All you need to know about vegetable oils (FAQ)

Yes, it may seem like a simple question... but it's not always easy to define exactly what a vegetable oil is. So we're here to help!

First of all, as you've probably guessed, a vegetable oil is a fatty substance. This fatty substance is extracted from an oleaginous plant (a plant whose seeds, fruits or nuts contain lipids).

Vegetable oil can be used in a number of ways: in cooking, as a fuel (in an oil lamp, for example), and increasingly in cosmetics.

After all, vegetable oil isn't just for cooking! When it's also rich in benefits for your skin and hair.

At first glance, choosing the right vegetable oil may seem complicated. When you're browsing the shelves of a store, or scrolling endlessly through your web page in search of the best vegetable oil, the questions start to fly through your mind, don't they?

How do you know if it's a quality oil? Is an oil of quality even if it's not certified organic? What does "cold-pressed" mean? These are all questions that can be difficult to answer, but don't worry! The WAAM team is here to help you clear up your ideas!

The best way to identify a quality vegetable oil is by its extraction method. There are 2 main methods of extraction, but only one really preserves all the properties and benefits of the vegetable oil. We'll let you guess which!

Here are the 2 possible methods for extracting a vegetable oil:

- Extraction by mechanical cold pressing: Approved by organic certification bodies, this is the best extraction method. The oil is cold-pressed to preserve all its properties.

- Industrial extraction (solvent extraction): This method is less respectful of the raw material. It allows higher yields, as more oil can be extracted than using the pressure extraction method. However, this process unfortunately alters the oil's properties and benefits.

As you've probably guessed, it's much better to buy vegetable oil extracted by cold pressing. Generally a little more expensive, the quality is much better. What's more, the properties are preserved, making it easier to observe the effects of the vegetable oil applied to the skin and/or hair.

An oil can be qualified as virgin when it is vegetable and comes from a single cold-pressing process. It is also an oil that has undergone no treatment and contains no additives.

For an oil to be extra-virgin, its acidity level must be below a certain threshold. For example, for olive oil, the acidity level must be below 1%.

Generally speaking, virgin oil is more often used than extra-virgin oil. In any case, an oil does not have to be extra-virgin to be of superior quality. Virgin oils are just fine!

Oh la la! Sometimes it's hard to keep track of all these terms, isn't it? Well, don't panic! The WAAM team is here to help!

As you may have read at the beginning of this article, a vegetable oil is a fatty substance derived from an oleaginous plant.Vegetable oil and oily macerate are often confused. In fact, the distinction that can be made is minimal. An oily macerate is in fact obtained by macerating a plant in a virgin oil, then filtering the result. The main ingredient of the macerate is therefore the oil used as a carrier, but an oily macerate is not, strictly speaking, a vegetable oil.

Let's move on to theessential oil. Essential oil is an aromatic plant extract. Rich in numerous health benefits when used with the right quality,essential oils are regularly used in aromatherapy. However, a few precautions must be taken before using it, and certain contraindications must be observed. Firstly, the most appropriate method of application will depend on theessential oil in question. It is therefore essential to be well informed before use. Secondly, essential oils should never be injected. They should also not be applied around the eyes or around the eye contour area. Essential oils should not be used by pregnant women, and are strongly discouraged for children. They are also toxic to our dear animal friends! Essential oils should therefore be used with caution.

Finally, there's one more type of oil to define:mineral oil. This is a mixture obtained through the distillation of certain fossil fuels.Mineral oil has long been used in the lighting sector. It is NOT suitable for cosmetic or food use.

WAAM vegetable oils generally keep for 6 months after opening. However, as with any natural product, trust your nose! If you detect a strong & unpleasant odor, it means that your vegetable oil is no longer suitable for use.

Vegetable oils are made up of fatty acids. When these degrade, the oil loses some of its properties. One of the causes of fatty acid degradation is heat. That's why we don't recommend heating your vegetable oils. You risk losing the benefits of using them!

Rest assured, dear customers, WAAM vegetable oils can be used on their own or incorporated into your DIY cosmetics recipes!

Of course! The use of vegetable oils during pregnancy is even recommended to preserve the skin's elasticity and provide it with all the care it needs.
While the use of essential oils is generally not recommended during pregnancy, the use of vegetable oils can only be beneficial for both mother and baby!

During pregnancy: vegetable oils are rich in benefits! They will help to :

• Combat dry skin,
• Prevent stretch marks,
• Soothe skin irritations
• Soothe burning sensation.

After the birth: After pregnancy, using plant oils will enable you to take care of mom's skin & baby's skin!
They will be very useful for mom..

• To heal cracks, and in particular to prevent cracked nipples caused by breast-feeding
• To prevent dry hair

& very useful for baby too! They will :

• Nourish baby's skin
• Soothe burns, skin irritations or diaper rash

In short, there are no contraindications to using plant oils during maternity - quite the contrary!

