I grew up with the notion that oil on your skin is a no-no. It makes your skin break out, most dermatologists said, so all the beauty products I’ve used since my teens, whether skincare or makeup, were all oil-free.

Last year, my colleagues at Kiehl’s sent me a curious-looking blue bottle to try—called Midnight Recovery Concentrate. When I saw that it was in oil, I left it on the shelf for a while because I was hesitant to use it.

But when I came home one day from a trip looking tired and fatigued, I decided to give it a try. The next day, I woke up to amazing results. My skin felt firmer, tighter, more hydrated. From then on, I became an oil convert; I am now on my third bottle, and I alternate this with my regular skincare products.

Oil is usually the last thing we think of using to get better-looking skin. We’ve so gotten used to being ultra-clean and excessively exfoliated.

But research, it turns out, shows that oil can deliver powerful ingredients faster than creams, since essential oils have a small molecular structure that easily penetrates the skin. Oil has been used in skincare for centuries, most notably in Ayurvedic medicine. It’s also a mainstay in French brands such as Darphin, Clarins and Decleor.

Challenge

I recommend oil especially if you have dry, sensitive skin. The challenge, however, just like when you’re buying cream, is finding the right one for you.

Clarins does the guesswork for you as it offers several kinds of Face Treatment Oil for every skin type. Some friends in the industry also highly recommend pure Moroccan Argan oil and Human Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil.

How to test if it’s good-quality oil?

The best ones are cold-pressed and shouldn’t be too thick, and should be easily absorbed when you rub it on your skin.

And if there’s one kind of oil you should steer clear of, it’s mineral oil. Mineral oil is thick and is often the culprit that clogs pores. As with any skincare product, check the labels before you buy.

Clarins and Body&Face Thairapy Morocco Argan Oil are available at Rustan’s Department Stores; Kiehl’s stores are at Greenbelt 5, Trinoma Mall and Power Plant Mall; Human Nature is available at Rustan’s Supermarkets.

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