The Best Facial Oils

Looking to incorporate a facial oil into your skincare routine? Facial oils can help improve your skin barrier, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and help to seal in moisture. Your skin elasticity and complexion will look its best with this list of the best facial oils!

If you are scared of putting oil on your skin… I get it. There were far too many years that we were told that oil clogs your pores and putting oil on your skin = acne. Considering I use a face oil every day and my skin has never looked better, I can attest to the fact that my acne-prone, dry skin loves to be moisturized with oil! In fact, facial oils may actually be the antidote to your acne-prone skin!

So What Are Facial Oils?

Facial oil is an umbrella term that covers a wide variety of products that moisturize your skin. It could be referring to essential oil-focused products, synthetic oils or plant-based oils. There are single oil products or oil blends. Depending on your skin type and needs, there are different options for you!

While they are called facial oils they can actually be used on any part of your skin! Facial oils are amazing if you have dry or dehydrated skin needing some hydration or just want a nourishing boost and glow for your skin.

How to Use a Facial Oil

Think of a facial oil like a moisturizer. It’s the last step in your skincare routine… unless you’re using a facial oil and a moisturizer in which case the moisturizer goes on last to lock everything in. I like to add 5-10 drops of facial oil (or a few pumps!) to my fingertips and then gently massage the oil onto my skin.

What’s the Difference Between a Facial Oil and a Moisturizer?

Both facial oils and moisturizers are here to hydrate the skin! Facial oils are… you guessed it: just oils. Moisturizers are typically water-based and contain more ingredients.  Generally, moisturizers require some kind of emollient because water + oils don’t mix. Facial oils are a more pure version because they don’t contain water. I believe both serve a purpose and use both in my skincare routine!

I find oils to be more nourishing and moisturizing so I depend on them when my skin is dryer. I like using a moisturizer when my skin doesn’t need as much moisture (like in the humid summer months in MN!). I typically apply my facial oil at night and a moisturizer in the morning.

The Best Single Oils for Your Face

Below, I’m sharing my favorite oil blends but I wanted to share these single oil options as well! They are typically cheaper and can be found in almost all health food stores. Make sure you’re buying high quality products – look for cold-pressed and organic where possible.

Pure Rosehip Oil – Rich in vitamin A and is great for redness and scarring. Also sometimes called rosehip seed oil.

Grapeseed Oil – A great oil for dry, acne-prone skin. (My personal favorite!)

Squalane Oil – Super lightweight and the best face oil for oily skin.

*Note: I do not recommend using coconut oil for your face. It is comedogenic meaning it can clog your pores and cause acne.

While occasionally I may use a single-source oil, I typically reach for blended formulas as they tend to contain a more balanced fatty acid profile and each individual oil helps with something different. Here are my favorites: