Cleansing Oil for Glowing Skin

By Jill Ettinger

When it comes to skin cleansing, oil may not be the first treatment that comes to mind. But it's true--oil can remove dirt, purify pores, and help reduce the signs of aging, often better than soap or fancy cleanser products.

Have you ever used oil to get some sticky gunk off of your kitchen countertops? It does the same thing to skin without being harsh or leaving your face feeling greasy. And it's actually one of the best treatments for acne-prone or oily skin.

Not All Oils Are Created Equal

You do not want to lather up your face with corn or canola oil. And though we often think of baby oil as the soft-skin friend, it is actually loaded with mineral oil, which creates a barrier on the skin, clogging pores and trapping impurities.

When looking for a cleansing oil for daily use, select products that are free from filler ingredients and parabens that can be damaging to your skin.

Look for products that contain some of these ingredients for healthy, glowing skin or formulate your own special blend:

Nut and Seed Oils: Almond, macadamia, sesame, olive, and jojoba oils can be great bases for cleansing oil skin products. Jojoba is a thick and stable oil that not only lends itself to creating quality cosmetic products, but also works extremely well on its own for cleansing and moisturizing the skin.

Borage Oil: Borage comes from the plant commonly called starflower, and its oil restores moisture and can smooth rough, dry, and damaged skin. It is an excellent cleansing oil for people with chronic skin disorders including dermatitis, eczema, and acne.

Sea Buckthorn: This Asian berry has an oil-rich seed that has been effective in treating dry skin, sunburn, acne, and eczema. It makes a wonderful complement to a cleansing oil product.

Essential Oils: These are therapeutic-grade concentrates from plants, flowers, and seeds. Most essential oils have antimicrobial properties and many have curative benefits for all kinds of skin types.

Application

Cleansing oils are powerful, so they should be used sparingly. To clean the face, pour about a quarter-size amount into your hands and rub together to warm the oil and then apply to your face, massaging gently. Then using a washcloth and hot water, gently hold the cloth in front of your face to steam the oil and impurities out for a few seconds before wiping off any excess.

Hair Oils for Your Hair Type

The best hot oil treatments for your hair

Beauty experts often advise using hot oil treatments to make your hair healthy and shiny. These treatments involve massaging hot oil into the hair and scalp, then wrapping your head in a hot towel for a half hour to help the oil penetrate the scalp and the follicle. .It’s a great way to give your hair a dose of long-lasting moisture.

First, you’ll need to choose an oil that’s appropriate for your particular hair type. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular oils and the hair types and issues they suit best.

Jojoba This oil, extracted from the seeds of the jojoba bush, is a potent hair softener and detangler. Experts recommend using jojoba to add much-needed moisture to dry hair.

Olive. This kitchen staple is actually an excellent all-around hair oil and good for every hair type. It can help strengthen, nourish, and add elasticity to your hair.

Coconut. Extracted from the tropical fruit, coconut oil is rich in nutrients like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and iron and is recommended for moisturizing damaged hair, due to its excellent ability to lubricate and strengthen hair.

Rosemary. The herb rosemary is often recommended as a natural dandruff treatment, so consider this hair oil if you have a flaky scalp.

Basil. Using oil on oily hair may sound counterintuitive, but basil oil will actually help control the oil production of your scalp and reduce the oiliness of your hair. (It’s also recommended for promoting hair growth.)

Lemon. This oil’s good for more than just polishing your furniture. Apply it to your hair to help control oil and dandruff — and even add in some beautiful blonde highlights.

Rose. Consider applying this natural soother to your scalp if it’s damaged and sore.

Lavender. This essential oil works well for normal hair. The best part? It’s not only a potent dandruff treatment — it’s also a fabulous (and effective) treatment for lice.

Peppermint. This energizing essential oil can help add moisture to parched hair and is often thought to promote hair growth.

Ylang Ylang. This fragrant oil smells like jasmine and is known as a tonic for hair growth. It’s a wonderful treatment for all hair types.

Almond. Loaded with vitamin E, this aromatherapy staple is a great all-around moisturizer and may help prevent hair loss.

Restoring Shine With Hair Oils

Here's how to restore shine with hair oils.

Our hair becomes dry, damaged, dull, and thin over time, but you can restore hair’s luster and shine with hair oils. Safe, widely available, and very effective, hair oils might be the best way to restore shine and glamour to your hair. Here are a few easy recipes for returning the luster to your locks.

