I used to spend hours and hours in the aisles of my local pharmacy, reading the labels of all the beauty products. This one promised to balance combination skin, that one moisturizes for 24 hours or what about this other one with natural fruit extracts?
I thought I needed to invest in all of these specialized (and heavily marketed) formulations to get the healthy, clear, young-looking skin I wanted, so I would buy one after the other trying to find the perfect solution. At one point I even invested in a seven-step system which took nearly half an hour to complete each evening! All the while I still struggled to keep my skin even-toned and acne-free.
Then one day, I learned about how anything you put on your skin gets absorbed into the bloodstream. I realized I didn’t want to be putting anything on my body that I wouldn’t also feel comfortable eating. And I sure wouldn’t want to eat any of those lotions and potions I used to buy from the pharmacy!
I did some research and found out that commercial face moisturizers contain all sorts of ingredients I don’t want to expose my body to, like preservatives, petrochemical derivatives, absorption enhancers and artificial perfumes.
My mind was blown as I learned that all of the nourishing and skin-transforming ingredients they use in those products actually come from natural sources. We can use those natural sources on our skin directly, to skip all the additional unwanted ingredients and save money too.
I started replacing all of my mainstream products with whole, simple, homemade solutions. I learned that I already had pretty much everything I needed in my kitchen! Nowadays when I go to the supermarket, I often split some items into a separate container to leave in the bathroom, since I use many of the same oils and other ingredients for both eating and self-care.
Are you wondering what happened to my skin? It looks bright, youthful and clear. I know that I am taking good care of it with the best pure and natural ingredients so that it will stay looking great for years to come.
Do you want to know which kitchen oils I use on my face? Here are my top nine oils, each with their own unique uses and benefits. Stop reading labels and testing product after expensive product at the pharmacy or beauty counter — for the best skin, look no further than your kitchen cupboard!
Here are the nine best kitchen oils for moisturizing your face
1. Olive oil
This kitchen staple has been used on skin for centuries. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and fats which keep skin looking young. It is also healing, cleansing and gently antibacterial, so olive oil is perfect when you want to remove makeup, treat an acne breakout or got too much sun.
2. Avocado oil
Vitamin E, phytosterols, monounsaturated fatty acids. These are just a few of the components in avocado oil that will help reduce visible signs of aging, such as fine lines and age spots, and also balance the oil production of your skin.
3. Coconut oil
Coconut oil has so many uses, I’m never without a jar or two in the house. Besides the naturally delicious tropical scent, coconut oil also offers antibacterial and antifungal properties and provides a baseline level of sun protection of around SPF 4.
4. Sunflower oil 
This gentle oil contains vitamins A, C, D and E which promote smooth, healthy skin free of marks or blemishes. Just be sure to skip the regular sunflower oil from the supermarket and get a cold-pressed version, which has all of the nutrients intact. You might need to plan a trip to the health food store to find some.
5. Safflower oil
The high linoleic acid content of safflower oil makes it an excellent moisturizer and can help treat dryness or chronic conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Look for a high-quality cold-pressed product.
6. Flaxseed oil
Using flaxseed oil on your face is a great idea for those with any type of inflammation or irritation. You can thank this oil for an even skin tone with less redness and reversed signs of aging.
7. Grapeseed oil
This lightweight oil is known to moisturize without clogging pores. It heals, tones and tightens skin, reducing dark circles and restoring collagen.
8. Hemp seed oil
The polyunsaturated fatty acids found in hemp seed oil are very nourishing for the skin and are known to effectively treat inflammatory conditions like eczema and dermatitis. Consuming hemp seed oil and using it topically is said to reduce the incidence of blackheads. Make sure you purchase a cold-pressed version, which will be bright green in color (while many lower quality products are clear).
9. Sesame seed oil
This popular culinary oil is rich in zinc which is critical for healthy skin. It also contains vitamins A and E which help to smooth and heal any broken or irritated areas.
Tips for using kitchen oils on your face
Here are some useful lessons I’ve learned along the way, so you can get great looking skin fast.
Use the oil cleansing method, where you massage your face with the oil or oil blend of your choice, then apply a warm washcloth to open the pores and remove dirt and impurities. This works as a makeup remover, cleanser and moisturizer in one.
If you don’t have time for oil cleansing, simply apply your favorite oil before or after the shower and you’ll emerge with purified, hydrated skin.
And finally, be sure to use any treatment you do on your face, on your neck too. This can help prevent a sagging neck.
For more natural beauty ideas, read 7 Essential Oils To Beat Puffy Eyes.
Learn More: Free book reveals why coconut oil is “Mother Nature’s” #1 healing superfood! =>
— Liivi Hess