Lately we've been getting a lot of questions about best oils for gua sha massage, and the answer is the oil that suits your skin type. It really does matter what oil you use on your skin, as each oil contain different fatty acids and the different skin types all need different fatty acids in different ratios.
In this blog, our focus is on the best oil for combination skin as well as recipes for oil blends for the different subtypes of combination skin.
Here's why jojoba oil is our favorite oil for combination skin
Jojoba oil is essentially a liquid wax and differs greatly from other vegetable oils through it's unique structure that resembles the skin's own sebum. Jojoba oil is rapidly absorbed through the skin's pores and hair follicles, preventing dehydration of the skin. The oil helps to give the skin a moisturized "plump" look. The oil leaves a fine film over the skin without clogging the pores, and actually helps regulate sebum in oily skin.
Jojoba oil increases the permeability of the substances blended into it as it penetrates quickly and deeply into the skin, so we like to mix it with other oils as well as essential oils to create more targeted skin effects.
The oil by itself is a brilliant make-up remover as it helps dissolve sebum and clogged pores.
Jojoba oil contains myristic acid, which is a saturated fatty acid with anti-inflammatory, regenerative and skin barrier repairing properties, which make it suitable even for sensitive or acne prone skin.
Oil serum recipe for combination skin with clogged pores
10ml squalane
10ml jojoba oil
10ml rosehip oil
Mix in a 30ml dark glass bottle. Use within 2 months. If you want to store it longer (up to 6 months) then add 3 drops of pure vitamin e or rosemary co2 extract.
Oil serum recipe for dry combination skin
10ml squalane
13ml jojoba oil
5ml melted shea butter
2ml sea buckthorn oil
Mix in a 30ml dark glass bottle. Use within 2 months. If you want to store it longer (up to 6 months) then add 3 drops of pure vitamin e or rosemary co2 extract.
Oil serum recipe for combination skin with lines & wrinkles
5ml squalane
10ml jojoba oil
2ml melted shea butter
3ml sea buckthorn oil
10ml rosehip oil
Mix in a 30ml dark glass bottle. Use within 2 months. If you want to store it longer (up to 6 months) then add 3 drops of pure vitamin e or rosemary co2 extract.
Use these oil blends for gua sha massage and as a substitute for your regular moisturizer morning and evening.
If you feel your skin needs more moisture, you can combine the oils with a hyaluronic acid serum or mist with hyaluronic acid. Amazing Space and Karmameju both create amazing face mists with lots of moisture-magnets.
When using an oil serum instead of moisturizer, make sure to massage or pat the oil into wet skin. We find that two ultra-thin layers of oil are better than one thick layer of oil.
Spray skin with water or cold green tea (green tea is perfect for combination skin) between applying the 2 layers of oil. This will make the skin feel more hydrated and plump.
