If you’re new to the idea of putting oil on your skin, the title of this blog post might just cause you to raise a brow and think, “no way!” But hear me out. For decades, the beauty and skincare industries have preached the concept of “oil free” and even me, a licensed holistic esthetician, has fallen into the trap of this misinformed marketing verbiage in the past. We’re led to believe that our acne or breakouts are best treated with harsh cleansers, drying astringents, and an oil-free moisturizer. Or, that facial oils are solely for folks with dry skin. We’ve been taught that oil is bad, even our naturally occurring oil. To demonize our naturally occurring sebum is to not fully understand the structure and function of the body’s largest organ. Once you have the fuller picture, using oil on your skin to help acne or dry skin, will feel less daunting.

With all of that in mind, it makes sense that many people are left with the wrong impression about facial oils and need help understanding just how transformative they can be for skin. Dive into some common questions and concerns below about using facial oils for all skin types! Let’s start with the fundamentals.

What role does sebum play in skin health and function?

According to a study - one of sebum’s (aka oil) main functions is to lubricate the skin, protecting against friction. Not only that, but our natural sebum helps skin prevent moisture loss while having the ability to transport antioxidants. It also has antibacterial properties and has pro and anti-inflammatory functions. Love your oil a little more?

Why shouldn’t I dry out my breakouts or rely on oil-free products?

Think about all of those beautiful functions above that natural oil provides for our skin. Why strip your body’s largest organ of this essential substance? Contrary to what you may have thought, supplementing your skin with the right types of oils won’t exactly make you break out. When you deny your skin of its natural oils, it works twice as hard to produce more - which can ultimately lead to a breakout or congested skin.

You can also think of acne as a cut. When you have a cut, would you dry it out with harsh ingredients to help it heal? Quite the opposite! You’d deliver antibacterial and soothing ingredients to aid in the healing process. Think of your acne or breakouts like those cuts - they need nourishment and hydration to heal. Healthy skin is hydrated and moisturized, and when skin is healthy, it can heal more efficiently.

I often experience acne, have oily skin and/or currently have a breakout. Won’t adding more oil cause me to break out more or make my skin worse?

Not always! If you have acne/oily-prone skin, your skin could be experiencing an inadequate amount of sebum if you’ve been over-cleansing or using harsh products that strip your skin of its oil. Your sebaceous glands may be in overdrive to produce what’s been stripped away - producing more than what’s actually needed. Hello breakouts.

Skin can actually benefit from gamma linolenic acid-rich oils like borage seed oil (find it in this facial oil). A few other oil-balancing ingredients worth noting to look for are green tea and squalane oil.

For skin currently experiencing a breakout, a combination of the above oil-balancing ingredients, anti-inflammatory superstars like Clary Sage and Immortelle essential oils, as well as antibacterial essential oils like chamomile and thyme can collectively support the skin’s natural function to heal breakouts.

I have dry skin. Will a facial oil be enough?

Start by applying 3-4 drops of facial oil to your skin twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. Take note of how your skin feels after; do you still feel dry? Is your skin tight? Do you still experience dry or flaking skin? If so, incorporate a facial moisturizer into your routine and try this: apply a pea-sized amount of moisturizer or cream to your fingertips, add 2-3 drops of serum, and mix. Apply thoroughly to your face and neck.

Pro tip: Commonly experience dry skin? Skip your morning cleanser and opt for just water and your moisturizer and serum. Save your cleanser for nighttime!

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We all want gorgeous, glowing complexions, and our shopping habits prove it: Americans spend between roughly $1,000 and $2,000 per year on skin-care products — most of which often end up in the junk drawer — and the dermatology-drugs market is expected to reach a whopping $34.5 billion by 2023. But despite our best efforts and intentions, many of us don’t love what we see in the mirror, and sometimes figuring out the reason requires a little sleuthing. Here are 10 mistakes you might be making in your skin-care routine and how to fix them.

1. Skipping sunscreen. Safety first, kids. If you think you only need to wear sunscreen on sunny summer days, think again. “The sun emits harmful UV rays year-round,” says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). “Even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin.”

Do this instead: Slather on SPF 30 or above any time you’re going to be outside (rain, snow or shine) 15 minutes before you plan to leave the house, choosing a waterproof formula if you expect to swim or perspire. Re-apply regularly to ensure consistent protection. And don’t skimp: Experts say most adults need a full ounce of sunscreen, or enough to fill a shot glass, to cover their exposed skin.

