Are Oils Bad for Skin? The Truth About Seed Oils, Herbal Infusions & Serums
The Restored Sattva Difference
For years, facial oils have sparked debate in the skincare world. Some estheticians caution that oils clog pores, suffocate the skin, and even contribute to milia. On the surface, these concerns are valid: many commercial oils on the market are cheap, refined, and poorly chosen for skin health. But when thoughtfully sourced and crafted, oils are not the enemy, they are, in fact, one of the most potent, elegant, and ancient ways to heal and restore the skin (and soul).
At Restored Sattva, we approach oils differently. We see them not as heavy layers, but as serums: nutrient-rich elixirs that feed, repair, and balance the skin when used in harmony with water. To understand why, it helps to explore both seed oils and herbal infusions, and how they compare.
🌱 Why Seed Oils Are Celebrated
Seed oils have become a cornerstone of luxury skincare. Oils like rosehip, pomegranate, prickly pear, and evening primrose are praised for their exceptional nutrient density. Extracted directly from the seeds, they are naturally rich in:
Essential fatty acids (linoleic acid, oleic acid) that rebuild the skin barrier.
Vitamins A, C, and E that support regeneration and protect against free radicals.
Antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and early signs of aging.
When used properly, these oils can improve elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and support overall hydration. This is why many European brands elevate seed oils as their star ingredients, they are concentrated, potent, and elegant.
But while seed oils are powerful, they represent only one aspect of what plants can offer.
🌿 The Power of Herbal Oil Infusions
At Restored Sattva, we rely on a more ancestral practice: whole-plant infusions. This means gently steeping flowers, roots, or resins in base oils (like raw, unrefined and cold pressed olive or sesame) over weeks or months. Unlike seed extraction, which isolates one part of the plant, infusions draw on the full spectrum of phytonutrients locked within petals, leaves, and barks.
What Infusions Capture That Seeds Alone Cannot
Flavonoids (from rose petals, calendula) → antioxidant + soothing.
Carotenoids (from calendula, manjistha) → brighten and reduce inflammation.
Mucilage (from marshmallow root) → hydrates deeply by binding water to the skin.
Boswellic acids (from frankincense resin) → firm and tone, visibly improving texture.
Tannins (from rose, hawthorn) → refine pores and bring balance.
These compounds rarely exist in seed oils. By slowly infusing herbs into oils, we unlock these hidden treasures and deliver them directly to the skin’s surface.
✨ From Oil to Serum
A common misconception is that oils equal heaviness. But when used correctly, oils behave as serums. The difference lies in ritual and absorption:
Prep with hydration → A fine mist of hydrosol provides water for the skin to drink.
Press in oil → A few drops of infused oil seal in the hydration, pulling plant nutrients deep into the skin.
Result → Skin is supple, not greasy; luminous, not clogged.
This layering technique transforms oils into functional, serum-like treatments. Unlike creams—which often rely on fillers, waxes, or emulsifiers—our infusions are pure, uncompromised plant medicine.
🌸 Why Most Oils Get a Bad Reputation
It’s not surprising that oils are mistrusted. Many oils sold in mainstream skincare fall into one of three problematic categories:
Refined vegetable oils (like soybean, sunflower, or canola) → cheap fillers that oxidize quickly.
Mineral oil derivatives → create an occlusive film, suffocating skin.
Comedogenic blends → heavy oils like coconut that clog pores when used neat.
This is why estheticians warn against “just putting oil on your face.” But not all oils are equal. The issue lies in sourcing, formulation, and application—not the category of “oils” themselves.
🌍 The Restored Sattva Difference
Where others may chase exotic seed oils, we combine European herbal heritage with Ghanaian ancestral sourcing to create something rare: oils that function as living serums.
🌿 Our Approach
Slow Infusion: Whole herbs and resins are steeped gently in organic olive and sesame oils for weeks, sometimes with a low-heat start, to maximize extraction.
Fair Trade & Ancestral: Shea butter from women’s cooperatives in Northern Ghana, frankincense and myrrh resins from Somaliland.
Essential Oil Free: We honor the plant in its whole form, avoiding concentrated essential oils that can irritate sensitive skin.
Fresh & Small Batch: Made in Atlanta, GA, in limited runs to preserve potency.
🌸 The Benefits You Feel
Sensitive skin → calms with calendula + marshmallow root.
Mature skin → firms with frankincense + rose.
Inflamed or breakout-prone skin → balances with manjistha + licorice root.
Dull, uneven skin → brightens with rosehips + hawthorn.
🌿 A Ritual, Not Just a Product
Skincare should not feel like a chore. We believe it is a ceremony:
Mist face with a hydrosol water resin distillate (frankincense, myrrh).
Press in 1–2 drops of infused oil while skin is still damp.
Let the oil-serum absorb fully before applying a butter or balm, if needed.
This rhythm turns daily care into a grounding ritual, one that nourishes not only the skin but the spirit.
✨ The Bigger Picture
So, are oils bad for skin? No. Bad oils are bad for skin.
Heavy, refined, synthetic oils can clog and smother.
But thoughtfully crafted seed oils and herbal infusions work in harmony with the skin’s natural functions.
Seed oils deliver concentrated nutrients. Herbal infusions unlock the wisdom of whole plants. Together, they form a powerful synergy—one that makes oils not just safe for skin, but transformative.
🌹 The Restored Sattva Promise
We don’t make “just oils.” We craft plant serums: cold-infused, fair trade, essential oil–free, and designed for true absorption. This is skincare that feels light yet powerful, rooted in European tradition and Ghanaian heritage, made by hand with reverence.
✨ With Restored Sattva, oils aren’t heavy…they’re healing.