There are so many facial oils on the market, but how can you know which one is best for you? This guide will help you unlock the healing, nourishing and improving skin benefits of facial oils. Whether it’s a blended formula or pure single oil, there is a facial oil for every skin type.
Top 10 facial oils for different skin types
- Rosehip oil is probably one of the most well-known and best facial oils. So many people, including celebrities, have sworn by it as their skincare secret. This oil is bright orange in colour and packs an abundance of antioxidants and fatty acids, which help to regenerate new skin tissues and cells — making this perfect for anti-ageing. A little tip: the deeper the orange colour, the more antioxidants the oil contains.
- Jojoba oil is one of the best facial oils for skin that is derived from the seeds of the jojoba shrub. Despite its name, jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax ester, which means it shares a similar makeup to our skin’s natural oils. Pure Jojoba oil is a yellow, golden colour and has a light texture. Jojoba oil is naturally high in Vitamins A, D and E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. Meaning, it not only nourishes your baby’s skin, but it can also help with a range of skin concerns like eczema and nappy rash.
- Macadamia oil, thanks to its high fatty acid content, has a silky texture and is deeply hydrating. This oil is perfect for dry skin, mature skin, or skin that is exposed to the elements (wind, sun, cold). Macadamia oil can be safely used on the face and body. You can also find it in blended skincare formulas where it helps to add hydration. This Mokosh Certified Organic Light Face Cream is just one of our favourite examples.
- Argan oil is often referred to as ‘liquid gold'. It is extracted from the kernels of the Argan tree in Morocco. Being a lighter oil, it can be used both on the skin as a moisturizer and in the hair as a conditioning serum. Argan oil is a great all-rounder. It is a natural source of vitamin E and essential fatty acids, making it beneficial for adding moisture back to the skin and promoting an antioxidant effect. We love pure Every Bit Organic Argan Oil, which is suitable for all skin types.
- Pumpkin seed oil is a dark green or amber oil with a mild nutty scent; it’s derived directly from the hulled seeds of pumpkin. This oil is super rich in Zinc, omega 6 and omega 3. It’s a particularly great anti-inflammatory, so it’s great for those wanting to reduce redness, puffiness or the inflammation caused by acne. Pumpkin seed oil is promoted by many dermatologists as a natural acne treatment, as it can help reduce its visible signs. One of our favourite oils to contain pumpkin seed oil is the Vanessa Megan Nature's Elixir Oil (N.E.O.) which also contains sea-buckthorn — a natural source of beta-carotene, providing vitamin A and vitamin E. Being potent antioxidants, these two nutrients are beneficial for reducing damage to the skin, which may be caused by environment, stress and ageing.
- Prickly pear oil although not a common facial oil, prickly pear oil is great for your skin. This oil is derived from the fruits of the prickly pear cacti which have long been eaten for their high antioxidant and fatty acid content. This oil boosts your natural collagen production and helps protect your face, scalp and hair against UV damage. Prickly pear oil is particularly great at lightening skin discolouration, and age/sunspots.
- Marula oil is the perfect oil for those who are afraid to use oils on their face because they have oily or acne-prone skin. This oil has a lightweight, emollient texture that is fast-absorbing and isn’t too oily feeling. This oil is derived from the nuts and kernels of the African-native marula trees, and it’s packed with fatty acids, antioxidants, amino acids and Vitamins C and E. It will work to restore hydration levels, protect against pollution and prevent ageing. It also makes a great hair oil for frizz and flyaways.
- Acai oil, as the name suggests, is the oil derived from the Acai Berry. This oil (and plant) is native to Brazil and has a slight green colour. The Acai berry is one of the most potent sources of antioxidants which are vital to protect our skin from free radicals in the air and prevent premature signs of ageing. Acai Berry oil is also rich in phenolics, a selection of fatty acids that have natural anti-inflammatory properties for soothing and improving the skin’s texture. We absolutely love the Eco by Sonya Driver Glory Oil for getting our dose of Acai oil. This Glory Oil is one of the best oils for skin; it’s helped hundreds of people heal the appearance of redness, scars, and fine lines.
