrating, protecting, improving cellular production and circulation.  The Marula Beauty Oil has natural antioxidant properties that help to diminish early signs of aging, including softening fine lines and wrinkles; it’s also soothing and anti-microbial.  A tiny amount will deliver outstanding hydration throughout the day, without leaving skin feeling greasy or tacky; quickly absorbed and ideal for all skin types; can also be used on body, hair and nails; non-irritating.  http://fiafini.com/

Jurlique Skin Balancing Face Oil ~ Jurlique has had a strong commitment to skincare based on natural and organic plant-based ingredients.  The Skin Balancing Face Oil delivered a depth of hydration that penetrated the skin quickly without leaving any tacky or greasy residue, while also being very gentle.  Ingredients include rose flower extract, rosehip oil, Evening Primrose oil, macadamia seed oil, marshmallow, avocado oil, jojoba oil and shea butter.  Quickly absorbed without leaving any greasy or tacky residue; this lovely product delivered hydration that was lasting; ideal when also used on dry cuticles; non-irritating, with a lovely aromatherapeutic natural scent.  http://www.jurlique.com/

Kate Somerville Dilo Oil Restorative Treatment ~ The skincare industry has seen many advancements in technology and substance, but those that have had the greatest amount of success have been tree and fruit nut oils (shea, Marula, Kukui, coconut, macadamia, Argan, etc.).  Dilo Oil (Tamanu oil) is the latest miracle oil to hit the industry scene; it’s been benefitting Fijians, Tahitians and Ni-Vanuatu’s for hundreds of years in firming, restoring and hydrating skin; it has also been prized for its healing and firming properties.  A little of this was all that was needed; quickly absorbed, without leaving any tacky or greasy residue.  A few of the key ingredients include Dilo seed oil, coconut oil, pumpkin seed extract, Vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, Plumeria (frangipani) flower extract, rosemary extract, jasmine and brown algae.  The product’s aroma is delicate and fresh.  http://www.katesomerville.com/

Marula Pure Beauty Oil ~ Marula Oil is one of the über oils, and in terms of antioxidants and Omega 9 fatty acids, is higher than Argan or grapeseed oil.  Marula Oil is an effective hydrator, and was quickly absorbed, without leaving any tacky or oily residue; its aroma is neutral; non-irritating.  Key ingredients include Vitamin C, anti-oxidant rich flavonoids and fatty acids (palmitic, oleic and stearic), which are all vital to healthy skin and cellular generation.  The Leakey Collection is aligned with the local rural women who harvest the fruit and who then process it for the Marula Oil; this is definitely a fair trade arrangement with production enabling the local women to have a sustainable economy and viable livelihood.  https://marula.com

Skin Authority Oil Nutrient for Face, Hair & Nails ~ The Oil Nutrient includes a rich formula of restorative oils that include Avocado, Rosehip, Grapeseed, Sunflower, Petigrain, Cardamom, Safflower, Jasmine, Sunflower, and Bergamot.  Quickly absorbed without leaving any greasy or tacky residue, this product delivers on lasting hydration throughout the day with a beautiful and uplifting aroma; non-irritating. http://www.skinauthority.com

Tata Harper Skincare Nourishing Oil Cleanser ~ This is another product that proves you can mix oil and water together.  The Nourishing Oil Cleanser can be used as a makeup removal, but it’s an ideal gentle facial cleanser that left the delicate skin hydrated without any irritation, or residue.  Key ingredients include sunflower seed oil, olive oil, shea butter, apricot kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, Argan kernel oil, camellia seed oil, and Vitamin E.  http://www.tataharperskincare.com

~ For the Body ~

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Drying skin, whether it’s on the body, hands, feet, or especially cracked heels, needs more TLC during this challenging time; exfoliation and moisturization are your best defenses against winter’s assaults.  The following are great for your winter-weather arsenal.