2. Not eating a balanced diet. Our bodies need a full complement of vitamins to produce healthy skin cells and collagen. So if you want a dewy complexion, subsisting on ramen noodles for lunch and mac and cheese isn’t going to cut it. Refined carbohydrates are linked to acne. Alcohol makes us puffy and red and can age us prematurely. Skimp on vegetables and protein today, say hello to crow’s feet tomorrow.

Do this instead: Give your skin a daily feast of skin-boosting vitamins and antioxidants by filling your plate with a rainbow of produce. “Make sure they are a bunch of colors — red cabbage, green lettuce etc.,” says New York-based dermatologist Dennis Gross. “Eat veggies that have a lot of color. Nature color codes them for us. The more colors you eat, the better.” Round out your meals with lean proteins, omega-3-rich fish, whole grains, legumes and healthy fats. These foods “are good for your whole body, and that includes your skin,” says Dr. Rajani Katta of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. You can also talk to your doctor about addressing gaps in your nutrition via multivitamins and supplements.

3. Washing your face too frequently. It may seem counterintuitive, but over-cleansing your skin can actually cause it to become more oily. That’s because when you strip the naturally occurring sebum, your sebaceous glands ramp up production to compensate. The result: More shine, and a more conducive environment for breakouts.

Do this instead: Gently wash your face using a mild cleanser. Those with oilier complexions can wash up to two times a day, according to the AAD, while drier types can often get away with once-daily cleansing.

4. Exfoliating the wrong way. Done right, exfoliation creates a smooth, supple canvas for absorbing facial treatments or wearing makeup. Done wrong, and you’re setting yourself up for irritation, dryness or breakouts.

Do this instead: Those with dry, sensitive or acne-prone skin may prefer cleansing the skin with a washcloth. For those with darker skin tones, avoid aggressive exfoliation which may result in dark spots on the skin.

5. Using too-hot water. Beyond the obvious threat of burns, overly hot water dries your skin, leaving it more susceptible to wrinkles, flakes and painful cracking. It also can trigger an immune response in some people, resulting in rashes and hives.

What you should do instead: Use the coolest temperature you can tolerate, and keep your showers short. Not only will this save your skin, but it also can cut down on water-heater costs.

6. Not removing your eye makeup. This is a big one. Leave your eyeliner and mascara on, and you’re practically begging for an infection. “In some patients, makeup on the eyelid can cause problems such as irritation and infection of the surface of the eye and also damage to eyelashes,” says Scottish ophthalmologist Shahriar Nabili. “Some patients can also develop problems with the tear duct and watery eye.” And if the situation gets bad enough, it could even threaten your vision.

Do this instead: Soak a cotton ball or pad with a mild eye-makeup remover and press it to your closed eyelid. Gently stroke from the inside corner of your upper lid outward until all makeup is gone.

7. Picking at your face. Did you know that human fingernails can harbor staphylococcus bacteria, fungi and other horrors? And yet there you are, using them to extract blackheads like it’s no big deal. News flash: IT IS A BIG DEAL. Picking and mashing can lead to infections, scarring and bruising (and leave you looking like a mess, to boot).

Do this instead: Spot-treat pimples with a benzoyl peroxide-, salicylic acid- or sulfur-based product, and see a dermatologist if your acne persists. Otherwise, hands off.

8. Sleeping too little. It’s called beauty rest for a reason, friends. Not getting enough shut-eye wreaks havoc on our skin in myriad ways. Beyond causing dark under-eye circles, sleep deprivation raises our stress levels, which can lead to oiliness, breakouts and premature wrinkles.

Do this instead: Strive for seven to eight hours of sleep. It’s worth it.

9. Wearing the wrong kind of foundation. Sad to say, but there is no one-size-fits-all foundation. Oil-based foundations may be great for dry or aging skin, but they’re terrible for shinier faces. On the other hand, powders can cake or settle into fine lines.

Do this instead: Pick a foundation that’s made for your skin type. If you’re acne-prone, opt for an oil-free, noncomedogenic formula. If wrinkles are a concern, look for liquid or cream bases containing emollients. And don’t forget to switch to a lighter or powder-based version in the summer, when heat and humidity can melt your makeup right off.

10. Not seeing a dermatologist. Ultimately there is no substitution for regular visits to your doctor. Self-diagnosing conditions such as acne or psoriasis could lead you to treatments that either don’t work or exacerbate your problem. And catching skin cancer early greatly increases a patient’s chances of survival.