- Hemp seed oil is derived from the hemp seeds of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. This oil is often unrefined and has a clear green oil texture with a nutty flavour. Hemp oil is rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid and other powerful nutrients and antioxidants like vitamin B and D. All of these can help heal, improve and regulate our skin for refreshed, younger-looking appearance.
- Coconut oil is a fat extracted from raw coconuts or dried coconut flakes that has nourishing fatty acids such as linoleic acid (Vitamin F) and lauric acid which has antibacterial properties. Coconut oil is solid at cold/room temperature and has a rather thick emollient, oil texture. It’s therefore great for those with seriously dry skin or as an overnight face treatment. You can still enjoy the anti-ageing and nourishing benefits of coconut oil if you have oily skin though, just look for a blended formula with coconut oil such as this Kelapa Organics one with Rosehip Oil.
Why use a facial oil
Facial oils are a great way for any skin type to lock in moisture and hydration while giving the skin lots of plant nutrients. Facials oils can be used instead of blended face creams or lotions to offer a more potent and direct dose of skin-loving ingredients from all-natural, plant sources. For dry or mature skin types, a facial oil is a great option as it can add more hydration than a cream or lotion. Plant oils are also great as they don’t just hydrate, but also provide a natural glowy look, while protecting the skin against pollutants and free radicals. If you have oily or acne-prone skin types might be surprised to learn that facial oils can settle into the deep layers of the skin which can balance your natural oil production and prevent acne breakouts.
Best facial oil for dry skin
Wondering what the best face oil for dry skin is? Dry or mature skin tends to respond well to just about any all-natural, plant face oil. But some of our favourites for ultimate hydration include jojoba oil, as it will penetrate the deep layers of your skin and work to actually balance your natural oil production to create longer-lasting hydration. Another one of the best facial oils for dry skin is this Acure Seriously Soothing Blue Tansy Night Oil as it is formulated to quench thirsty skin. If you need the best facial oil for mature skin, we recommend this Youth Potion from The Jojoba Company as it delivers the ultimate blend of plant oils for age performance and collagen production.
Best facial oil for dull skin
Are you looking for the best oil for glowing skin? If you want to achieve a naturally radiant complexion then try this Antipodes blend of Avocado and Rosehip oil as it is formulated for all skin types and is lightweight but super glowy. We also love to use the Eco by Sonya Driver Glory Oil for the ultimate glowy complexion as it works to actively plump the skin, creating that youthful dewy look.
Best facial oil for oily skin
A lot of people avoid using facial oils because of the misconception that they aren’t suited to oily skin types or can cause breakouts. A plant-based skin oil can settle into the skin faster than some of the blended creams and lotions out there. This is particularly true of jojoba oil, which mimics our skin’s natural wax esters. Facial oils, especially jojoba oil, can also help prevent acne or breakouts as acne is often caused by an overproduction of our natural sebum/oil. We also recommend Marula oil for those who are worried about an oil feeling too slippery or heavy on their oily or combination skin. Marula oil has a lightweight and less oily texture than some of the other natural face oils out there.
Tips for using facial oils
- How many days you use a face oil will depend on your unique skin. Dehydrated, mature or dry skin can easily use an oil every day, perhaps even morning and night. But someone with an oilier complexion might choose to use an oil only at night or as a hydration treatment every few days. We always recommend trying new skincare products on a small patch of skin first and adding them into your skincare routine gradually to test and adjust to how your skin reacts.
- To help ensure the oil is absorbed into the skin, you can spritz your face with some toner or water before applying the oil. Having the moisture on the skin will help the oil penetrate your skin cells, rather than just sitting on top (which can clog pores and create blemishes).
- For a youthful glow, apply a small amount of oil over the top of your moisturizer before your foundation. The oil helps to plump out the skin, leaving you looking extra radiant.
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