Have you ever tried using oil as a moisturizer? It can be intimidating to try something new, especially when we've been told for years that oil is bad for our skin. But for me, that first experience was a game-changer. When I was a young esthetician, I tried a glorious oil serum from a local brand. I had only used cream moisturizers during beauty school and during my short experience being a regular skincare user at that time. There was no TikTok or YouTube back then to tell me what to put on my face, so this was something new and exciting. The results were surprising and delightful - my skin looked and felt healthier and more supple. It was a pivotal moment that shattered the myth that oil is the enemy of skin perpetuated by commercial beauty during my teenage years in the early 2000s (oh, all those Noxema pads on my beautiful baby skin)!
Now, I'm hooked on using either oils or balms as moisturizers, and I've never looked back. But the key to my success with these types of products is incorporating a toner with it; without it- oil can tend to sit on the skin's surface. Have you had a similar experience? You may have tried using oil as a moisturizer, but it didn't feel like enough, and your skin may have still felt or looked dehydrated. This could be due to using an oil that isn't the right match for your skin, or it is very likely due to using oil alone without an aqueous substance or toner.
If the idea of a toner conjures up visions of a burning, tightening, or drying liquid solution that you put on a cotton pad and swipe over your face, forget that idea. What I am talking about is much different. I'm talking about is beautiful, medicinal plant waters. This type of product are like a drink of water for the skin. A hydrosol specifically is definitely something that you want in your life. Sometimes called flower waters, these are the steam distillation of plants. They used to be thought of as the leftovers from making essential oils, but these days craft hydrosol makers are popping up everywhere- creating hydrosols and in addition, getting a little essential oil in the process. Hydrosols have many of the same properties of essential oils but are much more gentle on the skin, can be consumed internally and are much more sustainable to make.
What the heck is an aqueous solution?
An aqueous solution is a water-based solution that can come in different forms, like gel or toner. Hydrating tonics contain water-based ingredients such as hydrosols, flower waters, and humectant ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin that help attract and retain moisture in the skin. They are not the traditional drying toner.
The skin requires both oils and aqueous solutions for optimal health, both internally and topically. Skin can be oil-dry or water dry and needs a balance of fats and water hydration. This article focuses on topical skincare.
Dry skin is skin that lacks oil, while dehydrated skin is skin that lacks water. These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they have different needs. Similarly, "moisturize" and "hydrate" are often used interchangeably but have different meanings.
Oil moisturizes the skin by conditioning and nourishing it but does not hydrate it. Water-based products hydrate the skin. Oil works to seal in hydration by preventing water from evaporating out of the skin.
This is why oil alone may not feel like enough on the skin and why a creamy moisturizer may be preferred. It may also be why fine dehydration lines can still be seen on the skin even after applying oil. It's important to note that different oils have different chemical makeups; some may be lighter or more occlusive than others. Finding the right oil for your unique skin is crucial.
Creamy moisturizers were invented to give the skin both. A cream moisturizer is a combination of oil and water, with other functional ingredients added to make it feel and look nice. However, since oil and water don't mix on their own, an emulsifier is needed to prevent separation.
You can achieve the same effect at home by mixing an aqueous solution, such as a hydrating tonic or toner, with the oil and emulsifying (mixing) them together in your hands.
Well-hydrated skin allows better absorption of other ingredients, while dehydrated skin struggles to absorb nutrients from serums or oils. Using both a tonic and an oil can deliver water-soluble and oil-soluble nutrients to the skin. Incorporating a tonic also increases the spreadability of the oil or balm, allowing you to use less product while still achieving adequate coverage.
To wrap it up and review:
Oil alone cannot provide the necessary hydration that the skin needs. Using a hydrating toner or incorporating a water-based element into your skincare routine is essential to moisturize the skin properly. The water helps hydrate the skin, while the oil helps seal the moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss. This combination can help to maintain healthy, hydrated skin.
Have you ever tried using oil as a moisturizer? It can be intimidating to try something new, especially when we've been told for years that oil is bad for our skin. But for me, that first experience was a game-changer. When I was a young esthetician, I tried a glorious oil serum from a local brand. I had only used cream moisturizers during beauty school and during my short experience being a regular skincare user at that time. There was no TikTok or YouTube back then to tell me what to put on my face, so this was something new and exciting. The results were surprising and delightful - my skin looked and felt healthier and more supple. It was a pivotal moment that shattered the myth that oil is the enemy of skin perpetuated by commercial beauty during my teenage years in the early 2000s (oh, all those Noxema pads on my beautiful baby skin)!
