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
Below is an informative article about purchasing essential oils. It appears that most of them are expensive if you want to use an effective one. Nadia, thanks for all the advise.
I know 2 females with super sensitive skin just about everything on the market breaks them out even proactive. Any suggestions on carrier and EO to help with scares and future break outs for 15 year old. Sagging wrinkles for 63 year old.
Once you have an oil of choice or make your own oil blend, you can use it just as you would a face moisturizer – so likely day and night. I use about 5-7 drops over my entire face, sometimes more if my skin is dry. It all depends on you and your skin needs.
Nice! Let us know how you like it.
Yes, I make a couple ounces of it at a time and keep it in a brown or blue glass dropper bottle (clear glass will cause the oils to go rancid more easily).
Hi Nadia – Thank you so much for all your info. I just read your article and I am so excited to stop using the stuff from the dermatologist for my acne and go the natural route. I just ordered everything you recommended and said you use. I’m a little overwhelmed as this is new to me. Could you tell me which oils you use in the am and which you use in the pm, and which you cut or use on their own? I appreciate it!! I also ordered a few 2oz glass bottles with droppers like you said!!! So excited and very hopeful!!! Thank you!
Hi! So excited to start a routine!
I bought the jojoba and rosehip oil and plan on trying the 75/25 ratio. I have lavender and geranium EO but I was wondering, do you make the mix beforehand and then she it or do you mix it before each use?
I am curious to how much oil to apply to my face, as well as do I apply all of this oil at one time or at different times of the day? Should I use one drop of each oil on my face?
Thanks for sharing you experiences!! So glad you’ve found something that works for you.
Great post thanks Nadia. I use a great skincare regime (a rosacea sufferer for a long time) but it is very expensive. However the naturopath suggested I clean my skin nightly with organic olive oil. I haven’t had a breakout of rosacea for over 12 months!! So my combination of cleansing nightly with olive oil and the natural New Zealand seaweed skincare range seems to suit my mature skin. I am going away soon and I looked on this post to see if there was a more suitable oil in a smaller bottle than the olive oil, so I have been very interested. I have used jojoba in the past but it didn’t seem to help my rosacea, whereas the olive oil in combination with my other is fine, but is quiet costly. Well done girls to go the natural oil route. Not sure of the comedognic rating for organic olive oil, but it certainly suits my very sensitive rosacea tortured skin.
**totally meant to put mornings, not mournings.
Have you heard of Marula oil? I just ordered some through Sephora after hearing great things about it. I’m new to essential oils and have been cleansing my face each night, and some mornings, with coconut oil, and have noticed more breakouts. I read in the comments, a few other people have had the same issue with coconut oil. Now I’m back to square 1 trying to figure out a good cleanser. I have one from Pacifica called, Sea Foam complete face wash, but I don’t know if it’s a good one to take off all my makeup with. I have a mixture of castor and jojoba oil, so maybe I’ll try cleansing with the Pacifica one first, and then cleansing with the oil mixture? I guess I’ll just have to try it and see. I am desperate at this point. I NEED something to clear up my face. I have also started taking a supplement called, Estro Block, twice a day. Have only been using it for about a week now. I think it takes a month or so to start noticing a difference in your skin. It’s supposed to help balance out hormones. Based on where my acne is on my face, I’m thinking it’s hormonal. I want to only try natural things to help balance things out, if that’s the issue. Sorry for rambling, I just think you, and probably everyone else that has posted something knows what I’m going through, and how shitty breakouts make someone feel.
I have been using hemp oil for a while, but here I have to add that I stopped using any face wash whatsoever, I just wash my face with pure water. This is because I´ve developed rosacea in the last year or so, and nothing has been kind to my skin since.. Hemp oil is very dry, it leaves my skin dry the next day of use, but I still use it because of it´s antif.effect. It´s been maybe a month now that I´ve been using plain sunflower oil (native&organic though) and it´s great! It has kind of a cleaning effect on my skin, I use it every day around 6pm, leave it be, than wash my face (just water) in the morning, and it leaves my skin looking amazing the whole day. I can´t say just yet does it or does it not help with rosacea, I´m gonna have to get back to you on that one, but I was just wondering if any of you guys here have tried sunflower oil and what are your experiences and thoughts.
No, but everyone’s skin is different.
I either use just jojoba or a blend of 3/4 jojoba and 1/4 rosehip (or tamanu) with certain essential oils. This is sometimes too drying for me to I’ll switch back to just jojoba for a few days – it’s clearly my favorite and works really well with my skin.
I link to it in the posts!
Have you considered having your hormones tested? I only ask since you mention it started after having your daughter – perhaps that triggered something. You may want to talk to your doctor and see what tests they recommend. Healthy skin comes as much from the inside as it does from the outside (probably more).
Yes, carrier oil is without a doubt essential.
Also I usually have a couple small white heads in the morning is this normal for you? What should I do about those ? And do you put the rose hip on every night or mostly just jojoba ?
Hi! I’ve been trying to find a good combo to help my son with his acne. He wrestles 13-04am hours a day, showers twice a day and is dealing with hormones. He has sensitive but oily skin. He has tried a mix of lavender & Melaleuca but it’s still not helping. I think the carrier oils may be essential. The Melaleuca is very drying. Which combo of oils would you recommend?
I’m trying the jojoba and tamanu together since my acne is horrible. I”m 37 and I have scaring and blemish marks. I bought all the products to make one of the other oil combos but I’m going to see how this works tonight. I’m also going to buy some rosehip as well. I guess I can put the castor oil to use now. I would love for something to work for me. I’ve been traveling this serve acne road since 1999 after I had my daughter. My face has never been the same. I was on accutane back in 2001 for a year which actually caused my face to get worse .. hence cystic acne. I’ve been fighting ever since. I had dermabrasion and that didn’t go well because now my face has light and dark spots. Oh and lets not forget they doctors forgot to put me on after care products..which I found out cause cancer. So glad I stop using that product. I’m sure over the years I’ve spent over $5,000 dollars in facial products because a prescription ones weren’t working.
I’m hoping that finding this site and DIY regimen will work for me. Oh yeah and I also bought the Aztec Clay mask. Praying for a miracle.
Where would I buy liquid castile soap I can’t find it anywhere. I have very acne prone skin and have tried everything what do you suggest