Growing up, I always had the impression that the last thing you wanted to put on your skin, especially your face, was any kind of oil. I would always hear that any contact with oil would make you break out and it seemed like most foundations and tinted moisturizers were advertising “oil-free” as a huge selling point. However, the last few years have shown a resurgence in the use of natural oils on our skin, and can I just say, thank god!? Coconut, jojoba, sesame, and several other oils are phenomenal for skin. I have rotated through oils for the last five years and have found a multitude of uses for them.

While in esthetics school in 2007, my skin, face and body, exploded. I was breaking out constantly and my keratosis pilaris (the rough, red bumps that appear on arms, thighs, etc., which affects at least 40% of adults) was at its worst. I bought a cheap jar of coconut oil from Trader Joe’s and started using it every night after a shower. Within a week, the redness was completely gone. After a few weeks the bumps had gone by at least 50% (although they never completely went away, but I’ll take what I can get). I had no idea that coconut oil had properties that would help the redness, I just assumed I was getting a pure moisturizer. As it turns out, coconut oil is an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-fungal wonder product.

Jojoba oil, which is actually a liquid wax, is non-comedogenic and closely resembles your skins natural oil, which can trick your skin into slowing sebum production, helping to keep breakouts under control. it will not only help the breakouts but also keep your skin super hydrated and moisturized, which can be hard to do since we tend to over dry our skin trying to get rid of them. If you are combination-oily, I would recommend it more for a night moisturizer so you don’t run the risk of too much shine during the day, but those with skin on the drier side can use it morning and night.

Oils are perfect eye makeup removers. Rub a small amount between your fingertips and press onto your eyes for a few seconds, and your makeup will come right off. It has also helped the fine lines around my eyes, and when I’ve tried different eye makeup removers I’ve noticed the difference in the depth of my beginning signs of crow’s feet.

You can also make an easy at home scrub for body and face. Combining oil with raw sugar or coarse salt will exfoliate away any dry, flaky skin. It is perfect to use before shaving to help achieve the closest shave possible. It is also the most amazing foot scrub I have ever used; before bed, give them a good scrub followed by oil as a moisturizer, slip into a pair of socks and by the time you wake up they will be baby smooth.

DIY sugar scrub, courtesy of smileandsprinkles

Using oils in your hair is excellent as well. You can treat it as a mask, putting it on dry hair and leaving it in for however long you would like (I’ve left it in all day while lounging), which will give you amazing shine and encourage hair growth, but be aware that if you have fine hair it could look a bit limp for a day or so. You can also use it as a serum, helping to smooth away frizz, encourage curls and conceal split ends.

The best part? You can get a jar or bottle of most oils for less than $10!

What are your favorite uses for oils? Share them with us down in the comments!

Written by  Sarah Pires
Follow her blog, Adventurously!