Facial oils are one of the most nourishing products you can use in your skincare routine, making them the perfect addition for anyone looking to address premature signs of ageing, or hoping to boost skin health and lock in moisture.
Facial oils can be beneficial to all skin types, even oily or blemish prone skin.
Rather than being the gateway to breakouts, the best facial oils can actually help to balance the skin’s natural sebum levels, as well as lending an extra layer of moisture.
They are typically formulated with non-comedogenic [non-pore blocking] botanical oils, essential oils, plant extracts, oil soluble ingredients or antioxidants to act as a protective barrier, resulting in less trans-epidermal water loss, In other words, they should leave your skin happier and healthier.
Which facial oil is best for me?
Squalane and marula are wonderful for normal to dry skin, For more oily or combination skin types, look for lighter oils such as jojoba or tea tree oils.
Many people with blemish-prone skin may worry about adding an oil to their routine, but more drying, stripping products can sometimes remove too much sebum and make skin produce oil twice as fast to make up for it. A lightweight oil, on the other hand, keeps moisture locked in and ensures you don’t get dry skin forming over sebaceous glands, which traps in dirt and oil and can cause breakouts. Having said that, if you have acne-prone skin, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before adding anything to your skincare arsenal.
Oils are particularly valuable for menopausal skin. With the loss of oestrogen during menopause, oil production slows, and skin can struggle to hold onto moisture, often leaving it feeling dry. Using oils will counteract dehydration and their occlusive properties help the skin hold onto hydration.
An oil is a welcome addition for menopausal skin because it helps to restore the barrier function and maintain the water retention capacity, all working to deliver a dewier complexion.
How to use a facial oil
Facial oils are usually used in conjunction with a moisturiser, but they can also be used on their own, If you’re layering them as part of your routine, they should always be the penultimate product applied to your skin before SPF. This is because oils sit on top of the skin, locking in moisture. Plus, anything placed on top of an oil will not penetrate through into the skin as easily.
1.Perricone MD FG Essential Fx Acyl-Glutathione Chia Oil 30ml
Score: 90/100
If you’re looking to soften a furrowed brow or smooth out fine lines, you’ll be pleased to hear our winning facial oil does more than simply hydrate the skin – hence its impressive score. It claims to reduce wrinkles, improve the suppleness of the skin, replenish the skin barrier and boost healthy radiance. And – thanks to the combination of omega-rich seed oils, vitamin F blend and skin-supporting lipids – it delivered, and then some.
Skin felt firmer, bouncier and way more hydrated after use. I noticed a huge difference in my skin after a couple of days, which shocked me, skin was visibly hydrated and my fine lines almost invisible. It did a great job of improving my valley of fine lines and wrinkles and I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my skin elasticity.
It’s lightweight and “lovely to apply”, also helping to tackle pigmentation for some panellists. Every single person who tried it said they were happy with the product and planned to continue using it after the trial.
2.Eve Lom Renewal Treatment Oil 30ml
Score: 89/100
Eve Lom promises “lingering skin softness” after using this luxurious oil, and our testers praised its high-end, lightweight feel. Every single person said their skin looked brighter, more radiant, and felt immediately moisturised after use, with hydration lasting all night and day. They found it wasn’t too greasy or heavy either and glided easily onto skin without sitting on the surface.
It may be a little pricey, but skin was left plump, smooth and glowing. The scent was a little divisive – someone described it as “bearable”, while others said they didn’t notice a strong scent.
3.L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Serum 30ml
Score: 86/100
Lavender fields, famous painters and lovely wines – Provence is known for many great things. One of them – perhaps our favourite – is that it’s where heritage French skincare brand L’Occitane was born and still grows many of its skin-nourishing ingredients.
This face oil – also made in France – is said to reduce visible signs of ageing by boosting firmness and radiance. Our testers told us their skin was far more firm and supple after the trial period, with almost every single tester agreeing their skin looked smoother after rotating this into their routine.
It wasn’t sticky, was easy to apply, absorbed quickly and smelt great. It’s light and doesn’t clog up my pores like other face oils – I absolutely love it.
4.Ole Henriksen Strength HydraBarrier Nourishing Face Oil 30ml
Score: 85/100
The skin barrier is an essential part of keeping complexions clear and healthy. The modern world, however, is out to get it, with pollution and over-active skincare products all working to damage our barrier.
Designed to boost and support the skin’s protective barrier, this blend of Scandinavian berry oils, peptides and vitamin E helps to prevent trans-epidermal water loss. The result is soft, supple, healthier skin. On top of this, it’s non-comedogenic, which means pores are less likely to be blocked and it can be used on any skin type.