Do this instead: Schedule a mole check with your dermatologist annually. In between visits, regularly inspect your skin for any changes — and if something worries you, book an appointment right away.

Author Profile: 40-something mom of two; Life’s Abundance marketing manager; part-time farmer; full-time penny pincher; a little more crunchy than country.

My dearest friend from college, Kristan, has spent much of our friendship lovingly prodding me to take care of my appearance — via makeup tips, wardrobe audits, encouragement toward adopting a basic skin care routine, etc. Much the way I view my floors — “With a good scrubbing, that tile will really shine!” — she’s long been adamant that a little TLC could do wonders for my complexion.

Alas. Clean floors and counters bring me joy, but for most of my adulthood, I just haven’t found it within myself to invest time and money into my own appearance. Then I turned 40, and a close look at my reflection led to an unsettling series of revelations. I have perpetually dry skin despite my high-humidity environment, irritating monthly breakouts, patchy redness on my cheeks and fine lines around my eyes (OMG).

I realized Kristan had been right all along — skin care was worth my attention. The proof was staring back at me in the mirror.

Now, in fairness to myself, it’s not like I’d neglected my skin completely. For years I’d bounced around between organic or natural daily moisturizers. I’m a label-reader, so though I never loved any of these products (and they clearly weren’t working for me given the state of my complexion), I stuck with my lotion strategy. After all, these were nontoxic — that’s worth something, right?

For a while, I was generally OK with this half-truth. But when my 30s ended, it was time to get real. With those lines around my eyes, smiling suddenly felt like a high-stakes game. Because my skin felt so parched and brittle, I was certain any expression of emotion would be permanently etched into my face. I needed to make a change.

So, I took a deep breath and plunged into the murky and expensive world of serums. Being new to this level of skin care (and a little bitter about having to undertake this journey in the first place), I didn’t know what I was looking for, which made the shopping process unpleasant and tedious. Researching these potential cures-in-a-bottle — vetting their ingredients, reading their claims and poring over online reviews — was about as much fun as listening to Uncle Jim drone on about his wine collection during family dinners. And no matter how much money I spent, I got mixed results. Sometimes these products left me feeling greasy; other times they had no effect at all. Regardless, I used every last drop because I’d spent my family’s money on this higher-priced product. Always I cursed my inability to get the skin I wanted.

Countless disappointments later, I thought I had three options — live with new wrinkles, shell out big bucks for not-so-nontoxic treatments, or train myself not to smile.

But then, my employer developed a skin-care line, and I decided to give serums one more try.

Life’s Abundance doesn’t mess around with iffy ingredients, and we pride ourselves on selling products that deliver on their promises. And guys, this product delivers. I introduced Life’s Abundance Serum into my routine without changing anything else. After a week of once-daily use, the redness on my cheeks was completely gone! I have small pores to begin with, hence the dry skin, but they’ve tightened up and smoothed out even more. I feel like my skin looks flawless! Plus, I am delighted to report — NO monthly breakouts! I’ve now found a balance using the serum two to three times a week, and the Life’s Abundance Facial Moisturizer on the other days. And, shout out to all the other label-readers out there: This formula is 100% botanical. Read it and leap!

Bottom line: If my complexion was smooth, plump and even-toned when I was 20, I didn’t appreciate it. But, I sure do now.

Arin Roos, Marketing Director

Since my early 20s, I’ve been obsessed with skin care products. This means that over the course of 40-some years, I’ve brought home a heck of a lot of serums, moisturizers and, especially, cleansers. And you know where most of them end up? Not on my face.

They also don’t land in the trash because I hate the thought that I chose wrong — again — and wasted my money — again. So, I’ve got piles of half-empty failed products jamming up my bathroom drawer. Truth be told, I could probably pay for a new car with all the money I’ve spent over the years in my efforts to look and feel better.

It’s a vicious and annoying cycle that I think I’ve finally broken.

I’m a sucker for promises — that’s how this all started. Health and wellness are very important to me, as are looking and feeling better, so I have been eager to believe. Over and over again I’ll buy something because it seems great at first glance, but then it quickly stops working. Or I’ll read the ingredients more closely at home and realize that it’s packed with a bunch of scary chemicals that I don’t recognize or understand and should have more carefully researched before buying. Either way, it ends up in the drawer.

