Oil: A Guide to Popular Oils & Uses

Oil has a range of uses and is a common ingredient in people’s diets, skincare, and hair care routines across the globe. From natural oils to leading products by brands including L’oreal and Garnier, this guide breaks down some of the most popular oils and their uses.

Bio Oil

Bio Oil is one of the most popular products for the improved appearance of stretch marks and scarring. It uses a unique formula consisting of a blend of essential plant oils and vitamins that are known to be beneficial to the skin’s appearance and health. Bio Oil uses the ingredient, PurCellin Oil™, which is used to help lower the viscosity of the product formulation. This allows the skin to easily absorb the oil, rather than the product just sitting on the surface of the skin. This absorption helps the oil have more effect on the skin. There are many speculations on what Bio Oil can be used for. Bio Oil itself says it is used for supporting the skin during pregnancy and rapid periods of growth with the aim to minimise the formation of stretch marks. Stretch marks are generally caused by skin elasticity, particularly when the body goes through rapid weight gain which causes the skin to stretch. Bio Oil can also be used to help the appearance of scars. 

• Bio Oil for scars - Bio-Oil can help to improve the appearance of new and old scars when used correctly. These scars could have been caused by a number of past events, including surgery, accidents, insect bites, acne, and common skin conditions.
• Bio Oil for stretch marks - The oil also helps to reduce the possibility of stretch marks formation during pregnancy and periods of fast weight gain. The formula works by combining plant and vitamin extracts that improve skin texture and increase its elasticity, minimising stretch marks as it helps the skin to more effectively grow during periods of rapid growth. 
• Dry skincare - Bio Oil helps to supplement the natural oils of the skin by producing an oily layer on its surface to help the skin hold in moisture. 

Find out more about Bio Oil and its benefits with our full, comprehensive guide. 

Hair Oils

The hair has natural oils that help moisturise and protect itself. These natural oils and minerals are essential for keeping your hair silky smooth and growing healthy. There are a bunch of hair nourishing oils available for you to use, but it is important to do your research and find out which oils are best for your hair type.

Depending on your hair type,  you will need to choose the right hair oil. Curly and coily hair will need highly nourishing and hydrating oils as these hair types tend to be dryer. Coconut oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil are popular products used by people with these hair types due to their benefits.

A hair oil aims to replenish the hair follicles and increase the natural strength of your hair to prevent hair loss while promoting hair growth depending on which oil is being used. Oil contains fatty acids which add a protective layer to your hair shaft helping to keep it moisturised and soft after damage caused by heat from hair straighteners, hair dryers and more.

Coconut Oil for Hair

Coconut oil has been found to help stimulate hair growth by getting deep into the hair follicles rather than sitting on the top of your hair. It has strong moisturising properties and adds a beautiful shiny coat to your hair leaving you with luscious locks.

Jojoba Oil for Hair

Jojoba oil is generally used to treat a dry scalp and minimise dandruff issues due to its moisturising properties. The oil is also full of vitamins and minerals that help to nourish your hair continually. After a couple of weeks, you may notice your hair feeling less dry if you have added Jojoba oil into your hair care routine. HealthAid’s Jojoba Based Oil offers you soothing properties and works to keep your hair looking fresh.

Olive Oil for Hair

Olive oil has been used for decades due to its multiple health benefits for the skin, hair, and overall body. Though it is a popular cooking ingredient, olive oil can also be beneficial for the hair. It acts as a strong moisturiser that reduces scalp irritation and dandruff by preventing a dry scalp. It is important to massage the oil into your scalp gently to support the oils into your hair follicles and onto the scalp. It can also make your hair feel softer due to these moisturising properties, which is ideal for dry hair types or damaged hair which may feel more harsh.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has a vast amount of uses and can help keep your hair, nails, and skin healthy. Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of a small tree, called Melaleuca alternifolia, which is native to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.

Research on tea tree oil has found that it can be a beneficial ingredient to acne treatments as it can be effective at relieving acne. The oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which can reduce redness, swelling, and inflammation. Tea tree oil for hair is also used to prevent dandruff. Tea tree shampoos that use the oil can minimise dandruff when used regularly. Another use of tea tree oil is in Athlete foot creams to help relieve symptoms. Overall, the benefits and uses of tea tree oil are wide and there is ongoing research being conducted to discover how else tea tree oil can be used to improve health and wellbeing.

Oils for the skin

As well as tea tree oil, there are a range of oil types which are beneficial for skincare. Facial oils are moisturising and restorative, making them a perfect addition to your skincare routine. Facial oils aim to restore and lock moisture into your skin to prevent dry skin, irritation, and skin flaking. They can also help minimise spots if they have been formulated with the right ingredients. Tea tree oil is one of the better options for those wanting a facial oil for acne prevention and relief.

Oils for Colds

Olbas oil is a great relief for those with a blocked up nose. It has a soothing formula which supports the relief of nose congestion and flu symptoms. Olbas oil mixes pure plant oils with beneficial ingredients such as clove oil, eucalyptus and juniper berry. This combination of natural ingredients helps create a soothing and relieving formula for your nose. There are different types of olbas oil, liquid drops can be put on a tissue and under your pillow case to give you overnight relief. Other forms of the oil can be inhaled to help give you quicker relief from a blocked nose.

Oils are naturally found in your hair and skin as it helps to keep you moisturised giving you that healthy glow. There are a vast range of oils with varying uses, benefits, and directions of use. It is important to research which oil is right for your needs, browse our range of skincare and hair products to find a product right for you.