The 10 Best Beauty Oils For A Shimmering Summer

Posted: Tuesday 22 November 2011 11:04am

Remember when oils were a beauty no-no and slapping oil-free on a label was a licence to print money? Yet more and more beauty companies are releasing face, body and hair oils and they have become the must-have pampering products of the year.

There are two major reason’s for today’s oil boom. The organic/natural trend has pushed beauty oils into the spotlight because many are botanically-based. They also contain essential oils which are not only packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, they are composed of smaller molecules for faster absorption by the skin and hair. But the development that has had the most effect in pushing oils to super-star status is new technology.

Up until a few years ago, the mention of oils in skin and haircare usually conjured up thoughts of unwanted shine, clogged pores and lank, greasy tresses. But new extraction techniques have created beauty oils that are much lighter in texture and feel and don’t “sit” on the skin like a greasy film. So -called dry oils that contain water are another major trend in body and haircare because they leave behind a healthy sheen, not a sticky residue.

Hair, body and facial oils have been used for centuries by the French, Japanese and many other nationalities but more as treatments rather than everyday products. Today, though, the new technology beauty oils give us the best of both worlds – all the nourishment and hydration of natural oils without the dreaded drawbacks.

The success of such products as Bio-Oil in reducing the appearance of stretchmarks, scars and wrinkles has also convinced many women of the amazing benefits of beauty oils. While rosehip oil has become a bestseller for many Australian beauty brands, such as Kosmea, Trilogy and Natio, because of its proven ability to add radiance and rejuvenate ageing skin. Here’s how to slickly do it from top-to-toe.

1. L’Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil, $38, 1300 651 141
If there is such a thing as truth-in-naming, this recent release lives up to its billing. Containing avocado and grapeseed oil, it can be spritzed on before blow-drying your hair or used as a finishing product to tame flyaways. Perfect for thin and fine hair, too.

2. Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail and Cuticle Oil, $17.45, sallyhansen.com
A smash hit in Australia, this transparent oil is boosted with wheatgerm, apricot kernel oil and safflower oils to soften the most ragged cuticles. It also helps to strength nails and prevent breakage.

3. Kosmea Skin Clinic Certified 100% Organic Rose Hip Oil,  from $24.95, kosmea.com
An international award winner, this light-textured, fast-absorbing oil is a true multi-tasker. Packed with vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, only two to three drops morning and night helps to even skin tone and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also works on oily skin, helping to re-balance sebum production and reduce the appearance of blemishes.

4. Skinceuticals Emollience, $105.65, skinceuticals.com
One of the best moisturisers for dry, mature skin, this rich, restorative moisturiser contains three botanical oils – grapeseed, rosehip and macadamia -  to plump up a dehydrated complexion. Nutrient-rich Brazilian algae helps to treat fine lines and wrinkles. Great for a perk-up if you’ve been spending a lot of time outdoors.

5. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Deep Radiance Gel Oil, $10.60, palmersaustralia.com
The promise of this sleek 2-in-1 body hydrator is irresistible. All the benefits of an oil with the super-fast application of a gel. Cocoa butter, Vitamin E, shea butter and jojoba oil are the four key ingredients that will infuse your skin with a more youthful glow.

6. L’Occitane Olive Tree Organic Healing Hair Mask, $34.95, loccitane.com.au
When your hair is feeling “desertised”, twice-weekly treatments with this light, silky hair mask will restore strength and shine. Containing olive tree extracts, organic olive water, olive leaf extracts and olive oil, apply a generous amount and relax for 10 minutes before rinsing off.

7. The Body Shop Hemp Foot Protector, $23.95, thebodyshop.com.au
Feet are vulnerable to dryness and cracking in summer and winter. Smooth on this foot reviver containing pure hemp seed oil as required to rehydrate and repair the skin’s moisture barrier.

8. Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray, $34.95, 1300 437 436
The Moroccanoil range of shampoos, conditioners and hair mask pioneered the current craze for hair oils. Based on argan oil, long used in Morocco as a multi-benefit beauty oil for the hair, face and body, the brand has been hugely successful in the US and Australia. But there’s little point perking up the shine of your hair if you spray on a regular hairspray that can dull it down again. Also boosted with argan oil, this conditioning spray not only provides touchable hold it adds another layer of sheen.

9. Bio-Oil, from $14.95, pharmacies and supermarkets
Most doctors now recommend Bio-Oil to their patients who want to improve the appearance of scars and stretchmarks. Little wonder that it is now the number one selling skincare product in Australia. The hero ingredient is PurCellin Oil, a non-greasy, non-sticky blends of plant oils and vitamins that also works wonders on lines and wrinkles. A fast-absorbing dry oil, Bio-Oil also contains skin-calming ingredients such as lavender, calendula and chamomile.

10. Dermalogica PreCleanse, $65.50, dermalogica.com.au
Shu Uemura, L’Occitane and Laura Mercier are just three of the big name beauty brands who have created cult cleansing oils. Yet this plant-based cleansing oil, containing apricot kernel and candlenut oils, is a standout. Suitable for dry and oily skins, it turns to a milky lather when you add water to effectively remove sebum and makeup without stripping the skin of natural oils. Use a non-drying foaming cleanser afterwards and your skin will feel as clean as a baby’s.

by Elisabeth King

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