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Your guide to finding the right oils for your beauty needs

There’s an oil out there for every issue

By Adriana Donnola

New Idea New Idea and WHO Executive Beauty Editor / April 27 2018

So you want to include an oil in your beauty regimen (good choice!) but are confused about which one’s a perfect match for you? Here’s what you need to know about the many, MANY options out there and which ones are best for the jobs you need doing.

Best oil for breakouts: Chia seed oil

High in vitamin B3 and zinc, chia seed oil helps with oily skin and clogged pores. It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids so it can relieve dryness and peeling, and plump up skin. Also suitable for itchy skin, pigmentation, and thin and grey hair.

Find it in: Goodness Every Day Cream Cleanser

Best oil for sensitive skin: Avocado oil

As a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, avocado oil is good for itchy or ageing skin, and soothing bites and stings, sunburn, eczema, psoriasis, cracked heels and dandruff.

Find it in: Antipodes Divine Face Oil

Best oil for winter: Rosehip oil

Containing omega-6 essential fatty acids and vitamins A and C, rosehip oil works on increasing cell turnover to improve skin discolourations that are better to address in winter than summer. This oil is also a top choice for addressing uneven pigmentation, scars, fine lines and acne-prone skin.

Find it in: Sukin Rose Hip Hydrating Day Cream

Best oil for removing makeup: Coconut oil

In a nutshell, it takes off makeup with ease, smells great and leaves skin soft. It’s not readily absorbed, though, so it can clog pores (just make sure you completely remove it). Use it to treat dry hair and dandruff, too.

Find it in: Palmer’s Coconut Oil Cleansing Balm

Best oil for dry hair: Argan oil

Argan oil makes for a great hair treatment as it repairs damage, but also works wonderfully as a styling aid to smooth hair and control frizz. It’s high in vitamin E, so it also helps with a dry scalp, dry skin and minimising fine lines.

Find it in: Essano Argan Oil Recovery Hair Mask

Best oil for repairing skin: Macadamia oil

This oil is a close match to the naturally occurring sebum in skin. It contains squalene and is high in vitamin E and omega-7. It’s a winner for wound healing, treating scratches and burns and soothing itchiness and redness. It also has been found to help fight hair loss, calm hair frizz and promote healthy shine.

Find it in: ModelCo Macadamia Luxury Facial Oil

Looking for a more targeted facial oil? Here are the best oils for every skin concern.

For more beauty tips from New Idea, head over to newidea.com.au

Are you a fan of any oil in particular? Share with us your favourite oil products and uses in the comments below.

Main image credit: Getty

Adriana Donnola

Adriana has been writing about the beauty world for more than 15 fun-filled years and has a real passion for helping women navigate gracefully through those tricky 45+ years.