Most of us look into face oils when our skin starts to feel extra dry. That’s why we usually remember these under-appreciated products only in colder months. But these plant-derived goodies are brimming with powerful antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.
So you’ll be surprised how much you can benefit from face oils even in summer. If you’re new to the trend, I’ve rounded up below some of the best face oils you can use. But first, here’s how they help your skin.
What Do Face Oils Do?
Face oil is a skincare product made with a blend of plant oils. These plant-derived oils are usually rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins. These properties make face oils incredibly nourishing and restorative for the skin, leaving it smooth and soft.
Additionally, face oils are natural moisturizers for the skin. Oils are emollients and they work by creating a protective shield on the skin. This increases moisture significantly, which is why oils are sometimes paired with moisturizers in a dry skin type skincare routine.
Moreover, face oils can be used for treating a specific skin issue too. Just like face serums, you can use certain oils to target common skin concerns such as signs of aging or hyperpigmentation.
And lastly, face oils tend to have this beautiful glowy finish. Almost all of them leave your skin glowing, which is something any skin type will enjoy. If you’re wondering what’s out there, below are the best face oils to try.
Best Face Oils
1. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil
When you think of face oils, you think of thick-textured liquids. But this one is so light that it’s basically a face serum! The lavender oil, which gives the oil its addictive scent, is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and packed with antioxidants.
In addition, the concentrate has evening primrose oil, which is incredibly soothing, replenishing, and moisturizing for the skin. The face oil boosts radiance, makes the skin plump and bouncy, and is an overall amazing face oil for all skin types. I love it for pairing with a Jade roller because it leaves the skin visibly glowing.
Key Ingredients: Lavender oil, evening primrose oil, squalane
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
2. Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil
When it comes to anti-aging, retinol is the best ingredient out there. It’s a vitamin A derivative that works wonders for fine lines and wrinkles. And using retinol in oil form is actually the best way to collect the anti-aging benefits without dealing with retinol irritation or dryness.
This blue-colored retinol oil contains a potent retinol derivative and has a very moisturizing base made with blue tansy oil and chamomile oil. If you’re looking for a face oil for anti-aging, the nicely scented formula offers a gentle way to tackle signs of aging.
Key Ingredients: Granactive retinoid, blue tansy oil
Size: 1.18 oz/35 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan
3. Peach & Lily Pure Beam Luxe Oil
It can be tricky to pick a facial oil if you have combination skin. But this smart formula balances your complexion without clogging pores. It moisturizes without heavy, occlusive oils. It packs squalane, which is a very light oil that all skin types can comfortably use.
It’s emollient enough to provide the skin with a protective layer but still not occlusive. The oil also has jojoba and grape seed oils to enhance moisture on dry parts of the skin without aggravating oiliness on the rest of the face.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, jojoba oil
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan
4. Korres Santorini Grape Velvet Skin Drink
I only tried a handful of Korres skincare products and I loved all of them! This face oil is included in my list! This has a heavenly smell and goes on silky smooth, especially if you have dry skin.
It’s made with grape extract and sunflower seed oil, which are gentle moisturizers that don’t feel greasy at all. It also has resveratrol, an antioxidant that helps brighten skin and even out the skin tone.
Key Ingredients: Resveratrol, grape extract
Size: 1.01 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan
5. Omorovicza Miracle Facial Oil
This is a luxurious example of anti-aging face oil that doesn’t involve irritation, peeling, or redness. This is a gentle formula that helps smooth out skin texture and tone, reducing the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines.
It contains bakuchiol, the natural alternative to retinol, to encourage skin turnover without the drawbacks that come with retinol. It also packs moisture-boosting marula oil and almond oil.
Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, almond oil
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan
6. Darphin 8-Flower Nectar Oil
Let me tell you that you can swap your face serum with this face oil. It’s that lightweight and that potent! Just like their face serums, this sensory skincare staple face oil is incredibly skin-friendly and glow-boosting, which makes you want to use it in the morning even in summer!
It’s formulated with different flower extracts, including jasmine, and several moisturizing oils like avocado. Add it to your winter skincare routine because it’s going to repair those ‘winter uglies’ in no time. It smells absolutely amazing and it doesn’t pill, ever!
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, macadamia oil
Size: 0.5 oz/15 ml
7. Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Rejuvenating Overnight Face Oil
Now, this is a gem no matter your skin type! It’s a minimal formula with a very runny consistency, which makes it absorb super fast and disappear into the skin.
It packs rosehip seed oil, which works great for acne-prone skin as well as mature skin. And it has vitamin E to replenish the skin without clogging pores and strengthen the skin barrier.
Key Ingredients: Rosehip oil
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
The Verdict
So these are the best face oils you can use to boost moisture and minimize skin concerns. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil is by far the best face oil I’ve ever used and I have sensitive skin! It’s a skin-friendly formula that you can even wear under makeup and an overall great option to achieve healthy, plump, glowing skin.
How to Choose Face Oils
Keep Your Skin Type in Mind
A very common concern regarding face oils is their tendency to clog pores. So when choosing an oil, keep your skin type in mind and make sure the formula is suitable for your skin type. If you have acne-prone skin, make sure the oils in the product are non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic. If you have dry skin, make sure the oil packs a blend of oils for maximum moisture.
Keep Your Skin Concerns in Mind
Again, face oils can be used to minimize skin concerns. So when choosing one, make sure it can help you address your skin concerns. While a basic squalane oil can help you better moisturize your skin, it won’t help you treat acne. So for example, if you have uneven skin tone, go for brightening oils made with vitamin C. If you have mature skin, go for anti-aging face oils made with anti-aging ingredients like retinol.
FAQs
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