Natural, simple and multifunctional, cold pressed plant-based oils are a must for the beauty cupboard! Plant-based oils do double duty in the bathroom functioning as light facial creams, quick and gentle makeup removers and nourishing cleansers. Here are the must have oils for your skin, body and hair!
Rosehip
Extracted from the fruit of the Rosa mosqueta wild rose plant, this oil is rich in lycopene, beta-carotene, omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids and vitamins A and C which all help to prevent premature aging caused by free radicals and excessive sun exposure.
We love it because it helps to heal scarring and reduce rosacea redness
Top tip: massage through freshly washed hair to prevent frizz
Argan
Cold pressed from the fruits of the argan tree, this oil has been traditionally used in Morocco for centuries due to its ability to heal wounds, calm skin irritations and nourish the skin and hair. This oil is abundant in vitamins A and E, as well as omega fatty acids and linoleic acid. It absorbs well into the skin.
We love it because it helps to ease irritated and redness prone skin
Top tip: prevent stretch marks by warming 2-3 drops of argan oil in the palm of your hands and gently apply argan oil by rubbbing on stomach, hips, thighs or any other potential problem areas.
Macadamia
The fabulous macadamia tree is indigenous to Australia and as a species, is over 60,000 years old! It is rich in phytochemical compounds such as vitamin E, squalene, tocotrienols, oleic acid as well as omega 7 (palmitoleic acid) which is beneficial for wound healing, scratches and burns.
We love it because of its phytochemical compounds once harvested macadamia oil is considered stable for two years unlike other oils which go rancid fairly quickly after production
Top tip: massage into clean skin at night as its light and hydrating and excellent for dry and mature skins that have a reduced production of natural sebum.
Hemp
Containing omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids necessary for healthy cell production and good skin health, hemp seed oil is also rich in gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA which has anti-inflammatory properties. Providing this balance to your body will help improve any chronic dry skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis. Hemp is also rich in vitamin D, which is necessary for calcium absorption to help achieve soft, smooth and hydrated skin.
We love it because it is a natural moisturizer and can help to make your skin feel smooth and soft while acting as a barrier and preventing moisture loss.
Top tip: Massage a small amount into the face after a day out in harsh weather
Jojoba
Jojoba (pronounced ho-HO-ba) is not an oil but a natural wax ester and is the only plant which produces liquid wax esters which are more similar to human sebum than any other oil. Jojoba is naturally antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic so it is used to soothe a wide range of skin conditions such as eczema, skin irritations and nappy rash.
We love it because jojoba opens our skin pores and penetrates to the deeper layers of the skin where it can help to hydrate and reduce lines and wrinkles.
Top tip: use as a cleanser for acne prone skin because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties
When shopping for plant-based oils look ensure they are cold pressed and organic where possible.