Neem Oil! The Benefits Of Using Natural Oils.

by Alison Williams-Smith | Jun 21, 2021

I absolutely love Neem oil.  It is my bathroom cabinet saviour oil; my son’s eczema saviour oil and my daughters saviour oil for her teenage hormonal acne.  When I was first introduced to neem oil I couldn’t believe how quickly my son’s painful and itchy eczema flare up was calmed and controlled.  Knowing that his prescribed steroid cream didn’t ease his itch, or work quickly on his eczema I was advised by a family member to try neem diluted with another carrier oil.  I’m so glad I listened to their advice.

My son’s eczema itch stopped and within 2 days his eczema was noticeably calmer.  Within 2 weeks it was completely gone from his elbow, neck and knee joints. 

Now…I have to admit that at this point we had already eliminated milk and sugar from my sons diet.  His eczema flare up was however triggered when he accidentally ate a pancake that had cow milk as an ingredient.  The difference this time was that I didn’t panic and use a steroid cream or his usual prescribed dry skin creams, like I had during his previous flare ups.  Instead I continued with his 100% natural Tigs & Moo Naked Body Butter and simply mixed several drops of neem oil in with it, into the palms of my hands.

Even the nutty smell pungent smell of the neem oil could be forgiven, as we watched the eczema fade away without needing yet another trip to the doctor. 

That was four and a half years ago and I haven’t used a steroid cream ever since…despite the conventional dermatologist telling me that I should.  It is amazing how many doctors are still unwilling to try a more Homeopathic or Ayurvedic remedy over something like a topical steroid cream which at some point, with long-term use will cause damage to the skin, as is the case for my mum.  Topical Steroid Withdrawal is hell to go through for anyone let alone a child.

Neem, combined with my own body butter was and still is a little miracle dream team. 

Like many other natural oils and butters, neem has absolutely fantastic anti-inflammatory compounds that can soothe the skin and reduce the dreaded eczema itch and irritation. Some of these amazing anti-inflammatory properties are three compounds called nimbidin, nimbin and quercetin.  

Now, I’m no scientist, but I believe it works so well because neem also has antibacterial and antifungal properties.  I have even used this as a natural insect repellent when added to another carrier oil. 

Neem only has a comedogenic rating of 1 – 2 meaning it is less likely to block pores, making it a good choice for acne sufferers.  For those who want an oil that can aid collagen production, dry skin and wrinkles, neem also has an absorbency rating of 5, making it an oil that slowly absorbs into the skin and therefore offers a protective barrier.  Some of its other benefits also include properties such as fatty acids, antioxidants and Vitamin E.

When it comes to the smell, like Marmite, you either love it or hate it, but that is why diluting neem with another carrier oil is something I do, unless I am dabbing it directly onto acne.  My kids love the smell, I don’t!  But as I have seen the benefits of this oil first hand, I do add a couple drops to my daily facial moisturiser.

As always, test anything new on the inner part of your elbow and wait 48 hours.  If you’re going to give it a try, go for Organic Cold Pressed Virgin Neem Oil.

My skin tone, eczema, adult acne and fine lines salute this oil with the most respect!

Alison Williams-Smith

Sweet Almond Oil! The Benefits Of Using Natural Oils.

by Alison Williams-Smith | Jun 21, 2021

Firstly, and very important, anyone with a nut allergy should not use almond oil.  And, as with any type of new skincare product, you should always do a patch test first…especially if you have sensitive eczema prone skin.

Now that we have said that, it is good to know that almond oil is classed as both a moisturiser and an emollient, which is a double bonus for those who want to give it a go.  It is a vegetable oil, obtained from the dried kernels of the almond tree, it can be applied directly to the skin and hair, or used as an active ingredient or carrier oil.

As an emollient it smooths the skin, filling in little gaps, which helps the skin retain moisture by improving its barrier function.  As a moisturiser it supplies water to the skin and holds it in with an oily substance.

With its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and even anticarcinogenic properties, many people use almond oil as a natural skincare ingredient to help treat common skin conditions, such as dermatitis and eczema. There is good evidence that this natural moisturiser improves eczema when used regularly, and I myself add almond oil to my skincare routine regularly.

Almond oil includes B vitamins, vitamins A, D and E and also includes fatty acids such as oleic acid, which help cells to function normally.  

With an absorption rate of 3, it mostly sits on the skin and leaves a satiny silky look

It also has a comedogenic rating of 2 which means that it won’t cog the pores of most people, but may potentially block the pores of some.

By Alison Williams-Smith

References

Rosehip Seed Oil! The Benefits Of Using Natural Oils

by Alison Williams-Smith | Jun 21, 2021

Also known as Rosehip oil, the colour of Rosehip seed oil ranges from a beautiful deep golden tone to a rich orange-red.  If it looks more yellow in colour this means it has been more processed and refined, which removes many of its original properties and benefits.  It is also advantageous to know that when it is 100% pure it has a nutty toasty aroma due to the grinding process of the seeds.

When it comes to benefits to the skin there are lots of good reasons for using this natural oil.

First of all, and one which is massively important for those with sensitive skin or for those who are acne prone, rosehip seed oil only has a comedogenic rating of one.  This means it is highly unlikely to block pores

It also has a absorbency rating of one which makes it a dry oil that is absorbed quickly by the skin, without leaving that oily feeling.

If you are someone who shy’s away from the oily feeling, then this will definitely be an ideal oil for you.  There are many properties to rosehip oil that make it an ideal candidate for natural beauty warriors.

As well as fatty acids like linoleic and linoleic acid, which those with dry skin should use as part of their beauty routine to help prevent water loss, other benefits include that is has natural antioxidant properties.

All you natural beauty warriors by now will know that antioxidants are needed to help reduce inflammation in the body and skin.  By reducing inflammation and neutralising free radicals, our skin can help to repair itself from damage such as those caused by the UV rays of the sun, pollution, our diet and even some of the synthetic skincare we use which includes those artificial chemical fragrances.  Antioxidants can also aid in the production of collagen which is massively beneficial to those who want to prevent, slow down or reduce signs of premature ageing.

Did I also mention that rosehip seed oil is also a natural exfoliator? 

No! 

Then apologies, because it is! 

It is naturally high in vitamins A (retinol) and C which encourages skin cell turnover which means brighter, glowing, vibrant skin.

And for those with inflamed skin or skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis or rosacea, rosehip seed oil is rich with anti-inflammatory properties like vitamin E, anythocyanin and polyphenols. Those words may be a bit of a mouthful but rest assured, when simply put, it means you are treating your skin with love.

Included in rosehip’s many benefits is its use for those with hyperpigmentation.  As a person who has used this oil before, I know that although my face didn’t seem to like this drier oil, my body did reap the benefits.  When I mixed this with other carrier oils and used in regularly on my imperfections i.e. hyperpigmented areas of my body, after several months I did start to notice a difference to my uneven skin tone.

I learned later on that rosehip seed oil contains beta carotene and lycopene.  Both of these have skin lightening properties.

When I mentioned previously that it didn’t agree with my face, this was because it worked perfectly on my body during the 48 hour patch test, but when I made the mistake of using it on my face without diluting it with another carrier oil I did get a slight rash…oh to having super sensitive skin!!!!

So…the moral of this story is do that all important patch test and if you are still unsure, dilute it with another oil you are certain you don’t react to

Before I leave you I should also say that this is another oil that is easy to get hold of in wholefood and health shops, or online.

Alison Williams-Smith

References

https://www.herbaldynamicsbeauty.com/blogs/herbal-dynamics-beauty/understanding-the-comedogenic-scale-for-oils-and-butters