It always seems like I’m rah-rah-rah-ing about one thing or another aren’t I? Fact is, its always a heck more fun telling friends about things I like, as opposed to telling them about things I don’t. Fact is also, there is a lot I don’t like haha! 😀 But its the stars that stand out in your mind. After all, when I ask a friend for a recommendation, I don’t ask them what they didn’t like, I ask them what they like 😉
Since I’d mentioned 2 face oils from Antipodes and Clarins that worked quite well for me, I thought however, that I’d share with you some of the ones that got away, as it were. It so happens that one of them is very popular and gets loads of raves. Just so happened that my skin didn’t quite like it as much as others had.
Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant + – RM99/30ml
I was quite excited to try this one because it looked like a veritable cocktail of wonderful oils. Other than the namesake rosehip oil, this Trilogy face oil is a blend of tomato seed oil to prevent against oxidative damage and premature aging, cranberry seed oil which is high in fatty acids, acai seed oil which promotes regenerative growth and collagen production and oat extract.
If you are familiar with the smell of rosehip oil, it smells like that. To be honest, its not a terribly nice smell but I wasn’t bugged by it. The oil is a little thick and 2 drops goes very far.
I liked it initially, I will admit. Just a couple of drops, and my skin felt lovely and soft without feeling too oily. I was hoping it would stay that way and improve further. However, after about 2 weeks of use, I started noticing a lot of clogged pores around my chin. My drier cheeks seem to take to it well, but it didn’t do anything for my chin. I got really tired of it after realising that my clogged pores was due to this oil. After stopping it and clearing the clogged pores, things were fine. But when I tried using it again, the whole nightmare started. So I had to set it aside. Pity. It sounded so promising!
Ingredients: Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract
Availability: Most major pharmacies and online
Melvita Rose Hip Oil – RM137/50ml
This one was another promising one. It isn’t pricey for an organic product which Melvita is, and rose hip oil has loads of uses. The most effective use is for scars. Don’t expect instant or quick results but if you are diligent and apply the oil daily to your scars you will notice a significant lightening of it. I’ve tried it over the years and it works to flatten out shallow scars over time. Just don’t expect miracles.
However, I have also realised that maybe my skin can’t tolerate rose hip oil that well. The Rosehip Oil from Melvita states that its more suitable for dry or matured skin but for some reason, I find that rose hip oil in general tends to clog my pores. This one was no exception.
It is rather thick with an orange colour so since I can’t use it for my face, I took to using it as a cuticle oil! Works a treat 😀 Downside of it however, is that it started smelling off after a while. I notice that that is a problem with rosehip oil, ever since I used to use it from when I was much younger. Its best to buy small bottles because they go bad so quickly and when its rancid it stinks. Also, the pump mechanism in the Melvita bottle needs reworking. The oil tends to cake around the top of the pump, the pump gets very messy and the bottle tends to leak. I much prefer oils to come in a dropper mechanism. It always seems to make more sense!
Availability: Melvita stores
Botani Olive Skin Serum – AUD31.95 / RM119 / 15ml
I received this a while ago. Last year I believe. I sort of had high hopes for this Botani Olive Skin Serum because its one of those items that are free from everything harmful and is supposed to be one of those natural eco-friendly brands. Also the claims of anti-aging, hydrating and scar healing drew me in. That and the “OMG! Its quite pricey for the amount you get!” involuntary exclamation.
As an oil, its lovely. Its clear with a light fresh scent and 2 drops is about all you need, massaged into your skin. It made my skin feel lovely and soft after use and with just 4 very good ingredients, it was a recipe for success.
Well, not for me apparently because it turns out that I am one of those rare people who is allergic to olive oil. Not ingested, that would be a disaster! I love using olive oil in cooking. But I cannot tolerate olive oil or its extracts on my skin. It almost always clogs my pores something awful and eventually breaks me out in cystic acne. Yes, the bloody painful sort.
