After years spent slathering on oil-free moisturisers I was initially nervous about using a facial oil. I was eventually persuaded to give the multi-award winning Organic Facial Oil from By Sarah London, a relatively new natural beauty brand, a try. Co-founded by two sisters Sarah and Lauren, By Sarah London is on a mission to bring greater clarity, authenticity and simplicity to skincare. It’s the only UK skincare collection to include the full list of ingredients on the front label across the entire collection so there’s no danger of not knowing exactly what you’re putting on your skin.
The Organic Facial Oil therefore, clearly states on its label that it includes certified-organic Sweet Almond Oil, Apricot Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin E in its blend, with the purpose of providing nourishment, boosting collagen levels and promoting healthy, flawless skin. With my complexion looking decidedly dull and dehydrated, the product has much to prove!
Although By Sarah London advocates using the oil at night, and also in the morning as a primer under make-up. I prefer to use it solely at night just before bed. Because facial oils tend to contain concentrated amounts of nutrients, a small amount goes a long way and I find two to three drops is sufficient to cover my whole face meaning that the 30ml bottle will last much longer than you might expect, making the oil at £34 very good value.
Many of you will spend a lot of time trying to manage oily skin so using a facial oil will seem completely counter-intuitive. Oils work really well however, for all skin types including oily and dry, so for those of you who are still afraid of breakouts, oils can actually stabilise and regulate the overproduction of sebum and help get rid of acne.
The correct oil will balance out the skin’s ecosystem and protect it from the external environment. The right facial oil for you will see a few drops sink in easily with a little facial massage and be absorbed a few hours later; if it just sits on the skin, it’s probably too heavy. It’s important not to rub the oil into your skin like you would a moisturiser. Instead, massage, dab or pat the oil on clean, slightly damp skin, pushing it into your pores, rather than just sliding it around on the skin’s surface. This helps your skin absorb the oil and make use of its benefits much quicker.
I’ve only been using By Sarah London’s Organic Facial Oil for the past two weeks, and I have to admit I’m a real fan. My sensitive skin is already rehydrated and looking visibly brighter, perhaps not yet “radiant” but I’m sure that this is just a few drops of facial oil away! Importantly, I have peace of mind, knowing that every ingredient I’m putting on my skin is organic, vegan and natural and for extra points, the oil is eco-friendly too, in a recyclable glass bottle.
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