The Science of Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil in Skin Care
Hydrogenated vegetable oil is a common ingredient found in many skincare products. But what exactly is it and how does it impact the skin? In this article, we’ll explore the composition of hydrogenated vegetable oil, its potential benefits, and what skin types may want to avoid this ingredient. To make sure you only buy the right products for your skin, take our quiz for free to get your Baumann Skin Type today!
What is Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil?
Hydrogenated vegetable oil starts as a blend of oils extracted from plant sources such as soybeans, olives, sunflowers, and others. These natural oils contain a mix of fatty acids, including saturated fatty acids like palmitic acid and unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleic acid. They also contain polyphenols and other antioxidant compounds.
The hydrogenation process involves heating the oil blend to very high temperatures and bubbling hydrogen gas through it. This causes the unsaturated fatty acids to become more saturated by gaining hydrogen molecules. The result is an oil that is solid or semi-solid at room temperature.
One key factor with hydrogenated vegetable oil is that its precise composition can vary significantly between batches depending on the exact oil sources used in the blend. This makes it difficult to consistently define its properties and effects in skincare formulations.
skin benefits of hydrogenated vegetable oil
Skin Benefits of Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Despite this variability, hydrogenated vegetable oil does possess some general qualities that could benefit certain skin types such as:
Skin barrier repair
The fatty acids in hydrogenated vegetable oil may help reinforce and repair the skin’s natural moisture barrier, reducing moisture loss. The skin barrier is made of various lipids like cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramideswhich can be found in many oils used in hydrogenated vegetable oil.
Anti-inflammatory effects
Unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties that could help soothe irritated skin. Fatty acids like linoleic, linolenic, and alpha-linolenic acids are used in many barrier repair products, and are also commonly found in hydrogenated vegetable oil.
Increased ingredient absorption and penetration
The occlusive nature of hydrogenated vegetable oil can aid in the absorption and penetration of other active skincare ingredients. By keeping the skin protected and ingredients close to the skin, it is more likely slow absorbing compounds like retinoids will get to work effectively under an occlusive.
Anti-aging effects of hydrogenated vegetable oil
Hydrogenated vegetable oil naturally contains antioxidants like polyphenols and vitamin E that could help neutralize free radicals when applied topically. Untreated free radicals can cause genetic damage to skin cells that has a chance to cause cancer and skin aging. You can even find this ingredient in many sunscreens to provide thickness to products.
Moisturizing properties
As an oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil can provide deep moisturization for dry, flaky skin. This can occur by preventing evaporation of water off of the skin, and by physically entering the skin and providing hydrating lipids.
Drawbacks of hydrogenated vegetable oil
The Drawbacks of Hydrogenated Vegetable oil
While hydrogenated vegetable oil offers some potential benefits, there are also reasons why certain individuals may want to avoid it, such as:
Comedogenicity
The heavy, occlusive properties that allow hydrogenated vegetable oil to lock in moisture can also potentially clog pores, causing issues for those with acne-prone or oily skin. If you are sensitive to acne, you might want to avoid this ingredient.
Inconsistent formula
Since batches can vary significantly in precise composition, it is difficult to predict how an individual’s skin may react. The qualities of hydrogenated vegetable oil can vary drastically as the components are variable. Some hydrogenated vegetable oil might be better for your skin than others.
Environmental impact
The hydrogenation manufacturing process requires high heat and hydrogen gas, making it less eco-friendly than some plant oil alternatives. Natural, unprocessed oils usually cause less damage to the environment than processed hydrogenated vegetable oil.
Conclusion
Hydrogenated vegetable oil offers a blend of fatty acids, antioxidants, and emollient properties that could benefit dry, mature skin types by repairing barriers, reducing inflammation, aiding ingredient delivery, and providing intense hydration. However, those with oily or sensitive skin may want to avoid this occlusive ingredient due to potential pore-clogging and inconsistent formulations.
As with any skincare product, individuals should consider their specific Baumann Skin Type and concerns before making a purchase. Consulting a dermatologist can also provide valuable guidance on selecting ingredients best suited for one’s unique complexion. Just because hydrogenated vegetable oil is right for someone else doesn’t mean it’s right for you!
You can find your Baumann Skin Type by taking the quiz for free today!
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