Aura Cacia Comforting Geranium Body Oil ~ This lovely Body Oil drenches the skin with key ingredients that include grapeseed oil, apricot oil, sweet almond oil, lavender oil, geranium oil, Rosa Damascena absolute, and Vitamin E.  Like all oils, very little is needed; this product was quickly absorbed without leaving any tacky or greasy residue; hydration levels remain throughout the day; was also non-irritating.  The aromatherapeutic properties are uplifting and calming; ideal for all skin types.  http://www.auracacia.com

emerginC Scientific Organics Coconut-Argan Body Oil ~ This spray oil is more like a dry oil that leaves skin hydrated; it’s quickly absorbed and non-irritating, without leaving any tacky or greasy residue.  Key ingredients include sunflower seed oil, grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba seed oil, olive fruit oil, apricot kernel oil, Vitamin E and A, eucalyptus leaf oil, clove leaf oil, bergamot fruit oil and orange peel oil.  The delicate and fresh aroma is lovely.  http://www.emerginc.com/scientific-organics.aspx

G.M. Collin Body Treating Oil ~ This lovely aromatic oil beautifully hydrates the dry skin with ingredients like Eco-certified Argan Oil, Lupin Oil, and Macadamia Oil.  Added benefits also include calming stiff muscles, while improving elasticity and firmness; was also non-irritating, and quickly absorbed without leaving any tacky or greasy residue.  http://www.gmcollin.com/en/

Leonor Greyl Huile De Magnolia ~ The Magnolia Oil is part of Leonor Greyl’s “Beauty Enhancing Oils”, and can be used on the face and body (two more parched areas that need attention during winter’s assault).  The Magnolia Oil is ninety-seven percent pure botanical oils; key ingredients include hazel seed oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, jojoba seed oil, and magnolia seed oil.  These natural oils protect, nourish and rehydrate; the product is non-irritating, quickly absorbed and didn’t leave any tacky or greasy residue; its signature magnolia scent is delicate, fresh and uplifting. I loved the way my skin felt after using the Huile De Magnolia (Magnolia Oil).  http://www.leonorgreyl-usa.com

Red Flower Cardamom Amber Oil ~ This beautiful organic oil is one of the product mainstays of Red Flower’s Hammam Spa Treatment, but you don’t need to go to a spa to experience this warming, hydrating, and an aromatherapeutic product.  This product is a lavish formulation of nourishing and restorative oils that include apricot, cardamom, gardenia, jasmine, orange, patchouli, rosa damascena, sandalwood, vetiver, ylang ylang, and Vitamin E.  http://www.redflower.com

Weleda Arnica Massage Oil ~ I’ve been a huge fan of this line since the 1970s.  The Arnica Massage Oil does double-duty as massage oil and as an exceptional moisturizer, which left my skin feeling like I’d just applied a dry oil.  The product was quickly absorbed without leaving any greasy or tacky residue.  Key ingredients include sunflower seed oil, olive oil and Arnica Montana extract, rosemary and lavender. Very aromatherapeutic; calming, restoring, hydrating, and non-irritating.  http://www.weleda.com

~ In Closing ~

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Remember that your skin is your body’s largest organ and needs to be taken care of on a regular basis, regardless of the season, environment, or climate.  Face and body oils are great options to incorporate into your daily regimen for your skincare needs.  Fruit and nut oils naturally hydrate, heal, nourish, and restore.  Use formulations that are natural, organic, and pure, and recommended for face, body, or hair.  Take care of your skin…it’s the only one you have!

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

TERRY HERMAN is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In the 1990s, she authored an extensive "Glossary of Spa Terminologies" and holds two copyright registrations on her authored work.  Consumer and trade publications have also interviewed her as an expert.  She also conducted an extensive nationally broadcasted interview tour on aspects of creating an at-home spa, interior design, music, stress and time management.  Her work has been published extensively in print and digital in both consumer and trade publications.  In addition to writing, reviewing and being interviewed as an expert, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also served on the International Advisory Board for the former EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness; the Advisory Board was comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also served as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.  In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach also includes Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  Be sure to read her food, wine and culinary digital magazine, TERRY’S SECOND HELPINGS.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, “Terry’s Second Helpings”.  Please note that the “Comment Section” has been disabled.  For additional information, you can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

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