15 Best Face Oils to Keep Your Glow on Lock
Using an oil on your face may sound counterintuitive. If you want your pores to be clog-free, skin to be healthy and breakout-free, and want your makeup to have a great base, why would you slather an oil all over your face? Well, it turns out, adding facial oils to your beauty routine is actually the secret to targeting so many skin concerns.
To get technical about it, face oils actually have a lower molecular weight than most creams—which is part of what separates them from their moisturizer counterparts. “They don't contain water or humectants,” says licensed esthetician and content creator Dana Murray, LE. “Face oils are highly compatible with the skin since the outermost layer of the skin is also oil-based. They help to prevent water loss and help to retain moisture in the skin, provide omega fatty acids and vitamins, and support the skin’s barrier function.”
Even if you have oily skin or deal with frequent breakouts, a face oil can actually work with your skin to help balance sebum production and settle inflammation from acne. “People with oily and acne-prone skin tend to have naturally higher levels of oleic acid and lower levels of linoleic acid in their skin,” explains Murray. “So, selecting a face oil with low oleic acid and higher linoleic acid is ideal. Hemp seed oil, rosehip, or evening primrose make great options!”
“If an oil is higher in linoleic acid, it can easily absorb into the skin and tends to feel a bit more ‘dry,’ making this a more suitable option for oily skin. High oleic acid oils tend to feel more thick and rich, making them more suitable for dry skin,” says esthetician and content creator Nicole Baylock.
You can apply your face oil before or after your moisturizer, but Murray says, “Applying moisturizer first and locking it in with a face oil is an excellent option for dry skin types, people that live in dry climates, or people that are dealing with compromised skin barriers.” Read on to find the best face oil for your skin type below.
Meet the Expert
Dana Murray, LE, is a licensed esthetician and content creator with over 17 years of experience. Her work has been featured in Byrdie, Healthline, and more.
Nicole Baylock is a Washington DC-based esthetician and content creator. She’s passionate about K-Beauty and providing her audience with routines to make them feel comfortable in their own skin.
1. BEST FOR HYPERPIGMENTATION:
SUNDAY RILEY C.E.O Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil
This cult-fave skincare brand always delivers products we obsess over, and this vitamin C- and turmeric-infused face oil is no exception. It’s your ultimate skin-brightener for everything from hyperpigmentation to uneven skin tone and dullness, and uses vitamin C, turmeric, ginger root extract, and evening primrose oil to boost your glow on so many levels.
2. BEST WITH SQUALANE:
FEEL BEAUTY Squalane Facial Oil
Squalane is a powerhouse ingredient that can help with redness, swelling, and inflammation, and also comes with detoxifying and anti-aging properties. In addition to squalane, this oil from FEEL BEAUTY is packed with fruit extracts like avocado and grapeseed oil to help repair the skin’s natural barrier.
3. BEST FOR SKIN NOURISHING:
AVANT SKINCARE Advanced Bio Restorative Superfood Facial Oil
Why not have your skincare match your favorite smoothie? This oil from AVANT SKINCARE is packed with superfoods like papaya extract, olives, almonds, and raspberry seed oils. The natural vitamin E found in fruit oils also helps to act as an antioxidant on the skin’s surface. That means you get an extra layer of protection from environmental pollutants, UVA and UVB rays, plus any other gunk that hits your face as a result of city living.
4. BEST FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN:
SUNDAY RILEY U.F.O. Ultra Clarifying Acne Treatment Face Oil
If you’re dealing with breakouts, this skin-clearing face oil might be your answer. This non-greasy formula helps reduce inflammation, removes dead skin cells that can clog pores (and cause blemishes), and fade dark spots left from past breakouts. It uses tea tree oil and black cumin seed oil to reduce acne-causing bacteria, and it keeps skin hydrated with soothing cucumber seed oil and neroli.
5. BEST WITH CANNABIS:
HIGH® High Expectations CANNABIS FACIAL OIL
Don’t worry! Cannabis skincare products can’t get you high, but they can deliver some powerful antioxidants to the skin’s surface. If you deal with frequent breakouts, cannabis oil can actually help control oil production on the skin, which will minimize acne. Another perk of cannabis oil on the skin is that, according to experts, your skin is already well-equipped to tolerate this oil, making it perfect for anyone who deals with sensitive skin.
