7 Face Oils That Boost Moisture and Glow

Best Face Oils

We independently select and review the products we recommend. If you make a purchase using our affiliate links below, we may earn a commission.

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

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil - Best 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. Beautycounter All Bright Brightening Facial Oil

Beautycounter All Bright Brightening Facial Oil - Best Face Oil For Glowing Skin

And speaking of skin that glows, if you deal with uneven skin tone, skin discolorations, or dull skin, you’re going to love this. This illuminating formula is made with vitamin C, which is the best skin brightener ever. It’s actually a derivative of vitamin C, so it’s very gentle on the skin.

It also contains moisture-boosting avocado oil and grapeseed oil. The beautifully scented formula brightens the skin and increases radiance, which is great if you’re looking for a face oil for glowing skin.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, avocado oil
Size: 0.67 oz/20 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free

3. Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil - Best Face Oil For Aging Skin

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

4. The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil - Best Face Oil For Acne Prone Skin

If you have oily, acne-prone skin, it might feel counterintuitive to use a face oil as oils can be comedogenic. However, certain oils actually help you manage excess oil and acne. One you might be familiar with is tea tree oil. Tea tree face oil is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory.

That is why it’s commonly found in anti-acne skincare products. If you find other heavy active ingredients to be too drying for the skin, this affordable formula is a great option for oily, acne-prone skin to quickly calm blemishes while moisturizing skin.

Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil
Size: 0.67 oz/20 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

5. Honest Beauty Organic Beauty Facial Oil

Honest Beauty Organic Beauty Facial Oil - Best Face Oil For Dry Skin

This one is made with some of the most occlusive oils out there. As much as it’s scary for oily and acne-prone skin types, dry skin is going to love the long-lasting moisture. It’s made with avocado oil, apricot oil, macadamia oil, and olive oil.

The formulation leans more towards oils that are high in oleic acid, which is what you want if you have dry skin. The facial oil will improve the look of dryness, dehydration, flakiness, and dullness. And it’ll plump up the skin for a more radiant and luminous complexion.

Key Ingredients: Olive oil, avocado oil
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

6. The Ordinary “B” Oil

The Ordinary B Oil - Best Affordable Face Oil

This is such an easy-to-use multi-purpose face oil. It has marula oil, which is rich in antioxidants and is a great anti-ager. It has argan oil, which is rich in vitamin E. And it has jojoba oil and squalane to moisturize without smothering the skin.

If you’re new to oils, this one is an affordable face oil you can use to minimize dryness, improve your skin’s overall health, or just enhance moisture in colder months.

Key Ingredients: Squalane, argan oil
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

7. Peach & Lily Pure Beam Luxe Oil

Peach & Lily Pure Beam Luxe Oil - Best Face Oil For Combination Skin

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

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. A budget-friendly alternative that multi-tasks is The Ordinary “B” Oil, which you can use for several skin issues like dark spots or aging 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

Read Next: How To Properly Double Cleanse

Scroll to Top