Now, before you get stated, “Oh, noooooo! Absolutely I cannot use face oil – my face is oily enough as it is! There’s no way I can put oil on my oil-prone pores!” FORGET IT. FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW. Facial oil is not what you think it is, and it’s beneficial for you regardless of your skin type, oily-skin or no. Obviously certain facial oils are better for some skin types than others, but not being able to use facial oil on oily-skin types is a myth.
The reason facial oil is actually a good product to use for those with oily skin, is that most probably your skin is over-producing oils to protect your face, as your skin is probably very dehydrated. By perhaps switching up to a richer moisturizer and locking in that moisture with facial oil, you’re giving your thirsty, thirsty skin the drink it needs, and you might not be so oily in the future. You heard it here first. Oil does not beget oil; dry and dehydrated skin begets oil.
Facial oil is not a hydrator. It does not moisturize your skin for you. Instead, it’s what is called an occlusive – which is to say it traps in moisture that’s already there. Putting oil – or any occlusive – on your face just stops your face from losing moisture and becoming dehydrated, but it doesn’t hydrate it in the first place.
That is why facial oils are best used as the last step in your skin care routine, on top of all your serums and moisturizers to trap in all that goodness, to encourage your skin to be hydrated as much as it can be, and to stop all your expensive creams evaporating into your bedroom in the middle of the night. All you need is just a few drops. We don’t need our face to be dripping in oil. We need just enough to lock in that moisture, so our face looks filled out, less wrinkly, and gently glowing from within the next morning.
A similar practice however more intense, is called “slugging” which involves slathering your face with petroleum jelly in the last step of your night-time routine, again, to trap all those goodies.
Word of the wise, though: some facial oils are comedogenic – not good for those of us who struggle with acne (i.e me). Coconut oil may look fabulous being slathered all over your favourite influencer from Bali, but it is pore-clogging, and not for everybody. For those of us with sensitive skin and maybe more acne-prone, a rosehip seed oil (I’ve detailed one below) may be the one for you, or a tea-tree oil can also be beneficial.
Feature image via @visualpotions
Foile Marula Oil
Although I love this brand for their sustainability and their oils, the marula oil being one of their hero products, I’m wary of this product due to the varying reports whether marula oil is comedogenic or not. Some people say it is due to its high content of oleic acid, while other sources say it’s not acne-causing. Personally, I would lay caution to the wind here and not use it if your face has a tendency to host several unwelcome visitors… Lucky for us though, Foile also makes a Jojoba facial oil, which is non-comedogenic, i.e. safe for everyone to use. Phew.
Aotea Mānuka Face Oil
I’ve spoken about this brand before and Aotea is one of my favourites. Mānuka is renowned for being a healing ingredient, along with kawakawa which they’ve infused into sweet almond oil for that extra salving boost. Mixed with a little jojoba oil, a little blackcurrant seed oil, and a little grape oil, and you get one of my favourite face oils in the world! Perfect for those of us who have angry skin at times, you can use this day or night to nourish inflamed skin.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
Normally I’m not a fan of The Ordinary, as although they have blink-and-you-better-believe-it prices, usually they come with the same quality products, i.e. not very good. You get what you give. However, in this case, I bought the Rose Hip Seed Oil on a whim, and I am over the moon with it. I use it on my face over a rich moisturizer while I’m in the bath, and as someone who has sensitive and acne-prone skin – it’s worth the $9.80. Yep, I’m not messing around – it’s under $10. Bargain! No frills, simply a bottle of cold-pressed rose hip seed oil which is good for acne and angry skin. Perfect for those of us who are on a budget, or who spent too much in Selfridges earlier that week…
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
Again, with the Marula oil – an antioxidant ingredient with great anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and is perfect layered over any of your skincare moisturizers. I did a bit of research into this one, as Drunk Elephant can be quite hit or miss but overall the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, even for those of us who get spots. I’ve finished a full bottle of this product, and although it wasn’t my favourite face oil of all time, it definitely was up there. If you’re a fan of Drunk Elephant, or are looking for a no-frills Marula oil to layer up your skincare, this is the oil for you.
NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
I’m keen to do a whole article on the gems of French pharmaceutical products, because boy, they are amazing. I was first introduced to this oil by my French friend in Monaco, and she swore by this oil (they even make one with a shimmer in it to look glowy on a late-night summer dinner with friends and potential lovers) – and now it just reminds me of Monaco. It’s that luxurious. The great thing about this oil is that not only is it a dry oil, which means it absorbs super quickly and doesn’t stain your pillowcases, but also it’s multi-purpose. Great to run through the ends of your hair after a day in the salty-surf, or to massage into skin mixed with your favourite moisturizer. Pat a few sprays onto your face just before bed over your favourite French moisturiser, and you’ll be irresistible – not only that evening when your boyfriend becomes obsessed with the fragrance, but also the next morning, when you look like the most well-rested babe at breakfast.
Kora Noni Glow Face Oil
A multi-award winner, this face oil made with native South-Pacific Noni, rosehip, pomegranate, and sea buckthorn is one of the best in the business. In a consumer study, 100% of users saw noticeable improvement in skin bounce and improved elasticity after 4 weeks. That’s what we like to hear! Genuinely though, I really rate Kora Organics, and I thoroughly enjoyed using this face oil, although everything I’ve ever known was blown out of the park when I was introduced to…
Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum
I’ve saved the best for last. Apart from the absolutely brutal price tag, I would slather my future children in this I love it so much. It’s literally a miracle oil, and thanks to Jesus himself, they’ve now added a 50ml bottle to the collection, because 30ml was just not enough. Voted best face oil by Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, Popsugar; won several beauty awards from Glamour, Nylon, GQ, Into The Gloss, Byrdie, and then also appearing on WWD’s ‘100 Greatest Skincare Products Of All Time’ list – this product goes down in history as one of the most beloved serums/oils and frankly it’s for good reason. With more than 60 essential nutrients jam packed into the bottle, comprised of 22 active botanicals like avocado, bergamot, and neroli – not only does it smell delightful, but it makes your face feel like a healthy wild flower garden heaving with life. Why wouldn’t you want that?
