Best Oils for Skin Moisturizer
By Ronald Taylor
You’ve probably heard before that it’s important to use a skin moisturizer, especially after taking a shower or washing your hands, to prevent dry skin. When skin is characterized as “dry,” that means that it is lacking in natural oils.
All over the body, we have glands that produce an oily substance known as “sebum,” which protects and moisturizes our skin, keeping it soft and youthful. Individuals with oily skin often have an overproduction of sebum, while individuals with dry skin do not have enough--too much sebum can lead to problems such as acne, while too little can lead to cracked skin and greater susceptibility to infection. Luckily, using the right skin moisturizer oils may be the answer to restoring the balance.
Finding the best skin moisturizing oils for you can be a process of trial and error, but some oils are particularly well-known for their nourishing and healthful properties. Not sure where to begin? Here is TEA.L’s list of best oils for skin moisturizer (note that we do not endorse any medical claims and specific questions on an individual's health should be directed to a physician).
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil comes from a North American shrub and is well-known for its skin benefits. Jojoba has been popularized as a massage oil due to its quick absorption and skin-softening abilities, and it's often referenced as being as close to our natural skin oil as possible.
Jojoba also boasts anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits that can aid in the relief of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Jojoba oil works well on its own or when used as a blend with other oils and skin care ingredients.
Kukui Oil
Extracted from the nuts of the kukui tree (also known as the Candlenut tree) in Hawaii, kukui oil contains numerous health benefits for the skin as a result of its mix of antioxidants, healthy fats, and vitamins C, D, and E. Kukui oil can soothe symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis, while also moisturizing dry skin.
Kukui oil is commonly used in massages to reduce inflammation and to relax muscles and joints. It also accelerates the healing process for small wounds like cuts and scrapes. It's a great choice for nourishing skin moisturizing oil!
Cranberry Seed Oil
Cranberries are for more than a side dish accompanying the Thanksgiving turkey. Cranberry seed oil is the product of cold-pressed cranberries, and boasts a mix of compounds including tocopherols, tocotrienols (Vitamin E), fatty acids, and phytosterols. All these fancy ingredients result in excellent absorption into the skin, moisturizing properties, photoprotection, and the ability to fight against free radicals that lead to aging skin.
Cranberry seed oil is highly moisturizing and an excellent choice for anyone dealing with dry, rough skin. However it can be expensive, and you won't find it a lot of skin moisturizers (spoiler alert: you'll find it in TEA.L's body lotion!)
Argan Oil
Originating in Morocco, argan oil is a popular ingredient in skin and hair products due to its blend of vitamins and antioxidants. In addition to its moisturizing benefits, research indicates that the antioxidants in argan oil prevent sunburns and reduce hyperpigmentation.
The vitamin E content in argan oil also decreases itchiness associated with a variety of uncomfortable skin conditions. Other benefits of argan oil may include preventing bacterial infections, reducing stretch marks, and improving skin elasticity.
Almond Butter
In recent years, almond butter has become a popular replacement for peanut butter, taking its place in sandwiches, snacks, and smoothies. But did you know that almond butter can also become part of your skin care routine? Well, maybe not the exact type you combine with jelly.
Almond butter and almond oil are great for people with sensitive skin, and natural almond butter options are best due to their higher contents of Vitamin E. Vitamin E has been correlated to positive effects ranging from skin protection against free radicals and UV radiation, to accelerated healing of skin lacerations.
Before using almond butter, you will want to make sure you don’t suffer from a nut allergy.
Illipe Nut Butter
Like almond butter, illipe is derived from nuts and therefore has a high content of healthy fats which can be quickly absorbed into the skin. Illipe has a similar texture to shea butter or cocoa butter and comes from the shorea stenoptera plant, which is indigenous to the jungles of Borneo.
Illipe has no noticeable scent and is known to be highly moisturizing, making it a good choice for people with chronically dry skin.
Why Your Face May Need Different Oils
While some oils can be used either on the face or the body, oils for moisturizing your face should have additional considerations. It is best for facial moisturizers to be non comedogenic so that they won’t clog pores and lead to acne. Lighter oils with smaller molecules are generally best for the face, again to ensure that your pores don't get blocked.
Check out our list of top oils for face moisturizing!
The best part about skin moisturizer oils is that you can reap the benefits of many of them at once by using an oil-based skin care product. TEA.L’s Rooibos & Green Tea Body Care contains all of the above oils infused with rooibos, green tea, and ginger. Which of the best oils for skin moisturizer have worked for you? Let us know!