Benefits of Whole Oils

By Trish Green
Nutritionists have long known the true value of oils and fats and their necessity in our diet.
Diferent vegetable oils have special properties of their own, and aromatherapy has certainly
pioneered their use and brought them to prominence in a number of ways. ll vegetable oils
are de!ned as lipids. They are organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and o"ygen.
They are largely composed of fatty acids, which in turn are composed of two parts, one fatty
and the other acid.
#ach oil is uni$ue in itself, having its own origins and bene!ts. They can be used alone or in
combinations, and are as much a part of nature%s gift as essential oils. They have been used
for thousands of years in body work and massages. lways choose the best $uality for the
purpose in mind. bove all, make sure your oil is fresh. &ost oils have no smell. 'ancid oil not
only smells, it has free radicals that contribute to premature aging and tissue degeneration.
They reduce the skin%s elasticity. (ere are the better oils you can !nd)
Sweet almond oil
This oil is useful for dry skin during seasonal changes. lmond oil is highly nutritious, being a
good source of trace minerals and rich in linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid. *t is an
e"cellent emollient for chapped hands, and is used e"tensively in skin care preparations. *t is
a popular ingredient in cosmetics for moisturi+ers, night creams and body milks, as well as a
skin softening massage oil. *t is almost an industry standard in aromatherapy for massage and
body work. *t gives great slippage, as it does not absorb too $uickly. The oil should be pale
yellow in color with a light odor. *f the oil is clear, it has been re!ned.
Argan oil
rgan oil has been known for centuries for its cosmetic and pharmaceutical virtues. s a free
radical scavenger, it has more vitamin # than most and contains carotenes and phytosterols.
*t prevents the drying and slows the physiological aging of the skin by restoring its hydro,lipid
!lm. rgan oil is also recommended to fortify fragile nails. Try adding this oil to your skin care
protocols, and keep some onhand at the manicure table.
Avocado oil
This oil is e"tracted from the -esh of the fruit, which contains up to ./ percent pure oil.
vocado oil is highly moisturi+ing and skin softening0 it promotes cellular regeneration, and its
efect on dry and fragile skins is well documented. 'epeated use and massage of this oil on
the skin has shown an increase in hydration to the upper layers of the skin, as well as an
apparent boost in elasticity. * highly recommend it for alipidic, mature skin and the treatment
of prematurely aging skin. * personally use it daily as a part of my skin care regime. The
viscosity is thicker than most, and so it needs to be combined with other oils for use in
massage or simple daily application to reinforce the skin%s lipid barrier. *t is uni$ue in that it
contains more vitamin D than most eggs and feels wonderful on the skin, especially in the
cold of winter.
Borage oil
Borage is known for being rich in G1. *t is one of the richest sources known. Borage oil is
sometimes used to boost the G1 content of other oils such as evening primrose oil. *t is ideal
for dry and sensitive skins. *t is found in formulations for !ghting wrinkle formation,
dehydration and loss of elasticity in aging skin because of its regenerative and !rming
properties.
Calendula oil
Native to the &editerranean, this oil is generally used as an infused oil, and it is one of my
favorites. *t has highly anti,in-ammatory and soothing properties that work well in the
treatment of rashes and dry, chapped skin. *t also makes an e"cellent base for treating
ec+ema. 2alendula is said to be e"cellent for venous complaints, especially when blended
with essential oils of lemon and cypress. 3hen applied consistently, there is a decrease in the
symptoms of varicose veins and venous congestion. &y e"perience is that it provides
immediate relief from the constant ache that varicose veins can create, especially at night.
Hazelnut oil
(a+elnut oil is similar to almond oil in composition and stability, and has similar properties.
(owever its difusion and penetration properties seem to be far greater. Therefore this oil is
recommended as a carrier oil because of its ability to penetrate the epidermis without leaving
the skin greasy. (a+elnut has good regenerative properties on the skin. *t prevents
dehydration of the skin and is particularly recommended for sensitive skin and baby skin,
leaving it smooth and soft. 3hen combined with sesame and calendula oil, it makes an
e"cellent after sun oil.
Jojoba oil
4o5oba oil is highly compatibile with the skin. 2hemically, it is actually a li$uid wa" versus an
oil. *t contains hardly any triglycerides but has a combination of esters and fatty alcohols.
Naturally moisturi+ing and healing, its traditional use is being protective for dry skin
conditions, but it can be used on all skin types. (owever it should be noted that it is ideal for
regulating sebum, and is useful for oily scalp conditions.
Macadamia oil
&acadamia oil deserves a mention simply because it feels wonderful on the skin. *t is high in
palmitoleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid not commonly found in other oils. 6almitoleic acid
is also found in sebum0 thus macadamia oil has often been recommended for mature skins
that start to dry out and become alipidic. *t is very nourishing, and * recommend every skin
care specialist utili+e it.
Rosehip seed oil
2linical works indicate that rosehip seed oil is e"tremely bene!cial in tissue regeneration for
conditions such as burns, facial wrinkles and the treatment of scars. * have used this oil
successfully to counter the efects of the sun, and also in the treatment of scars to reduce
redness, hyperpigmentation and to help minimi+e keloid tissue formation. *t is believed that
these properties are due to the very high levels of both linoleic and alpha,linolenic fatty acids.
Soybean oil
2old pressed soybean oil is the second best source of vitamin # after wheat germ oil. 7oybean
oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. *t is good for massage and suitable for all skin types,
as it has a regenerative efect on the cutaneous tissue due to the presence of the fatty acids.
*t therefore enhances local circulation in the treated area to bring about revitali+ation of the
dermis. *t is a valued emollient for cosmetic use, containing intrinsic phytoestrogens.
heat germ oil
3heat germ oil is an e"tremely valuable source of vitamin # and fatty acids. Due to its
vitamin # content, it is a natural antio"idant. *t promotes the formation of skin cells, improves
blood circulation and helps relieve symptoms of dermatitis. (owever for massage and facial
treatments, make sure it is well blended with other vegetable oils, using maybe one or two
milliliters, as it does have a strong, pungent odor.