And that’s what happened here. After a week of use, I had a mess of clogged pores and breakouts and I didn’t even make the connection until one day I took a closer look at this serum and saw that the key ingredient was squalene derived from olives. Bingo! Into the bin it went! Well not really. I tried using it for my body or my elbows and knees but it just didn’t work so I abandoned it… until now 😉
Ingredients: Squalene (derived from olives), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Lecithin
Availability: Botani website or on various online stores in Malaysia, just do a search
Bottom Line
Every single one of the oils featured here have received rave reviews online and they are pretty good as far as ingredients go. In fact, you hardly get more natural than oil for skin. The unfortunate thing was that neither of these worked on my skin (I have combination-dry skin) which I thought was a pity because they work so well for everyone else!
So I’m not saying they are bad products. I believe they are good stuff. The Melvita Rose Hip oil works for Xin and the Botani Olive Skin Serum works for Dom and the ladies at Beaut.ie love the Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant +. In fact, the Trilogy oil is a very popular product. I haven’t yet come across anyone who didn’t like it. Well, except for me of course 😀
So don’t let me put you off trying these if you know for a fact that your skin can tolerate rosehip oil and olive oil extracts. If you can (and I’m naturally intensely jealous of you) these are worth trying simply because oils can do so much more for your skin than creams, sometimes 🙂
Have you tried any of the oils featured here? Did it work for you?
Sadly of course, these didn’t work for me which is a lot to do with my skin’s tolerance for the ingredients rather than a poorly conceived product. I did keep the Trilogy oil and sneak it into my routine once or twice a week. I like how my skin feels and since I can’t use it daily, I can at least use it weekly 🙂
Paris B
Oh that’s too bad :/ I always LOVE the *idea* of face oils but in reality, my skin rejects about 99% of them. Rosehip oil breaks me out too–I find that the really rich, really GOOD for you oils are usually not compatible with my skin. Coconut, olive, jojoba, argan…they always break me out. I have tried a couple of lighter oil blends that are okay though, like the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Caudalie’s Purifying oil for oily skin.
I have found oils that work, thankfully 🙂 The Kiehl’s MRC is perfect and the Clarins Lotus Oil heals my skin in a jiffy! These 3 just failed miserably 🙁 But you’re right, maybe its just too rich for my skin and I don’t need something so rich? That’s good right? Haha 😀
I don’t seem to have consistent luck with oils either. I love my cleansing oil, but when it comes to face oil, they seem to be a miss more than a hit. The Antipodes one broke me out after 2 weeks, but my mom loves it. I tried another organic brand and I have to use only 1 drop on alternate nights to avoid breakouts. I have yet to find one that is great for my skin so I stick to serums and creams, for now 🙂
Sorry to hear the Antipodes didn’t work for you. That one did, thankfully! But it was much more comfortable after mixing it in with the hydrating serum 🙂 Creams and serums makes things so much easier don’t they? 😀
OOO this reminds me. I’ve always though oils can’t fail me, but after the Sophyto one I’m not so sure anymore. It’s weird. The ingredient list looks impressive, and my skin does react well for about 10 days or so before it starts looking dull and gray. At first I thought it was winter, but I switched to a different oil and I was fine within a day or two. Tried again. Same thing happened. Now I use it on my hands. Pretty glad I got a deluxe sample before going in for the full-size bottle!
Dull and gray! I know what you mean, Sunny. Sometimes it gets like that I don’t get it. I’m all like why did you work beautifully for 10 days and then die on me?! Why? LOL! Glad you discovered it with a sample and not waste money on a full size item!
I’ve only tried the Melvita Rose Hip Oil (Of the 3 you mentioned) and I agree with you! It clogged my pores too, and does smell off after a while. I have to admit I was quite disappointed as I love most stuff I got from Melvita 😛 I also still think that their oil bottles need serious re-working in general- that pump is really leaky, when you pump the oil out some oil just comes out from the side of the pump and having used bottles of their face oils this is the truth for every single one of them I’ve experienced this every time!
Oh whew! Its not just me who experienced pore clogging with the Rosehip oil then! I hate the smell of rosehip oil when its turning bad and it happens so quickly too! I would prefer that they sold it in smaller bottles (with a dropper! What were they thinking with the stupid pump system?!) and at a more affordable price. It would then make so much sense!
OMG…Olive oil and me just don’t work well (except for cooking) too….even body oils/creams that has olive oil in it will set off the acnes on the face/body…anywhere!!!
