For many years, I fell into the group of people who thought that facial oils were only for people with extremely dry skin. But think again.
The general consensus is that if you have oily skin, applying more oil will make the situation worse. However, oils caused by excess sebum (the stuff that clogs pores) are produced by your body when skin isn’t balanced. When you over-cleanse with an anti-oil product, it strips skin’s natural oils with harsh ingredients and your body begins to compensate by product more oil. So it’s a nasty, never-ending cycle!
Sebum oil is different from the oils in a pure facial product. Treating skin with a naturalface oil will actually replenish skin with the moisture and essential fatty acids it’s lacking, so sebum production can slow down.
This winter I’ve converted to using Gamila’s Secret original daily facial oil, and I l-o-v-e the effects it has: it’s smoother, nourished and clear. Only 100 per cent natural ingredients – like grape seed, sweet almond and lavender oil – are mixed with 15 healing herbs to penetrate deep into the skin and restore balance. All the ingredients are sourced in Peki’in in Galilee, northern Israel.
Gamila’s formula protects skin against extreme temperatures and dry climates, while decreasing inflammation and preventing premature ageing. Still skeptical? Facial oils are also highly recommended for people with sensitive or irritated skin.
Also consider the fact that most moisturizing creams are water-based, with not enough oil to actual deliver skin the moisture it requires. And oils can also move through the skin faster than creams, so they penetrate, protect and plump the skin more effectively.
How to use the oil? Massage into face, neck, chest (and the rest of your body, if you so desire), after cleansing, and wait three minutes for oil to absorb. The oil is also great for men after shaving! And don’t worry – your skin won’t be left feeling oily after application.
Gamila’s Secret products are available at Douglas.
Text: Lydia Parafianowicz