From acne to black and white heads, our skin suffers a lot of issues. That is not forgetting the blemishes from pinching pimples as well as tone imbalances. However, there are some oils that blend with our African skin to smoothen and beautify it. Alicia Nambuya, a beautician shares:

Aloe vera

Aloe vera offers several benefits for your skin and they include:

Acne-fighting: Aloe vera has two hormones; auxin and gibberellins which have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the appearance and pain of blemishes and acne. That means a more flawless skin.

Moisturising: Aloe vera also moisturises the skin without looking or feeling greasy. That makes it perfect for oily skin.

Healing: Gibberellin stimulates the growth of new cells, which makes aloe the perfect ingredient for healing wounds, small cuts, and abrasions, especially after shaving. That greatly helps to avoid bumps as well as provide sunburn relief.

Antioxidants: Aloe vera contains antioxidants such as vitamin C and E as well as beta carotene to heal, protect, strengthen, and firm skin.

Lavender oil

Lavender is found in many parts of the world and is also available in Uganda. Lavender oil’s benefits for your skin include:

Acne-fighting: Lavender oil has antibacterial properties that allow it fight acne naturally. That means that the effects of chemicals, found in some acne remedies, are avoided. 

Calming: Just like the lavender flowers aid calmness hence allowing one to sleep with ease, the oil will calm and soothe irritated skin, help reduce patches, acne scar appearance as well as redness.

Anti-inflammatory: Lavender has anti-inflammatory properties that sooth and heal irritated skin. The irritation could be due to insect bites, as well as sun burns.

Stress-relieving: Owing to its calming effects, lavender oil also allows one to have a good night’s sleep which ultimately means a healthier skin. That is because the skin gets the opportunity to rejuvenate and repair.

Moringa oil

Though known as a good anti-malaria herb, moringa also gives oil that is beneficial to the skin. Some of the benefits include:

Healing: Packed with emollient properties, moringa oil is great to apply on burns, scrapes, and minor cuts. It quickens healing while reducing the intensity of the blemishes these would leave on the skin.

Hydrating: The oil has monounsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid. As such, the oil is very hydrating and creates a skin barrier which allows the skin to seal in moisture and remain protected. That means a more moisturised skin.

Acne-fighting: With antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, moringa oil will help the skin overcome any breakouts.

Balancing: Moringa oil is quite similar to our skin’s natural oil. That allows it to help balance sebum production without looking or feeling greasy. That is very crucial for people with oily skin.

Antioxidant: Packed with vitamin E, moringa oil is an amazing antioxidant. Therefore, it easily fights off free radicals that are known to predispose one to cancer.

Argan oil

Made from kernels produced by argan trees, the oil is native to Morocco. The oil has several skin benefits such as:

Antioxidant: Argan oil is also an amazing antioxidant hence easily fighting off free radicals.

Fights against acne: The oil regulates the amount of sebum on one’s skin hence controlling the onset of acne as the skin does not get very oily.

Vitamin E: Argan oil also contains vitamin E, a fat soluble antioxidant that betters the skin’s water retention thus improving its general look.

Anti-inflammatory: Argan has anti-inflammatory properties thus great to reduce any swellings, say from an insect bite but also reduce symptoms of psoriasis.

While there are many other oils, you can try one of these or a combination upon the advice of a skin specialist for a beautiful and natural skin.