Image source: @ritualofme
Dehydrated? No problem. Breakouts? Fixed. Windburn? Oils got your back, too. Whatever it is that your skin is complaining about, it's time to break out the face oils. Face oils are the heaviest hitters in your medicine cabinet. They work against the cold unlike anything else. According to NYC Dermatologist, Dr. Sejal Shah, “Face oils are rich in fatty acids, antioxidants and other essential nutrients that make repairing the skin barrier and locking in hydration possible." You don't need "dry" skin in order to benefit from oils - have you ever tried fighting oil with oil? Sometimes, balancing your sebum with oil can actually help control your breakouts. I digress. Below, we've curated our favorite winter-fighting face oils straight from Mirra HQ.
This deep blue oil is a sensorial dream. The formula combines the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of azulene, the protective properties of squalane and the moisturizing and soothing properties of jasmine. It's designed to balance moisture while regulating sebum production, making it great option for combination, oily and blemish-prone complexions.
This cult favorite, single ingredient oil is like a cold drink of water for your skin. It's soaks up immediately, and delivers intense, long-lasting hydration. Plus, it has a zero rating on the comedogenic scale, meaning it won't clog your pores (no matter your skin mood). There are cheaper dupes on the market, but this oil really lives up to the term "luxury."
Enter Squalane: the latest addition to my face oil collection. Thanks to the affordable $7.90 Squalane from The Ordinary, after reading so much about the ingredient, thanks to the price tag, I decided to give it a try and my $72 marula oil a break. Whether your skin is feeling dry, oily, acne prone, or sensitive, squalane is one of those oils that pretty much everyone can benefit from using. Squalane is non-comedogenic (meaning it won't clog your pores), and is naturally found in your skin. Adding in 2-3 drops into your skincare routine can help lock in some extra hydration.
The internet has gone badshit crazy over this $185 face oil. "Believe the hype," says one. "The Face Oil to End All Face Oils" says Into The Gloss. It's a mix of 22 of the most active organic botanicals mixed with powerful essential oils. According to the founder, "we have 22 ingredients, but if you looked at our constituents, all of the antioxidants and vitamins and minerals, it’s actually over 80.” The anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, skin-firming phytoceramides, plus nourishing fatty acids and anti-oxidants claim to stimulate cellular turnover, enhance elasticity, strengthen capillaries, inhibit melanin production, prevent wrinkles, and protect against free radicals. The only caveat here is that if you tend to have sensitive skin, you may want to do a patch test first (there are a lot of active ingredients here, so there's a chance you may react to at least one).
Rosehip oil > gold. It's the ultimate 1-2 punch for your skin. It includes an incredibly gentle form of Vitamin A (perfect for those of you who feel iffy about retinol), in addition to a high concentration of Vitamin C, E, and fatty acids to protect and brighten your skin. This cold-pressed oil also contains a unique, high concentration blend of both organic Rosehip fruit and seed oil for maximum efficacy.
So this one is literally gold (and a staple in many dermatologist offices in Beverly Hills). It's a duel-phase oil—where one phase is comprised of 24 kt gold flakes and the other is a mix of squalane, fish oils, and Restorsea's proprietary fermentation. The oil soaks up quickly (which is great for oilier skin moods) to help seal in moisture, and the gold flakes leave behind a reflective glow. Pro tip: apply a few drops after your makeup and replace your current highlighter.