Olive Oil to Restore Shine to Hair
The easiest method to restore your hair’s shine might be lurking in your kitchen pantry. Try this simple recipe:

Ingredients

½ cup olive oil
5 drops frankincense, lavender, or chamomile essential oil
1 plastic bag that can fit over your hair

Directions

• Pour olive oil into a jar with a lid, then add essential oil. Cover jar and shake vigorously to disperse the essential oil. Let the oil sit for 24 hours in a cool, dark place. Shake again before use.
• Rinse hair with warm water. Warm 1 tablespoon of the oil treatment in the palms of your hands. Using the tips of your fingers, gently massage the oil into your scalp with circular motions. Repeat until the entire scalp has been massaged. Rub the ends of your hair with the remaining oil.
• Place the plastic bag over your hair and let the oil penetrate for half an hour.
• Rinse well, then shampoo, condition, and style as usual.

Coconut Oil to Restore Shine to Hair
Apply to the scalp and hair about a half hour before washing, or for best results, leave it on your hair overnight. Before using coconut oil to restore shine to your hair, warm it first in a bowl of hot water (never use a microwave, as this may cause hot spots that can burn your hair and scalp). Be sure to cover hair in plastic wrap after applying the oil, and protect your pillowcase with a thick towel, as the coconut oil may ooze out and soil your pillow. Use a gentle shampoo to wash out the oil in the morning.

Amla Hair Oil to Restore Shine to Hair
According to Ayurvedic medicine, amla is one of the best treatments for and dulling of the hair. Derived from an Indian herb, amla oil has been used in India for its cooling effect and overall benefit in making hair lustrous. Simply part your hair and apply the oil all over your scalp. Massage your scalp gently with your fingertips in circular motions so that the oil is gradually absorbed; leave the oil in place for an hour or more before washing your hair with an all-natural shampoo.

Jojoba Oil to Restore Shine to Hair
Jojoba oil is derived from the seeds of the jojoba shrub, grown in large quantities in the U.S. desert, Mexico, Australia, South America, and Israel. It is highly stable and viscous, biodegradable, nontoxic, needs no refrigeration, doesn’t spoil, and remains pure. Jojoba oil has numerous benefits and is actually a basic ingredient in many hair care products. But you can apply 100 percent pure virgin jojoba oil directly to your hair once a week to restore shine and body. After rinsing your hair, avoid hot styling tools for maximum effect.

Here are some other oils that restore your hair’s shine:

• Vitamin E oil
• Tea tree oil
• Moroccan oil
• Rosemary oil

You can experiment with many hair oils to find the one that works best in restoring the shine to your hair.

Repair Your Hair With Olive Oil

Want gorgeous, healthy hair? Add this kitchen staple to your hair care routine.

When it comes to repairing your damaged hair, forget pricey salon treatments and mass-market products. The secret to healthy, shiny hair worthy of a shampoo commercial may be as close as your kitchen cabinet: olive oil. Turns out it’s not just good for your heart — it’s good for your hair too. When incorporated into your hair care routine, olive oil can help fight everything from frizz to dandruff to (eek!) head lice.

“Women all over the world use hot oil treatments for their hair,” says Dawn Gallagher, coauthor of Naturally Beautiful: Earth’s Secrets and Recipes for Skin, Body and Spirit. “Oils are great for treating dry, overworked, or lifeless hair.”

Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil — organic, if possible — is great for repairing dry, over processed hair, but other oils, such as jojoba, sweet almond, and avocado, work well too. The procedure is simple:

• Warm one to two tablespoons of oil until it’s lukewarm.
• Massage into dry hair and scalp thoroughly using your fingertips, working out from the roots to the ends.
• Cover your hair in plastic wrap, then with a plastic shower cap or two or warm, moist towels, to deep condition your hair. Heat is an important part of the process because it helps the oils to better penetrate into the hair shaft to repair damage.
• Leave on at least 30 minutes, or overnight if your hair is particularly dry or damaged.
• Rinse the oil out of your hair and shampoo — more than once, if necessary — and use conditioner. (Be careful if you’re doing this in the shower — the oil can make the tub slippery!)
• Repeat every two to four weeks.

“Your hair will be noticeably shinier and softer,” Gallagher says. In addition to the method described above, she also recommends the following olive oil hair treatments:

Apennine Olive Oil Treatment

Some of the finest olive oil in the world comes from the hilly regions of central Italy, Gallagher says. “This oil has a deep, rich green color and a characteristic nutty fragrance.”

1 Tbsp. olive oil (more if hair is long) from Tuscany or Umbria, if possible
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

Warm the olive oil and gently massage into your scalp and hair, covering the whole head. Wrap your head with two plastic shower caps or a hot, wet towel. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then wash hair with an herbal shampoo. Apply the shampoo without adding water to cut down on the oil. Rinse with apple cider vinegar.