Oh Kel, thank goodness for letting me know I’m not going insane LOL! No one understands me when I tell them my skin hates olive oil anything on it!
oh, I know what you mean by writing more about products you love, I am the same 🙂 as for the oils, I (or my skin) loves them (very dry though). I think the best rose oil I have tried is Pai and REN (contains other oils as well, so it isn’t a pure rose oil). There is a difference in rose oils like no other, it also depends on how the oil was made (CO2, etc.). My friend has acne prone skin and she uses the pai oil without any reaction, so maybe this one would be something for you?
Happy you know what I mean, Claire! We want to share what we love right? Why waste time and energy on what we dislike unless its a community service LOL! 😀 I have to try the Pai and Ren one, seriously! So many raves about them! I am a little concerned because the Pai one contains rosehip and since I’ve been breaking out from Rosehip oil I wonder if it’d cause me to break out too 😛 But for the REN one, a friend raves up and down about it so I will have to try it soon!
I’m using the kiehl’s face oil and the clarins lotus and orchidee blue face oils and seems to work well for my skin. And I just bought the big sized trilogy rosehip oil for use on face, neck and hair. Im hoping it won’t break me out! It does reduce the flare of pimples I have and I use it under the clarins whitening velvet emulsion day and night. So far so good but I’m still keeping my fingers crossed!
Clarins Blue Orchid oil! I want to try that because the Lotus seems to work well for me especially when my skin goes nuts! 😀 Its good to know that the Trilogy oil works for you. Maybe the pure Rosehip one is better? This one was mixed with antioxidants and other oils so maybe its the mixture that’s causing the problem on my skin.
Well, Paris I think oils aren’t for us (I haven’t tried them but I’m scared of trying one). But if you really want the feeling of something like oil that in facts smooths skin and prevent breakouts try “Vitacilina” is a cream from Mexico (I don’t know if it’s available in Asia) in only one night my skin was softer and I didn’t breakout more than normal.
I have had quite good experience with some oils – Kiehl’s, Clarins and Antipodes just to name 3 😀 But these 3 were hell on my skin 🙁 I’m not sure if we get the cream you mention but I’ll keep a look out! 😀
I’m with you on the trilogy oil. I was also excited to give it a go after hearing all the raves but it didn’t agree with my skin. So far the only oil I like is the Nude Progenius Oil. Granted it’s not as natural as the oils you’ve mentioned but it absorbs really fast and well. In my experience, anyways. Price-wise a bit steep but considering I only need a little at a time, the bottle will last quite a while. That’s my justification anyway lol
Oh Kate, thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one not loving the Trilogy oil! 😀 I tried looking for reviews and everyone seems to love it so much so I thought it was something wrong with me lol! I have been told that the Nude skincare products are quite impressive. I don’t think we get them here but I have seen them online. Thanks for sharing – I’ll be sure to give it a look! 😉
So agree with u.. the trilogy rosehip doesnt work for me too.. it was recommended from the SA.. i tried for about a year but failed 🙁
Ahhh another one it didn’t work for! I’m not alone! I’m impressed at your tenacity though. I gave it 2 months and then said forget it!
I guess oils work really good for me since I live in the States and it’s a bit more drier here. I’ve never tried rosehip oil before so that I am not sure! I’m sorry to hear these oils didn’t work well for you. It would be great if it did, and i hope you find one that you absolutely cannot part with ^____^
You’re definitely right about drier air and oils working better 😀 In our weather we do need something lighter although air-conditioning and dry skin can really play havoc on each other! I do have some oils I like from Kiehl’s and Clarins so all isn’t lost! I should just stop playing around LOL!
I have given up using face oil… So may failed attempts… And all it does is clogged my pores and some broke me out… So sad that i have super sensitive skin that i no longer want to try them… And also waste of money…
Sorry to hear that babysaffron! 🙁 You’re right. Don’t play around with anymore oils – just stick to what you know will work! 🙂
i guess I’ll just stick to Antipodes Divine Oil and MRC for now… Both working well for me and the texture is light enough for my combination oily skin right now, can’t imagine thicker oils on my face!
