Camellia Seed Oil Is The Multitasking Ingredient That'll Keep Your Face Plump & Dewy

When a new skincare product is released, you can practically hear the excitement of beauty and skincare lovers everywhere. Dealing with skin issues can be frustrating, especially if you've dealt with them for years. Often, it feels like our skin has a mind of its own — some days it'll look fresh and plump, but other days, not so much. The best thing we can do is find the right products that address our particular needs. If you're looking for something to help keep your skin hydrated, repair your skin's barrier, and improve elasticity, then camellia seed oil may be a good product to add to your routine.

Face oils, in general, are great to use on your skin since many are rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties that lock in moisture, help protect your skin, and reduce a variety of issues like wrinkles. Camellia seed oil can help improve fine lines while keeping your face plump and dewy with its moisturizing components. However, it offers more benefits than simply enhancing your skin's texture. Here's everything you need to know about using camellia seed oil.

Originally from East Asia, camellia seed oil, also known as tea seed oil, has been used for cooking in China, Japan, and Korea. Due to its healthy ingredients like omega-9 fatty acids and low saturated fatty acids, the oil is widely seen as nutritious and beneficial. Apart from culinary purposes, camellia oil has also been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Beauty-wise, in Japan, women would use camellia oil on their skin because it helped to prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging. Geishas, especially, would use the oil to help moisturize and nourish their hair, making it shiny and smooth. In addition to using camellia oil as a type of hair conditioning treatment, they would also use the oil as a makeup remover. Even though it's been around for centuries, tea seed oil is being incorporated into more and more skincare products on the market.

Some oils can sometimes be too heavy for the skin as they can clog pores — so you shouldn't use rich oils if you have issues with acne. Camellia seed oil is different though, as it's lightweight and non-comedogenic. Camellia seed oil contains oleic acid, which is incredibly moisturizing, so it's perfect for people with dry skin, per Swiss Clinique. The oil is suitable for many skin types, though, as it helps to reduce inflammation and redness while minimizing dark spots. Plus, the antioxidants in camellia oil help calm irritated skin and benefit those with acne or hyperpigmentation.

For those who are looking to improve and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, camellia oil is a great option as it helps to boost the production of collagen within the skin (via Kri Skincare). In addition, the antioxidants camellia oil contains help fight against free radical damage which can occur due to sun exposure, cigarette smoke, or pollution. When your skin is exposed to free radicals, it ages faster, so using camellia seed oil can help reduce the appearance of premature aging, leaving your skin feeling plump and smooth.

Everyone's skincare routine looks slightly different from others, but, as a general rule, you'll want to use oils after applying serums. You can use camellia seed oil both in the morning and at night since it's lightweight. For example, your skincare routine can be cleansing, toning, exfoliating, spot treatment, serum, oil, and moisturizer. Or, for a simpler routine, it could look like cleansing, toning, serum, oil, and moisturizer. You can apply the camellia oil on its own or mix it in with your favorite moisturizer to get double the benefits.

For those with dry skin, camellia oil will help keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. Folks with oily skin can also use the oil in their skincare routine because it's a dry oil, which means that it quickly soaks into the skin instead of sitting on top of it as others can. If you're worried it'll make your face oily, fear not, as the oil is so lightweight and absorbent that it won't leave behind any greasy residue.

While camellia seed oil can benefit your skin, it can also help improve your hair and lashes. The antioxidants and vitamins in the oil help hydrate and soften the hair and eliminate dandruff. If you have an irritated or itchy scalp, the camellia oil can help to soothe it. Again, because the oil dries quickly when applied, you can put it on your hair and scalp any time of the day without worrying if it will make your hair greasy. You can also find conditioners that have the tea seed oil ingredient to give your hair extra hydration.

Additionally, you can use the oil on your nails. If you have dry cuticles, or brittle or eggshell nails that break easily, camellia seed oil can help to hydrate them, leaving them naturally shiny. In addition, the oil contains vitamins that will help promote healthy nail growth and improve any discoloration.

Finding the right tea seed oil product can take some time, but stick with it once you find one that works for you. If you're unsure where to start, Summer Friday's all-in-one face oil is infused with 16 different oils, including camellia seed oil, and can be used on any skin type. It's also fragrance-free, so it's perfect for those who don't like products with fragrances or are allergic to specific smells. The product is $55 and has a 4.4-star rating with many mixed reviews. Some customers claimed they saw a massive difference while others saw no improvement. 

To target multiple areas on your body, you can try the Tatcha Gold Camellia Beauty Oil on the skin, hair, and body to help with dullness, premature aging, and hydration. It's $98 and has a 4.8-star rating, with customers claiming the oil helped improve their skin, especially those with oily skin. You can use both products alone or mixed in with your favorite moisturizer.