Did you know that plant oils are a real treat for your skin and hair? Have you ever noticed how quickly they absorb into your body and feel amazing? Well, there's more. It’s not just an immediate effect, your skin and hair benefit in the long run too, all thanks to a very simple scientific explanation which we'll tell you about shortly.
If you find your skin looks dehydrated, flaky, cracked, dull, and/or lacking brightness, and you've tried everything but can't seem to find a solution, you'll want to keep reading. And if your hair feels rough, dull, and lacklustre, you'll also find the upcoming information useful. Stick around!
You might have heard about Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9, and triglycerides, right? Sound familiar? Well, they have a lot to do with the benefits of plant oils for your skin and hair (like argan, jojoba, and marula oils… among many others). Ultimately, it all boils down to LIPIDS – who are they? Our stars, let's introduce them.
What Are Lipids, and What Do They Do?
Lipids are biomolecules made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and are insoluble in water. In their simplest form, they are known as fatty acids (Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 are some of the most well-known), but they also exist in more complex forms like triglycerides.
Here’s why lipids are important—they are in our bodies and serve various functions:
- They store energy
- They form biological membranes
- They cover and protect organs
- They regulate body functions
- They protect us from the cold
- They preserve and protect our skin
This last point is crucial for what we want to explain in this article.
Our skin is the “interface” between our body and the environment (as well as being the largest organ in our body), meaning it mediates between the world around us and our internal systems. Therefore, having an optimal barrier function is essential to protect us effectively from dehydration, microorganism penetration, allergens, irritants, and radiation. Preventing water evaporation and electrolyte leakage through the body surface is essential, and this is achieved thanks to the proper functioning of the stratum corneum layer.
What is the Stratum Corneum?
It's the outermost layer of the epidermis consisting of about 20 sub-layers of dead cells, which are regularly shed in a process known as desquamation, and a lipid-rich matrix (our protagonists) that acts as a filter, preventing excessive loss of body fluids and protecting us from external pathogens (barrier function).
This lipid layer is composed of triglycerides and fatty acids – sounding familiar now, right? These help form stable structures in the skin, essential for performing the barrier function and reducing water permeability. Environmental factors or simply the passage of time can cause the loss of these lipids. The good news is that we can easily replenish them. How? With the help of PLANT OILS (100% natural).
Why Are Plant Oils So Effective and Beneficial for Our Body?
Plant oils are primarily composed of triglycerides and free fatty acids (here they are again…), remember, just like the lipids in our skin.
This is why plant oils have so many benefits for our skin and hair. Why? Due to similarity. Their chemical structure is so similar to the lipids naturally found in our bodies that they are absorbed quickly and efficiently, while also providing hydration to the deeper layers of the epidermis. The same thing happens with the cuticle of the hair fibre, the outermost layer of our hair.
For the same reason, plant oils are highly compatible with our skin barrier, containing nutrients like Omega-3 and Omega-9, antioxidants, and vitamins such as E or F, which help nourish the skin and hair and protect against damage caused by free radicals. And let’s not overlook their emollient properties, which help to provide softness and improve the texture of skin and hair. Hey! And let’s not forget their versatility and adaptability to all types of hair and skin.
Plant Oils: The Great Allies of Natural Cosmetics
As we've explained, plant oils have a lot to offer our bodies, but if we also consider the combination and composition of these triglycerides and fatty acids like the fingerprint that identifies and distinguishes each plant oil, this allows us to choose a rich and effective blend, adding different benefits to a product or treatment for our skin and hair.
Knowledge is power, and that's why plant oils are so prominent in the cosmetic formulas of Freshly products, because we know what they are capable of and what they can contribute to our bodies.
Let’s now reveal which 3 plant oils your hair, face, and body are screaming for, and why you should listen…
The 3 Trending Plant Oils This Season, and Your Skin and Hair Are Screaming for Them
Oil for the Face…
And the choice is… Jojoba Oil
This well-known highly moisturising and nourishing oil is extracted from the nut (seed) of the jojoba (simmondsia chinensis), and is made up of 96% ceramides. What does this mean? Ceramides coat the cells of the epidermis and help regulate its hydration intensely. They are very similar to those of human skin therefore they are absorbed and act quickly, and the best part! This plant oil is not greasy to the touch.
It also contains linoleic acid, a natural restructurer and skin regenerator, very effective. Its vitamin E content also helps firm our skin and provides a defence system against free radicals. And if you have oily skin and always thought oils were not for you… We're sorry to say you're mistaken. Jojoba oil is ideal for oily and/or acne-prone skin, as it absorbs accumulated sebum and helps significantly reduce the number of pimples. The properties of jojoba oil are innumerable, making it a super complete plant oil, which is why your face is screaming for it.
Where Can I Find Jojoba Oil for the Face?
Let's start with a basic. You probably know that facial cleansing is extremely important, but... have you ever thought about cleansing your skin and even removing makeup with oils? Well, yes. The Silky Passion Cleansing Oil is a 100% natural cleansing oil, which includes organic jojoba oil in its formulation to deeply cleanse and repair the skin without irritation, respecting the most sensitive areas such as the eyes. It removes excess sebum, has antioxidant functions, but also regenerates and hydrates the skin, reducing dryness. A true natural cocktail that your skin is eager to soak up.
Oil for the Body…
Undoubtedly… Marula Oil.
This plant oil is rich in antioxidants and Omega 9, ideal for improving the appearance of stretch marks. It is obtained from the marula tree, native to Southern Africa. Known as the "African miracle," it acts as a moisturiser, nourisher, revitaliser, and antioxidant (it has 16% more antioxidants than other oils such as argan) and is especially suitable for dry and damaged skin. It is rich in vitamin C, also strengthens the skin's lipid barrier, and protects from harmful environmental factors. Now that you know all about the properties of Marula oil…
Where Can I Find Marula Oil for the Body?
In our top-selling Golden Radiance Body Oil, you can find this potent oil ideal for reinforcing our lipids, combating dehydration, and reducing stretch marks. But in addition, it's combined with 11 more plant oils, like babassu, hazelnut, jojoba, rosehip, avocado, and macadamia among others. A super nutritious and 100% natural food for your body's skin, it's screaming for it!
Oil for Hair…
The quintessential hair oil is… Argan Oil.
Known as liquid gold because it nourishes, strengthens, and adds shine to hair. Its main function is to nourish the skin and keep hair silky, manageable, and shiny. It is highly moisturising, contains vitamin E, antioxidants, and 80% essential fatty acids (sound familiar, right?). Plus, it's not greasy at all (suitable even for oily hair) and absorbs quickly, leaving a healthy, soft, and shiny appearance in the hair. We know you're eager to include it in your routine, so, keep reading.
Where Can I Find Argan Oil for Hair?
If you have curly hair, you're in luck! Because our Radiant Curls Oil Serum contains argan oil and nine other oils, such as Pequi, Inchi, Baobab, Linseed, or Macadamia, among others. A 100% natural formula ideal for nourishing, repairing, and strengthening all types of wavy hair. Even if your hair does not fit these characteristics, if your hair is straight, don't worry because you're still in luck! Golden Drops Oil Serum includes in its 100% natural formula argan oil, along with six other powerful vegetable oils—a truly delicious and very nutritious cocktail for your hair. With just one drop, you can finally see your hair soft and shiny. Are you excited?
Now you know which 3 plant oils your skin and hair need, and now yes, why they need them is clear, right? Because these oils stop dehydration and repair cells, thanks to their affinity with the skin and hair they merge with them, strengthening the dermal barrier. In short, they act as reconstruction units for our cells – your allies!
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