Tested for you: Body and face care oils from A4 Cosmetics

To be honest, oils have never really been my thing. Too greasy, still on my skin when I want to get dressed. Nothing but preconceptions. I’ve since been proven wrong—at least when it comes to the body.

I find body oil particularly pleasant in fall and winter. It provides warmth and helps you feel good about your body. It’s obvious why you should use richer skincare products in cold temperatures. The constant change between cold air outside and warm, dry air inside means that your skin is even more grateful when it doesn’t lose moisture.

This is where oils come into play. Pure oils themselves are not moisturizing, as they do not contain water and are water-repellent (hydrophobic). However, they have moisture-binding properties, as they coat the skin and seal it, so to speak. This prevents the skin’s natural moisture from evaporating too quickly. In this respect, oils indirectly contribute to hydration by reducing moisture loss and strengthening the skin barrier. In any case, you should find out beforehand what type of oil to use and in what composition.

Using oils correctly

A skin care oil should always be massaged into damp skin. This allows the oil to penetrate more quickly and deeply. If, on the other hand, you apply oil to dry skin, a greasy film will form on the face or body areas that have been treated with it. This effect should be avoided.

Firming body care oil

I prefer to use A4’s Golden Body Oil after showering, on skin that is still damp and has only been patted dry with a towel. I put a small amount of the oil in my palms—less is more!—and massage it into my body using large, circular movements. The oil combines with the moisture and the skin’s own emulsifiers to form an emulsion that can penetrate deeper into the skin. In fact, our skin also protects itself with a hydrolipid film consisting of fats and water. This protective layer prevents the skin from losing too much moisture. A care oil, when used correctly, can support this process.

Golden Body Oil absorbs quickly and leaves a velvety, shiny finish. The highly concentrated oil makes the skin beautifully smooth and supple. No annoying oily film on the skin. It contains only high-quality oils such as sweet almond, jojoba, argan, and plukenetia oil, as well as antioxidant sunflower oil and plant extracts from green tea and Kigelia Africana, which tightens the skin and improves its elasticity. Inca Inchi oil from Peru, extracted from the seeds of the Inca nut, has a high content of omega-3 fatty acids, which improve the texture of the skin.

I would also like to mention the fabulous scent of the product. I find it particularly pleasant because it smells wonderfully of orange groves and, as a fan of Italy, immediately puts me in a good mood.

„Golden Body Oil“ by A4 Cosmetics, 100 ml, 87 euros

Anti-aging oil for the face

If you would like to use an oil for your face, A4’s Golden Face Oil provides dry and sensitive skin with natural nutrients. A natural anti-aging treatment that soothes the skin, reduces inflammation, and activates cell metabolism. In addition to valuable baobab oil and orchid extract, it contains other high-quality active ingredients. The eco-certified baobab oil, for example, comes from a fair trade project in Burkina Faso and has an antioxidant effect that contributes to skin regeneration.

Apply to damp skin

Here too, apply the oil to damp skin on the face – use water or a toner for this. Use sparingly. Two to four drops are enough. First rub the oil between your palms and then massage it into your face, neck, and décolleté using light, circular movements. Always avoid the eye area. The oil can be used in the morning and/or evening as needed. The scent of this product, which is lemongrass, also acts on the limbic system and can have a positive effect on mood.

„Golden Face Oil“ by A4 Cosmetics, 30 ml, 105 euros

Clean Beauty from Munich

All A4 cosmetic products are manufactured in Germany without microplastics, paraffins, PEG, silicones, or petroleum jelly. Various women’s cooperatives are supported through sales. For example, the eco-certified argan oil comes from argan nuts grown in a Berber cooperative in Morocco and a cooperative in Ghana, while the Inca Inchi oil comes from Peru.