A Practical Summer Guide to Oils

Oils offer an extraordinary range of textures, flavors and nutritional quality when they are edible. They may be mineral- or plant-based. Mineral oils are derived from petroleum and are generally used in cosmetics to provide texture, but they contain no nutrients, unlike plant oils extracted from seeds or fruit kernels.

Extraction methods for plant oils vary widely and are decisive for the nutritional and biological quality of the oil obtained, which may be virgin or refined.

Virgin cold-pressed oils remain the best in terms of biological richness, which is why we rely on them for our active ingredients. These oils help soften, firm, hydrate, nourish and protect the skin. They are therefore essential summer beauty allies, as the skin is exposed to sun, dehydration, wind, chlorine, sea salt… and requires particularly attentive care.

Let’s explore which plant oils to prioritize for your skin — and which to enjoy in your summer plates.

1. What Is a Plant Oil Made Of?

A plant oil is mainly composed of three major biochemical families: triglycerides, unsaponifiables, and other minor components.

• Triglycerides — lipids formed by unsaturated and saturated fatty acids — are hydrating, nourishing, softening and anti-inflammatory.

• Unsaponifiables — the residual fraction of oil that does not turn into soap, are highly precious for their antioxidant action thanks to their vitamin content (tocopherols, carotene, etc.) and for their regenerating action due to their sterol content.

Unsaturated fatty acids and unsaponifiables are extremely beneficial for preserving youthful-looking skin. However, they are also highly sensitive to oxidation, which is why many cosmetic brands prefer formulating with refined rather than virgin plant oils.

We chose the opposite path — and succeeded in formulating with virgin oils as true actives. Our brown glass packaging or airless packaging also helps protect our formulas from air and light, which accelerate oxidation in virgin oils.

We strongly advise against buying or consuming virgin oil in a transparent bottle. When exposed to light, it has inevitably undergone oxidation — at least from light exposure.

2. Two Plant Oils to Prioritize for Summer Skincare

We recommend these two distinctive oils for their benefits and, above all, their particular affinity with the skin’s sebum — in addition to their nourishing, healing, hydrating and balancing properties:

Virgin jojoba oil

Virgin jojoba oil preserves natural hydration and helps regulate sebum secretion thanks to its composition, which is similar to the skin’s sebum. It is also very well absorbed by the skin and is especially suitable for combination skin. Its high unsaponifiable content gives it healing, regenerating properties and a protective role against UV.

Although it does not replace a real sunscreen, it offers mild protection with an SPF of approximately 4 to 6 and can be applied in addition to your sun protection to reinforce the skin barrier. It is edible but not digestible.

Virgin babassu oil

Used for centuries, virgin babassu oil is known for its many skin benefits and its strong affinity with sebum. Its composition, rich in oleic acid and lauric acid, makes it an excellent active for maintaining skin elasticity, leaving skin more supple and plumper. Its phytosterol content also supports hydration and, above all, helps strengthen and protect the skin barrier.

We chose these two oils with their soft, fine texture to formulate our universal oil "Peau de Velours", ideal for pampering the body and face during summer. With its fine, velvety feel, it delivers intense nourishing, revitalizing and softening benefits.

Suitable for all skin types — including sensitive and/or acne-prone skin — and for both women and men of any age, take it on holiday with you. It can be used by the whole family.

For a quick application with no greasy or sticky finish, apply the universal oil at the end of your shower directly onto damp skin, using draining strokes from the bottom upward. The oil will absorb easily and help “push away” the water, making drying faster while leaving skin nourished and silky.

For hair

Certain plant oils can also work wonders for hair in summer. Coconut oil is one example: it can help protect hair from external aggressions, especially sun exposure. Beyond hydration, the lauric acid (around 50% of its composition) forms a protective film over the hair, helping shield it. Apply it before sun exposure and swimming. You can also complement with a heat-protective or sun-protective hair spray.

3. When It Comes to Sunscreens: Cream or Oil?

Suncare oils have long suffered from a "frying oil" image — like monoi used to intensify tanning — increasing the risk of severe sunburn, accelerating skin aging, causing sun spots, and, in the long term, contributing to skin cancers.

While it used to be difficult to stabilize UV filters in an oil due to texture constraints, that is no longer the case. Research has made it possible to develop formulas capable of stabilizing UV filters just as effectively as in a sunscreen cream. As a result, at the same SPF level, today’s suncare oils can offer equivalent protection.

What can be misleading — and lead to sunburn — is their transparent texture and finish. It is harder to see where product has been applied, and easier to miss areas, especially on the body. So take the time to apply your suncare oil everywhere — everywhere — everywhere.

Suncare oil, in addition to providing effective protection, is also a highly sensorial and aesthetic product, with its fluid texture and satin finish.

4. A Few Summer Oils to Enjoy

Summer brings a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables — perfect for creating fresh, delicious salads. Enhancing them with the delicate flavors of edible oils is a true pleasure for both taste buds and skin.

Beyond the unbeatable olive oil (which we love!), culinary possibilities are vast: walnut oil, hazelnut oil, sesame oil, flaxseed oil… Always virgin, above all. Vary the pleasures with combinations that never fail:

• Use virgin walnut oil with a beetroot salad topped with walnut halves, feta and basil.

• Use virgin hazelnut oil to dress raw vegetable salads, especially carrot salads, or in homemade pesto by replacing traditional olive oil with hazelnut oil.

• Use virgin sesame oil in a green bean salad topped with sesame seeds, or in an Asian-inspired salad with napa cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, shrimp, peanuts, etc.

• Finally, use virgin flaxseed oil to season a refreshing ceviche with diced mango, lemon and coriander.

5. How to Store Virgin Oils Properly

To fully benefit from the biological richness of a virgin oil, it must be protected from oxidation — and therefore from heat and light.

It is essential to store oils below 20°C, or in a cool place such as a cellar, or even in the refrigerator for certain oils (rapeseed/canola, hazelnut, walnut, etc.).

The same applies to skincare products containing virgin plant oils: do not hesitate to keep them in the refrigerator (at least 5°C). And if you are a true skincare addict, there are even small fridges designed specifically to keep cosmetics properly chilled.