Discover Nobody's Perfect Daily Face Oil

At BRUSH ON BLOCK®, we have always recognized that Nobody's Perfect. That's why, when we were developing an antioxidant face oil to help your skin recover from too much environmental exposure, it was the name that topped our list. We understand that sometimes you forget sunscreen. Or don't apply enough, or forget to reapply. Or sometimes you are not only in the sun, but maybe in the wind, at high altitudes, or in and out of the water--all of which can wreak additional havoc on your skin. We wanted our first non-spf product to remind you that, it's ok if you made a mistake, there's a way to help your skin return to normal.

The first step in creating this oil was to research ingredients that help combat the effects of environmental exposure on the skin. Once we had that long list, we worked with a cosmetic chemist to get her recommendations about which would work nicely together, which we might have forgotten and which she thinks are truly most effective. And we gave her something else to consider, it had to be like all Brush On Block products--paraben-free, vegan and cruelty-free. Once she had a list of great ingredients, the fine-tuning began. During that process, we noticed that the oil (simply called Antioxidant Facial Oil at that point), was really helpful in making our skin feel not only hydrated, but plumped and glowy, and not slick and oily. We knew we had a winner. 

So what's in it, and why do we love these ingredients?

What Are The Active Ingredients In Nobody's Perfect Antioxidant Face Oil?

Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil  

First, in spite of Cannabis being in the name, Hemp Seed Oil contains no CBD and no THC. It is just an amazing, plant-based oil that comes from the seeds of hemp plants that are grown for industrial purposes. What makes it so amazing? It is great for all skin types (including oily and acne prone) because it isn't greasy, and is contains lots of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids and gamma-linoleic acid. These ingredients have both anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. Hemp Seed Oil also helps to form a barrier on the skin to help it retain natural moisture, as well as providing additional hydration.

Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil

This oil is the highest known source of the anti-oxidant beta carotene. It helps protect against and restore skin that has been over-exposed to the sun, and helps to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil

If you drive south on Interstate 5 from Portland in May, sometime before you reach Eugene (home of the University of Oregon), you'll see fields that look like they are covered with a white, foamy substance. As you get closer, you see that these are plants with little white flowers...acres and acres of tiny, white flowers. Oregon is one of the largest producers of meadowfoam, and as we read about the oil, we knew we had to include this local resource in our facial oil. Not only does Meadowfoam mimic the skin's sebum (which means it helps balance oil production), but it does so with a light, non-greasy feel that leaves skin glowing. And finally, Meadowfoam is a very eco-friendly crop that does not require pesticides to thrive. What more could we ask for?

Rosa Canina (Rose) Hip Oil

This little gem is high in vitamin C which can help with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and also helps brighten the skin. It also contains a high concentration of Omega-6 fatty acids (also known as Linoleic Acid) that can help prevent hyperpigmentation and reduce the size of blemishes, making it a popular choice for acne sufferers. With its powerful combination of vitamins A, C and E, Rosehip oil is loaded with antioxidants to help prevent damage caused by environment and stress.

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil 

Rich in vitamin E, this oil helps to reduce inflammation and may speed up cell regeneration, both of which are helpful if you should ever find yourself with a sunburn. (We know you won't...but it does happen!) It also has anti-bacterial properties which can be helpful in controlling breakouts.

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil

Hydrating and vitamin-rich, Sunflower Oil is a powerhouse in skincare that helps to maintain the skin's natural barrier. 

Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract - aka Cica 

Although it sounds like a great beverage, this extract has been used since ancient times for cognitive benefits, and is commonly also called Pennywort. It has come back into favor as a skin care ingredient because it improves blood circulation (read, faster healing) and has anti-aging properties. It is rich in phytonutrients, and may help stimulate collagen production which in turn promotes skin elasticity. We aren't sure why one little powerhouse ingredient has so many names, but lately it's been featured in lots of skin care articles as "Cica."

Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract

Growing up in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, early summer hikes often led to fields speckled with wild strawberries. Little did we know, the extract from this plant, due to its high vitamin C content, can help fade dark spots on the skin. 

Squalane

This is a familiar skin care ingredient, but one where sourcing makes a huge difference. Squalane has been used in skin care for years because it is so similar to the skin's natural oils and highly effective at providing moisture. When it first came on the scene, Squalane was commonly sourced from shark's liver, but now nearly all squalane comes from plant sources like rice bran, olives, sugarcane or amaranth seed. Ours comes from sugarcane. Squalane is also a mild ingredient that can safely be used by those with sensitive skin.

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate 

This is Vitamin C in its most stable and oil-soluble form, and is able to penetrate the surface of the skin the fastest. 

Pongamia Glabra (Karanga) Seed Oil

Both antioxidant and emollient, this seed oil has been used in traditional medicine to treat eczema and skin ulcers.

Dunaliella Salina Extract

Also called Pink Algae, this micro-algae is high in beta carotene and vitamin B12, making it a strong protector for the skin. It helps reduce dryness and improve the texture of the skin. (Google Lake Hillier in Australia, which has more than just Dunaliella Salina in it, but is striking in its beauty!)

Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract  

This micro-algae is the best source of Astaxanthin, a super-ingredient that is purported to prevent photo-damage to the skin. But not only is Haematococcus Pluvialis one of the most powerful antioxidants, but it grows in temperate saltwater, like that off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, another nod to our home!

Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract

Chamomile is practically synonymous with gentle and calming. From chamomile tea to cleansers and moisturizers, this common ingredient is gentle for all skin types and soothes irritated, itchy, and dry skin.

Bakuchiol 

Popularly referred to as "natural retinol," Bakuchiol helps to firm skin and boost hydration. It is gentle and non-irritating, making it great for all skin types, including those that cannot use retinol products. 

Antioxidants and Ceramides

These are two words that you hear a lot in skincare, but what are they, really? Antioxidants can also be called "free radical scavengers," so it is good to understand what a free radical is first. A free radical is a molecule that has an unpaired electron. To make itself whole again, this molecule effectively pairs with another molecule in your body, robbing it of an electron and thereby causing damage--illness or aging effects. Antioxidants are molecules that can combine with a free radical without suffering the loss of an electron, so no damage occurs. Antioxidants are thought to slow the aging process by keeping the body's molecules whole. You can get antioxidants from a diet high in fruits and vegetables, from supplements and from your skincare. Nobody's Perfect's ingredient list contains many excellent sources of antioxidants, as you read above.

Ceramides are the mortar that holds your skin together. If your skin were a brick wall, and the skin cells were the individual bricks, ceramides and fatty acids would be the mortar holding the wall together. These lipids form a barrier that keeps your skin moisturized and hydrated. As you age, your body creates fewer ceramides, allowing that brick wall of your outer skin to be compromised. The first thing you probably notice when this happens is that the plumpness disappears from your skin as you gradually lose moisture. This is the point when most people decide they need a face cream or other skin care product to hydrate, but if the product doesn't contain ceramides, the moisture will quickly escape the skin again. That's why Nobody's Perfect uses oils that are high in ceramides to help repair your skin's moisture barrier.

Nobody's Perfect Face Oil

With these power-house ingredients in the formula, it is no surprise that Nobody's Perfect Daily Face Oil is nourishing and helps to neutralize free radicals. What you might find surprising is how easy it is to add this oil to your skin care routine. If you've worried about adding an oil to your routine in the past, worry no more. Apply it at night after washing your face, and by the time you get to your moisturizer, it will be absorbed. In fact, it is so non-greasy that many of our staff and product testers are wearing it during the day as well as at night, because they love the additional hydration. 

We think you'll love Nobody's Perfect, too! Use it with your other skin care products for an added boost of moisture and antioxidants, and a refreshed, glowy look to your skin.