How to Choose the Right Oil for Oily Skin
Many people with oily skin believe they should avoid oils, but this is a misconception. Completely eliminating oils actually causes the skin to produce more sebum to protect the skin barrier. Trying to suppress oil can actually trigger excess oil production, creating a vicious cycle. Corrie Cooper Massage emphasizes that the key isn’t avoiding oils, but choosing them correctly and using them in balance. They particularly stress that oils for oily skin should be lightweight, absorb quickly, and not clog pores.
Characteristics of Oily Skin and Key Care Points
Problems caused by an imbalance of sebum and moisture
Oily skin often appears shiny due to active sebaceous glands, yet it frequently lacks moisture beneath the surface. To protect itself, the skin overproduces sebum, which can lead to enlarged pores and breakouts. At corriecoopermassage, we recommend starting your oil selection process by blending a hydrating oil with a sebum-regulating oil.
Why does oily skin become sensitive?
Oily skin has a thicker lipid layer, which provides some protection from external irritants. However, when this lipid layer becomes old, it oxidizes, generating free radicals and causing inflammation. Using natural oils with strong antioxidant properties at this time can inhibit oxidation and stabilize sebum balance.
corriecoopermassage’s recommended base oil for oily skin
For oily skin, oils with low viscosity and fast absorption, as well as oils with a structure similar to sebum, are suitable. Below is a guide to the five representative oils actually used at corriecoopermassage.
1. Jojoba oil is the oil most similar to skin sebum.
- Jojoba oil has a structure similar to sebum’s wax esters, allowing it to absorb into the skin without burdening it. It helps reduce excess sebum in oily skin, restoring natural sebum balance, and does not clog pores, making it suitable even for troubled skin. At corriecoopermassage, we use jojoba oil most frequently for summer facial and scalp massages.
2. Grape Seed Oil: Refreshing Absorption and Antioxidant Effects
- Grape seed oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, helping to regulate sebum production and soothe skin inflammation. Its lightweight texture leaves almost no residue after massage and is safe for acne-prone skin. Therapists at corriecoopermassage use grape seed oil as a base, blending in a small amount of lavender oil to provide a troublesome skin relief massage.
3. Sunflower Seed Oil Non-Comedogenic Cleansing Oil
- Sunflower seed oil is one of the non-comedogenic oils, offering a gentle cleansing effect. When used during the cleansing step for oily skin prone to excess sebum, it gently removes unnecessary sebum and impurities without drying out the skin. At corriecoopermassage, we use sunflower seed oil during the skin purification process before massage.
4. Argan Oil: The Key to Moisture-Oil Balance
- Argan oil is rich in essential unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E for the skin. It is gentle even on oily skin, helping to control excess sebum production while maintaining the skin’s moisture balance. Additionally, corriecoopermassage recommends argan oil for clients with dry yet oily skin during the winter season.
5. Rosehip Oil: Sebum Oxidation Inhibition and Regenerative Effects
- Rosehip oil is rich in vitamins A and C, effectively removes oxidized sebum, and provides excellent help in soothing inflammation within pores. However, due to its high concentration, it is recommended to dilute it with grape seed oil at a 1:4 ratio rather than using it undiluted.
Boosting Synergy Through Essential Oil Blending
Adding a small amount of essential oil with antibacterial, sebum-regulating, and soothing properties enhances the effectiveness of skincare for oily skin.
Tea tree oil: the epitome of antibacterial properties
Tea tree oil inhibits acne-causing bacteria and sebum-oxidizing bacteria, offering exceptional efficacy in alleviating troublesome skin conditions in oily skin types. However, using the undiluted oil can cause strong irritation, so it must always be diluted in a carrier oil. At corriecoopermassage, we add only 1 to 2 drops per 30ml of carrier oil.
Lavender Oil: The Balance of Calming and Regeneration
Lavender oil not only reduces inflammation but also promotes psychological stability. It provides a gentle soothing effect for oily skin prone to frequent breakouts and helps regulate sebum production by lowering the stress hormone cortisol after massage.
Rosemary Oil: Improves Blood Flow and Inhibits Sebum Production
Rosemary oil aids blood circulation and promotes cell regeneration. At corriecoopermassage, we use a rosemary + grape seed combination as our signature summer blend for oily skin.
corriecoopermassage‘s Blending Recipe
Oil blending for oily skin isn’t complicated; the key is achieving a balance between absorption and ratio.
Example of Basic Blending Ratios (Based on 30ml)
- Grape Seed Oil 20ml
- Jojoba Oil 5ml
- Argan Oil 5ml
- Tea Tree Oil 1 drop
- Lavender Oil 1 drop
This blend simultaneously provides skin soothing, sebum control, and antibacterial action, making it the most recommended blend for acne-prone skin clients at corriecoopermassage.
Precautions for Using Oil on Oily Skin
Avoid excessive oil use
Unabsorbed oil can clog pores. Use only a small amount at a time, taken with your fingertip. Press the oil into the skin rather than rubbing it in.
Nighttime use is more effective than daytime use.
During the day, sebum production is active, so oil may appear shiny. Applying oil after cleansing in the evening, before moisturizer, helps prevent moisture evaporation while simultaneously soothing the skin.
Start with 2-3 treatments per week
Using oil daily can actually cause dryness by over-regulating sebum production. At corriecoopermassage, we recommend starting with 2-3 times per week and gradually adjusting the frequency while monitoring your skin’s response.
Improving Circulation in Oily Skin with Oil Massage
Benefits of Oil Massage
Even for oily skin, incorporating oil massage can significantly aid in improving blood flow, removing waste products, and restoring sebum balance. Gently massage in circular motions with your fingertips along the forehead, cheeks, and jawline for 3 to 5 minutes. At corriecoopermassage, we refer to this process as the time to redesign the flow of sebum.
Stabilizing the sebaceous glands through massage
Sebaceous glands are linked to nervous system stimulation, and massage performed at a consistent rhythm stabilizes the autonomic nervous system, normalizing sebum secretion. This process is not merely skin care but a restoration of the body’s natural rhythms.
Storage and Care for Oils for Oily Skin
- Avoid direct sunlight and store in a cool place to prevent spoilage.
- It is best to use within 3 to 6 months after opening.
- Discontinue use if the smell or viscosity changes.
To preserve the oil’s efficacy for longer, it should be stored in glass containers. At corriecoopermassage, all oils are kept in small-volume ampoule form to maintain freshness.
Conclusion
Oil is not the enemy of oily skin but an ally that revives the skin’s defense system. With the right oil selection and proper usage frequency, excessive sebum and breakouts diminish, and skin texture visibly smooths. corriecoopermassage defines the core of oil care for oily skin as light yet deep. Even if your skin appears greasy, it may be thirsty for moisture deep within. A single drop of oil that restores this balance will re-tune your skin’s rhythm.