We get it. New things can be scary, oil skincare being one of them! We get asked a lot of questions about how Olive + M fits into a current skincare routine. We took the guessing out and filled in the blanks to ease your transition to oil skincare. Whether you’re thinking about replacing your entire skincare routine with Olive + M or just curious about how oil products compare to more traditional ones, this one is for you!
Find the Moisturizer Balance
Even the most basic skincare routine involves adding moisture to your skin. This is especially important in the winter months when it becomes cold and dry. Truth be told, sometimes I use face oil and sometimes I use moisturizer. I love them both, so sue me! Many times, it’s not an either-or, but about finding the right combo for you.
I’m often asked, “do I need a moisturizer and a face oil?”. In my experience, you don’t need to slather on a face oil right after you’ve used moisturizer and vice versa. These are two very different products that do somewhat different things.
Moisturizer is a broad term that can apply to both lotions and creams. It is made of both parts oil, water, actives, and sometimes waxes. Moisturizers bring water to the skin, which adds hydration. Due to the chemical composition, they tend to be larger in molecule size, which makes them more difficult to absorb into your skin than a traditional face oil.
Face oils are the OGs-being used as a part of ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman beauty routines. They are a blend of different oils that moisturize and condition the skin and do not contain water.
We’ve come far from those times, but not all oils are created equal so I will speak to the benefits of Olive + M’s Face Oil. It does a great job of moisturizing while healing and repairing the outer layer of skin to prevent moisture loss. It contains Vitamin K, E and A (or retinol) that helps stimulate the production of new skin cells and collagen, which can smooth wrinkles. The best part of all is the dewy, youthful life that it brings back to the skin.
All in all, face oil easily fits into your current skincare routine as your moisturizing step.
Swap Your Face Wash
Many common face washes on the market today use surfactants to do the job of cleansing. Surfactants work by suspending dirt and oil, which allow them to be washed away with water. Some harsh surfactants can damage skin proteins, which leads to dryness and irritation. After-washing tightness is a red flag indicator that you may want to double-check the ingredient list. If harsh surfactants are used as the main ingredient in a cleansing formula, they should be avoided. Sodium laurate, sodium cocoate and sodium tallowate are on the list of harsh surfactants to avoid!
So how does cleaning with oil work? It is simple: oil dissolves oil. Cleansing oils use key ingredients to cleanse pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oil with beneficial oil.
Olive + M’s Cleansing Oil is packed with cold-pressed, plant-based oils that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, omegas and amino acids. Anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce redness and irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. AND since olive oil has antibacterial properties, it helps kill bacteria that causes acne. Bye-bye blemishes!
Cleansing Oil can replace face wash. We know this breakup may be hard, but the results will be worth it!
Ditch Your Bead Exfoliator
I’m sure you know by now that you should exfoliate 1-3 times per week to remove dead skin from your face, but have you ever wondered what those little hard balls are in your exfoliator?
Those little balls are called microbeads and they might seem harmless at first glance but think again. The skin on your face is sensitive and delicate and microbeads can cause small tears in your skin, leaving you vulnerable to irritation and bacteria getting in those cuts. Yikes!
Furthermore, microbeads are made of plastic and they are not biodegradable. That means every time you wash your face or body, these plastic beads run down your drain and into streams, lakes and the ocean. The fish eat these microbeads, and we eat the fish…gross! In 2015, legislation banned microbeads in the USA but gave companies until July 2019 to stop the delivery of these products. Long story short, not all microbeads are off of the shelves yet and you might even have some in your bathroom cabinet.
From the very beginning, Olive + M has been providing natural skincare solutions that have stood the test of time. Olive + M’s Face Polish and Body Polish use fine sea salt to exfoliate and detoxify. This helps to cleanse pores deeply, balance oil production, and prevent bacteria that can instigate breakouts and acne.
Who knew that a simple exfoliator could cause so much harm? For Mother Earth, for the animals, or even for yourself-make the switch today!
Switch Up Your Eye Products
As women get older, estrogen levels start to naturally dip. One of the side effects of lower levels of estrogen is more obvious expression lines around your eyes and mouth. Most women turn to under-eye products to help revitalize the areas around their eyes.
Eye creams are primarily used for moisturizing and hydrating the under-eye area. Serums are very nutrient-rich, absorb quickly and are highly concentrated. Not to mention they contain less filler than creams. While eye creams are meant to replenish hydration, eye serums moisturize and have added benefits of vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants.
For the most part, serums absorb easier and quicker than creams that tend to live on the surface of the skin. In our book, serums are a winner over creams for the under-eye area.
The skin under the eyes is delicate and can be one of the first visible signs of aging. Olive + M’s Eye Serum contains Vitamin A (or retinol) that helps stimulate the production of new skin cells and collagen, which can smooth wrinkles. It also contains avocado oil, which helps the skin improve elasticity, retain moisture and treat age spots.
Exchange your eye products for Eye Serum and SEE the difference!
Add in The Antioxidants
Oxidation is the process that produces skin-damaging free radicals. Free radical damage can occur due to sun exposure, pollution, or radiation. Free radicals break down collagen, which helps skin maintain elasticity and a youthful appearance. It gets worse, free radical damage can show on your skin as wrinkles and sunspots. Two words. No. Fun.
Antioxidants are substances that prevent oxidation from occurring by fighting off those pesky free radicals. Needless to say, if you don’t already use an antioxidant skincare product, now is the time to do so!
Olive + M’s Antioxidant Balm helps combat free radicals to minimize damage to your skin. In return, this will allow the skin to prevent premature skin aging by slowing down the formation and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This balm is great for hands, neck, cuticles-just about anywhere the sun touches! If you’re hesitant about putting balm on your face, no worries. Our Face Oil is also packed full of antioxidants that will do the trick!
Use the antioxidant balm with face or body products to seal in moisture or by itself to beef up your skin’s protective barrier.
Although there are differences between traditional skincare and oil skincare, the problems they address remain the same. The main goal at Olive + M is to bring clean, natural alternatives to our customers. Olive + M is not meant to be overcomplicated skincare. In fact, it was designed to seamlessly fit into your everyday skincare routine. Find the balance that feels right to you, but don’t be afraid to try new things just because they’re different. After all, the very concept of skincare seemed foreign to you at some point in time.
At Olive + M we also believe that it's a great idea to use your skincare routine as a stress reducing ritual space. Allowing some "me time" at the beginning and end of each day is not only amazing for your skin but it also does wonders for mental health and cortisol levels. We put together a playlist for you to relax with while washing your face and massaging in your Olive + M products. Light a candle, spark some incense and enjoy the moment. xo