Product Spotlight: PAAVANI Pitta Facial Serum (& How it Works)

“But why would I want to put oil on my face? Won’t it make my face oilier and my breakouts worse?” We’ve heard this question many of times at PAAVANI. The answer we give is that not all oils are created equal! You need to put the appropriate oils on your face for your dosha or skin type. By doing so, you will help bring your skin and its sebum back into balance rather than make it oilier or more prone to breakouts. Each type of oil and essential oil works with different skin types in different ways. For instance, a heavy, warming oil such as sesame oil would not be best for someone with an oily or congested complexion; however, it would be a beneficial ingredient in a serum for dry skin. In this article, we will dissect our PAAVANI Pitta Serum and explain how each ingredient works to balance the sensitive, blemish-prone skin type.

Let’s take a look at the pitta serum ingredients. They are: hemp oil, black cumin oil, pumpkin oil, rose infused high linoleic safflower oil, castor oil, tamanu oil and essential oils of tea tree, lavender, geranium, frankincense and sandalwood. This serum was designed to soothe inflammation, reduce breakouts and balance oily complexions by utilizing non-comedogenic oils. What does non-comedogenic mean? I think the best way to describe it is by breaking the word down, as Sarah Siddons of How Stuff Works, did in a recent article. A comedo is a pimple on the skin. A comedo or pimple is a result of a clogged pore. A clogged pore happens when the hair follicle contained within the pore becomes clogged by excess, thick, sticky sebum and dead skin cells. It is important to note that the skin’s sebum becomes thick and sticky due to the high concentration of oleic acid found within it. When all these forces combine, they become a breeding ground for bacteria which then creates pimples and/or acne. Thus, when working with sensitive, oily, blemish-prone skin, it is best to use oils that have a very low comedogenic rating or are simply non-comedogenic because they will not contribute to clogged pores. Also, it is essential to balance out the excess oleic acid with its counterpart- linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that will help reduce the thick, sticky nature of oleic acid, which is a monosaturated fat.

Outlined below are some of the major benefits of each ingredient found within the PAAVANI Pitta Facial Serum:

Hemp Oil: With a comedogenic rating of 0, hemp oil will not clog your pores but will provide much-needed moisture to the skin. According to Tash at Holistic Health Herbalist, hemp seed oil contains about 60% linoleic acid. Linoleic acid helps regulate sebum production. When sebum production is in excess, it contributes to acne; thus, having an oil like hemp seed is a fabulous addition to any facial serum designed to combat blemishes and oily skin. This is a high linoleic carrier oil.

Black Cumin Seed Oil: Containing over 100 beneficial chemical compounds and high in zinc, black cumin seed oil has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe sensitive skin types as well as having strong anti-bacterial properties that are excellent in combating acne. This is a high linoleic carrier oil.

Pumpkin Seed Oil: High in fatty acids, vitamins A, E, K, omega 3 and zinc, this oil is a powerhouse when it comes to reducing acne, providing moisture and reducing marks and redness left by blemishes. This is a high linoleic carrier oil.

Rose Infused Safflower Oil: According to Good Health Academy, safflower oil has the highest level of linoleic fatty acid available in the marketplace today and this is one of the major reasons it is an ingredient in our pitta serum. Throughout a 72 hour process, we infuse dried rose petals with high linoleic safflower oil to create an oil that is useful in regulating sebum production, reduces inflammation and improves the texture and tone of the skin.

Castor Oil: Full of minerals, proteins, vitamin E and vital nutrients, castor oil detoxifies the skin and helps eliminate excess oil. It has anti-microbial properties which combat blemishes while softening and soothing inflammation.

Tamanu Oil: Extremely beneficial for the pitta, or sensitive, skin type, tamanu oil has a cicatrization ability, which means it stimulates new tissue and heals sunburnt skin. It is anti-microbial as well, helping to combat the bacteria which causes pimples. Another benefit is that it restores the lipids in the skin which helps defy signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Also called melaleuca oil, tea tree is one of the most powerful anti-bacterial, acne reducing oils on the planet. It helps to lighten and reduce acne scars once it has helped eradicate the acne. A tiny amount of this oil goes a long way to unblock clogged pores and balance the sebaceous glands.

Lavender Essential Oil: The main component of lavender is linalol. As aromatherapist, Andrea Butje explains, oils that have linalol are soothing and perfect for everyday skin care. Lavender is nourishing to all skin types and provides a gentle anti-bacterial property to help keep oily, blemish-prone skin in balance.

Geranium Essential Oil: A floral, sweet aroma that balances sebum production in the skin. It also keeps skin smooth and supple. Geranium is indicated to heal wounds and scars associated with acne and blemishes.

Sandalwood Essential Oil: This oil has been used classically in Ayurveda for thousands of years. It is revered for its anti-inflammatory, pimple reducing and skin soothing properties. It is an excellent oil for sensitive or pitta type skin.

Frankincense Essential Oil: Rejuvenates skin by promoting healthy cell renewal and regeneration. Frankincense is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory which helps soothe sensitive skin and calm breakouts. It also has an astringent quality that helps reduce excess oiliness.

After researching and studying Ayurvedic and Western Herbalism, it became clear to us here at PAAVANI that the question should not be “why would I put oil on my skin?” but rather “why wouldn’t I put oil on my skin!?” As stated before, not all oils are created equal and it is important to find the right oils for your specific dosha or skin type. At PAAVANI we offer exactly that. Five different serum options specifically formulated with organic, earth-based oils to balance your varying needs. Vata- for dry skin, Pitta- for sensitive skin, Kapha- for oily skin, Tridoshic- for balanced skin, and Purify (soon changing to Clarify)- for acne prone skin.

 We encourage the idea that it is time to take beauty rituals back to the wisdom of the earth, which has graciously given us an abundance of potent herbs, roots, flowers, seeds and nuts to use as remedies in our everyday lives. Why not use these gifts to help support your skin’s natural balance, radiance, health & glow? We encourage you to ditch your chemically derived moisturizer and/or serum, which could, in fact, cause more harm than good and give an organic, purely earth-based face oil a try. Your skin will thank you and the results will be glowing, timeless, beautiful skin, the natural way.

References:

Activation, Squeaky Clean: Black Cumin for Acne. February 2016. https://www.activationproducts.com/blog/squeaky-clean-black-cumin-seed-oil-for-acne/

Bagyalekshmi, Good Health Academy. The Surprising Benefits of Safflower Oil for your Hair & Skin. December 2016. http://www.goodhealthacademy.com/beauty-tips/safflower-oil-for-hair-and-skin/

Jackson, Kristin Collins, Bustle. Tamnu Oil for Your Skin, January 2016. https://www.bustle.com/articles/134433-5-tamanu-oil-uses-for-skin-that-will-heal-all-your-derma-woes

PAAVANI Ayurveda, Ingredients Section. April 2017. http://paavani.wpengine.com/ingredients/

Siddons, Sarah, How Stuff Works. Non-comedogenic Skin Cleanser Basics, August 2009. http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/cleansing/products/non-comedogenic-skin-cleansers1.htm

Tash, Holistic Health Herbalist. Hemp Oil: The New Holy Grail Acne Treatment?,August 2013. http://www.holistichealthherbalist.com/?s=hemp+oil