The best oil for your skin

The best Face oil

In order to determine the best oil for your face, it is best to understand the makeup of the skin and its special needs, in order to maintain it and keep it younger looking for as long as possible

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is the one you can see most easily. The skin is considered an organ because it has some very specific functions — like maintaining body temperature and protecting the other organs from bacteria.

The skin is exposed to the harsh elements of the environment, including sunshine with its Ultra Violet element, wind, dust, the artificial atmosphere of air conditioned buildings and acid rain amongst other things. In order to protect your skin from the harsh elements we encounter in our everyday lives, we need to understand the structure of the skin and what we can do to help maintain it in the most natural way possible.

The Structure of the Skin

The skin has 2 basic layers, dermis and epidermis.

The epidermis which is in contact with the environment is made of layers of dead or dying cells separated by layers of lipids which role is to protect and retain the moisture held in the deeper layer of the skin. These lipids are made of fatty acids, waxes etc. and accounts for 14% of the total weight of the skin.

The dermis is a mixture of protein fibre collagen and elastin. The moisture is retained in the collagen. It contributes to the plumpness, smoothness, elasticity and youthfulness of the skin. This will dehydrate quickly if the limpid barrier, residing in the epidermis, is poor or damaged, resulting in sagging skin forming wrinkles etc. It is therefore important to look after the oil film protecting the skin so that it can effectively protect the collagen and its moisture retaining properties.

The body produces its own protective oil - sebum- a mixture of fatty acids and glycerides. It is produced by special glands and is most active after puberty. Their activity decreases as the body gets older. Diet, reactions caused by the use of chemicals on the skin affect greatly the secretion of sebum causing dry, oily or a variety of skin complaints.

 

Why Use Vegetable oils

 

It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that vegetable oils will be too greasy and oily on the skin, but on the contrary, due to their constituents, and their ability to mimic the body’s natural sebum, indeed vegetable oils are non greasy and most beneficial for your skin.

 

Natural oils in cosmetics are very important in skincare. Vegetable oils in cosmetics are really the foundation of skincare. Most cosmetic products are based on oils and fats. The influence of vegetable oils and fats cannot be overemphasized when choosing skincare products.

 

Vegetable oils due to their constituents of essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Omega 6, which are not produced by the body, offer the right solution. They are used because of their low incidence of irritation, sensitivity and a tendency not to clog the skin. As well as containing essential fatty acids in high enough concentrations to be of benefit to the skin, vegetable oils are also rich in fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E and vitamin K. Each of these vitamins has a role to play to help protect the skin from the aging effects of harsh exposure to the environment and aid in keeping it protected, hydrated and hence younger looking.

 

 

 

 

 

An Essential Fatty Acid For Your Skin

Linoleic Acid is an Omega-6 essential fatty acid (EFA), which means it’s essential for human health but isn’t created by the body. Working in tandem with Omega-3 EFAs, Omega-6 fats like Linoleic Acid help promote optimal brain function, aid in skin and hair growth, and keep our metabolism regulated. This multitasking ingredient is critical for proper tissue and cell growth.

 

 Linoleic Acid, or Vitamin F, provides moisture and “plumpness” without weighing down the skin; it fortifies and protects the skin’s barrier, thereby helping to fend off UV rays and air pollutants such as smoke, both of which cause free radical activity that can result in wrinkles and signs of aging. It also lightens sun induced hyperpigmentation.

 

Whilst it is important to recognise the importance of linoleic acid in keeping your skin hydrated and protected from the harsh elements, it is also important to realise that it works in tandem with omega 3 fatty acid.

So an ideal oil for your skin will have a balance between omega 6 and omega 3 essential fatty acids.

 

 

Nard Face Oil

Nard face oil has been carefully formulated for you taking into account the special needs of the largest organ in our body, the skin, and its makeup and carefully selecting vegetable oils the best fit the special needs of the skin to help protect and maintain the skin in a natural way.

Nard face oil is based on Rose hip oil, being its prominent component; Rose hip oil is an oil that is high in linoleic acid. Rosehip oil isn’t the only linoleic acid-rich oil – you’ll find high amounts of linoleic acid in lots of other oils (note: the exact fatty acid profile of an oil varies depending on lots of things, like where it’s grown, when it’s grown, the variety, the processing method and so on.

The linoleic acid content isn’t the only beneficial aspect of rosehip oil – you’ll also get a hefty dose of vitamin A and vitamin C and antioxidants. I think it’s the combination of these rather than single components that will make your skin respond so well to rosehip oil. Cold-extracted rosehip oil is also rich in antioxidants, which limit oxidative damage from the sun, pollutants and even just air and being alive.

Apricot Kernel

Nard oil also contains apricot kernel oil.   While it may have taken a backseat to those more popular carrier oils such as jojoba, coconut or argan, apricot kernel oil closely resembles the natural sebum produced by the skin and offers a lot of cosmetic and medicinal benefits.  Apricot kernel oil keeps skin looking young and radiant, without leaving a greasy residue.

Wheat Germ

Wheat germ has been included in this formulation due to the many benefits of this oil, which comes from the rich supply of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids it contains, as well as vitamin A, E, B, and D. The abundance of these constituents in wheat germ oil make it beneficial in the prevention of ageing skin, as well as making it a great moisturizer, thus helping to reduce the appearance of fine line wrinkles.

The oils in Nard face oil have been carefully selected and formulated, so as to maximise the beneficial effects to your skin to keep it healthy and glowing.