Chances are, if you have come across the phrase, 'non-comedogenic oils for face', you must be wondering what the rage is all about, especially now that there is a list of non-comedogenic oils that skin care gurus hang in their office. Well, let's take a deep dive.
Non-Comedogenic oils are simply emollients that tend to keep your skin supple, well-nourished and moisturized without clogging or plugging up your pores. In a way, it is safe to say that they contribute immensely in keeping your complexion clear and pimple-free. Moreover, their mode of action is believed to contribute in ensuring that the skin is well-hydrated, breathable and free from comedones. Speaking of comedones, did you know that they can come in the form of whiteheads, blackheads, or skin-coloured itchy bumps? Either way, non-comedogenic oils ensure that you don't have to deal with these as frequently as you do at the moment.
You are probably already aware that acne is caused by the blocking and clogging of skin pores, more so when the blockage is as a result of accumulation of debris, bacteria and oil. You risk this kind of blocking when you're not using non-comedogenic essential oils to keep your epidermis in tip-top shape. What's more, most non-comedogenic oils for skin also have an array of anti-inflammatory properties. Besides, they are not lacking in important nourishment elements such as vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids e.g linoleic acid. It's an underlooked factor that makes them highly beneficial whether used as an ingredient in a top shelf skin care product like Papaya Kojic Acid Glutathione or as a standalone moisturizer.
List of Non-comedogenic Oils
There's no shortage of fast absorbing non-comedogenic oils in the skin care industry, that's the good thing about this. While some of them are employed in skin creams and moisturizers, others find their purpose as carrier oils. In simpler language, a carrier oil is one that aids in delivering another targeted type of oil (e.g an essential oil) to your skin.
It's advisable to try out various non-comedogenic oils with spf until you come across one that is tailored best for your skin type and adapted perfectly for your dermatological profile. Speaking of which, here is a list of non-comedogenic natural oils that you can use today to kickstart your elevated skincare regimen.
1. Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp Seed is one of the non-comedogenic oils with vitamin C that has proven to be extremely adaptable to dry skin. In addition, it is believed to be beneficial in improving symptoms of atopic dermatitis according to a 2005 study. We cannot also forget to remind you that hemp oil is one few emollients that are laden with vitamin E and a rich array of fatty acids.
2. Sunflower Seed Oil
Thin and light in texture, sunflower seed oil is one those non-comedogenic oils that can be used on its own as well as a suitable carrier oil. It's extremely rich in fatty acids, vitamin E and beta-carotene, all of which are highly essential for sound skin-barrier repair. In fact, there is no shortage of studies that show that it is a worthwhile solution for improving skin-barrier function in people who have compromised immunity and newborn babies.
3. Grape Seed Oil
Grape seed oil tends to vary in color, mostly depending on the type/origin of the grapes from which it is derived. And as you would expect, it's extraordinarily high in vitamin E, linoleic acid and antioxidants. Skin experts believe that it can be helpful in wound healing too.
4. Sweet Almond Oil
Light and fluffy on the skin, sweet almond oil is also gently-scented and is also not lacking in fatty acids. The same way there is no shortage of empirical evidence that shows its effectiveness in reducing the severity of hand dermatitis. It's also believed to be excellent at improving the symptoms of psoriasis.
5. Neem Oil
Neem oil is known for its pungent odour and antioxidant richness. It's no wonder it is heavily employed in a variety of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicinal regimens. Neem oil has also made its name as one of the few non-comedogenic oils for oily face with revered antifungal and antibacterial properties, something that makes it extremely useful for post-accident wound care. It is also utilized as an active ingredient in acne spot treatment in a number of pimple-combating creams.
6. Jojoba Oil
Another top non-comedogenic oil, it's virtually impossible to talk about oils that clarify skin pores (instead of blocking them) without mentioning jojoba oil somewhere in that discourse. Ironically enough, Jojoba oil is technically not even an oil in the first place - it's a kind of wax ester. Which, of course, implies that is quite similar to your skin's natural oil/sebum and therefore, it's easy to see why it is known to balance/regulate the production of oil by the sebaceous glands. In addition, the fact that it is a wax ester implies that it is chemically more stable than conventional out which, ordinarily, have very short shelf lives.
7. Tea Tree Oil
Apart from being a non-comedogenic oil, tea tree oil has a number of innumerable anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which explains why it is an active ingredient in most acne treatments. What's even more encouraging is that tea tree oil can inhibit the activity of acne-causing bacteria without necessity predisposing you to antibiotic resistance, as it would happen with standard treatments. Being an essential oil, however, it is advisable to dilute its potency with a suitable carrier before applying it on an inflamed skin.
8. Safflower Oil
Application of safflower oil to inflamed or dry skin can soothe it, alleviate itchiness as well as give it a smooth and soft appearance. And even though most of the research and observation regarding safflower oil is anecdotal, the fact that it is a common ingredient in skin care and cosmetic products speaks for itself.
Besides, taking into consideration that safflower oil is exceptionally rich in antioxidants (particularly vitamin E), it's ability to protect one's skin against damage by free radicals and sunlight's unforgiving UV rays has never been in doubt.
9. Coconut Oil
Mostly utilized as a blend, coconut oil has proven to be a perfect addition to the skin care routine of anyone with dry/combination skin. In fact, so good are its emollient properties that it is said to function best as an overnight moisturizer, more than anything else. It's actually the reason a top-of-the-line retinol cream like Bloommy's Retinol Collagen Cream employs a coconut hydrating base in its formulation. Aside from making it easier for your skin to tolerate the active ingredient better (retinol), the coconut emollient also smoothens the skin and prevents the characteristic dehydration that is associated with using a vitamin A-based skin care product.
