We've all learned to make wise choices about which oils are contained in our foods.  The healthy and unhealthy attributes of saturated, trans, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and hydrogenated fats are becoming widely known.  åIf we read the labels of various cooking oils, we can see which types and ratios of fats are in them, but have you ever considered if there are healthy and unhealthy oils for our skin?

"As the body's largest organ, skin is a powerful yet unappreciated veneer," says Dr. Bernadine Healy in an article written in the U.S. News & World Report.  If the skin is our body's largest organ, then consider the axiom "we are what we eat."

There are hundreds of different oils used in today's beauty products.  How can we determine that oils are healthy for skin? The answer can also be found by finding what the oil is derived from.

Oils that are synthetic or have been derived from crude oil, such as mineral oil, petroleum, and petrolatum are best categorized in the "unhealthy" group of oils.  Because they are synthetic and unable to be used by the body, they create an unhealthy plastic-like barrier over the skin, which can clog pores, block needed oxygen necessary for healthy skin cell function, and limit the skin's natural ability to purge toxins.  This can lead to many skin ailments including acne, skin sensitivities, and premature aging.  According to the Cosmetics Safety Database these oils are also linked to cancer, allergies and immunotoxicity.  The healthiest oils for your skin are derived from plants.  Plant-derived oils like Jojoba, Rosehip, Olive, Coconut, and Grapeseed contain essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that are bio-available, or in a state that our cells can utilize and effectively use.  Instead of coating and suffocating our skin, plant-derived oils are able to be absorbed into the skin, allowing the oil's nutrients to be accessible to our skin cells.

Try this eye-opening exercise: The next time you are at the grocery store, go to the health and beauty aisle and read the ingredient labels on the beauty-care products -- lotions, moisturizers, conditioners, baby oils, anti-aging products, etc.  Check to see how many products have petroleum-derived oils (some oils are listed above) included in the ingredients.  You may be surprised at their contents.