5 Face Oils for Naturally Clear, Flawless Skin
Acne DIY Skincare & Beauty Face Oils Natural Beauty
Can applying oil to your face actually help keep skin clear and reduce blemishes? Yes! Face oils are the best kept skincare secret to naturally clear, flawless skin. Let’s talk about how face oils help to keep skin clear and which oils are the best for reducing blemishes and scarring from acne.
I have a teeny-tiny little obsession… With oil. That I put on my face.
That’s right, I put oil on my face.
Now there was a time that I would have shuddered at the very idea.
I went out of my way to scan every skincare product I purchased for “oil-free” before giving it the green light, thinking that any oil would instantly clog pores upon contact and turn me into one big walking blackhead.
And when it came to dealing with breakouts, I saw oil as my ultimate enemy. I mean, I even wiped my face with rubbing alcohol at one point (*cringes*).
Ironically, it was in an act of acne-induced desperation that I finally gave oil a chance, and I’ve never looked back.
In this blog post, we chat all about:
P.S. Want to take all the guesswork out of it? I’ve bottled up my best face oil blends — the Body Unburdened Beauty Blends — just for you. Beauty Blend No.2 is my best-seller, formulated to gently but effectively transform blemish-prone skin.
4 Ways the Right Oils Help Keep Blemish-Prone Skin Clear
The fact is, the right face oils can work wonders for acne-prone skin.
Here’s how:
1. Certain face oils are high in linoleic acid, helping to bring balance back to blemish-prone skin
Science!
This one fascinates me the most. Studies have found that the sebum of acne-prone individuals tends to be deficient in a certain type of fatty acid called linoleic acid, and that topical application of linoleic acid can help reduce breakouts.
And guess what? Certain face oils are loaded with linoleic acid!
2. Antioxidant-rich face oils prevent sebum oxidation, a key player in blemishes and acne
More science!
A number of studies have shown that acne patients experience more oxidative stress than people with clear skin. This oxidative stress causes sebum oxidation or the oxidation of the skin’s own oil. Many researchers believe this sebum oxidation is the trigger that kicks starts acne since oxidized sebum is incredibly comedogenic (pore-clogging) and causes inflammation in the skin.
Topical antioxidants have been found to help prevent sebum oxidation and as a result decrease the frequency and severity of breakouts.
3. Face oils help to break up the gunk trapped in pores
When it comes down to it, a zit or blackhead is really nothing more than a sticky mess of oil and dead skin cells. And since like-dissolves-like (in other words, oil and water don’t mix but water and water do mix as do oil and oil), applying oil to the skin can actually help to break up this sticky mess and clear it from the pore.
4. Oils help regulate the skin’s own oil production
Applying oil to the skin can actually “trick” it into producing less sebum (its own oil). Not to mention that often, the skin will produce more sebum to counteract harsh, drying skincare products, and face oils help bring balance by deeply nourishing the skin.
Important note: excess oil production is often a symptom of hormonal imbalance (hello, androgens gone wild!). You can learn more about this and how to balance hormones naturally in my book Glow: The Nutritional Approach to Naturally Gorgeous Skin.
The 5 Best Face Oils For Acne and Blemish-Prone Skin
So which face oils help keep skin healthy, clear and as flawless as can be!?
(And NO coconut oil is NOT on the list! It breaks a lot of people out and I do not recommend it for acne-prone skin.)
PUMPKIN SEED OIL
Pumpkin seed oil is 100% hands-down my favorite face oil for all skin-types — which is why it’s in all 3 of my Body Unburdened Beauty Blends! It’s rich in the antioxidant vitamins A and C, as well as zinc. Vitamins A and C help prevent the sebum oxidation behind many outbreaks while zinc helps calm inflamed skin.
Anddddd best of all: pumpkin seed oil is especially helpful for keeping skin clear since it’s very high in linoleic acid (see above!).
GRAPESEED OIL
Like pumpkin seed oil, grapeseed oil is incredibly rich in linoleic acid, helping bring balance back to blemish-prone skin. It’s also antioxidant-rich and a very light, easily absorbed oil.
JOJOBA OIL
Jojoba oil was actually my first love. When I first started using it, all day I would look forward to bedtime so I could apply it again, knowing that I’d wake up the next morning with clearer skin (it’s a little sad but very true, and if you’ve ever been desperate for clear skin then you feel me).
Jojoba oil is a light oil that is easily absorbed. It mimics the skin’s sebum, tricking it to produce less oil, which is why it’s especially helpful for individuals with oily skin.
TAMANU OIL
Tamanu oil has been used in traditional medicine for ages, specifically for its ability to speed the healing of wounds by fighting bacteria and increasing cellular regeneration. It also has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibiotic, and antioxidant properties, making it ideal for acne sufferers.
NOTE: Stay away from tamanu oil if you have a nut allergy!
ROSEHIP SEED OIL
I confess that I decided to try rosehip seed oil after learning that Rose Byrne — a.k.a. hilariously awful and beautiful Helen from Bidesmaid — Kate Middleton, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Miranda Kerr all use this oil. You have to admit, these ladies have lovely skin.
Rosehip seed oil is a dry oil that penetrates to the deepest layers of the skin where it regenerates cells, increasing collagen production. It is rich in vitamin C and the essential fatty acids, all of which are known to help heal scar tissue. It is also high in retinoic acid, which studies show reduces the appearance of wrinkles and brightens skin.