If those work for you, Plue, yes definitely stick with them! 😀 I like both those oils too
It’s always gamble with face oils! Even with 100% plant/natural extracts sometimes I still break out from certain formulas.. I tried Aesop and Darphin (essential oil balm) with no luck despite raves as well. I am currently on my second bottle of Clarins’ Lotus Oil and it is LOVE! I reckon it’s all in the application method, my face has never felt so soothed and it has really helped clear up my congested skin! Have you tried any of their face oils?
haha you are so right Xen! Gamble is the word 😛 Its funny you mentioned the Clarins Lotus oil because I like that one too! 😀 (Here’s my review on it) It does a very good job of healing and balancing my skin. I want to try the Blue Orchid one next!
I saw your post *after* I hit enter! haha Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I’m a wee late but I just want to let you know I like your revamped site, it looks much sleeker and easier to navigate now 🙂 Kudos on giving your readers new material to read every time we pop by 😀 Happy Lunar New Year and have a great year ahead!
Thank you for the feedback, Xen! I love that you like the new layout because I do too! 😀 Its been a bit quiet on the blog front but I hope to get back into the swing of things soon. Happy New Year!
Ah, face oils! I have a love-hate relationship with them. I have the Human Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil. I tried to like it, but the smell was too much for me. Right now I’m using the Midnight Recovery Concentrate, and I love it. Too bad my oily T-zone doesn’t like it. I have two bumps on my forehead, probably because of MRC 🙂
Oh Denise, I couldn’t use that Sunflower Oil because of the scent too! I would have preferred it without a scent then maybe I could try to like it because at least it didn’t break me out. Sorry to hear that MRC didn’t quite work out for you 🙁 I love that one!
I bought Melvita argan oil and luckily my skin just soak it all up, no breakouts even when I follow up with a rich night cream. Admit that I have dry skin and I’m always on the look out for moisturising products. Going to try out other oils from Melvita once I’m done with this bottle.
Thanks for sharing, Adrianna! I haven’t tried their Argan oil yet but its great to know that it works so well. I’ll see if Have the opportunity to try it some day and hopefully it won’t break me out too! 😀
Aww Paris…three of the best were not charms afterall. Sorry to hear that they didn’t work out well for you. I have just bought a bottle of Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant. I remember reading about the goodness of rose hip oil since my teenage days when I was battling acnes. Due to its renowned benefit such as scar reduction plus many great reviews online, I was sold by this organic product. I have not been an oil product person because I associate it with uncomfortable feeling and high likelihood of clogging my pores. I have not opened my bottle yet as I have some other products to finish up first. Once opened, I think it should be finished within a few months to avoid the stale oxidized oil smell 😛 Let’s see how it will fare for me.
Sadly no, Jennifer 🙁 I had such high hopes for all 3 and all my hopes were dashed! I do hope the Trilogy oil works for you though and yes, definitely be sure to try to use it up as quickly as you can. Rancid rosehip oil is yucks! 😛
I have extremely dry skin and I tried using an oil on my face skin that’s a big dry area for me. I had bio oil on hand because I was using it for a couple stretch marks I had on my bum. I use this on my face when its super dry and it worked really well for me, but like you I was scared about it clogging my pores but using it every once in awhile instead of every nigght seemed to do the trick. Never had clogged pores from this
Thanks for sharing, Kassie 😀 I couldn’t get past the smell of Bio Oil and the texture but am happy to know it worked for you. There are oils I like that work beautifully on my skin but just not these I guess. 🙂
Got the Melvita Rosehip for my ma and I have used it a few times. It smells quite bad as in a natural way but it disappears after awhile. This is a funny one, I didn’t notice any improvement the next day but 2 days after application, my skin feels and looks smoother. I like Aesop’s Fabulous Face oil just because it smells lovely but does nothing to improve skin. Also love the Eve Taylor face oils, again for the smell. Have sampled Clarins’s Blue Orchid, don’t like the smell and no improvement on skin. I’m supposed to try the Lotus but they ran out of samples so I tried the BO which is not right for me.
I’m not sure if anyone has brought this up b/c I havent read the comments, but apparently, heavy essential oils like the rosehip should always always come in either a brown or blue bottle because it is extremely sensitive to sunlight and will turn rancid even quicker.
I read a review about the Melvita one and was inclined to try it out until I saw such a big bottle and it was transparent. Will definitely go bad before you use it up…!!