It wasn't that long ago that we cringed at the thought of slathering our face in oil. Face oils had a bad reputation in skincare—but that's since changed. When layered appropriately, the best face oils won’t clog your pores or cause acne; rather, they seal in moisture, and leave skin looking extra glowy and bright. Even better, they can also add a boost of additional active ingredients, such as antioxidants, to your skincare routine. Ahead, find our 15 favorite face oils for all skin types (including oily!), along with expert advice from celebrity facialist Candace Marino.
Algae + Moringa Universal Face Oil, around $99, MARA Get an instant glow with this best-seller, packed with vitamin-rich moringa and baobab oils, as well as the brand's proprietary algae for antioxidant benefits. Pros: Works for most skin types Nutrient-rich Size: 1.18 fl. oz. Skin Type: dry, mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, combination and normal Ingredients: algae, moringa, baobab, and kalahari melon
Crème Ancienne Face Oil Elixir, $315, Fresh This luxe oil from Fresh—which is handmade in a monastery, nbd—is a favorite of Marino's "for its ability to quickly penetrate and deeply nourish the skin, without feeling greasy or heavy. It's packed with antioxidants and omega rich fatty acids to both protect and repair the skin." Pros: Handmade Nutrient-rich Size: 1 fl. oz. Skin Type: Dry skin, mature skin Ingredients: Meadowfoam seed oil, black currant seed oil, commiphora extract, seabuckthorn oil
Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, $115, Biossance A blend of sugarcane-derived squalane and oil-soluble vitamin C make this oil a one-two punch of brightening, moisturizing goodness for nearly all skin types. Pros: Lightweight Brightening Size: 1.01 oz/ 30 mL Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily Ingredients: Advanced Vitamin C (THD Ascorbate), Sugarcane-Derived Squalane, Chios Crystal Oil
Pure Beam Luxe Oil, around $54, PEACH & LILY With squalane, sea buckthorn oil, jojoba seed oil, and more skin-loving ingredients, this face oil is a universal winner that won't clog pores. Pros: Non-comedogenic Size: 1 fl. oz. Ingredients: Squalane, sea buckthorn oil, jojoba seed oil Skin Type: Combination, dry, and oily skin
Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil, $102, Drunk Elephant
Marula seed oil is packed with antioxidants like vitamin E, omega-6, and nine fatty acids—so this is like a daily multivitamin for your face. Great for sensitive skin, we love to wear this oil alone or add a few drops into our moisturizer.
Size: 0.5 oz/ 15 mL
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Ingredients: Marula seed oil
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The Face Oil, $336.31, Augustinus Bader Over 30 years in the making, this face oil from Augustinus Bader absorbs quickly, so you can apply SPF and makeup within minutes. The blend of luxurious natural oils are packed with amino acids and potent vitamins to keep skin looking healthy and radiant. Pros: Anti-aging Nutrient-rich Size: 1 fl. oz. Skin Type: Suitable for all skin types Ingredients: TFC8, Babassu Oil, Argan Oil, Hazelnut Oil
Midnight Recovery Concentrate, $105, Kiehl's Since 1851 This fan-favorite oil uses squalane, evening primrose, and lavender to not only lull you to sleep—but to restore your skin overnight. The next morning your skin looks totally refreshed. Pros: Calming scent Size: 1 fl. oz. Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily Ingredients: Lavender Essential Oil, Squalane, Evening Primrose Oil
Honey Grail Ultra-Hydrating Face Oil, $77, Farmacy Beauty The blend of honey, sea buckthorn, and five flower oils help restore lost moisture and soften fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, we love that you can also run it through your hair. Size: 1 fl. oz. Skin Type: All skin types, including oily skin Ingredients: Buckwheat Honey, Sea Buckthorn Oil, 5-Flower Oil Blend
Active Botanical Serum, $267.68, Vintner's Daughter Don’t be confused by the name; Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum is the only face oil you’ll ever need. Boasting 22 nutrient-rich botanicals and cold-pressed botanical and essential oils, it’s the ultimate restorative blend. Use it last in your skin care routine to seal in moisture and ensure a serious glow. Pros: Anti-aging Size: 30ml/ 1.0fl.oz Skin Type: Suitable for all skin and daily AM and PM use Ingredients: 60+ skin-beautifying vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, phytoceramides, aminos, and omega fatty acids
C.E.O Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil, $54.91, Sunday Riley
Why use both an oil and a vitamin C serum when you can combine the two? That's the genius of Sunday Riley's C.E.O Glow, which also includes turmeric to help brighten and soothe.
