7 Do-it-all beauty oils and balms that will simplify your life

Whether you're a beauty junkie looking for superhero products or a minimalist who likes to keep things simple and streamlined, it's great to discover a product that can pull double — or even triple — duty. That's why we've culled a diverse lineup of hard-working beauty oils and balms that have you covered from head to toe. You're welcome.

Spa time

The brainchild of Hammam Spa owner Celine Tadrissi, Céla is a luxurious body-focused skincare line that uses locally sourced botanical ingredients. One of the stars of the collection this multitasking ointment, is jam-packed with hydrating plant butters and oils, starting off as a semi-soft solid and quickly melts on contact when massaged into the skin. "I use the Essential Balm in so many different ways. I apply it to freshly-shaved legs, the ends of my hair, bug bites, and my cuticles. It really is an all-in-one miracle worker," says Victoria Mierzwa, leading formulator of the entire line.  

Essential Balm Miracle Multi-Use Oil, $45, thisiscela.com

Goddess status

Rich in organic extra virgin olive oil and reinforced with a mixture of vitamins C, E, F and omega-6 fatty acids not only does this formula work overtime to strengthen the skin's natural barrier and elasticity, but it also works wonders on hair by providing shine and taming frizz. For the face, just add a few drops into your favourite day cream for enhanced moisturization, or simply dap a bit onto cheekbones as a highlighter for an instant glow. For hair, rub a few drops between your palms and work it through your strands from mid-shaft to the ends in either a raking motion (for straighter hair types) or scrunching motion (hello curly girls).  

KORRES Pure Greek Olive 3-in-1 Nourishing Oil, $60, shoppersdrugmart.ca

Soft but strong

Consider this waterless hair balm a savior for post-winter, damaged and distressed strands. Boasting 99% natural ingredients, like fatty acid- and vitamin-rich Amazonian Brazil Nut oil, this rich leave-in melts between fingers when warmed and is ideal for conditioning dry hair in between washes. Just warm and message a pea-sized amount onto your hair (focusing on the ends) before going to bed. If you have a thicker, coarser hair type, or your hair is just incredibly thirsty, try a dime-sized amount instead. Hot tip: wrap your hair in a turban or cap to help boost the product's penetration and efficiency. It's brilliant dual benefit? You can work a dollop of this balm into stubborn dry skin on knees, feet, and elbows.

Aura Botanica Baume Miracle, $57, kerastase.ca

All together now

Beloved Toronto green beauty destination Detox Market has launched its own in-house beauty line, Detox Mode. This three-in-one dry oil is the retailer's first product (launched in the fall), and is made with a heap of skin-loving ingredients, including aloe leaf juice, ginseng root extract and a blend of sweet orange, neroli, lemon, cardamom, patchouli and coriander essential oils. Fast absorbing, this potent formula works as a face oil for a brighter, tighter complexion, a body moisturizer, and a split ends and flyaway eliminator. For deeper hair hydration, you can even massage it in from scalp to ends as a pre-wash treatment. Note: a little tends to go a long way.

Detox Mode Altogether Oil, $42, thedetoxmarket.ca

Like a pro

Celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury's eponymous makeup and skincare line brought the pro's backstage beauty tricks and unique approach to the masses. Made with antioxidant-rich organic sea buckthorn seed oil, and a nourishing cocktail of Vitamin A, C and E, Tilburry's Multi-Miracle Glow works as a deep cleansing face balm, a regenerating overnight facial mask, and can even be used to soften cuticles, elbows, heels and shins. Hot tip: try slathering the gel-like balm over your body before dipping into a hot bath and get ready for baby-soft skin.

Multi Miracle Glow, $70, charlottetilbury.com

The French girl way

With its warm and captivating scent of Moroccan and Bulgarian roses, pink grapefruit and spicy pink pepper, plus bespoke combination of natural oils (think: grape, hibiscus, sesame and argan), this nourishing elixir from French spa brand Caudalie is a cult-classic. Try it as a mood-enhancing bath oil, spritz and massage it onto the body for a nourishing and restoring skin treatment, or even work a spray or two through hair to boost shine.

Divine Oil, $59, caudalie.ca    

Tea time

Tea lovers, this one's for you. Made with a cocktail of botanical marula and jasmine oils spiked with antioxidant-rich bancha green tea leaves, suspended in the formula, this lightweight oil packs a punch when it comes to quenching thirsty skin and hair. Use it as a restructuring hair mask before shampooing and as a heat protectant on wet strands before styling. Also, apply a few drops over dry skin on your face and neck; better yet, try mixing a few glow-boosting drops to your foundation, and even pour a bit into bathwater to help soften skin while you soak.     

Teaology Bancha Oil, $49, shoppersdrugmart.ca

Natasha Bruno is a Toronto-based freelance journalist with an obsession for beauty, health & wellness, women's issues, and curly hair. Follow her journey on Instagram @natashajbruno.