How should vegetable oils be used?

Vegetable oils are natural extracts obtained from seeds, fruits or nuts. Used for centuries, they are renowned for their benefits in cooking, cosmetics and even traditional medicine. Rich in nutrients, they provide intense hydration, nourish the skin and keep cells young.

But how do you use them properly? How do you choose the one that’s right for you? Let’s decipher their benefits and uses together.

What is a vegetable oil?

Unlike animal oils, vegetable oils are extracted from oleaginous plants, i.e. plants whose seeds, fruits or nuts are particularly rich in fatty substances. These oils, sometimes referred to as “liquid gold“, have different fatty acid and vitamin compositions, giving them specific properties depending on their origin.

Some oils, such as sunflower oil or grapeseed oil, are extracted from seeds. Others, like olive oil or coconut oil, come from fruit. There are also oils derived from nuts, such as sweet almond oil or hazelnut oil, which are appreciated for their fluid texture and rapid absorption.

Depending on their composition, they can be used to nourish the skin, protect the hair, relieve certain skin conditions or enrich the diet.

Why use them?

Vegetable oils are appreciated for their many cosmetic and therapeutic virtues:

• Intense hydration: They nourish the skin deep down and prevent it from drying out.
• Anti-ageing action: They preserve the skin’s elasticity and delay the appearance of wrinkles.
• Skin repair: Soothes irritation, relieves eczema and accelerates healing.
• Natural protection: Certain oils form a barrier against UV rays, pollution and wind.

Vegetable oil is also an essential element in combating the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays, cold, wind, bacteria etc..
In short, it helps to prevent and treat illnesses, and soothe and relieve wounds. In addition to its benefits for the skin, it is also able to stimulate brain activity and neurological functions.

How do you choose and use them?

Each plant oil has its own particular characteristics, and it’s essential to choose the right one for your skin type and needs. For example, dry skin will benefit from the nourishing properties of avocado oil, while oily skin will prefer a light oil such as hazelnut oil, which regulates sebum production without clogging pores.

Use also depends on the context. For facial care, simply warm a few drops of oil between your hands before applying to slightly damp skin for better penetration. For hair, you can apply a small amount to the ends before shampooing for a nourishing effect, or use it in an oil bath for a more intense treatment.

In cooking, certain vegetable oils add real value to food. Extra-virgin olive oil is a must for its antioxidants and delicate flavour, while flaxseed or hempseed oil is prized for its rich omega-3 content. However, be careful to choose cold-pressed oils, which retain their nutrients better and do not become toxic at high temperatures.

Plant oils and skin types: which one to choose?

The use of vegetable oils for skin care is widely studied in scientific literature. They are recognised for their moisturising, nourishing and protective properties, adapted to different skin types. Here is a detailed guide to choosing the oil best suited to your skin, based on the most recent scientific research.

Table of plant oils suited to each skin type

The use of plant oils for skin care is supported by a great deal of scientific research. They have moisturising, nourishing and protective properties, which vary according to their composition in fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants. Here’s a detailed guide to choosing the right oil for each skin type.

Skin type	Properties required	Recommended oils
Oily, acne-prone skin	Regulates sebum production, reduces inflammation and the bacteria responsible for acne.	– Jojoba oil: naturally balances sebum. – Hazelnut oil: absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. – Black cumin oil: antimicrobial, reduces blemishes. – Grapeseed oil: antioxidant and purifying.
Dry, dehydrated skin	Deeply nourishes, repairs the skin barrier and prevents dryness.	– Avocado oil: rich in vitamins A, D and E, regenerating. – Sweet almond oil: soothes and intensely moisturises. – Argan oil: strengthens the skin barrier. – Borage oil: rich in omega-6, prevents skin ageing.
Combination skin	Maintains the balance between hydration and sebum regulation.	– Jojoba oil: moisturises without weighing down the skin and regulates sebum production. – Macadamia oil: softens and balances the skin. – Grapeseed oil: regulates sebum production and protects against external aggressors.
Sensitive and reactive skin	Soothes redness, calms irritation and protects against external aggressors.	– Calendula oil: anti-inflammatory, ideal for treating redness. – Chamomile oil: anti-allergenic and soothing. – Sweet almond oil: softens and protects.
Mature and anti-ageing skin	Promotes cell regeneration, improves elasticity and fights wrinkles.	– Rosehip oil: anti-wrinkle, stimulates collagen production. – Argan oil: antioxidant and firming. – Prickly pear oil: rich in vitamin E, powerful against skin ageing.

Source of information:

1. Voinchet, V., & Giraud-Robert, A.M. (2007). Utilisation de l’huile essentielle d’hélichryse italienne et de l’huile végétale de rose musquée après intervention de chirurgie plastique réparatrice et esthétique. Springer.
2. Normale, H. (2009). Phytocosmetology of the epidermis according to skin type. Springer.
3. Dosseur-Hauteville, B. (2018). Accompanying treatment for dry skin. Revue du Podologue, Elsevier.
4. Rzozi, S.B. (2018). Alternative uses of vegetable oils. ResearchGate.
5. Sandha, G.K., & Swami, V.K. (2009). Jojoba oil as a stable oil phase base for the cosmetic industry. Urban Basse Normandie.