Lavender and Rosemary Treatment

1 to 2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 drop of lavender essential oil
2 drops of rosemary essential oil

Combine ingredients and rub the mixture into hair’s dry ends, or massage into your scalp. Wrap your hair in a hot towel or cover with a plastic shower cap. Let the oil soak into your hair for about an hour, then rinse with a natural shampoo.

Caribbean Queen Conditioner

1 to 2 eggs
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. glycerin
1/2 cup of purified water
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

Mix all ingredients together and whisk thoroughly. After shampooing, use as a conditioner. Massage through hair and leave on under a plastic shower cap for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

No matter what your hair type, treating it with olive oil can help repair damage and give you healthy, shiny hair. So go ahead, pour it on.

Using Hair-Oil Treatments to Combat Dryness

Have dry hair? With just a few ingredients around the house, you can put together a treatment to combat dryness and keep your locks silky smooth.

Brittle, flaky, dry hair looks unkempt and is hard to manage. One of the best ways to combat dry hair is with a hot-oil treatment. Using ingredients you probably have on hand, these hot-oil treatments for dry hair can work wonders.

Olive Oil
Here’s one easy home recipe for hot oil:

• 1 tablespoon warm olive oil
• 1 tablespoon warm honey
• Several drops of liquid herbal saw palmetto, sage, and rosemary (for dark hair) or lemon (for light hair)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

If your hair is extra dry, try this hot-oil recipe:

• ½ cup olive oil
• 5 drops frankincense, lavender, or chamomile oil

Pour olive oil into a jar with a lid, add oils. Cover jar and shake vigorously. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours in a cool, dark place. Shake again before use. Rinse hair with warm water.

Get a plastic bag that can fit over your hair and place it nearby. Warm 1 tablespoon of oil treatment in the palms of your hands. Using the tips of your fingers, gently massage the oil into the scalp in a circular motion. Repeat until the entire scalp has been massaged. Rub the ends of your hair with the remaining oil. Place the plastic bag over your hair and let sit for ½ hour. Rinse well, then shampoo, condition, and style as usual.

Coconut Oil
Apply to the scalp and hair about a half hour before washing or, for best results, leave on overnight. Warm oil first in a bowl of warm water (never use a microwave, as this may cause hot spots and burn your hair and scalp). Be sure to cover hair in plastic wrap and protect your pillowcase with a thick towel, since the coconut oil may ooze out and soil your pillow. Wash out the oil in the morning with a gentle shampoo.

Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil has numerous benefits and is actually the fundamental ingredient in many hair-care products. You can take matters into your own hands by applying 100 percent pure virgin jojoba oil directly to your hair once a week to restore moisture and body. Rinse and avoid using hot styling products for maximum benefit.

Here are some other oils that restore hair’s shine:

• Vitamin E oil
• Tea-tree oil
• Moroccan oil
• Rosemary oil

Here’s how to use a hot-oil treatment from your pharmacy to combat dry hair:

• Warm the oil by pouring some in a small bowl, then placing the bowl over a dish with hot water. Check the temperature of the oil with your fingers before applying to hair and scalp. It should be warm, not hot. Apply the oil to your scalp by parting different sections of your hair and spreading oil through the roots with your fingers.
• When your scalp is covered in oil, glide your fingers in a circular motion and apply medium pressure to the base of your head.
• Use your fingernails to help stimulate blood flow and allow your hair’s natural oils to emerge.
• Bend head forward so that your hair falls in front of your face, and then grab a large lock of hair right at the scalp and pull. Release and pull again.

Hot-oil treatments can combat dryness and stimulate hair health — and they feel terrific.

Professional Treatments

Massage

It may seem as if massages come in more varieties than ice cream flavors these days. That's because massages can be focused on any of a number of specific aches and pains, or they can be used more generally, for overall relaxation. Learn how to choose the treatment that's right for you.

By the editors of Daily Glow

Massage has long been a staple among spa treatments. Its benefits go beyond relaxation, though that’s certainly a welcome result. Massage can help reduce muscle pain and pain associated with certain health conditions; it can also improve circulation, fight depression, and lower blood pressure. Spas offer many kinds of massages, which incorporate different techniques and materials to achieve their desired effects. Here’s how a few of the most popular massage treatments work:

Swedish massage. This is one of the most popular and well-known types of massage. Your Swedish massage therapist will knead and stroke your muscles, using oil or lotion to keep the movements smooth. This type of massage is generally gentle and relaxing, so it's a good choice if you're having your first massage.

