Oils For Your Face & Body: Meet Alana and Maddie Alper, Founders of Alper Oils

By Emily Merrell

The first time someone told me to try oils on my face, I just laughed. As a child with oily skin, putting more oil on seemed pretty counterintuitive. Yet, rather than dismissing the idea entirely, I leaned in and tried it. It started out with chia seed oils, then argan oils and the journey is still continuing. From leaving a dewy glow to actually moisturizing, I can’t recommend oils more. So naturally, I was thrilled to be introduced to the founders of Alper Oils. They’re Canadian makeup and hair professionals who crafted their own oils line. Read on to learn how they came up with their own brand and how oils can work for your skin care routine. 

SDS: Face and body oils seem to be the new lotion. How did the Alper sisters get into the world of oils and ultimately create the brand Alper Oils? 

ALANA & MADDIE ALPER: We’ve both suffered from skin issues growing up. Developing and having acne, and cystic acne in Maddie’s case, at the ages of 25 and 26 left us both feeling understandably insecure. Working in the beauty industry we were always hyper aware of our skin and became obsessed with the quality of the products we were putting on our faces. Alana started researching oils and natural skincare. She discovered how beneficial it was for treating acne and other skin issues! She couldn’t find exactly what she was looking for on the market and started to play around with her own personalized blends. After seeing noticeable results,  she decided to bring her own special mixture on set to test out on models. To our surprise, it started being requested by models and clients and that’s when we realized we had something on our hands. 

SDS: For our readers that have yet to experience face and body oils, can you explain how oils are supposed to be used on our body?

ALANA & MADDIE ALPER: People tend to shy away from oils especially if they have oily or acne prone skin. We naturally produce oils so it only makes sense that applying an oil as a moisturizer blends seamlessly into the skin. Oils are packed with nutrients that can help protect the skin from environmental damages and free radicals as well as heal acne, eczema and dark spots. They also have qualities that lock in moisture and help to slow down the aging process. Applying oils is much simpler than you would think! After cleansing and toning, apply the oil (about 3 – 6 drops) and gently massage into the skin. When applying body oil, we recommend doing it after a bath or shower while your skin is still damp. That way it will absorb better into the skin.

 SDS:  What are your self-care rituals? 

MADDIE ALPER: Believe it or not, my self-care ritual would be my night time cleansing routine! I know most people can’t wait to get this over with, and dare I say some skip this step entirely, but I eagerly make my way to the bathroom every evening. This whole process usually takes me 20-30 minutes as I like to take my time and decompress from my day. I usually start by turning on a podcast (preferably true crime) and begin my 10 step routine. When each layer of makeup and pollutants comes off my face, I can feel myself becoming more and more relaxed. When applying my oils I like to gently massage my face to get the circulation moving and even lightly drain my lymph nodes. To top it off, I like to end my routine with a gua sha stone massage. This last step really gives me the whole “spa” experience and helps to prevent me from waking up with a puffy face –  all the while learning about serial killers!

ALANA ALPER : I’m all about doing things that make me feel good. My goal with Alper Oils was to create products that heal the skin while also having emotional wellness benefits! Baths are my favorite self care ritual and my preferred way to unwind after a long day. I always add one of our oils into my bath and pick a scent depending on my mood. Lately I’ve been loving the floral fusion to relax, getting my body hydrated and soft!

SDS: As experts in the hair and makeup industry, what do you recommend for a skin care routine to keep your skin looking fresh and young?  

ALANA & MADDIE ALPER: The number one thing we recommend is washing your face every night and to never sleep with makeup on! It’s also so important to exfoliate at least once a week. When dead skin cells build up they clog your pores, which prevents moisture from sinking in. Lastly: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! End your skincare routine with a moisturizer and/or a hydrating oil.

SDS: What is something you wish you had known about skin care 10 years ago? 

ALANA & MADDIE ALPER: So many things! Sunscreen, toning,  exfoliating and obviously oils! 

SDS: How can our readers learn more about Alper Oils and try them for themselves? 

ALANA & MADDIE ALPER: You can learn more about Alper Oils by visiting our website and Instagram. We’re always available to chat and answer any questions so don’t be shy to slide into our DM’s! We’re available at local retailers here in Montreal and we ship all over North America 🙂