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It's time to join the face oil party - here are the 10 best
Combination, dry, acne-prone... you’re all invited!
Few skincare products are as polarising as face oil. Chances are, you’re either a loyal convert, or the idea of willingly smearing oil across your complexion is enough to bring you out in a sweat.
Whichever side of the fence you’re on, bear with us, because we’re here to enlighten you on why you need one, and to help you find that holy-grail face oil that will transform your routine for good.
What does a face oil do, anyway?
But first, back to skincare school. What exactly does a face oil do? A common misconception is they're simply a mega hydrator. In fact, oils are not humectants, which means they won’t pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin. (If this it what you're after, it's time to become acquainted with hyaluronic acid.) What a face oil will do, however, is seal in hydration, making your lovingly applied serums and creams work harder for longer. So, if the heavy-duty moisturiser you save for winter still isn't soothing those irritable dry patches, employing an oil may be your next best bet.
Which skin types can use a face oil?
Now, forget what you think you know about your serum’s slippier sister, because there’s now a targeted face oil out there to treat every complexion – whatever your skin type, tone, or concerns.
Dry skin? That’s a no-brainer. You want heavy-duty oil extracts that will create a barrier between your face and the outside world, stopping that essential hydration from evaporating. Oily skin? No problem. The best face oil for you will actually help regulate sebum production, preventing that 12pm shine. You just need to stick to the most non-comedogenic oil extracts (more on that below). Acne? Stay with us – choose the right one, and a face oil will kill bacteria (ie: spots) in their tracks.
When should you use a face oil?
Face oils should be used as the last step in your nighttime regime as they sit on the surface of your skin, holding in the moisture and other ingredients you've already applied. This added barrier will prevent moisture from escaping, therefore keeping your skin hydrated. If you aren't keen on applying an oil directly, you can mix a few drops into your moisturiser to amp up the nourishment, and to wake up with an off-the-scale glow.
So now we’ve got you suitably convinced that a face oil is a worthy member of your skincare routine, click through to discover the skin-saving oil made for you.
The best face oils for every skin type
The Ordinary Organic Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil
The Ordinary's oh-so affordable (and sustainably sourced) borage seed oil is designed to chill out red, irritated skin. Packed with essential fatty acids, it helps to maintain the function of healthy cells, while also providing anti-inflammatory, moisturising and healing support.
Biossance 100% Squalane Oil
Squalane is a plant-derived fatty acid, but our body also has an in-built ability to produce the emollient. It’s hard to know if your skin is specifically lacking squalane without input from a derm, but if you’re looking for a moisture boost, this Biossance oil is ideal for the job. What’s more, you can apply it freely to your hair (morning, night and at every given opportunity) to nourish and seal split ends. *Chefs kisses*
The INKEY List Rosehip Oil Face Oil
If you're skin's feeling a little sorry for itself, using a rosehip oil is a great pick-me-up to help brighten and replenish: it's rich in fatty acids and reparative vitamins to unveil your dewiest and healthiest complexion ever. This fave is one of the purest formulas out there and comes with a pocket-friendly price tag that makes it accessible to everyone.
Byoma Hydrating Recovery Oil
We get it – applying oil to oily skin seems pretty pointless, but hear us out. Byoma’s newly launched formula is rich with botanical oils and squalane that leave your skin looking radiant and feeling nourished, without conjuring up a greasy shine. The oil doesn’t clog pores (a non-negotiable for oily folk) and we are low-key here for the fact that the packaging kinda looks like a Teletubby.
Ole Henriksen Strength Hydrabarrier Nourishing Face Oil
Another newcomer to hit the shelves, Ole Henriksen’s HydraBarrier Oil has truly impressed us with its skin-soothing and moisture-sealing formula. The star ingredient is a peptide complex – a must-have for strengthening your barrier – while berry oils and ceramides work to condition and lock in moisture. Anyone with stressed-out or sensitised skin will really get on with this.
There’s a reason why Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Oil has a permanent spot on the brand’s best-seller list: spoiler, it’s like glowy skin in a bottle (and the packaging’s cute too). The blend of antioxidant botanical oils allows you to enjoy a range of skin perks, from a brighter complexion to a softer, smoother one. Use a light layer to seal in your nighttime skincare routine, and it’ll recharge dull-looking skin like a power bank to a dead phone. It’s spendy but it’s the kind of stuff celebs swear by (Michelle Keegan’s been known to dabble in it).
Sunday Riley U.F.O Ultra Clarifying Face Oil
If you’ve got acne-prone skin and are on the hunt for an oil that won’t block pores or leave a greasy film, Sunday Riley’s offering lives up to the task. The formula is infused with tea tree, milk thistle, black cumin and chamomile to support a clear and smooth complexion, while salicylic acid decongests pores of dirt, preventing breakouts in the process.
Paula's Choice Moisture Renewal Oil Booster
You’d be forgiven for thinking that investing in a face oil is futile when you’ve got a reactive complexion – but actually, a delicate formula can deliver quick relief when your skin barrier is having a tantrum. This one from Paula’s Choice is free from fragrance and essential oils – common culprits which can irritate the skin – and contains fatty acids to mollify an aggravated barrier. It’s true: you really can have it all.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse
The uses for this dry oil are endless: the golden light-reflecting liquid can be mixed into your moisturiser for an all-over radiance, dabbed onto your skin to spotlight your cheekbones or fluffed through your hair for a glossy finish. In terms of the formula? It's made with seven antioxidant oils, as well as vitamin E, which help to nourish your skin and hair. One last thing: it has a yummy aroma of magnolia, orange and vanilla which is so decadent that you can skip perfume altogether.
TBH any oil should work to boost radiance in the skin, but Drunk Elephant’s face oil really sinks into your complexion to brighten from within. The brand’s trademark marula oil is high in antioxidants that work hard to boost luminosity and even out your complexion.
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
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