Apart from its moisturizing prowess, coconut oil also packs a decent punch of nourishing fatty acids that are thought to be critical in protecting and hydrating the skin. They include the likes of lauric acid (which has decent antibacterial properties) and linoleic acid that helps the skin retain its natural moisture content.
10. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil, as you would expect being a derivative of avocado, is remarkably rich in tocopherol, as well as lecithin and potassium. A combination of these and many other micronutrients makes it an ideal tool for moisturizing and nourishing the skin without clogging up the pores. It also contains oleic acid, which is known to boost collagen production and aids in the proliferation of new skin cells. It's no wonder that top draw collagen-boosting creams will always contain avocado oil as part of the active ingredient list.
Having said that, avocado oil still boasts of the following unique upsides;
- Helps with psoriasis and eczema
- Possible solution for recurrent acne outbreaks
- Fights signs of aging and reduces the conspicuousness of what would otherwise be unsightly wrinkles
- Improves the condition of one's hair and nails
Non-comedogenic Oils For Oily Skin
Oily skin, unlike other types of skin textures, is extremely sensitive to any skincare input - even if it is a moisturizing formula. As such, you'll want to prioritize using only non-comedogenic oils for oily skin in your regimen or grooming routine. Speaking of which, good examples of these emollients include the likes of organic grape seed oil, castor oil, neem and marula oil.
Apart from keeping your skin unclogged but sufficiently moisturized and nourished, these non-comedogenic oils for oily face offer the following unique upsides.
1. Softens and Improves one Skin's Elasticity
One thing that the above mentioned oils have in common is their unmatched ability to make the skin supple, soft and elastic, particularly considering that they don't block your precious pores while in the process of doing this. Plenty of anecdotal evidence shows how these oils can improve your skin's ability to bounce back, which is highly beneficial when it comes to combating wrinkles in oily skin.
2. Evens Out the Skin Tone
It goes without saying that these non-comedogenic oils for oily skin pack innumerable antioxidants, they can also aid in evening out the skin tone when used progressively and consistently. There is also some observatory evidence that shows that oils in this class may be able to assist in getting rid of hyperpigmentation.
3. Protection from Sun Damage
The sun's unrelenting UV rays are no stranger when it comes to wrecking untold havoc on a person's skin. Fortunately, you can count on the potent antioxidants in these oils to shield your underlying layers of the dermis from absorbing the entire destructive spectrum of ultraviolet rays.
Non-comedogenic Oils For Combination Skin
Having combination skin is like having the best and the worst of two worlds. On one hand, you only have to worry about moisturizing and hydrating your dry patches but on the other side of the spectrum you still have to contend with the easily inflamed oily skin. Fortunately for you, there are several non-comedogenic oils combination skin that you can utilize to take your skincare to the next level. And this includes; sweet almond oil, olive oil, grape seed oil, carrot seed oil, avocado oil and neem oil.
Non-comedogenic Oils For Acne-prone Skin
The common denominator in almost all non-comedogenic oils for acne prone skin is that they pack quite a potent punch of antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties. This puts them in a vantage position in slowing down the activity of acne-causing bacteria (p.acnes) without necessarily triggering the dreaded antibiotics resistance. Excellent examples of non-comedogenic oils for acne consists of the likes of grape seed oil, neem oil, hemp seed oil, sesame seed oil, organic rose oil and organic tamanu oil.
It's quite interesting to know that some oils in this class are used purely as acne-spot treatment remedies rather than moisturizing oils for the whole face. Either way, if you know you have skin that is highly susceptible to breakouts, then substituting your standard moisturizing emollient for one that contains either of these oils in their formulation is a recommended way of keeping acne in check.
Besides, a good number of the emollients in this segment also double up as non-comedogenic oils for acne scars thanks to their above average wound-healing abilities that come in exceptionally handy when you are looking to minimize the appearance of marks and nicks. Again, they work best when you are using a spot treatment approach.
Non-Comedogenic Oils For Dry Skin
Dry skin calls for a combination of hydration and top-tier moisturizing properties without weighing the skin down or plugging the skin pores. The following non-comedogenic oils for face dry skin fit this bill perfectly; sweet almond oil, organic olive oil, organic castor oil, organic marula oil, coconut oil, carrot seed oil and organic neem oil. The best thing about investing in non-comedogenic oils for dry skin is that most of them such as coconut and carrot seed oil can double up as body serums for making those patchy elbows and knees less noticeable.
Non-comedogenic Oils For Wrinkle Treatment
Emollients that fit the non-comedogenic oils wrinkle treatment bracket are often premium moisturizers that also happen to be able to stimulate the production of collagen proteins. They include the likes of; olive oil, grape seed oil, castor oil, marula oil, and coconut. The anti-aging potency of these non-comedogenic oils face wrinkles emollients is also boosted by the fact that they have a unique way of locking in the skin's natural moisture content. Apart from the obvious healthy glow, it also makes your skin more supple and hence, less likely to show wrinkles.
The Takeaway
As you can see, the suitability of a good chunk of most non-comedogenic oils overlap and can be easily interchanged. This just goes to show how good of an investment substituting your current conventional moisturizer with one of these pore-clarifying oils.
