Best Oils for Glowing Skin
Healthy, glowing skin may just be the Everest of skincare. And, if you’re like me, you’re all for glowing skin… as long as you don’t have to spend a ton of time obtaining it.
So let’s talk about some of the best oils for getting the glowing skin you want. The comedogenicity rating for each one of these is 0 or 1 making them great for all skin types, especially acne prone skin.
Argan oil
If you wish to see Argania spinosa growing in its native habitat, you'll have to travel all the way to the Kingdom of Morocco. Although the trees are now planted and cultivated in other places, the north African port of Casablanca is where the finest argan oil is loaded onto ships and sent around the world.
Gnarled trunks and drooping, thorny branches are typical of the argan tree which can attain 33 feet in height and live for as long as two hundred years.
When mature, the wide-spreading argan tree features small, oval leaves and pale green flowers that appear in April. After flowering, the tree produces bitter fruits that are around 1 ½ inches long and take a little more than a year to ripen. It is within these thickly peeled fruits that one finds the hard nuts from which argan oil is pressed.
In Morocco, nutty argan oil is commonly drizzled onto breakfast bread or afternoon couscous. Rich in Omega-6 and other healthful fatty acids, argan oil provides first class nutrition for hair and skin, too. According to Healthline, skin-soothing, complexion-brightening argan oil also contains significant amounts of:
- Antioxidant plant sterols
- CoQ10
- Melatonin
- Monounsaturated omega-9 fat
- Oleic fatty acids
- Phenolic compounds
- Vitamin E
Research shows that topically applied argan oil may boost skin elasticity while reducing the visible signs of aging.
Tamanu oil
Native to Polynesia, Southeast Asia, Madagascar and India, Calophyllum inophyllum is ofttimes called the "beauty leaf" tree because it produces a potent oil with a remarkable ability to soothe and protect skin.
Tall and evergreen, the slow-growing tamanu tree may attain a height of more than 65 feet. Small white flowers typically appear twice a year, once in late spring and again in late autumn. After flowering, small, yellow drupe fruits bearing a single seed make their oh-so welcomed appearance.
Although all parts of the tree are useful, the topical oil derived from the inedible seed of the tamanu tree is of special interest for anyone who desires naturally luminous, glowing skin. In addition to numerous antioxidants, tamanu oil contains:
- Linoleic acid
- Terpenes
Topically applied in small amounts, non-comedogenic tamanu oil may improve a number of skin conditions, including blemishes, wrinkles and signs of premature aging. While tamanu oil is not edible, it's phenomenal for your skin and is used as a natural remedy and to protect against a number of environmental irritants, explains Organic Facts magazine.
Pumpkin seed oil
The perfectly orange pumpkin can be a whole lot more than just a Halloween jack-o-lantern. In fact, the seed of this lovely winter squash can be cold-pressed to provide a soothing oil that gives skin a natural glow.
Native to North America, pumpkin plants are typically started the first week of July. As long as they have sufficient water and sunlight, pumpkin plants produce low-lying vines that yield edible blossoms before the smooth, slightly ribbed orange fruits appear in early autumn. Within the fruits one finds small, flat seeds with a white husk and green interior.
When taken internally, pumpkin seed oil is said to lower cholesterol and lessen hair loss in men. According to Harper's Bazaar, pumpkin seed oil fights free radicals while helping skin to stay soft and supple. In addition to natural antioxidants, pumpkin seed oil delivers significant amounts of:
- Omega-3 fatty acid
- Omega-6 fatty acid
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
Applied topically, pumpkin seed oil soothes and moisturizes without promoting pimples.
Evening primrose oil
Native to North America, Oenothera biennis is a short-lived plant that produces a remarkably effective oil that may be applied topically or taken internally improve a number of skin conditions, including eczema, rosacea and acne. It's even used to soften taut belly skin during pregnancy.
Commonly known as evening primrose, the tall, spiky plant may attain a height of one to five feet. Late-afternoon yellow blooms that endure for a single night typically appear in spring and last to late summer.
Each oil reviewed so far delivers a beneficial amount of oleic and linoleic acids to keep skin soft and healthy. One thing that sets evening primrose apart from the rest is the highly healing amount of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) contained within its one-inch long encapsulated seeds.
An important nutrient, GLA is not produced naturally by the human body, but offers a range of health benefits –including softer, glowing skin-- when taken internally or applied topically.
After menopause, the natural enzyme that helps the body convert consumed fatty acids into GLA stops working. That's why supplements and skin care products containing GLA helps to promote luminescent, glowing skin, explains Healthy Directions magazine.
According to the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health, evening primrose oil is generally safe for short-term use but may interfere with blood-thinning medications. If you wish to try evening primrose oil on your skin, blend it with a neutral carrier such as almond or coconut oil to determine how primrose works for your particular skin type.
Best face and body oil for glowing skin
This is only a sampling of the natural oils that can help you achieve - and maintain - a healthy, glowing complexion. You'll find all the oils listed above in I am Enough Botanical Facial Oil.
And, when you need to boost your glow on the rest of your body, pick up Meadowfoam + Fog Body Oil. This nut oil free body oil pairs evening primrose oil & pumpkin seed oil with two more oils rich in essential fatty acids, flax seed and chia seed oils. Flax seed and chia seed oils aren't great choices for your face because they're higher on the comedogenic scale, but they are phenomenal for your body because they're both rich in omega-3 fatty acids and really help fight off dry, flaky winter skin.
Aren't sure you want to commit? Try a sample of both today:
Meadowfoam + Fog Body Oil, 1 ounce sample
I am Enough Facial Oil, 0.1 ounce sample
About the Author
Brandy's a formulation scientist and self-proclaimed health geek who loves hiking, gardening, bird-watching, and body boarding.
Her struggle with acne during her teens and 20s led to a holistic and healthy approach to skincare, embracing skin as an organ to be loved and cared for rather than a canvas to wage war on.
Since 2008, she's been developing all-in-one products for a simple routine at home, & Rain Organica started when her backpacking friends asked for a portable skincare routine to keep their skin healthy & happy on and off the trails.
You can try Rain Organica for yourself with The Essentials Kit, a complete skincare routine in just 3 steps.
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