Deep tissue massage. This kind of massage targets deeper layers of muscles than does Swedish massage. Your therapist will work slowly, stroking your muscles against the grain so as to reach further into your muscles. This technique can help alleviate chronic muscle tightness and the ache of repetitive strain injuries. The pressure may leave you feeling a bit sore for a day or two after the treatment. You can always ask your therapist to incorporate deep tissue techniques into a Swedish massage to target a trouble spot — a tight neck or shoulder from too much desk work, for example.

Shiatsu. This is a Japanese massage technique, in which a therapist applies pressure for several seconds on acupuncture points located all over the body. People find it relaxing and, despite the pressure, are typically not sore afterward.

Sports massage. Sports massage, in which the therapist targets muscles groups depending on your particular sport or activities, can help you prevent or treat sports injuries. Even if you don’t focus exclusively on one sport, sports massage can be a good choice if you work out a lot and want help in staying flexible and free of injuries.

Hot stone massage. In this treatment, the therapist places heated stones on your body, sometimes adding light pressure to the weight of the stones. It’s a gentle technique, and the warmth can help alleviate muscle tension.

Pregnancy massage. While many spa services, especially those that warm you, aren’t recommended for pregnant women, massage can be a great choice for moms-to-be. The therapist can modify the massage techniques to adapt to your changing body and its needs. Pregnancy massage, also sometimes called prenatal massage, can help reduce swelling in the legs and alleviate aches that often accompany pregnancy. In most spas, you’ll be massaged on a table with a specially designed opening that allows you to lie on your stomach while the technician works on your back and the backs of your arms and legs.

Less common offerings include trigger point therapy, in which pressure is applied to tight and knotted-up parts of the body; reflexology, in which the therapist massages points on your body that are believed to correspond to internal organs; and cranial-sacral massage, which targets your head, face, and jaw.

During any massage, the therapist will drape your body with a sheet or towels, exposing only the part of your body being worked on. You should have the option of undressing only to the extent that you feel comfortable.

Whether you’re looking for stress relief or treatment for specific trouble spots, massage can help you feel better inside and out.

Hot-Oil Treatments

Boost your hair from dry and frizzy to shiny and fabulous with regular hot-oil treatments. They're easy to apply — read on to find out how.

By the editors at Daily Glow

A weekly hot-oil treatment is like a jolt of amped-up conditioner, taking your hair from dull and frizzy to shiny and healthy in 30 minutes or less. It’s an especially good choice for dry hair or hair that’s damaged, chemically treated, or subject to excessive heat styling. If your hairstyle demands blow-dryers, curling irons, straightening irons, or hot rollers, hot-oil treatments can help counteract the daily damage. You can pick up a hot-oil treatment at a drugstore or beauty-supply store, mix up your own at home, or visit a salon for a professional service.

Hot-Oil Treatment Products
There are lots of hot-oil treatments on the market, sold in three-, four- or five-use kits or in bottles and ranging in price from $3 to $20. Many contain essential oils, and natural oils such as olive, jasmine, coconut, and jojoba oils are popular. For most of these treatments, you warm the bottle of oil in hot water (some are self-warming), then work the hot oil through damp hair. It’s important to make sure you massage the oil thoroughly through your hair so it can work on every strand. Then you wrap your hair in a shower cap or towel (it’s nice to warm the towel in the dryer first), and leave the oil on your hair for as long as the product instructions recommend. Most suggest 30 minutes, although some claim to get results in five minutes or less. Finally, you rinse the oil out and as you normally do. Most people who use hot-oil treatments have dry hair, so a mild shampoo designed for dry or damaged hair is probably best.

DIY Hot-Oil Treatments
It’s easy to whip up a hot-oil treatment at home if you prefer, and you likely already have everything you need in your kitchen and bathroom. To start, blend together equal parts of olive and canola oil — three tablespoons or so of each should do it — and warm them in the microwave. You want the oil to be warm but comfortable to handle, not hot. Use your hands to apply the warm oil to damp hair, working it over every strand. Follow up with a wide-toothed comb for even coverage, if necessary. Wrap your hair with a warm towel or a shower cap and leave the oil on for 30 minutes, then rinse and follow up with a gentle shampoo. If you like, you can experiment with adding other oils to the mix.

Salon Hot-Oil Treatments
You can also have a professional apply the hot oil for you at a salon. This way, you’ll be certain all the strands are evenly coated. Of course, salon treatments come with a price. Expect to pay $20 to $25 for a basic hot-oil application and $100 or more for a lengthy treatment that includes a head, neck, and shoulder massage.

A weekly hot-oil treatment — whether it’s from a package, your kitchen, or a salon — can bring a healthy, vibrant shine to your locks.