The Best Face Oils By Skin Type
Face Oils Natural Beauty Natural Skincare
Facial oils belong in every natural skincare routine, but they’re not one-size-fits all! Let’s take a look at the best face oils for each different skin type — acne-prone, oily, aging, and sensitive skin — plus the benefits of oils and how to include them in your natural beauty routine.
So maybe you’ve heard about how amazing face oils are for your skin…
How they’re naturally rich in the vitamins and antioxidants necessary for healthy skin.
How they provide unparalleled moisture.
How they help keep skin clear.
And it’s SO true!
According to Forbes Magazine:
Face oils are totally worth the hype. And the benefits of adding face oils to your daily beauty regimen is well worth the effort.
It’s surprising at first given all of the skincare products out there that tout “oil-free” on their packaging, making us feel like any oil on our skin whatsoever will turn us into giant walking, talking blackheads… at least that’s what I once thought.
But oils were actually key in helping me clear my acne and continue to be a very important part of my all-natural skincare and beauty routine.
I even recently took my obsession for face oils and bottled it up! The Body Unburdened Beauty Blends are made with the highest quality organic ingredients… and so much love by yours truly just for you.
What does a face oil do? What’s all the hype about!?
The benefits of face oils span every skin type and goal. Because…
Face oils provide skin with AH-MAZING moisture
Made of fatty acids and lipids, facial oils moisturize skin. They also lock hydration a.k.a. water into your skin and prevent transepidermal water loss. This translates to soft, supple, glowing skin.
Moisturized skin also appears more youthful than dry skin, and heals more quickly.
Face Oils are jam-packed with antioxidants, which fight the signs of aging AND blemishes
“How?” you ask!?
- Antioxidants neutralize aging free radicals
- Antioxidants help stimulate collagen production
- Antioxidants prevent sebum oxidation
They really lead the army when it comes to the fight against acne and blemishes
But oils are not one-size-fits-all — it’s important to choose the best face oil for your unique skin type and needs!
So which facial oil is best? What is the best oil for your face?
The answer will vary based on skin type and skincare goals.
The Best Face Oils for Acne & Blemish-Prone Skin
PUMPKIN SEED OIL
Rich in skin-loving nutrients vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc, pumpkin seed oil is one of my newest favorite face oils, and one that benefits all skin types. It is especially fantastic for blemish-prone skin since the antioxidant vitamins A and C help prevent the sebum oxidation behind many outbreaks.
Pumpkin seed oil is also high in linoleic acid, making it a great choice for blemish-prone skin, which has been shown to often be too high in oleic acid — the linoleic acid in the blend helps to bring skin back to a state of balance (source).
GRAPESEED OIL
A very light oil that absorbs into the skin quickly, grapeseed oil is filled with antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Like pumpkin seed oil, grapeseed oil is also high in linoleic acid. These benefits make it ideal for blemish-prone skin.
HEMP SEED OIL
Hemp seed oil is rich in the antioxidant vitamins A and E, as well as skin-loving zinc. It is also high in linoleic acid, helping to bring blemish-prone skin back into balance.
A dry oil, hemp seed oil is best blended with a more moisturizing oil.
TAMANU OIL
Tamanu oil has been thoroughly researched and found to greatly heal damaged skin and prevent scarring. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, tamanu oil is great for blemish-prone skin.
NOTE: If you have a tree nut allergy, you may need to avoid tamanu oil or check with your doctor before using it.
The Best Face Oils for Oily Skin
JOJOBA OIL
Actually a liquid wax, jojoba oil is very similar to the skin’s own sebum. For this reason, it helps balance oil production in those with oily skin by “tricking” the skin to produce less oil. It’s also packed with antioxidants and fatty acids to protect and moisturize skin.
GRAPESEED OIL
Since it is so light and absorbs so quickly, grapeseed oil is great for those with oily skin. Again, it’s filled with antioxidants and has anti-onflammatory properties, brining added banefits to the skin.
Best Face Oils for Dry Skin
ALMOND OIL
Almond oil is a light oil that absorbs quickly yet moisturizes deeply. If you’re sensitive to scent, almond oil is for you since it virtually odorless!
APRICOT KERNEL OIL
Like almond oil, apricot kernel oil absorbs quickly and is extremely moisturizing. It also has little to no, scent. (Really, I have yet to discover any big differences between almond and apricot kernel oils!)
Best Face Oils for Anti-Aging / Mature Skin
ARGAN OIL
Referred to as “liquid gold”, argan oil is fast-absorbing and known for increasing cell regeneration, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Argan oil is also rich in phenols and carotenes, antioxidants that protect the skin from aging free-radical damage.
ROSEHIP SEED OIL
A dry oil that penetrates the skin quickly, rosehip seed oil is rich in the antioxidant vitamin C and has been linked to increased collagen production. Rosehip seed oil is also high in retinoic acid, which studies show reduces the appearance of wrinkles and scars, and generally brightens skin.
SEABUCKTHORN OIL
Rich in carotenes, tocopherols, and phytosterols, seabuckthorn oil is an antioxidant powerhouse that helps to combat aging inflammation and free-radicals.
POMEGRANATE SEED OIL
Rich in the antioxidants flavonoids, pomegranate seed oil prevents aging by neutralizing collagen-damaging free-radicals and reducing inflammation.
Best Face Oils for Sensitive Skin
BORAGE SEED OIL
Borage seed oil contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which has been shown to significantly decrease inflammation in the skin when applied topically. Though borage oil is a popular dietary supplement to support skin health, topical application of borage oil has been shown to effectively preventing and treat inflammatory conditions like acne as well as eczema and dermatitis.
AVOCADO OIL
A richly moisturizing oil, avocado oil is packed with B vitamins as well as the antioxidant vitamins A and C. It’s especially great for those with sensitive or easily irritated skin.
