Oils have become a major part of my daily beauty routine. Almost every single product I use contains at least one type, or is actually an oil itself.
It’s really interesting to realize this, because just a few years ago I absolutely avoided oils at all costs. I thought they were a big cause of my breakouts – but I know now that oil can actually be used to help breakouts, along with a billion other things.
I thought it’d be fun to tally up all the oils I use for health & beauty in a single day (aside from cooking), just to see how important it is to my daily life. I have a feeling I know which one I’ll use the most of, but we’ll just have to see…
As soon as I wake up – before I’ve had anything to eat or drink – I like to take a tablespoon of coconut oil and swish it in my mouth for about 15-20 minutes (oil pulling – read about it here!). Then, I do what’s known in the Ayurveda world as Abhyanga – a daily massage using oil that’s specifically for your body’s elemental makeup. I use a Pitta oil which is made of mainly sesame, coconut, and sunflower oils, and then some essential oils, along with a whole bunch of herbs.
Then of course I brush my teeth. I use a toothpaste that has both tea tree and wintergreen oils.
In the shower, I use a natural shampoo and conditioner that both contain a hefty amount of coconut oil, as well as some others. I also use an African black soap body wash that contains palm kernel oil and a bunch of essential oils.
After I shower, I slather my skin up with pure coconut oil, and use some vitamin E in areas where I have scars that I want to heal. I then use this incredible natural deodorant made with coconut oil and bergamot essential oil (along with arrowroot flour and baking soda). In my hair, I put a little bit of – you guessed it – coconut oil.
Even though all of these oils have me smelling incredible at this point, I can’t help but put a little bit of perfume on! I love this one, which includes a mixture of essential oils, as well as jojoba oil. Jojoba is technically a wax, but we’ll call it an oil anyway!
Later in the day, I often light up an oil diffuser with bergamot essential oil to awaken my senses while I work on whatever it is that I may be working on. I usually put a bit of it on my fingertips and massage it into my scalp, as well. It’s awesome.
When it’s time for bed, I use an ayurvedic skin cleanser that contains castor oil, and remove my eye makeup using pure jojoba oil. I dab some tea tree oil on any blemishes I want to fight, and then brush my teeth with the same kind of toothpaste I used earlier in the day.
And so, for the final tally…
Looks like coconut oil is the winner – just what I suspected. I used it six different times. In total, I used 22 types of oil in one day. I guess that shows their importance to me right there! This was actually really fun to add up all the oils I use in a 24-hour period – such a huge part of my day that I’ve never really paid attention to like this before. Which oil takes the cake for you?
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love this! i really need to try oil pulling.
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PRICKLY PEAR SEED OIL… It absolutely beats any other oil, even coconut or argan.
Argan oil hands down. Coconut oil for cooking.
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Love this!! Beautiful photographs as well. Nature is the way :) Botanical heaven!
For months I’ve been trying different natural shampoos/conditioners. I like the one you’ve posted above- what is the recipe for those and does it make your hair too greasy?
Also shoutout to fellow FP readers, what are your thoughts about oil pulling and the Abhyamga massage?
Xx
*Abhyanga.
– also, I’ve been trying Dr. Bronner’s soap free lavender for facial cleanser and I’m not loving the results, just looking for a chemical-free way to wash my face. Any ideas?
Hemp oil! I’ve stopped using almost every other oil because of how fantastic this oil is. I use it for everything beauty related. It’s especially good if you’re prone to comedonal acne.
Coconut oil is fantastic, isn’t it! There’s so much great research out there about how fantastic coconut oil is for your health and beauty. It’s used in everything!
If you’re looking for cold pressed, virgin, organic coconut oil or coconut oil products please check out http://www.organicfiji.com for some of the best!
http://www.organicfiji.com
What is the name of the solid perfume sounds amazing and I’d love to get my hands on some :)
Adrianna – it is homemade! Click on the link for the DIY :) http://blog.freepeople.com/2014/01/allnatural-solid-perfume/
Definitely pure olive oil! I have the feeling (maybe wrong) that great quality olive oil is a luxury in the US, but here in Portugal is the healthy foundation of our kitchen and health. We have great olive oils and they are not expensive 3 euros a bottle of one litre. I use it for cooking (always!), dressing the salads, making a exfolianting (olive+cane sugar), oil pulling, etc. I love eucaluptus oil for burning. Argain oil and coconut oil for the hair and almond oil to clean the face at the end of the day. It’s very expensive but Damascene Rose oil has helped me a lot in the past with anxiety and sadness. Love your posts on natural products Brigette!
What an excellent post, so many great ideas! I think my favorite has still gotta be coconut oil.
I’ve heard of oil pulling and its many benefits before- my only question is do you still brush your teeth after, or does that defeat the purpose? I can’t imagine the pulling would give you fresh breathe (maybe coconuty- but definitely not minty clean). Thinking of adding this to my morning routine before meditation! Thanks for the info :)
Jojoba oil a wonderful oil – it can be applied evenly and lightly as a serum at bedtime! Olive oil is my favourite to consume. Love it in salads along with lots of kalamata olives – delicious! Enjoy the article.
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Noorein
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Essential oils are in everywhere in your daily routine. I got many advantages and uses of essential oils. Thanks for come up with this blog.
I use tea tree oil as a spot treatment for blemishes, but also lemon juice, and almond oil as my moisturizor. I wear the latter in the morning and at night before bed.
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