It’s All About Oils

A fount of beauty knowledge, Cult Beauty's Co-Founder Alexia urges you to discover the infinite skin care benefits of oils, and helps identify which one is right for you.

'On Cult Beauty we've seen the popularity of face oils sky-rocket in the last 18 months. People have finally stopped fearing, and have started to understand the instant and long term benefits that come with using face oils. The surge in demand has of course generated a boom in supply; everyone and their dog is producing face oils at the moment, and many are sub-standard.

'It's very easy to use cheap carrier oils (with big, unrefined molecules that cannot penetrate even the top layers of the skin, blocking pores and leaving the tell-tale greasiness that gave oils a bad name in the first place). View your face oil like you would a very special olive oil - the first press is the best and any subsequent pressings produce a pale imitation oil, that although still called 'olive oil', carries few of the wonderful benefits.

'Look for cold-pressed or organic oils; companies that use good sourcing and extraction practises are generally loud and proud about them (as are we)... Check for jojoba, pomegranate, camellia, rose hip, grape seed and organic argan oils at the very beginning of the ingredients list on the back of the packaging; they are all brilliant carrier oils, with wonderful skin benefits in their own rights. My favourite oils to look for in an ingredient deck are rose and sandalwood - they will always be half way down as they are incredibly expensive raw materials - but their complexion benefits are mind blowing.

'Ultimately, let your skin be your guide. If the oil aggravates spots or just sits on the surface feeling oily then it isn't of good quality. Whatever you do don't be fooled by the term 'mineral oil' - it's just another name for liquid paraffin.

'And if your skin is oily/combination - you can balance oil with oil. I highly recommend Uma's {Deeply Clarifying Face Oil} - blended in India by experts who’ve been doing this for generations. It not only balances the sebum production on both the dry and over-oily zones of your face, but it's also naturally anti-bacterial and helps to prevent congestion. The affinity it has with your skin is second to none, granting a beautiful, lit-from-within luminosity.

'Sunday Riley's {Artemis} is also hugely popular and the reviews are testament to its efficacy for a combination skin type. With a medley of lightweight, rapidly absorbed oils this stimulates the synthesis of toxin-fighting enzymes, normalises sebum production and reduces ageing inflammation for a clear radiant glow.'

Best for oily/combination skin - Sunday Riley's {Artemis}

Best for dry/dehydrated skin - Odacité's {Very Dry Skin Serum Concentrate}

Best for sensitive skin - MV Organic Skincare's {Pure Jojoba} - it's almost identical to sebum.

Best for congestion - Caudalie's {Polyphenol C15 Overnight Detox Oil}

Best for dulled/lacklustre skin - Uma's {Ultimate Brightening Face Oil}

Best for mature skin - Sunday Riley's {Luna Sleeping Night Oil}

Best for body - African Botanics' {Marula Shimmering Gold Oil}

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