If it’s packed with chemicals, I then make a trip (a well-worn path by now) to the health food store, where I carefully read the ingredients and choose my next purchase. For a moment, I’ll feel really good about myself and hope springs eternal. But then it doesn’t work. Once again, the junk drawer receives another half-empty bottle. Same with all the new skin care companies online — the words sound good, but nothing has been effective. Yet, I’m the one with the guilt!

Finding skin care products that do what they say they should do while trying to avoid chemicals is a maddening process.

If you are even vaguely familiar with this vicious circle than you will understand why we at Life’s Abundance decided to develop a skin care line with organic ingredients that are formulated to actually work.

My favorite product in this new line is the Facial Cleanser. I have oily skin, so I've always used foams and gels. What I didn’t know was that these kinds of cleansers stripped my skin of its natural oils, making my skin go into oil-production mode.

When I first tested our cleanser, I noticed how light and creamy it is. It took off all my makeup, and after rinsing, my face felt super clean but smooth and soft. For the first time ever, my skin had noticeably less oil. And week after week, it stayed that way! I loved it so much that I kept returning to our warehouse for samples.

My bottle of Life’s Abundance is sitting proudly on my bathroom sink. And you know what? Now that I’ve finally found a product that works, I think it’s time to empty out that blasted drawer.

Linda Logue
VP of Marketing

I’ll be the first to admit that we’re difficult to please here at Life's Abundance. And you know what? I’m OK with that.

You see, we have a long history of taking matters into our own hands to get what we want. The pet foods on the market didn’t live up to our standards. So we made our own. The supplements available at stores weren’t pure enough. So we made our own. And the so-called natural skin care products we’ve pinned our hopes on? We wanted to believe. But when we examined the labels on many popular “natural” products, here’s a short list of what we found.

Artificial colors, artificial fragrances, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, PEG compounds and more.

Why would you want to put something on your skin that is questionable? We didn’t. So — you guessed it — we made our own.

A New Approach to Healthy Skin

I’m excited and proud to announce Life’s Abundance Skin Care, a premium system for cleansing, moisturizing and perfecting your skin. Made with pure, plant-based organic ingredients and formulated for fabulous results.

But that’s not all. We added a little more in each item than you’ll typically see in high-end skin care to lower the cost per application and reduce plastic in landfills. Also, because it is important to us to make a positive imact in everything we do, for each skin care product you purchase, one tree will be planted in your honor to help support a community in need.

Our product line includes:

Facial Cleanser - The ingredients speak for themselves. Aloe leaf juice. White willow bark extract. Argan oil. Sugar cane extract. Mango seed butter. Pure botanicals. Nothing synthetic. Our creamy, light cleanser gently melts away the residue of the day, including makeup, leaving your skin soft, revived and fresh. No matter what your skin type, this lather-free formula cleans deeply, without stripping away your face's natural protective oils.

Facial Moisturizer - This delicate moisturizer contains olive oil, aloe leaf juice and cardamom seed oil. Oh, and calming vanilla—the only edible orchid fruit! Plant-derived antioxidants, emollients and omega essential fatty acids deliver a conditioning boost and provide a protective barrier. No harsh chemicals that can irritate or toughen the skin over time. No synthetic junk. Just soft, natural, hydrating cream for soft, naturally hydrated skin.

Facial Serum - This targeted blend of radiance-boosting organic oils help correct and protect. The camellia, borage and carrot seed oils comfort irritated skin and promote a healthy complexion. And the age-defying broccoli seed oil delivers radiance-boosting vitamin A – think of it as nature’s retinol alternative. Every drop of this opulent potion is crafted to awaken your skin.

Body Lotion - Our long-lasting lotion softens and hydrates with shea butter and aloe. Light and fast-absorbing, it protects against environmental damage with plant-derived antioxidants. And with mood-lifting lemon and geranium oils, it smells as great as it feels. (True fact: I’m wearing it right now, and I can’t stop sniffing my own arms.)

Our Promise

Like all Life’s Abundance products, our skin care line is inspired by nature and informed by science. We started by raiding Mother Nature’s pantry, grabbing a vibrant array of fruits, oils and extracts. We carefully crafted each product with these nourishing organic botanicals to cleanse, moisturize and rejuvenate the skin.

Chemical free, our formulations are tested for purity and gentle enough for the whole family.

Radiant from the inside out, healthy from the outside in. That’s what Life’s Abundance looks like, and we hope you like how it looks — and feels — on you as well.

Explore the collection now!

Lester Thornhill, CEO