Do you really need a facial oil?
Cleansers, treatments, toners, serums, moisturizers, face oils . . . man, skincare gets so confusing, doesn’t it?
So let me break this down for you:
No, you do not need facial oil, but they can make wonderful additions to your evening skincare routines, especially if you have dry skin or use strong actives like adapalene or tretinoin.
Face oil does wonderful things like locking in moisture, delivering active ingredients, and providing antioxidant protection.
By nature, they go above and beyond what a typical moisturizer can do with their fatty acid-heavy profiles.
On my end, I swear by True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil layered over Naturium Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm for people with dry skin.
In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about face oils, whether you should add one to your routine, and my favorites on the market.
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So, what is face oil?
Face oils are skin care products with fatty acids and antioxidants used to lock in moisture and leave you with healthy, hydrated skin.
Certain skin types, such as people with dry skin, do not produce as much natural oil as others due to genetics. This natural oil is called sebum.
Therefore, by applying face oil as the last step in your skincare routine, you can help seal off your skin barrier, prevent water loss, and maximize the efficacy of your other skincare products.
However, not all facial oils are created equal.
For example, Skin Library UK reports that coconut oil is comedogenic, so it's not suitable for people with oily or acne-prone skin (or, in my opinion, anyone).
On the other hand, rosehip oil is a fairly popular choice as it's lightweight and affordable.
Top 4 Face Oils
Best Overall:
Why: Applies like a dream, absorbs quickly and makes you shine like the sun, and it’s still there when you wake up and look in the mirror
Best for Acne Prone Skin:
What: Sunday Riley UFO
Why: A dry oil packed with milk thistle, black seed oil, and salicylic acid to decongest your pores, reduce inflammation, and clear up acne breakouts
Best for Mature Skin:
Why: Features hydroxypinacolone retinoate (which is a derivative way more brands should be formulating with, in my opinion), a gentle and non-irritating sister to retinol
Best Budget Oil:
What: FaceTheory Rosehip Oil
Why: It’s reasonably priced, lightweight, and doesn’t have any offensive smell - that’s all I can ask for!
Face Oil vs. Moisturizer
Both face oil and traditional moisturizer are great products to use in your skin care routine, but they serve different purposes.
The biggest difference is that . . .