Refined vs. Unrefined

"I thought refined oils were better than unrefined oils!"

If this is your first thought, you're not alone!

The very words refined/unrefined suggest that refined oils are better-right? Well, not so much.  Many people commonly mistake "refined" to mean better, so if you did, too-don't feel bad. Dollhouse Botanicals is here to break it down for you:

Refined Oil Cons

• significantly fewer actives or no actives due to bleaching, deodorizing, and high heat chemical refining (imagine taking a pain reliever for your headache, but the active that takes the pain away is missing- you digested the medication, but for some reason the headache is still there)
• processing destroys nutrients and antioxidants (it's Vitamin E with only the moisturizing benefits of Vitamin E, less damage repair and antioxidant effects)
• lacking quality and value-more effective for moisturizing, less effective for skin and hair care overall improvement
• heating oils to high temperatures needed for refining can cause oxidation which can damage skin cells (free radical damage) and cause premature aging

Refined Oil Pros

• can withstand significant heat stability-as with cooking, and tend to have a longer shelf life
• clear, not brown, orange, green, no cloudiness (more aesthetically pleasing)
• highly moisturizing 
• no earthy, plant-like smell/odor
• fairly cheap, often sold between $5-$20.00 for a nice size bottle (let's say 6oz-10oz, for example)

Best For: Those who prefer more aesthetically pleasing ingredients and are seeking primarily to soften or moisturize skin, scalp, and hair

Unrefined Oils Cons

• can have a naturally earthy, nutty odor, or smell like dirt, plants, flowers, spices (peppermint, lavender, tea tree, cinnamon, rose, geranium, turmeric, neem, pumpkinseed)
• brown, reddish, greenish, or yellow-toned, and can be cloudy which may not appear to be as attractive as clearer oils, though some oils are naturally clear (such as coconut. squalane, jojoba)
• strength of certain ingredients can be felt (such as tingling similar to the sensation of minty or astringent oils)
• level of potency can be too much for more reactive/sensitive skin types, even when diluted with a carrier oil (causing a burning sensation, allergic reactions, peeling, and/or redness for some)
• might not last through an apocalypse
• Generally, more expensive ranging from $29 for less than an ounce

Unrefined Oil Pros

• Natural earthy odors get a bad rep, but they are a big indicator of an oil's authenticity and are actually more reliable than a blot test for detecting whether or not an oil is real. This is because even synthetic oils can pass blot tests, while true oils, especially those like vetiver, can fail a blot test. (Adding a natural scent like geranium can help to dim unpleasant, earthier scents, while enhancing the oil with geranium's antioxidant benefits)
• Unrefined oils have a high content of natural antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties offering more barrier strength and protection to skin
• Significantly more bioactives mean more healing effects-better damage repair, stronger brightening, skin tightening, antioxidant action, scalp stimulation and nourishment, moisture barrier strength and protection from premature aging
• Unrefined botanicals oil work better as occlusives, helping ingredients to penetrate the skin, trapping moisture, and preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

Best For: Those who are primarily seeking natural solutions that effectively address hair and skin care concerns such as hyperpigmentation, follicle stimulation and hair growth, reducing acne, brightening and tightening skin, moisturizing, providing natural radiancy, and diminishing wrinkles, over time-placing the value of the product in its healthy qualities rather than aesthetics.

Whether a refined oil or an unrefined oil is better or not, actually depends on your specific skin type is able to handle and what you're looking to get out of using the product.

Visit Natural Botanical Face & Hair Oils-Dollhouse Botanicals to shop and learn more about our ingredients and products.