Japanese oils for the skin: types, uses and benefits

In Japan, the most advanced skincare country, there are over 300 types of oils. We studied the most popular products and also evaluated their benefits.

Oils for the skin: what effect do they give?

Moisturizing - eliminate peeling and dryness, nourish and saturate.

Sun protection – Coconut or red poppy oil protect the skin from overexposure to ultraviolet rays.

Antioxidants fight free radicals that cause premature aging.

Anti-inflammatory properties - tea tree and lavender relieve inflammation and irritation.

Color Enhancement - Rose or jojoba leaves skin radiant and fresh, removing dullness and unhealthy tones.

Wrinkle Prevention - Rose hips and avocados increase firmness.

Japanese oils are a real find for those who want to carefully and effectively care for their skin, do not pursue quick results and are ready to gradually transform themselves. As part of Japanese cosmetics and on the shelves of beauty stores, you can most often find the following options.

Popular Japanese oils

 Camellia (tsubaki)

It is a light texture that helps to moisturize the skin, make it more elastic, relieve swelling and irritation, reduce pigmentation and remove “bruises” under the eyes. Rich in antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamin E, it is considered the main component in oriental medicine and cosmetology.

rice oil

 It is obtained from rice bran, the outer coating of brown rice that is removed by grinding. It has a lot of useful acids (oleic, linoleic, palmitic), so rice oil is light, non-comedogenic and can be used as a base for products that are denser in texture. It is rich in tocopherols, gamma-oryzanol and polyphenols, substances that protect the cell membrane, neutralize free radicals, stimulate blood flow and strengthen the lipid barrier.

Coconut

One of the most popular types of cosmetic oils, obtained from coconut pulp. First of all, it is rich in fatty acids. The Japanese want skin care products to be healthy, so coconut oil is valued primarily for its antibacterial properties. Means based on it stimulate the regeneration of the skin and the synthesis of collagen, which is important in the fight against age-related problems.

Jojoba

Jojoba is an evergreen shrub of the Simmondsiaceae family. Liquid wax is obtained from the plant. The unusual consistency provides a high penetrating and absorbing ability - a protective barrier is created on the skin, but there is no feeling of a dense oily film on the face. Jojoba nourishes and moisturizes, rejuvenates, helps get rid of acne and optimizes the absorption of vitamin D by the body.

Macadamia

It has a nourishing and moisturizing effect, smoothes wrinkles and regulates the sebaceous glands. This is a very gentle product, which can often be seen in the composition of creams for the care of the skin around the eyes - one of the most sensitive areas on the face.

Application of oils

Oils can be used as a standalone product, or you can look for products in which they are among the components.

The most popular option is a hydrophilic oil cleanser based on extracts of jojoba, macadamia and evening primrose. They also make oil-based creams.

So how do you use pure oils to get the most out of them? Japanese women in this matter always consult with experts, because the misuse of even natural remedies can lead to unpleasant consequences. Kazumi Toyama, MD, dermatologist-cosmetologist, advises applying the product with massage movements, then wash well with water and moisturize the skin with a cream or serum. You can, of course, leave the product until completely absorbed, but this can lead to overdrying. Experts advise doing this at least on wet skin - water and oil base will turn into a kind of emulsion.

It is important to remember that each oil has its own characteristics, therefore, before use, it is necessary to test on a small area of the skin. So you exclude allergic reactions.