It’s not just what we put into our bodies that count – it’s what we use outside them too! As the bitter winter weather makes itself known, our hair, skin and nails are all going to feel it, so natural oils will help see them restored. We’ve chosen six we feel do the job, every time.
Enjoy x
Straight from the bottle or jar, these natural oils are excellent, chemical-free emollients and are easy on your purse as well. Natural oils can treat all types of skin, scalp, hair and nail issues, and can rescue dry, distressed skin and resurrect over-processed, frizzy, limp and split-end locks. For those with nail problems, they can help if you have cracked cuticles and brittle nails.
Suffering from skin issues? No problem. These natural oils, tone, tighten, rejuvenate and preserve healthy skin, scalps and hair. We know there are a million on the market, but we’ve chosen 6 natural oils, which we’d buy again and again.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil (grown in Northwestern Mexico, California, and Arizona) contains microelements such as zinc, copper, silicon, iodine, chromium, and vitamins E and B. It closely resembles your own skin sebum and your skin’s own lubricating medium, giving jojoba a natural affinity to the skin and scalp.
It easily absorbs without making the skin feel greasy or tacky and it does not clog pores – hugely important if you suffer from blemish-prone skin as this writer does. It also contains skin-softening properties, as well as the ability to minimise fine lines and wrinkles – another winning quality. You can use this as stand-alone oil or you can add a drop or two to your own creams and body lotions.
Coconut Oil
This is probably the most well known of all our natural oil choices, and a favourite of many. This is the oil that you can quite literally use for anything. Whether you have hair, skin or nail conditions, coconut oil is here to help. Coconut oil contains essential proteins and capric and lauric acids fight wrinkles, and tone and tightens skin while nourishing healthy hair.
It’s also one of the richest sources of MCFAs (medium-chain fatty acids) and is easily absorbed by the body, strengthening your skin’s connective tissues therefore also promoting a healthy scalp, and acting as a revitaliser for your dry or damaged hair.
Macadamia Nut Oil
Macadamia nut oil is a light, non-greasy healing and regenerative oil which reduces wrinkles and dryness. It is a natural moisturiser and emollient (emollients attract and trap moisture from the air). It is light and non-greasy so it is easily absorbed into the hair shaft and skin and contains proteins and vitamin E.
All of these qualities contribute to its reputation as a superb hair and skin treatment, as well as an aid for healing scars, sunburn, wounds and irritations. Other benefits of this particular oil are that it acts as a UV barrier protection from excessive heat, wind, and hair colour oxidation and sun and chemical damage.
Argan Oil
This would be another fairly common natural oil that you can use as part of your skin, hair and beauty routine. Traditionally, argan oil was used extensively in Morocco to treat various ailments, such as dry skin, acne, wrinkles and joint pain. Hailed as a miracle-worker by celebrities such as actress Eva Mendes, this oil is a plant-based solution that relieves the effects of patchy skin and lacklustre locks.
It also is richer than olive oil in vitamin E and is packed full of fatty acids marking it one of nature’s most effective moisturisers. It helps to revive stressed skin and bring brittle nails back to life too.
Almond Oil
Almond oil, containing vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E, is an all-natural beauty treatment for all skin, scalp and hair types. This one also contains anti-ageing properties (yay!) known to naturally and visibly plump, fill and moisturise your skin.
While its B6 benefits are known to promote healthy hair growth, its fatty acids and mineral content of magnesium, iron and unsaturated triglycerides provide nourishment to the hair. It deeply moisturises, soothes inflammation and nourishes the skin – resulting in a glowing complexion. For nails, the potassium and zinc in almond oil help improve nail strength, so massage a bit of the oil into your cuticles if they really need some TLC. It can also work to get rid of those tired under-eye bags.
Grape Seed Oil
This is another oil that can act as a perfect moisturiser. Almost odourless and light in texture the natural product is easily absorbed by the skin and is commonly used as a massage oil. It’s non-greasy and is a great conditioner for hair, skin and nails. It is also able to protect skin from the signs of premature ageing.