Natural beauty: facial oils succeed because they work!

File photo. (Credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images)

Editor's Note: Mari Rodríguez Ichaso has been a contributor to Vanidades magazine for decades. Fashion, travel, gastronomy, art, architecture and entertainment specialist. Film producer. CNN Spanish Style Columnist. Follow her on Twitter at @marichaso. The opinions expressed in this comment are yours. See more articles like this at CNNe.com/opinion.

(CNN Spanish) - Today, that our priority is to take care of ourselves, we can organize our time and reserve a space to help our health and appearance.

Since I was little I was very surprised that our mothers and grandmothers used oils for their beauty rituals. My aunt Martha used mayonnaise to shine her hair! And my aunt Pura - my mother's sister, who died at the age of 101 with wonderful skin, with hardly any lines and smooth as velvet - used olive oil daily in the complexion. And she could not miss it!

Many aunts, grandmothers, or mothers still love the proven skin and hair benefits of coconut, almond, argan, rosehip, avocado, olive, or cocoa oil. Just like the effect of aloe or "aloe" whose root produces a gelatinous and coveted balm. And millions of women around the world vouch for its benefits.

• OPINION | Faced with harsh reality, the beauty of fashion can be a balm of harmony

For centuries this natural beauty has been a "cult". And, looking back and using more and more natural ingredients every day, the world of cosmetics has launched several trendy facial oils. There is also something psychologically very pleasant when, with their new formulas, they penetrate quickly (as if the skin was "drinking" thirsty) with hardly any residue.

Its benefits? Having important nutrients that firm the skin and "feed" it such as antioxidant vitamins (A and C) and minerals that, used together, can reduce the signs of aging and impart freshness and a beautiful glow to the skin.

And the new facial oils, sold at all prices, are created with lightweight formulas that don't cause excess oil, don't clog pores, and penetrate right away. This is good to know because many people with oily skin do not know this excellent quality.

• OPINION | A virtual journey through gourmet Paris

The natural was always highly coveted

I love the legends of history, and I always remember reading about Cleopatra, the smartest seductress of antiquity and her famous beauty care with oils on her entire body and those legendary bathtubs of pure goat milk! And since then women (and every day more men!) Have been looking for new secrets in nature to look better and as beautiful as possible!

I always say it: for three years I have been using facial oils and I have been able to notice the beneficial effect on my mature skin. Just as I love the feeling when I notice that it penetrates immediately, and there is no doubt that the skin is shiny, not greasy! It is important to emphasize that dry skin from mature women receive a greater benefit, as does skin of any age that looks dehydrated.

Its application: at night, after removing make-up and before using the night cream or moisturizer, it is the ideal time. Many expert makeup artists add to the moisturizer, and to the foundation! a few drops of the facial oil. A tip that works very well!

Facial oils - however - are not a substitute for the moisturizer that we use every day, but it is a product that reinforces its moisturizing action.

Practical tips

1.-Try to know the facial oils and check their texture in specialized cosmetic stores where they have samples. Many bring a dropper, to prevent fingers from contaminating their active ingredients.

2.- If they have perfumes or citrus, watch out for allergies. Fragrance-free ones are ideal.

3.- Some have additional ingredients, such as retinol, to be used at night. And there are those that contain grape juice and wine, and those that are made with expensive and exclusive ingredients, but that can also be found at affordable prices.

Beauty products