Best base oil for skincare?

[eewieew]

I'm venturing into the realm of homemade skin care products. I would love some advice on the best base oil to use for moisturizing - I plead total ignorance here!!!

I picked up some lavender EO the other day and decided yesterday to try my hand at making an "all-purpose" body oil for moisturizing as a substitute to lotion, so I was advised to pick up some grapeseed oil, as it's supposed to be pretty mild. This morning, I mixed the two and decided to make a salt scrub for my shower, so I mixed a few tbsp of sea salt in tupperware and scrubbed my little heart out.

I loved the way that my skin felt immediately after the shower, but found that after awhile my skin dried out again, so I'm feeling like I'm on the right track but maybe the grapeseed oil isn't quite "oil-y" enough. Also, I'm wondering if maybe salt was a bad idea - doesn't it zap moisture out? So maybe I need a better oil, and should try some cane sugar or something similar for an exfoliant, instead if salt?

What has worked best for others on here? I hear a lot about coconut, jojoba, rosehip seed, sweet almond, and I don't know what the advantages of one over the other would be. I told you, I'm totally ignorant!

A little more on my skin - it's sensitive, I get razor burn really easily, and it's very dry and flaky. That's normally. I'm also pregnant, making the situation more dire than normal. A winner of a combination!! All of your sage advice is appreciated!!

[littlechloesmommie]

I can't use grapeseed..it makes my skin break out into little red bumps. Grape seed has some astringent qualities, so it may nto be the best for moisturizing....

What about plain ole coconut oil?

[eewieew]

I did notice that my legs are a little bit irritated. I did not know that grapeseed has astringent qualities.

So yeah, what about coconut oil? That's sort of what I'm asking. I assume you suggest it because it's more moisturizing?

[littlechloesmommie]

Use coconut oil on everything.. I have a little mixed with Peppermint EO for my feet and some mixed w/ Orange EO for the rest of my body.. So far so good...

For a scrub I use a mixture of honey & B.S, on my face & body.. unless your face is broken out (as mine is now) B/C the BS seems to irritate it more..

[Missa]

Another vote for coconut oil!! I also love these oils.... Jojoba oil, Evening Primrose oil, Kukui nut oil, Hemp Seed oil, Rosehip Seed oil. Oh my I am feeling very slippery just thinking about all the oils. I swear I don't mean that in a naughty way.

[sagemomma]

this may be a completely ignorant question, are you using the coconut oil like from the cooking section of the grocery store? :
if so how do you use it?

[Missa]

I use virgin coconut oil, I get mine at H.E.B.'s Central Market (their version of a whole foods type store) in their vitamin aisle though they do have some coconut oil with the cooking oils too. I poured some into a little squeeze bottle and I just put some oil in my hand and rub it in. I put a small amount in my hair every few days as a leave in conditioner.

You can also use it with other ingredients to make lotions and salves.

[eewieew]

Thanks for the info - I'll try coconut next...I've used products from kukui nut oil before that were lovely, but I couldn't find it at my health food store!

Yay, I love the idea of making these things for myself. I hate being such a consumer, not to mention the icky chemicals I'm poisoning myself when I'm using store bought crap!!!

[Missa]

i get kukui nut oil at www.mountainroseherbs.com

[Jojo F.]

No one mentioned jojoba? I LOVE jojoba and use a mixture of jojoba, coconut oil(awsome!!) and rosehip seed oil(good for scars). During the winter I like to add a bit of good old olive oil(very moisturizing) and a tiny bit of lanolin

[William's Mom]

I also jojoba, and mix it with various things depending upon my needs at that time. It's sooooooo wonderful!

[MamabearTo4]

I use a combination of jojoba and olive oils with EO's mixed in. I bought an amber dropper bottle from the pharmacy, fill it 2/3 full with jojoba, the rest with organic EVOO and add essential oils depending on my mood. I put three drops in my hand, rub my hands together, then get a splash of water on my hands. Rub them together again before applying to my face. I've found that that splash of water hydrates my skin a bit so the oils have something to work with and the oil doesn't glob up in places.

THe EO's in this 2-months mixture are bergamot, lime and orange, 20 drops of each.

[eewieew]

What are the differences between coconut and jojoba? I know that olive oil is super moisturizing, but what is the benefit of blending the other 2, as opposed to one vs the other?

[MamabearTo4]

Coconut oil solidifies, which is why I haven't attempted to mix it with anything else and keep it in my bathroom. I wonder, though, if the mixing would break it up a bit?

I didn't know this, but a friend pointed out to me that for some, coconut oil can actually dry skin out!

I have been found mixing butter into my hands after doing dishes, if I happen to be out of olive oil...

[Mallori]

I have found that the only place my body likes coconut oil is on my feet. And even there, olive oil is hands down the best. Regular EVOO from the grocery.

CO would never "soak in" to my skin, so if I wore it this summer with shorts, my legs always looked greasy. When I switched to EVOO, it soaked in, stayed in, and left my skin smooth.

I cannot use oil on my face of any sort. For me, Aloe Vera is much better there.

[MamabearTo4]

Originally Posted by Mallori

CO would never "soak in" to my skin,

I've noticed this, too, when I've used it.

[poppyseed]

Using any kind of oil straight on your skin, you will find in a few hours that the skin feels dry, you need to have moisture on your skin for the oil to trap in. Try rubbing alovera all over your skin first and letting it soak in, then moisturise with the oil after.