Yes, yes and yes! We can't stress this enough. You may be inclined to think that oily skin is the result of abundant nourishment, and that using oil on your face, for example, would only make the situation worse, right? In fact, the opposite is true! Your skin's surgras appearance is not due to an excess of nutrition, but rather to a lack of nutrition. Now you're probably thinking, "No, that's impossible". Well, it is!

Your skin lacks nutrition, and feels compelled to secrete more sebum to make up for it. This is why your skin becomes oily. It's time to regulate sebum secretion, and vegetable oils are just the thing. They gently nourish your skin and help it to rebalance itself naturally.

Alittle plus:Jojoba oil is your best friend! Sometimes called "Gold of the Incas", this oil is the closest to human sebum. It contains 80% Omega 9 and is reputed to effectively regulate sebum production in oily skin. So don't hesitate to use it to remove your make-up, for example. Your skin will thank you!

To keep your vegetable oils in good condition, store them in a cool, dark place. You can also store them in the refrigerator, but be careful! Don't forget that some oils are very sensitive to temperature variations and solidify on contact with cold (Coconut oil, for example). If this has been the case for you and you're not sure how to recover the oil's original texture, just let it warm up to room temperature.

Don't forget that all these storage tips work, but nothing will help you more than your nose! If you smell a strong, unpleasant odor coming from your oil, it's time to throw it out - even if you've stored it properly!

Say goodbye to all kinds of make-up removers, often unsuitable for sensitive skin. Opt instead for vegetable oil make-up remover.

Make-up removal is an essential step, even for make-up-free skin. It may sound absurd, but make-up removal isn't just about removing the day's make-up. Make-up removal keeps the skin clean, eliminates dead cells and allows the skin to breathe, preventing clogged pores and the appearance of pimples.

Note that removing make-up with oil is ideal. As vegetable oil is a fatty substance, it effectively removes even waterproof make-up.

Mini make-up removal routine:

• Wash your hands.
• Apply a few drops of oil to your fingertips or a cotton pad. Massage over face.
• Rinse with clear water.
  
  

Tip:Jojoba, grapeseed andavocado oils are ideal for make-up removal!

For combination to oily skin, the priority is to regulate sebum, whether on the T-zone or the whole face. For this, there's nothing likeJojoba oil, recognized as the oil closest to human sebum. But some other oils are not to be outdone! Hazelnut, Macadamia and Sesame oils are also excellent sebum regulators. It should be noted that these are dry oils, so they don't leave a greasy film. They are also non-comedogenic. Combination to oily skin will love them!

Dry skin, on the other hand, needs to be intensely nourished. So they need rich oils. This is where fabulous oils with extremely nourishing powers come into play:Avocado, Argan and Baobab oils are real little marvels in terms of nutrition. They are ideal for preserving your skin's natural hydration and combating ageing.

Skin with imperfections requires even more attention! If you have acne-prone skin, for example, you should know that oils suitable for oily skin are also suitable for blemish-prone skin. What's more, thanks to their purifying and healing properties,Nigella oil andCalophylla oil are incredible fighters against your army of pimples!

Afterwards, there's nothing like applyingBearberry oil to reduce the hyperpigmentation and scars left by pimples.

No risk! The special feature of WAAM vegetable oils is that they are 100% pure and natural. As a result, even heavy application is risk-free.

There's no precise timing for your oil bath. However, to give the oils time to penetrate your hair, it's best to leave them on for at least 45 minutes.

For color-treated hair, the oil bath is even more beneficial. Colored/bleached hair often tends to dry out, due to the chemicals used to alter its color. So oil baths will help limit the damage!

If you've colored your hair with henna, it's even highly recommended. After all, why color your hair naturally if you're going to clutter it up again with harmful products? So don't hesitate to apply a multitude of oil baths to your hair, which will be all the happier for it!

Bearberry oil andCalophylla oil are your best friends!

Grapeseed oil, for example, has a comedogenic index of between 1 and 2. It is otherwise considered low-comedogenic. However, every skin is different and may react differently to products. If you notice your skin reacting abnormally to a particular product, we advise you to stop using it.

Some people also find that their skin/hair cannot tolerateCoconut oil.

In fact, some hair and skin types are intolerant to Coconut oil. The result? Dry hair and dry skin. Depending on your needs, you can turn toAvocado oil to nourish and protect skin and hair,Argan oil or evenCastor oil.

No need to worry! As the oils are 100% pure and natural, there's no risk of smothering the hair. The oils will penetrate the hair fiber. It will absorb only the nutrition it needs. You can even sleep with your oil bath - it'll do your hair a world of good! But don't forget to rinse it off, or you'll end up with a deep-fat fryer on your head! (laughs)

Vegetable oils are beneficial at various times, in particular:

• Make-up removal: Use vegetable oil to remove make-up gently and effectively!
• After make-up removal: Use as a nourishing treatment after a good night's sleep!
• Before make-up: Incorporate a few drops of vegetable oil into your moisturizing day cream to nourish your skin before a long day!

Applyavocado oil to limit the appearance of stretch marks, especially during pregnancy. You can also apply it even if stretch marks have already set in.Baobab oil can also be effective.