6. BEST FACE OIL WITH RETINOL:
DALLAS & JAMES SKINCARE CO. Watermelon Dream Overnight Retinol Oil
When you think about it, facial oil is actually a genius way to incorporate retinol into a skincare routine: It’s still delivered right into the skin, but the nourishing ingredients help cushion the ingredient so it’s less irritating. This formula contains 1.2 percent retinol, as well as an omega-rich algae blend, calming cannabis seed oil, and more ingredients that will have skin glowing like you wouldn’t believe.
7. BEST FOR OILY SKIN:
VERSED Sunday Morning Antioxidant Oil Serum
We bet a lot of people with oily skin avoid face oils. But like we mentioned, there are certain face oils perfectly suitable and non-comedogenic for oily skin. This product from VERSED is truly one of the best facial oils, and it happens to be a face oil and antioxidant serum hybrid. The oil phase uses camellia oil and sea buckthorn oil while the water phase uses chamomile extract and sodium hyaluronate.
8. BEST OIL FOR ANYTIME USE:
YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE Superberry Hydrate + Glow Oil
When you’re after only good-for-your-skin ingredients, YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE always delivers. This baby has been a staple on our vanities since we tried it, thanks to its blend of seriously healthy superfoods. It’s got antioxidant-rich prickly pear and berries, hydration-boosting squalane, moisturizing jojoba and sunflower oils, and more. You can use it morning, night, or anytime between—it won’t ever feel greasy or clog your pores, and it keeps skin hydrated with soothing cucumber seed oil and neroli.
9. BEST SINGLE-INGREDIENT FACE OIL:
JOSIE MARAN Argan Oil
JOSIE MARAN has been a staple in the biz for years, thanks to the brand’s high-quality, minimal ingredients and clean products. In this bottle you’ll only find pure, organic, and natural argan oil. This oil can be used in the hair to hydrate and condition, but on the skin’s surface, it helps to boost and lock in moisture.
10. BEST CONDITIONING FACE OIL:
SUMMER FRIDAYS Heavenly Sixteen All in One Face Oil
The name says it all: It contains 16 different oils, all of which serve you a brighter, more nourished, and all-around healthier-looking complexion. Plus, it’s fully vegan and non-comedogenic.
11. BEST ANTI-AGING FACE OIL:
AUGUSTINUS BADER The Face Oil
Just like the brand’s celeb-favorite face cream, this luxe oil contains the brand’s patented TFC8® complex to fight signs of aging. You can use it solo, in place of moisturizer, or on top for extra hydration and active ingredients. It’s great for mature skin that lacks moisture and elasticity.
12. BEST FOR DULLNESS:
TATA HARPER Beautifying Face Oil
With 15 moisturizing, glow-enhancing ingredients, this super-hydrating formula has become a fan favorite in clean beauty for a reason. A few to note: squalane and jojoba esters moisturize, while vitamin E nourishes and protects, and camellia oil (which is rich in vitamin B) leaves skin extra glowy.
13. BEST FOR ALL SKIN TYPES:
GO-TO SKINCARE Face Hero
Dry, combination, sensitive—whatever your skin-type, this stuff truly does it all. It hydrates, brightens dullness, nourishes, protects, fights fine lines and signs of aging, calms inflammation, and more. Packed with fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, look to this multitasking formula to keep your skin balanced and happy while treating multiple skincare concerns in one shot. It's even gentle if you're dealing with skin concerns like eczema, but as with all new skincare, be sure to check with your dermatologist first.
14. BEST FOR DRY SKIN:
DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY Beauty Oil
Jojoba oil is the secret to combatting dry skin in this face oil. Jojoba oil helps to hydrate and moisturize skin at the same time, which makes this oil perfect for anyone dealing with inflammed, red, or flaky skin. Plus, this oil has caprylic triglyceride, which is a fatty acid that helps restore the skin’s barrier. You can’t go wrong with this multitasking formula.
15. BEST FOR BOOSTING YOUR SKIN BARRIER:
MAËLLE BEAUTY Skin Therapy Restorative Facial Oil
PSA: Your skin barrier health is super important. Keep yours balanced and happy with this deeply hydrating (yet lightweight) facial oil. It’s made with brightening antioxidants, plus fatty acids.
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