Sometimes, sitting in the midst of everything new and shiny and wonderful, it is nice to single out an old stalwart. A product that you used and loved, and still love till today.
One of these stalwarts in my beauty product cabinet is the REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil. A facial oil I first tried years and years ago when REN was first introduced to me, and have repurchased ever since.
Yet, it is one I tend to forget to share about, because well, it’s just always there isn’t it? 😛
But I thought it would be nice to introduce you to a product that well, just works, without costing an arm and a leg 🙂
REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil – a serum that is also an oil
The REN Omega 3 Oil (as I’ll call it), is a serum-oil. It is a facial oil in texture, but is so rich and nourishing, that it operates as a serum as well.
As the name implies, the oil is rich in Omega 3, which we should be familiar, occurs in fish and some seeds. Omega 3 is a fatty acid that is well-researched, and commonly taken as a dietary supplement.
Often, people take it in the form of fish-oil capsules. One benefit I’d noticed from taking fish oil capsules, is always better skin. So, if you suffer from breakouts, you can try popping a fish-oil capsule each day. I prefer to take cod liver oil pills, and they aren’t very expensive.
RELATED READING: How I discovered that taking cod liver oil for general health was helping my skin improve READ HERE
The REN Omega 3 Oil is a blended oil. The fatty acids include Omega 3, to help boost skin renewal. This then slows down the aging process. Omega 3 from Vegetal Plankton and Flaxseed oil also helps boost skin elasticity and suppleness. Rosehip Seed Oil and Wheat Germ Oil nourish and protect the skin.
The REN Omega 3 Oil is a veritable cocktail of goodness!
The name has changed over the years, but the key ingredients have remained the same.
Thick texture and interesting scent
REN Skincare products do not contain artificial fragrance, although this contains ‘parfum’ that they say is natural in origin. For this reason, this oil may come across as smelling a little ‘weird’ to some people. There is a fruity-nutty scent, and a very slight fishy note.
To me, it isn’t unpleasant. But to some, it could be, as it doesn’t smell of flowers and candy. It just smells very natural and earthy to me.
I do have to say however, that I believe the scent has been tweaked since the very first time I used it. I remember that it smelled quite fishy back then, almost like how a fish oil capsule smells if you pop it. Now, it is much better.
The texture of the oil does feel a little thick. I like that, as it allows me to spread it further and more easily. Those who prefer lighter textured oils or a dry-oil texture might find this uncomfortable.
But I do find that it absorbs very easily into the skin, and the results far outweigh any discomfort, for it leaves my skin feeling so supple and comfortable.
If you feel that it is too heavy, consider applying on damp skin, for easier absorption. You can read my tips on how to use facial oil, for better comfort.
RELATED READING: Consider also practicing the ‘moisture sandwich’ technique of applying skincare to help absorption & hydration READ HERE
Why do I love the REN Omega 3 Oil?
The key reason I love using the REN Omega 3 Oil is simply because it really boosts and calms your skin. When my skin feels a little off, I apply it, and the next morning, it is calm and smooth and happy again.
When my skin feels dry, I add this to my routine, and it seems to improve my moisture levels, and give my skin an almost immediate glow the next day. It just works quietly, without any fuss or fanfare.
You can use it as a serum by using just a few drops, massaged onto damp skin. Or, if you feel like something a little more intensive, as I usually do, I massage in a whole pump into my skin at night.
I will have to warn you that it doesn’t fully sink into the skin if you use too much, so you will have an oily residue. It is fine by me, but I know some people don’t like that. It is odd, considering people are perpetually piling on highlight to mimic a ‘glow’ on the skin, but run screaming away from a bit of oil LOL! 😛 So manage your expectations.
I do have dry skin, which may explain why it works for me, and I also like using this over a retinol based serum, just to protect my skin from any potential dryness from using retinol.
Minor drawbacks to note
I have left and come back to the REN Omega 3 Oil numerous times over the years. The problem is that it has a shorter life span, due to the lower amount of preservatives, I’m guessing, so you do have to be more diligent in using it up.
I also do have a complaint (as most people do) about the packaging. The pump dispenses product well, but it has a tendency to leak slightly. A dropper packaging might have been better, especially for those who want to use just 1-2 drops.
However, the current packaging is an airless pump, which helps protect the oils better, as you do not have any contact with the air. For this reason, I am not too hard on the packaging, for I understand why it is so, and appreciate it.
IN A NUTSHELL
The REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil is a facial oil that also acts as a serum. It has a rather thick texture, but if used on damp skin, absorbs quite easily. The blend of oils is like a veritable cocktail of goodness! Skin feels calmer, more moisturised and over time, more supple, softer and more protected. I’ve been using this now and again for a few years, ever since I was first introduced to it, and have never been disappointed. It’s a good product that does everything it’s supposed to in a simple manner, and it is very underrated!
PROS:
Airless pump packaging protects product better
Oil nourishes skin seemingly overnight
Skin feels more supple and stronger over time
Skin feels more moisturised and calm and softerCONS:
Packaging may leak
Texture and scent of the oil may not suit everyoneWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a general sort of facial oil that just works
PRICE: £28.00 | US$45 for 30ml
WHERE TO BUY: REN Skincare website, Cult Beauty, Lookfantastic, Selfridges, Kens Apothecary stores
For those interested, this is the ingredients list for the REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil.
Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (source Coconut), Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract, Camelina Sativa (Gold of Pleasure) Oil, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, Phaeodactylum Tricornotum (Vegetable Plankton) Extract, Bisabolol (source Chamomile), Parfum (100% Natural Fragrance), Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Have you tried this REN Omega 3 Oil skincare stalwart of mine?
I have to be quite careful to be diligent when using it so I finish it before it goes off. The newer formulations seem to hold up better though, so that’s a good thing!
Paris B
I used to use quite a few REN products back in the day. I’m not really sure why I stopped… I’ll have to check them out again!
This sounds like a great staple facial oil 🙂
I think it’s because there’s so many new things out there, we tend to forget about older things we’ve tried, even if it’s worked in the past 😀 I know I’m guilty of it! It is a good oil, if you try it