Now, I'm hooked on using either oils or balms as moisturizers, and I've never looked back. But the key to my success with these types of products is incorporating a toner with it; without it- oil can tend to sit on the skin's surface. Have you had a similar experience? You may have tried using oil as a moisturizer, but it didn't feel like enough, and your skin may have still felt or looked dehydrated. This is likely due to using oil alone without an aqueous substance or toner.
If the idea of a toner conjures up visions of a burning, tightening, or drying liquid solution that you put on a cotton pad and swipe over your face, forget that idea. What I am talking about is much different. I'm talking about is a beautiful, medicinal plant waters. This type of product are like a drink of water for the skin. A hydrosol specifically is definitely something that you want in your life. Sometimes called flower waters, these are the steam distillation of plants. They used to be thought of as the leftovers from making essential oils, but these days craft hydrosol makers are popping up everywhere- creating hydrosols and in addition, getting a little essential oil in the process. Hydrosols have many of the same properties of essential oils but are much more gentle on the skin, can be consumed internally and are much more sustainable to make.
What the heck is an aqueous solution?
An aqueous solution is a water-based solution that can come in different forms, like gel or toner. Hydrating tonics contain water-based ingredients such as hydrosols, flower waters, and humectant ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin that help attract and retain moisture in the skin. They are not the traditional drying toner.
The skin requires both oils and aqueous solutions for optimal health, both internally and topically. Skin can be oil-dry or water dry and needs a balance of fats and water hydration. This article focuses on topical skincare.
Dry skin is skin that lacks oil, while dehydrated skin is skin that lacks water. These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they have different needs. Similarly, "moisturize" and "hydrate" are often used interchangeably but have different meanings.
Oil moisturizes the skin by conditioning and nourishing it but does not hydrate it. Water-based products hydrate the skin. Oil works to seal in hydration by preventing water from evaporating out of the skin.
This is why oil alone may not feel like enough on the skin and why a creamy moisturizer may be preferred. It may also be why fine dehydration lines can still be seen on the skin even after applying oil. It's important to note that different oils have different chemical makeups; some may be lighter or more occlusive than others. Finding the right oil for your unique skin is crucial.
Creamy moisturizers were invented to give the skin both. A cream moisturizer is a combination of oil and water, with other functional ingredients added to make it feel and look nice. However, since oil and water don't mix on their own, an emulsifier is needed to prevent separation.
You can achieve the same effect at home by mixing an aqueous solution, such as a hydrating tonic or toner, with the oil and emulsifying (mixing) them together in your hands.
Well-hydrated skin allows better absorption of other ingredients, while dehydrated skin struggles to absorb nutrients from serums or oils. Using both a tonic and an oil can deliver water-soluble and oil-soluble nutrients to the skin. Incorporating a tonic also increases the spreadability of the oil or balm, allowing you to use less product while still achieving adequate coverage.
Oil alone cannot provide the necessary hydration that the skin needs. Using a hydrating toner or incorporating a water-based element into your skincare routine is essential to moisturize the skin properly. The water helps hydrate the skin, while the oil helps seal the moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss. This combination can help to maintain healthy, hydrated skin.
My two current favorite tonics are:
Neroli Clarifying Tonic from Apoterra for oily or breakout-prone skin or hyperpigmented skin
This newly reformulated serum spray now has triple the amount of vitamin C than it did in the previous formulation. This is a flower water of neroli, helichrysum, thyme and rock rose. These botanicals come together to calm and refine. Helichrysum is one of my favorite ingredients for combating hyperpigmentation which can continue to scar the skin after breakouts are long healed. 5% niacinamide helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and increases the integrity of the barrier of the skin. This bestseller had been out of stock for months as Apoterra worked to reformulate It’s now back, better than ever, and available in my shop!
Rose and Rama from Live Botanicals for dry, mature, or sensitive skin
Tulsi and Rose come together to cool and hydrate while reishi and maitake mushrooms promote health elasticity, firm, tighten, and provide a hydrating protective barrier on the skin to support a healthy glow.
Neroli Clarifying Tonic from Apoterra for oily or breakout-prone skin or hyperpigmented skin
This newly reformulated serum spray now has triple the amount of vitamin C than it did in the previous formulation. This is a flower water of neroli, helichrysum, thyme and rock rose. These botanicals come together to calm and refine. Helichrysum is one of my favorite ingredients for combating hyperpigmentation which can continue to scar the skin after breakouts are long healed. 5% niacinamide helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and increases the integrity of the barrier of the skin. This bestseller had been out of stock for months as Apoterra worked to reformulate. It’s now back, better than ever, and available in my shop!
Rose and Rama from Live Botanicals for dry, mature, or sensitive skin
Tulsi and Rose come together to cool and hydrate while reishi and maitake mushrooms promote health elasticity, firm, tighten, and provide a hydrating protective barrier on the skin to support a healthy glow.
