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!
Hi! Nadia. Tnx So much for this post. So many information got me thinking. Have combination acne prone skin. I also feel v dry..could b connected to diabetes. Almond n coconut oil was causing me to break out. I use a sativa A 0.25 2to3 nights a week. Some serum to hydrate n Nevia with jojoba oil all the time. Cetaphil spf 50. Now I like to go oil cleansing . Bedtime Oil to reduce fine lines n laugh line to improve all the difficulties n needs of my skin. I’m from Bangladesh 35 yrs.can I also use oil to exfoliate? My body feel so dry,flaky. Can u help me?What should I do?oil? What or what combination?
Tnx a lot for ur help.
May b u can post on full skin care from cleansing to be time oil for different kinds of skin?❤
Yep! You can mix any oils you want together 🙂
I changed my mind to Pumpkin/Hemp.
Would this be a good blend?
Thank you!
Thinking of doing a hemp/rosehip combination.
Would this be a bad idea for some reason?
Hey, Lori! Almond oil is best for dry skin and I do NOT recommend coconut oil on the face – it can make you break out and most other options are far superior in terms of vitamins and antioxidants.
If you choose other options on your face, use the coconut oil and almond oil on your body instead! That way they won’t go to waste.
Hi! I am interested in getting away from all the processed, chemical cleansers and moisturizers I use now and working toward a more natural, minimalist skincare routine. My skin leans toward being oily, and I do break out minimally but consistently around my T-zone. My mother-in-law bought me Almond Oil and Coconut Oil to use as carrier oils, but it seems as though they may be too oily for my skin? Can you help me figure out if using them as carrier oils will make my skin too oily. I hate to not use them, but perhaps they can be used for other uses besides facial skincare. What do you think?
I have mature skin and have found that the Trilogy Rosehip Oil is great! I use Trilogy’s Rosehip Oil + Antioxidants. I have found between the two that the product with the antioxidants works better. Other rosehip seed oil brands just don’t compare, I always go back to purchasing Trilogy. Amazon and Pharmaca have the best prices!
Face oils are absolutely wonderful and I’m glad you’ve been enjoying them! But I think that for pigmentation, products vitamin C or vitamin B3 (niacinamide) (you don’t want them both in one since they can actually neutralize one another) are going to get you the results you want the fastest – they’re all natural and many studies have been done showing the efficacy. Mad Hippie’s serum is my favorite: http://amzn.to/2lVxW1J
Thank you for sharing. Indeed your blog is very helpful. I have combination oily face and trying to get rid of my pigment and all those sign of aging. For time being i’m using frankincense and rose hip oil so far I don’t have any complaints but still I can see my pigment.. Any recommendations method I can use?
Hello Nadia 🙂 I have combination skin (oily in T-zone, have whiteheads and blackheads in nose, and dry in cheek) which oil will be best for my combination skin? Thankyou ^^
This blog post will be helpful for you! How to Make A Custom Face Oil Blend
i read from some articles that when put oil on face will make the skin even drier as the face thinks it has too much oil and stop producing moist itself.
and we mix few oils together? if yes, what will be the best proportion. i have very dry and sensitive skin.
thx!
I recently found your website and am learning a lot. I am working on figuring out my skin, I have very oily skin. I have been using about 4 drops jojoba oil plus 1 frankinscence, 1 geranium, and 1 myrhh in the am and then 4 jojoba and 1 lavender at night. My skin feels good but is so oily looking during the day, more so than normal. what am I doing wrong?
Hey, Sarah! I’m not really sure what you’re asking… But you can certainly mix them all together. Just remember that rosehip is your carrier oil and tea tree and lavender are essential oils, and so you need to dilute the essential oils in the carrier oil properly. Have fun!
Hi Nadia! So I was wondering if I can mix rosehip oil and tee tree oil and lavender oil. Or would I be better off putting the carrier oil with each of the essential oils seperately. Thank you!!!
I would like to make a custom face moisturizer oil for dry/combination t zone skin. I am 59 and have had some recent problems with excema and dryness. I was thinking about almond oil,avocado,argon, rosehip, and pomegranate carrier oils. But how much of each , or some do I use? Do you have a general recipe? Thank you!