A woman with healthy glowing skin touching her face

Fresh Starts, Fresh Faces and Facial Oil

Written by: Raven Botanicals

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Time to read 6 min

If January has a habit of getting you down, then we’d like to assure you that you’re not alone.


The third Monday in the month even has a name to express this phenomenon, Blue Monday, supposedly the most gloomy day of the year! A dip in both energy and spirit can sneak up on you in January, but there are ways to brighten both your outlook and your complexion when the skies are grey.


Here's how to beat the post-holiday slump and sashay into the new year in style.


Winter Skin: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Is forgetting to cleanse really that bad?

December can be full of jubilation and celebration which is heaps of fun for us but a bit of a nightmare for our skin! 


Some of us (ahem) have been burning the candle at both ends, possibly even involving a tipple or two, and this may have resulted in a few nights where cleansing was beyond us! Nights like this are inevitable but can often cause dehydration, a whopping pimple or both.


Pros:

  • Instant access to the land of nod: No time wasted on getting that precious shut-eye after a long day
  • Ditch the routine: Who doesn't like a bit of spontaneity!? Just wing it and see what happens after the all-night pore party!
  • Save minutes in the morning: Have an extra fifteen minutes in bed and enjoy a leisurely start to the day. Most of last night's makeup is still hanging on in there!

Cons:

  • Surprise Breakouts: Unwanted guests on your face. An accumulation of dirt and grime clogs pores and causes breakouts
  • Dull complexion: A build-up of impurities creates a lacklustre, dull complexion and steals your gorgeous glow. Think less "radiant glow" and more "mysterious shadow"!
  • Skin mood swings: Not cleansing can lead your skin to become more tetchy over time, prone to over the top reactions and inflammation.

Must Have Winter Skin Saviours

Blood sugar spikes and breakouts

It’s also likely that Christmas saw us eating more sugary and fatty food than we might normally. Ultimately glorious at the time, however it’s a sure fire way to initiate breakouts and congestion. 


Consuming high amounts of sugar can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels, which in turn causes a rise in insulin levels. Elevated insulin increases oil production in the skin, leading to clogged pores, spots and even patches of acne. Talk about a buzz kill!


Weathering the Wild Winter

If all that wasn’t enough for your poor skin to contend with, the weather also does its bit to disrupt the harmony of your skin!


The rapid switch between heat and cold from moving from central heating to outdoors and back again disrupts the skin’s barrier meaning that tiny cracks appear on the surface. 


This means the top layer is less effective at retaining moisture, and might lose more than it should through transepidermal water loss (TEWL) resulting in dry, sore, flaky and ravaged skin.

Fresh Faces: restore vitality with a simple routine

Don’t panic if your skin has borne the brunt of the holiday season. A good cleansing routine is the perfect first step to getting your complexion back on track! 


Whether you’re battling dryness or breakouts brought on by festive feasting, consistent cleansing is key.


Read on for our other top products to restore harmony, balance and vitality to your winter complexion.


Our Indulgent 24 Carat Cleanser is a luxurious cleansing oil that effortlessly melts away makeup and impurities. This gentle yet effective formula, enriched with fruit extracts like raspberry and grape seed oils, works to balance sebum production while papaya enzymes delicately exfoliate for a truly refined cleanse. The oil transforms into a milky emulsion upon contact with water, leaving your skin feeling clean, comfortable and beautifully nourished.

Facial Oils for the skincare win!

By using facial oils to nurture the skin barrier, you’ll not only achieve healthier-looking skin but also enjoy a more radiant complexion. 


When it comes to skincare, face oils and moisturisers play distinct roles. While moisturisers tend to be primarily water-based, facial oils take a different approach. They don't add water but excel at sealing in hydration, preventing it from evaporating.


Facial oils are crafted from a blend of nourishing plant oils rich in fatty acids, offering myriad benefits. Facial oils are great for giving more radiant and smoother skin, creating. that coveted natural glow - perfect for makeup-free days or as a brilliant primer for makeup! The right facial oil can support hydration, soothe acne, and even help balance oily and dry patches.


One of the standout features of face oils is their ability to support the skin barrier function. The top layer of our skin is composed of natural ceramides, fatty acids, and lipids, and facial oils closely resemble sebum, the skin's natural oil. By replenishing and supporting the skin barrier, facial oils help combat redness, sensitivity, breakouts, and dry patches.

Locking moisture in is KEY

Keeping moisture locked into your skin’s barrier is absolutely essential for achieving and maintaining a healthy, glowing complexion. 


A well-hydrated skin barrier functions optimally, protecting against environmental stressors and preventing dryness, which can lead to dullness, irritation, and even premature aging.


Adding a facial oil to your skincare routine can have many benefits for all skin types.

  • Packed with vitamins and phytonutrients, facial oils nourish the skin and help protect against environmental stressors.
  • Facial oils give a great natural glow
  • Try a facial oil to balance dry and oil patches without disturbing the skin barrier

"Beautiful skin requires commitment, not a miracle."

Erno Laszlo

Where does a Facial Oil fit in?

Applying skincare products in the right order is essential to get the most out of your products. Generally speaking, it's best to layer your products from lightest to the heaviest. Start with thinner, lighter formulations like serums, and finish with thicker products such as oils and balms.


We recommend a straightforward yet powerful routine featuring our incredible moisture-boosting ULTRA HYDRATING SERUM as the first step on freshly cleansed skin. 


This high-performance serum is an instant quencher for thirsty skin. Clinically proven actives, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide form a powerfully dynamic duo, drawing moisture deep into the epidermis while closing pores to refinine surface tone and texture. 


Concluding your layering using facial oils is the ideal next step, and will seal in all the beneficial ingredients you’ve already applied.


This will mean none of the luxurious ingredients will evaporate and go to waste, especially if you have any signs of weakened barrier function.


IN CONCLUSION


Our lightweight yet powerful facial oil offers the perfect blend of everyday luxury and effective skin nourishment. With their ability to soothe, hydrate, and balance the skin, facial oils not only enhance collagen production but also restore your natural glow.

Packed with nourishing bioactive compounds, fatty acids, and phytonutrients, our carefully formulated products work hard to protect and illuminate your complexion. Embrace the transformative power of our facial oils, and enjoy a healthier, more radiant appearance that truly reflects your inner beauty!

Our lightweight facial oil is a luxurious product that effectively rejuvenates the skin, promoting hydration, balance, and increased collagen production.

Packed with nourishing bioactive compounds, fatty acids, and phytonutrients, a facial oil can protect and illuminate the skin.

Experience a healthy, radiant complexion by incorporating a facial oil in your skincare routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

When to apply facial oils?

At the end of your routine, but before your SPF.

How to pick a facial oil?

Choose a balancing facial oil to neutralise dry and oily patches, or a rejuvenating one to mimnimise fine lines and boost natural collagen production.

Can I wear facial oils under makeup?

Definitely! Facial Oils provide an excellent base for makeup.

Will facial oils make my skin greasy?

Well formulated facial oils will sink in beautifully and disappear, leaving your skin non-greasy.

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