Coconut Oil: I use only extra virgin, unrefined, organic coconut oil. I have seen this used alone as a moisturizer and I would caution that coconut oil is a softener, not a moisturizer. While it is highly beneficial to your skin, it works better whipped up with some cocoa or mango butter, beeswax and some almond or sunflower seed oil. It is hypoallergenic, protects the skin barrier and locks in the moisture provided by the other butters and oils. Safe for sensitive skin.
Apricot Kernel Oil: Pressed from the seed of apricots, this oil is odorless and mixes nicely with neutral butters to produce lotion bases that can be used in custom-scented lotions or lotions that are scented with floral essential oils and waxes. Heals, moisturizes, improves skin tone, is good for sensitive skin and is a great softener. Like any of oils high in linoleic acid, it is great for reducing fine lines and wrinkles dark circles. It is especially recommended for sensitive skin and I use it in place of rosehips oil for formulating products for sensitive skin. Though, honestly, all of these butters and oils are safe for sensitive skin except RH oil. It is all the other gunk in commercial lotions that cause us to develop sensitivity.
Sunflower Seed Oil: Also very close to our own naturally occuring sebum, it is high in fatty acids and anti-oxidants. It is best for lighter moisturizing as it is easily absorbed. It helps heal and protect the skin barrier and is high in vitamins A, E, B-complex and carotene that aid in skin cell regeneration promoting a smoother healthier skin tone. It is very good for acne, sensitive skin, eczema and helps heal and reduce inflammation.
Rosehips Seed Oil: Derived from the seeds of the Andean rose hip.When I was researching this, I found some pictures of Andean people with the most amazing skin tones and textures. The article suggested this was, in part, due to the regular use of rose hips oil.
This oil is perfect for mature skin and can help smooth out hyer-pigmentation and sooth wind and sun-damaged skin. It is an effective wrinkle-reducer, deeply hydrating and healing. It can be expensive and hard to find in quantities, so I use it mainly in creams that are deeply emmolient and only a tiny amount is applied. It is not recommended for use on sensitive skin. Apricot oil is a suitable equivalent.
Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is indigenous to the US and has been used by Native Americans for millennia. It is highly beneficial to skin and, of all the oils I use, most closely approximates the oils (sebum) our skins produce natuarlly. So much so in fact, that it generally known as a "dry oil". It facilitates absorbtion and leaves no oily residue. It is great for acne prone and sensitive skin. It can improve skin tone, is antibacterial, antifungal, healing, anti-inflammatory, hypoallergenic and high in vitamin A. As we age we produce less sebum which is why our skin feels dry. In adolescents sebum is often over-produced, causing acne. Research shows that the use of jojoba oil balances sebum production is either instance.
Almond Oil: Used most commonly as massage oil, almond oil is a very powerful skin care ingredient and is safe for all skin types. It is hypoallergenic, easily absorbed, high in vitamin E and helps to boost your collagen levels. It is believed to help reduce dark circles and heal scars. It emulsifies beautifully and is the base in my creams where a higher degree of moisture is desired.
Base Oils
Base oils are generally soft and pourable. Since they are usually pressed from the seeds of fruits or nuts or from flesh that is encased inside a hard shell, my sense it that it isn't always necessary that they be 100% organic. I use only the purest base oils and they are purchased from my bulk organic suppliers of essential oils and other general apothecary supplies. They are all food-grade quality..
On a super geeky note, linoliec acid, an omega-6 essential fatty acid, provides an astonishing array of benefits for promoting healthy skin. Fatty acids are essential for the normal growth and function of healthy cells. They are highly hydrating, healing and collagen-supporting. The high fatty acid content of my base oils support a variety of needs for every skin type and allow me to craft specific formulas for individual skin care needs.
All of the oils used in the formulation of skin care products on Unity Road are similar to human sebum - or our naturally produced oils - and are easily absorbed. These replenishing soft oils are essential to creating and maintaining soft, nourished, healthy skin