With its bad rep behind it, facial oil is emerging as skin’s new best friend

The other day I was having a rather challenging conversation on my cellphone with a friend. After three dropped calls, I finally asked my friend to call me on my landline. “Well, what do you know?” I said. “We’re using our landlines again.” My friend said in a singsong voice, “It’s back…”

Things are getting simpler again. Landlines, comfort food and vodka tonics are all making a comeback. The reign of lash extensions, lychee martinis and their ilk have expended their 15 minutes of fame. Lip balm trumps lip gloss and air-dried hair is what makes the perfect black-tie hairdo.

The same goes for the once-besmirched skin oil. Mineral oil gave oil a bad reputation. It’s greasy and non-penetrative formula left the last of the oil users slippery as seals.

Then the Moroccan argan oil fad started and oil’s image problem was laid quickly to rest. Aside from its prowess in the kitchen giving delicate white meat and fish a nutty taste, this rare oil from the green nuts found in the Argan tree performs miracles on skin and hair problems. It is quickly absorbed by damp hair and skin and is divinely lightweight.

Facial oils are also now a top hit. Gone are the worries of blocked pores and the general unease of having heavy oil drowning your skin while you sleep. The new facial oils instantly replenish and give new life to your complexion.

Here’s a short list of the oils to covet:

Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil: The purest and most unadulterated of argan oils in the market today, this oil does the job for anything. Whether you use it as a leave-in hair conditioner or an overall body moisturizer to an anti-zit skin treatment, this oil is truly bang for your buck. I use it on my body after bathing (there’s an argan oil body wash too for double moisture) and I apply it on my wet skin. Heaven, truly heaven. Available at  Kiehl’s boutiques

Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum: This super oil stimulates collagen production overnight. It plumps up the skin to reduce lines and smoothes out dry patches. Its all-natural formula is potent in rose and argan oil. A great treat for the skin for party girls and midnight oil burners alike. As an insomniac, I wake up with rosy skin. The soothing scent also helps me drift off to sleep. Available at Rustan’s Essenses

Kerastase Elixir Ultime: A versatile hair product made out of four different oils (maize, argan, camellia and pracaxi) protects and nourishes hair. Whether you use it before showering, after showering or before styling, your tresses are safe with the ultimate bodyguard. It’s so weightless and non-greasy that it can support even the finest of hair types. This has helped me with my falling hair and adds shine without the weight. Available at select salons nationwide.

Perricone MD Chia Serum: This is skin CPR. It instantly revives dull and patchy skin. Skin treated with this serum instantly imparts a radiant glow. Chia seeds are filled with Omega 3 fatty acids. The formula is then enriched with vitamins A, E, C ester, pro-vitamin B5 and Co Enzyme Q10. You can use it as a supplement to your moisturizer, a primer for makeup or you can even apply it after you do your makeup for a strong glow. I’m hooked on this product. It’s my day oil and I use this in conjunction with my concealer. It ripens up the skin so quickly and intensely that I usually don’t even need to add blush. Available at Rustan’s Essenses.