Check out the science behind The Good Oil, our unisex, multi-tasking, plant-based serum, designed to take off stubborn sunscreen, makeup and dirt without stripping skin, and replace moisture and nutrients for your best skin yet.
Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated (and it’s not just for the ladies…) It’s easy to get caught up in trends, complex multi-step routines, and ever-changing hero ingredients. But more often than not, going back to basics and getting what we need from nature in the form of plant oils, can deliver the best results.
When carefully selected and combined, botanical oils do much more than hydrate the surface. They deliver essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and skin-compatible nutrients that work in harmony with the skin to support its structure, resilience, and overall function.
This is the science behind oil-based serums, which are designed to do more than just moisturise, by nourishing and supporting skin at a fundamental level.
How Oil-Based Serums Support the Skin
Without getting too scientific, the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, is composed of a matrix of lipids - natural fats that help maintain hydration and protect against environmental stress.
Plant oils are uniquely compatible with this structure. Rather than forcing ingredients deep into the skin, they integrate into this lipid matrix, helping to reinforce the barrier and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Oils rich in essential fatty acids, such as linoleic and oleic acid, play a key role in:
- Strengthening the skin barrier
- Improving softness and suppleness
- Supporting balanced, healthy skin function
This creates what can be thought of as a “nutrient network” within the upper layers of the skin, one that supports the building blocks of great skin, such as hydration, texture, radiance and glow.
Bioavailable Nutrients the Skin Can Use
One of the key advantages of oil-based formulations is their ability to deliver oil-soluble nutrients in a form the skin can readily use.
Vitamin E (tocopherol), for example, is a powerful lipid-soluble antioxidant that helps protect the skin from oxidative stress and supports skin integrity.
Alongside this, plant oils provide a range of naturally occurring phytonutrients and antioxidants that help:
- Defend against environmental stressors
- Calm visible irritation
- Support a more even, radiant complexion
Unlike water-soluble actives, which often require specific conditions to remain stable and effective, these oil-soluble compounds are inherently stable within an oil-based system.
Why This Approach Works
Rather than relying on aggressive actives or complex delivery systems, plant-based oil serums work in alignment with the skin’s natural biology. Nature truly is amazing, huh!
They:
- Support and strengthen the skin barrier
- Help lock in moisture and reduce dehydration
- Deliver bioavailable lipids and antioxidants
- Promote smoother, more resilient-looking skin
Because these oils are recognised by the skin, they can be used across a wide range of skin types - from dry and sensitive to oily or blemish-prone - without disrupting the skin’s natural balance.
More Than Moisture
A well-formulated plant oil serum is more than a moisturiser. It’s a concentrated source of nutrients that supports the skin where it needs it most, within its protective barrier.
By focusing on ingredients the skin can recognise and use, this approach supports long-term skin health, helping to improve texture, maintain hydration, and enhance overall radiance over time, without chemicals, in harmony with low-tox living.