There’s no doubt about the fact that rosehip seed oil is fantastic! (Like pumpkin seed oil, it’s in each of the Body Unburdened Beauty Blends!) But a word or warning: I personally find it too drying to wear alone. Yes, an oil can be drying! And of course drying can mean irritating so be careful. So rosehip oil is best mixed with other more emollient oils.
How to use these face oils? Oh, the options are endless!
These oils can be used on their own or mixed with each other in a blend that best suits your skin needs.
Learn how to make a custom face oil blend and check out these top 10 essential oils for skincare, which make a great addition to your face oil blend.
And if you’re not a big DIYer well I’ve got you covered, my friend! After years and years of readers asking me to do so, I’ve finally bottled up my best face oil blends just for you — the Body Unburdened Beauty Blends!
Are you a natural beauty junkie too? Well you’re in the right place, my friend!
Hang around a bit and check out some of these other goodies I know your sweet little natural-beauty-loving heart will definitely enjoy!
- My Super Simple All-Natural Skincare & Beauty Routine
- The Best Face Oils by Skin Type
- The Top 10 Essential Oils for Skincare
- DIY All-Natural Clarifying & Toning Foaming Facewash
- Blackhead Busting Blackout Mask
I specifically mention why I didn’t include it in the post! It really breaks a lot of people out – not good for acne-prone skin.
Can’t believe you have not included coconut oil. It’s one of the best out there ive used it for years as a mosituriser and results are great.
Are there any oils you’d recommend to prevent/treat ingrown hairs?
I just found your blog while searching for ways to use essential oils on skin. I am obsessed with Castor oil and Coconut oil. I use both every day. I have found tons of information for how to add essential oils now thanks to you. I just wanted to add, I use Castor oil directly to my eyebrows (I have sparse hair there do to over waxing and scars) and it works AMAZING to thicken my brows. I also use it directly to my elbows and other small spot treating areas that I suffer from severe psoriasis at. It practically makes my areas of discomfort disappear (only until my next shower however. This is something I have to do after every shower to keep results)… I was searching for ways to combine my carrier oils with essential oils to use all over that would leave me smelling good and wouldn’t leave that icky feeling that lotion or Castor oil alone leave… Thank you!
Hi Nadia! I wonder if you have heard about The Ordinary skin care line? They have a couple of oils that are inexpensive and I was wondering what you thought about them. I am interested in their Rosehip seed oil. Thanks!
Sorry if you have already answered this! Are there any contraindications for mixing any of the oils together that you have listed in skin care?
So if I choose whichever ones I feel like I want to try, it won’t cause some crazy side effect if one is mixed with another?
I think Rosehip Oil is best one for the skin. It is one of the top anti-aging oils for the skin and immune system.
Thanks for sharing!
I also have an obsession with putting oil on my skin!
I did this since I was a teenager,oils completely replaced my moisturizers. I put them all over my body. Saves my super dry skin.
If you have oily skin or acne prone skin it’s very important to choose an oil that is not comedogenic though.
Hi Nadia I just came accross your site and i thisnk its amazing. I am also interested in healthy life style and reading about the best iols for your skin i guess it made ne contact you. I dont have big issues with my skin, maybe a pimple ones in a while. nI pay attention of nwhat i am eating. I want to improve my rutine for my skin, in a sense that a colagen bust or minimizing wrinckles will do the trick. I have a combination type nskin with a tendancy for oily so how should i use the rose hip oil? In what king of combination in order to maximize the effects? thank you for your answer in advance.
Hi, i read your article and its good. How about argan oil? I’ve been using it for one month now, I’ve been using it as moisturizer morning and evening
I started having acne breakouts when I was 31 which was really frustrating, I tried a lot of products but didn’t see any results till I read about EO.I use almond oil(carrier oil) and lavender oil(EO)and it has really helped with my breakouts. it dried out my acne in less than 4 weeks. The only thing left now is just black spots which I believe will clear out on its own soon.
My issue is that the rosehip oil is breaking my face out and it does make it feel a bit oily. Am I using it wrong? I am getting more acne than I was before, and yet my skin also looks glowing and hydrated… I want to control my oily skin and acne D: Please help.
Hi mam,
I’m pooja from India, I’m having oily acne prone sensitive skin, for 3 months my face have new acne. It’s like red puss filled also red scar. One of my aunty told me use Tamanu oil in face it will slowly makes skin regenerate and acne free. But should be consistent. Now I started it, it’s being 2 weeks. First use few pimples came. She told me there will be pimples coming but it will go using it consistent. So I would like to know will this oil help me??? Or any other oil to be used. Because I’m having red big scars also pimples. Please do reply… Help me. Hope you will reply.. thanks.
Hi! How much drops of rosehip and tamanu will i put in the jojoba oil?
Hello am using extra virgin coconut oil,extra virgin olive oil and almond oil for face all mixed up.Are these oils good or I shouldn’t mix them?
Someone asked about rosacea and what helped me was tea tree oil. I love it! Be careful to keep it away from your eyes. My redness and bumps that itch are gone. Occasionally I will have a flare up but using tea tree oil has changed my life with my rosacea! So thankful!!!
An excellent and well considered blog. As a formulator of a waterless natural skin care company, it’s great to see other people have ‘got it’. It’s an ongoing uphill struggle explaining to customers that their nice fluffy creme still has oil in alongside water, emulsifiers and preservatives. The key is blending correctly to obtain the best outcome for the skin considering vitamins, nutrients, essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants.
Enjoy oil.