HEMP SEED OIL
Hemp seed oil is great for chapped, broken skin. For this reason, it is often used in skincare formulas that target eczema and psoriasis.
How to use face oils in your natural skincare routine
Now that you know which oils are right for your unique skin’s needs, you may be wondering…
How do you apply face oil?
When it comes to face oils, a little goes a long way. Dispense just 4-8 drops of oil onto the palm of your hand, rub your hands together to warm then oil, then gently pay the oil into your skin.
When should you apply face oil?
You can apply face oils in both the morning and evening.
However, if you tend an oily skin type, you may prefer to only apply them in the evening.
Do you put face oil on before or after moisturizer?
You want to apply your face oil as the last step in your routine, after applying any water-based serums or moisturizers.
How can I make a homemade DIY face oil blend?
If you’d like, you can blend one or a few different face oils with some essential oils to create a custom face oil blend.
See How to Make a Custom Face Oil Blend (perfect for YOUR skin!) for all the details!
How do I wash my face with you?
Follow the Oil Cleansing Method to cleanse learn how to “wash” your face with oils.
Do you have a favorite face oil?
Please share with us in the comments below!
Hello Nadia,
About Organic Apricot Kernel I read that this oil is well suited for skin care products because it is a mild, moisturizing oil, and is readily absorbed into the skin without leaving a residue behind.
And about organic Sweet Almond I read the following: this oil is a fantastic carrier oil and also makes a superb addition to body care products. It contains fatty acids as well as vitamins A and E and penetrates easily into the skin. It is quite an effective emollient for moisturizing the skin and hair.
And in this page you wrote that they are light oils, they absorb quickly and is extremely moisturizing.
But you didn’t say anything about their daily use, or it’s just me who still haven’t found anything about it on your page. In your article of “5 face oils for naturally clear, flawless skin” you talk about their use, you say jojoba is a light oil but in the morning you prefer to combine it with a dry oil. Almond and apricot kernel oils are the same? Is it better to combine them with a dry oil, or another type of oil?
Thank you for your reply in advance!
Also, a big thanks for your help, your advices about face oils, they are amazing, thanks to you I don’t use any other thing on my face, just oils what you suggested, and the result is quite nice, no more red cheeks, my skin is far from being that dry like it was before, but it is not quite perfect yet. I discover this oils, I try to find my perfect fits, today I bought these two oils about what I have these questions. So I am looking forward to read your answer.
Erika
I have been using both jojoba and rosehip oils, for years and swear by them. But, recently I’ve tried Cranberry oil as its very high in antioxidants – its a lovely oil that soaks in quickly…I plan to continue using all three.
I came across your site and love all the tips. I’ve read a lot about essential oils and have been wanting to try my own serum. Have you expiremented with manuka oil?
Can I please ask. I noticed that you don’t use cacay oil nor baobab oil. Can you please advised whether they benefits are not as good?
Thank you. This is very confusing as it seems that all the oils are amazing but it is very difficult to use one that would work for me.
Where’s the best place to to buy oils? Ive been wanting to get more into them but everywhere i look they are sooooo expensive
Hi Nadia! I love this post and am excited to try the oil cleaning method but have a couple of questions. Is this method recommended for everyday use? Also, what brands of oils do you recommend for the hazelnut, pumpkin seed and rose hip seed oils? Thank you so much for sharing!
Hey, Kristal — yes, as mentioned in The Top 10 Essential Oils for Skincare (which provides dilution guidelines) for every 1 ml of carrier oil, you should add no more than 1 drop of EO (this is for a 5% dillution, which some people even believe is too strong). So yes, 9 drops of EO in 1 ml of carrier oil would totally be WAY too strong. That would basically be a 50% dillution.
I do not recommend coconut oil. If blemishes are an issue for you, see those oils suggested for blemish-prone skin.
Please, i really need your help! I have a combination and sensetive skin, i got some bumps on my forehead and also some pimples (not a lot), and i started to use almond oil, and i see that there’re some new bumps (3) and one little pimple on my nose, what that mean? that the oil is comedonic for my skin, or that it cleans him ? and which oil do you think is best for my skin? I also tried cocount oil, and i use it in the morning, and it’s feel like it’s what cause the bumps on my forehead. which oil is best for sensetive and combination skin?? I’ll really really appriciate if you will answer me! 🙂
I have a combination and sensetive skin, which oil should I use as a moisturizer?
I would love to use an oil,but my problem is that I’ve got sensitive mature skin, which is also combination skin.
Can you recommend an oil I can use.
And I live in the Caribbean which is always hot.
I loved your post on the best oils for blemish prone and oily skin! It makes my skin so soft! My question was, how would you combine some of the new blemish oils such as grapeseed to make another great blend?
Hi, if I have a 1ml carrier, how many drops of othe EOS can I add? Because I read that you explained that for every 1ml carrier you add 1 drop of your chosen EO. Would 3 drops of 3 diff. EOS make it too harsh or strong?
I am so glad you wrote this article. I was so frustrated trying to find the right oil for my skin. My skin is not oily but blemish prone. I was always told to use jojoba which always made it worse. I had never heard of using pumpkin seed oil nor did I know it existed but I am so happy I do now. My skin has dramatically improved and feels so much better. Existing blemishes cleared and no new ones have appeared. My skin texture and color has improved, no more stinging or itching. I have only been using it for a week and am seriously impressed. I mix it with a drop of frankincense and tea tree and use before bed. Thank you!
I never used face Oils before becoming a consultant for Beautycounter…and I must say that I have fallen in LOVE!! I love the way they make my skin feel so smooth but not greasy. Definitely a ‘must try’!!!
Excellent!