Vegetable oils have been used for a very long time, not only in food but also as cosmetic or medicinal skin care. We tell you all the properties of these vegetable oils, but first let's talk about the skin!

What is skin?

The skin is made up of cells that look like small bricks cemented together using a liquid fluid. This fluid helps maintain everything and creates an impermeable barrier which facilitates exchanges between the outside and the inside. For this barrier to be healthy, it is necessary to maintain good hydration .

The skin plays several important roles for our body:

  • It protects against external aggressions (sun, pollution, bacteria, cosmetics).
  • It regulates the temperature.
  • It allows the production of certain hormones and vitamins.

Benefits of vegetable oils for the skin

Vegetable oils will have different interesting properties for our skin:

  • They limit dryness of the skin by forming a protective film on the surface.
  • It facilitates wound healing.
  • They reduce inflammation.
  • They limit skin aging.
  • They are anti-bacterial.
  • They are antioxidants, meaning they protect cells from aging.

Use of different vegetable oils:

Arnica vegetable oil, jojoba vegetable oil, etc. Not easy to find ! Here is a summary of the most common vegetable oils and their uses.

Vegetable oils
Vegetable oilPropertyUse
Almond
  • Softening
  • Soothing
  • Moisturizing
  • Anti-itch
  • In massage: even for babies after test in the elbow
  • May be useful on breasts damaged by breastfeeding
  • Fairly neutral smell
Argan
  • Improves elasticity and repairs the skin barrier
  • Anti-aging and anti-aging
  • Protects from the climate
  • Fine beauty oil easily absorbed by the skin
  • Quite strong smell
Arnica
  • Anti muscle and tendon pain
  • Counter blows (without wound)
  • “Good glow” effect
  • To apply on pain and blows without wound
  • Possibility of adding essential oil of helychris or lemon eucalyptus (after medical advice)
Lawyer
  • Ultra nourishing
  • Anti wrinkles and stretch marks
  • Rich in vitamins A, D and E
  • Anti dryness of hair
  • In massage on the face and stretch marks
  • As a mask on the ends of the hair
  • To be used in small quantities and not on oily skin
Coco
  • Protects the skin
  • Nourished the hair
  • Anti bacterial
  • Healing
  • Anti-oxidant
  • As a mask on the hair and skin care
  • Heat in a bain-marie to make it liquid
  • She smells like vacation
Jojoba
  • Protective
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-aging
  • Anti-acne
  • Skin care
  • Care for oily and brittle hair
  • Very liquid and not very fragile
Castor
  • “Hair” oil: it strengthens eyelashes, eyebrows, hair. It makes them stronger, thicker, longer and shinier
  • To apply on small surfaces
  • No odor and colorless

NB: Vegetable coconut oil (also called coconut butter) and jojoba oil keep longer than other vegetable oils.

The little extra: Shea butter

Shea butter can also be used to nourish the skin. It protects against external aggressions, reduces inflammation and prevents cellular aging.