We all know that natural oils can help dry skin, but, contrary to what you might think, yes you can use oils on oily skin! Plant oils don’t just hydrate dry skin, the also help oily skin stay soft and healthy.

One of the factors creating dry or oily skin is an imbalance in oil production. Dry skin does not produce enough oil to keep skin hydrated, and an overproduction of oil causes oily skin and contributes to acne breakouts. One school of thought is that these conditions can be caused by a deficiency in either oleic or linoleic acid in the skin. A deficiency in oleic acid can cause dry skin, and deficiency in linoleic acid can cause oily skin.

When looking for a natural product that will benefit your skin type, there are different oils that have high concentrations of either of these acids. In addition to treating dry or oily conditions in the skin, other vitamins and compounds in plant oils will also help reduce the signs of aging and help rebuild youthful, healthy skin. Using plant oils specific to your skin type will also help balance the oil production to solve your chronic dry or oily condition.

Some oils high in linoleic acid for oily skin:

• Grapeseed oil- Linoleic acid content is 65%
• Hemp seed oil- Linoleic acid content is 60%
• Rosehip oil- Linoleic acid content is 35-50%
• Evening primrose oil- Linoleic acid content is 70%
• Sea buckthorn oil- Linoleic acid content is 30%

These oils also have a low comedogenic level, which means they will not clog your pores, making them suitable for oily skin that is prone to breakouts.

Some oils high in oleic acid:

• Olive oil- Oleic acid content is 60-85%
• Avocado oil- Oleic acid content is 75%
• Almond oil- Oleic acid content is 70%
• Argan oil- Oleic acid content is 40-50%
• Macadamia nut oil- Oleic acid content is 85%

These oils have a high comedogenic level, which means they can tend to clog pores if not used correctly. These oils should be applied in small amounts, waiting until the oil is completely absorbed before applying more.

Some oils with a balance of oleic and linoleic acid for combination skin:

• Sesame oil: Oleic acid content is 30-43%, linoleic acid content is 40-50%
• Rice bran oil: Oleic acid content is 38-48%, linoleic acid content is 16-36%
• Apricot Kernel oil: Oleic acid content is 55-75%, linoleic acid content is 19-35%
• Black currant oil: Oleic acid content is 8-25%, linoleic acid content is 32-55%
• Borage oil: Oleic acid content is 14-20%, linoleic acid content is 34-45%
  
  

Reading the ingredients in your natural skincare products can give you an idea of whether or not the product will best benefit your skin type. If you are looking for an oil to use directly on your skin as a cleanser or as a moisturizer, finding one with an appropriate level of oleic or linoleic acids can provide you with the results you want.

Bel Essence creates formulas for different skin types by combining the most beneficial ingredients for each skin type and condition. You can search by skin type, by ingredient or by issues to find products that are best suited for your skin.