The skincare world is one of the most confusing fields out there. A mixture of actives, exfoliants, serums, acids now shape what we define as “taking care of our skin”. Some products work miracles for one person and do nothing for another. Experts, influencers, dermatologists, doctors, and naturopaths all seem to say something different.
So how do we navigate this chaos? And… do we even need to?
Going back to our ancestors might be a helpful place to start. Ancient skincare was not about trends – it was about nourishment, ritual and balance. Maybe it still can be.
Skincare is not a modern invention – humans have been tending to their skin for millennia:
In all these cultures, plant oils were the foundation – not foaming cleansers or harsh peels.
We have been taught that in order to clean the skin, we need foam. But that squeaky clean feeling? It is not your skin being “pure” – it is your skin barrier being stripped.
Surfactants (soap-like molecules) do not just remove dirt – they remove your natural oils and disrupt your skin microbiome, which can lead to inflammation, dryness, itching, increased sensitivity or breakouts.
From a physiological view: like dissolves like. Oil breaks down oil-based impurities without damaging your skin barrier. But the type of oil matters:
Your skin should not feel tight or squeaky after cleansing. If it does, it is crying for balance. A few extra pumps of oil is often all you need. That’s it. No serum stack required.
When switching from surfactants to oil cleansing, your skin might go through an adjustment – sometimes called a “purge” or “detox”. This may show up as breakouts, flakiness, or temporary oiliness. This does not mean that it is not working. It means that your skin’s microbiome is recalibrating. Tight junctions are healing, lipid layers are reforming, and your barrier is finally being left alone to do its job. Give it 2-4 weeks. The body is smart – trust the process.
We have gone from sun worship to SPF obsession. Is there a middle path?
Note: these oils are not a replacement for proper SPF inn intense sun. If needed, opt for non-nano zinc oxide sunscreens, which physically block UVA & UVB without entering the bloodstream.
Read more on what sunscreen to choose here.
A high-quality oil will take you much further than a dozen expensive products. Ditch the harsh chemicals, the daily stripping, and the product layering. Instead, come back to less.