
When I saw Bella Hadid patting what she called “pre-makeup essential oils” on her face yesterday in an Instagram story, my mind immediately went to that scene in Home Alone when Macaulay Culkin applies aftershave for the first time—and then screams because it burns his skin.
That’s basically how Hadid’s (Insta) story would’ve ended, too, if she’d done what she described in her caption. Why? Because essential oils are so powerful they’re actually dangerous to apply undiluted to your skin—just ask this woman who got a different kind of burn by going into a tanning bed after applying them on her pulse points—yikes! (The plant extracts, in their pure state, make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.)
Fortunately, Hadid’s complexion is as flawless as ever (phew!), and the confusion can all be chalked up to a typo—she was actually applying a face oil pre-makeup, not an essential oil (Decleor’s Aromessence Rose D’Orient Soothing Oil Serum to be exact).
The wellness-savvy supermodel clearly knows that facial oils do the body good, so don’t be afraid to reach for a bottle that has, say, lavender or sweet orange essential oils mixed in. Another alternative is to simply combine a drop or two of your favorite with a carrier oil, like jojoba, so that you don’t cause damage to your face.
Used properly, essential oils can seriously up your skin’s glow factor—whether they’re part of your pre-makeup or no-makeup beauty routine. And that’s an Instagram Story you’ll want to share.
Looking to find your own glow-inducing blend? Here’s a superstar combo of essential oils for every skin type.
Best essential oil blend based on skin type

For sensitive skin: Lilfox Maracuja & Rose Face Nectar $90
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For dry skin: Juice Beauty USDA Organic Treatment Oil $38

For acne-prone skin: Osmia Organics Balance Serum $50
The powerful extracts have many uses—here are three genius ways to clean your home using essential oils, plus how to use them to immediately relieve cold symptoms.
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