Pros: Moisturizes and brightens
Size: 0.5 oz/ 15 mL
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, and Combination
Ingredients: THD Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Turmeric, Ginger Root Extract and Bisabolol
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Noni Glow Face Oil, $95, KORA Organics This popular face oil pick gets points for feeling lightweight while bringing dry, flaky skin back to life. That's thanks to the organic noni extract, rosehip oil, pomegranate oil, and sea buckthorn oil. Pros: Nutrient-rich Plumping Size: 0.34 oz/ 10 mL Skin Type: Dry, Combination, and Oily Ingredients: Noni Fruit, Rosehip Oil, Sea Buckthorn
Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil, $66.86, Youth To The People This face oil is all about the antioxidants. Maqui (the most antioxidant-rich fruit in the world), acai, prickly pear, and goji berry help support skin-healing. Pros: Anti-aging Size: 1 oz/ 30 mL Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily Ingredients: Maqui, Prickly Pear, Açai
100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil, $19, The Ordinary Pros: Only contains one ingredient Great for layering Size: 1.0 oz Skin Type: Dry, Mature Ingredients: Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Black Rose Precious Face Oil, $395.06, Sisley Paris Bulgarian rose, camelina, plum, and avocado oils give skin an instant glow. Press a few drops into your skin after applying a serum or moisturizer. Pros: Anti Aging Luxe ingredients Size: 25 mL Skin Type: Dry or Mature Skin Ingredients: Plum Oil & Camelina Oil
Pore Detox CBD Face Oil, Lord Jones
Even if you've never tried CBD skincare, this oil is worth giving a shot (especially if your pores have been feeling clogged from the summer heat). A trifecta of tea tree oil, blue tansy, and CBD clear pores, while leaving the skin calm and soothed (courtesy of the latter).
Pros:
Helps clear pores
Good for breakouts
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Skin Type: Acne-prone, oily, combination
Ingredients: CBD, jojoba oil, blue tansy oil
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Once you fall in love with this oil's elegant texture and delicious scent, you'll also fall in love with the results. Red algae and niacinamide help brighten, firm, and boost collagen production without leaving a greasy finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, what oils are best to use on the face?
According to Marino, a few low-comedogenic ingredients to look for include jojoba oil, marula oil, squalane, rosehip seed oil, sea buckthorn oil, black currant seed oil, and olive oil.
Which oils are best for anti-aging?
"Antioxidant-rich oils are going to be the best for anti-aging because they fight off the free radical damage that breaks down the skin, causing wrinkles, pigmentation and other aging concerns," says Marino, who says that the oils listed above fit the bill "and will support the aging process."
Do face oils clog pores?
Not if you use the right ones (like those listed above), but the rest of your routine matters too. "While non-comedogenic oils will not clog the pores, it’s important to remember that exfoliation plays a key role in the skin's overall health and appearance," says Marino. "If the skin is not properly exfoliated, congestion is likely to build up within the pore when you add hydrating or moisturizing ingredients like oils. The dead cells and the oil will stick together forming a glue-like substance, creating a layer which will actually prevent moisture retention and may also lead to breakouts." The takeaway? Regular exfoliation, as always, makes a big difference.
What should you look for in an effective face oil?
Low-comedogenic oil ingredients will help with moisture retention, but added benefits depend on your skin type. "You should always shop for skin care according to skin condition, so this will vary depending on what your concerns are," says Marino. "Again, antioxidant-rich oils are going to make a big impact on the overall skin health."
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.