These days I use more oil in my bathroom than I do in my kitchen. Oils are essential to your skin’s health because they keep your outer of skin cells together, making you look younger while protecting against future damage. They moisturize and nourish your hair and help prevent distress against heat styling. Oils can even help strengthen dry cracked nails and smooth out even the most chapped lips. From scalp to heels, the benefits are endless. Ready to cook up a more beautiful you?
Castor Oil:
Years ago castor oil was considered a miracle cure for just about anything. I remember my grandmother used to recommend it to treat sunburns and would even threaten the kids with a spoonful of it when didn’t eat our veggies. The wonders of castor oil aren’t just an old wives tale. Primarily made up of ricinoleic acid, a fatty compound that possesses anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, castor oil can sooth skin and even help fight acne. Remember though: castor oil is not for cooking. It can wear away at the lining of your digestive tract.
Try: SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil hair product line, Ulta, $7.99-$12.99
For Your Hair: Combat dandruff.
The omega-9 fatty acids present in castor oil will help nourish dry scalps to prevent flaking. For persistent dandruff, the anti-fungal properties help fight the pathogens and micro-organisms that are leaving your scalp itchy and dehydrated. Before washing, apply castor oil to the infected areas. You’ll see results after a few washes.
For Your Face: Cleanse your skin.
Oil on your face? You must be thinking I’m crazy. The basic idea of the oil cleansing method is that oil absorbs oil. Many commercial face washes strip the skin of its natural necessary oils, which in fact causes your skin to produce more oil and breakouts. By gently cleaning your face with oil, you’ll wash away impurities while keeping your skin moisturized. Pour a quarter-sized amount of oil into your palms, rub them together and delicately massage the oil all over your face. The longer you work the oil into your skin, the better it breaks up the dirt and grime.
Coconut Oil:
If you haven’t already discovered the miracle of coconut oil, I can’t imagine what you’re waiting for. Coconut oil contains a fatty acid called caprylic triglyceride. This ingredient does everything from keeping your locks luscious to keeping your breath fresh, but beware coconut oil is comedogenic so it can clog pores and cause acne breakouts if it is directly applied to the face.
Try: Whole Foods 365 Organic Expeller Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil, $10
For your hair: Grow long luxurious tresses
Coconut oil masks have saved the condition of my hair. More than a decade of flat ironing, blow-drying, highlighting and chemically treating my hair left it seemingly damaged beyond repair. The breakage on my hair was so bad, my ends would be noticeably uneven just a week after a trim. I started doing weekly coconut oil masks and my hair was forever changed. Fatty acids bind to the protein in hair and protect both the roots and strands of hair from breakage. By penetrating the hair shaft, the coconut oil shields against environmental impurities and excess heat. Saturate your hair in the oil and wrap a warm towel around your head for twenty minutes. Make sure you wash out all the coconut oil to avoid buildup around your scalp.
For your mouth: Oil pull for fresher breath and whiter teeth
Swish coconut oil around your mouth for 20 minutes to strengthen your teeth and gums, whiten your smile, fix bad breath and maybe even cure a hangover. Start with a ball of solid coconut water and it will melt into a liquid. As it pulls in your saliva and toxins, it starts to get thicker and almost doubles in size. After twenty minutes of swishing you can dispel the concoction and be left with a fresher healthier mouth. Make sure you spit out the oil into your trash can instead of your sink. The oil could build up in your drain and cause blockage.
Argan Oil:
Often referred to as “liquid gold,” argan oil is truly a whole body product. It’s loaded with vitamin E and essential fatty acids giving it unbelievable healing, repairing and conditioning properties for your hair, skin and body. But don’t get fooled by the influx of “argan oil” products currently on the market. Most are filled with silicone, artificial preservatives, dyes, perfumes and contain very little actual argan oil. Pure organic argan oil is a lightweight formula that easily penetrates without leaving any greasy residue.
Try: Josie Maran 100 Percent Pure Argan Oil, Sephora, $48
For your hair: Mend dry brittle ends
Use after blow-drying to hydrate and repair dry split ends. Rub a few drops between your palms and run your fingers through your hair to tame frizz and add shine. Like other dry oils just a few drops go a long way.
For your nails: Keeps nails nourished between manicures
Before polishing nails apply a few drops of argan oil to each nail. The moisturizing properties will soften cuticles, mend cracked nails and improve the condition of the skin surrounding your nail bed.
Maracuja Oil:
Extracted from passion fruit seed, this oil is ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin types. Unlike thicker oils, this one won’t clog your pores. Made up of 77 percent linoleic acid, the omega-6 essential fatty acids reduce inflammation and help the skin retain moisture. Applying linoleic acids to the skin regulates the skins oil production by balancing the sebum’s natural oleic acids that can contribute to acne.
Try: Tarte Maracuja Oil, Sephora, $46
For your face: Refresh a tired complexion
Infused with vitamin C, this oil absorbs quickly to replenish tired, dull skin and create the appearance of a brightened complexion. It can stimulate the production of fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen, keeping skin firm and diminishing noticeable fine lines. The gentle oil also helps even out skin tone and soothe irritation.
Olive Oil:
Even with more exotic oils flooding the market, olive oil remains one of my favorite staples. Olive oil is naturally loaded with antioxidants and moisturizing squalene to give your skin a silky radiant finish. It has regenerative power over skin tissue so regular usage ensures that your skin remains soft and smooth while keeping it firm and toned.
Try: Olivella Mamma Cream, EVOO Factory (1239 E. Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale), $14.50
For your face: Take off your makeup
Dab some olive oil on a cotton ball and glide away even the most stubborn waterproof mascara. It’s naturally less abrasive than many other makeup removers making it perfect for the delicate area around the eye. As an added bonus, the olive oil acts as a conditioner to fortify your lashes and stimulate growth.
For your skin: Say goodbye to stretch marks
Olive oil not only speeds up cell turnover, but it also helps increase the elasticity of the skin. This not only helps in preventing stretch marks from coming back but also helps lighten the ones that are still present. Warm up oil in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds and give yourself a hot oil massage about three times a week.