Packed with fortifying peptides, the brand claims the product “strengthens your moisture barrier by 19% in just one day”. So, did it deliver? If softer, strengthened skin is what you’re after, it seems it did. “It felt very soothing on my skin and made it feel softer and plumper to the touch,” said one tester. Another told us: “I found this oil layered up nicely with my day and night creams without being overly greasy, which was great.”
Some found the product too rich to use as recommended twice a day, and a couple noticed breakouts at first, so more targeted application to areas that most need it may work better for some.
5.Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil 30ml
Score: 85/100
Do your ears prick up at talk of dry or dehydrated skin solutions? This could be the face oil for you. Specifically formulated for those with combination and dry skin, this oil combines 100% pure plant extracts and essential oils to keep your complexion balanced. Rosemary, geranium and lotus extracts work to purify the skin while hazelnut oil takes charge of softening and smoothing, leaving a satin-like finish.
“This is a luxurious oil that’s – somehow – not at all greasy,” said one tester. “It made my skin soft and really helped with dry patches.” It absorbed speedily and layered well, with almost everyone saying their skin felt instantly hydrated and it stayed that way all night and day. It’s also formulated with aromatherapeutic benefits in mind, so if you like a spa-like skincare moment, this is a good choice.
6.Soho Skin Face Oil 30ml
Score: 83/100
Soho House is known as much for its spas and treatments as it is for its rooftop pools and vibrant social scene. We know the brand has spicy margaritas nailed, but can its skin formulations impress in the same way?
Well, this face oil got the most mentions for “nourished-feeling skin” after use. Our testers couldn’t get enough of it. I love how luxurious this oil is!” said one. “It’s like something you get in a spa with its delicious scent.
My foundation stayed in place all day after using this oil, and I noticed some fine lines and wrinkles began to blur and fade.
7.Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil 30ml
Score: 80/100
Said by the brand to be “like rehab for your skin”, we were interested to see if this omega-rich marula oil could restore faces to their natural (pre-pollution) radiance. Our panellists were definitely converts. No one experienced any irritation during the trial period, and testers loved how lightweight, non-greasy and fast absorbing it is.
Those with dry skin were impressed with how long the moisturising effects lasted for, and many said they didn’t need to use a moisturiser as well. The lack of fragrance means it’s a good choice for those with any sensitivity.
8.The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil 30ml
Score: 80/100
This is made from 100% organic cold pressed rose hip seed oil, which, in skincare circles, is said to address the signs of premature ageing by supporting skin elasticity and brightening dull areas. In contrast with many of The Ordinary’s science-sounding combi-formulations, this is no-fuss simplicity, bottled. It’s made from just one mighty, organically farmed ingredient. Impressive, right?
Almost everyone agreed that their skin felt moisturised immediately after use, and testers were pleased with the product overall after the four-week trial, noticing improvements to the appearance and feel of their skin.
A few testers found this one a bit too thick. The brand also flags that the product “imparts a natural scent, partly due to its high omega fatty acid content”, which, it says, “is not an indication of rancidity”.
9.Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil 30ml
Score: 80/100
The noni fruit is known for its antioxidant properties, helping to protect against the ageing impact of harsh external aggressors and environmental pollutants. So, when we heard of this formulation from KORA, a brand making waves in the organic beauty space – particularly with its best-selling bakuchiol retinol alternative – we knew we had to get it tested in our lab.
Some found the small bottle “a little fiddly” and the pipette tricky to use due to its size, but our testers were pleased with how smooth and firm their skin looked and felt after using it for the trial period. “It was just so lovely on my skin – it gave an overall smooth appearance and helped with my dry patches,” said one. Everyone found it absorbed quickly and didn’t feel greasy, either. Power to organic ingredients.
10.BYOMA Hydrating Recovery Oil 30ml
Score: 79/100
BYOMA does a brilliant job of making its bottles cute enough to showcase on your bathroom shelf, while packing them full of creams and oils that bolster your skin with much-needed nourishment and protection. This purple pot is full of lipids to help support skin barrier function, along with hydrating squalane and nine different antioxidant rich oils – jojoba, rosehip, sunflower and sea buckthorn, to name a few.
It has been brilliant, my skin has been so dry for quite a few years now after going through the menopause. Now it’s plumper and the texture feels great. I have extremely sensitive skin and this oil has calmed my irritated complexion down, almost overnight. We can’t say it’s definitely best for all menopausal skin as everyone is affected differently, but those on our panel who have experienced symptoms gave us glowing feedback about the oil’s performance.
11.Tropic Skincare Radiance-boosting Omega Oil 30ml
Score: 77/100
This brand puts natural, organic, skin-nourishing ingredients front and centre of its clever formulations, and this omega-rich oil is no exception. Bright orange in colour, the ‘elixir’ in its name feels apt, as it delivers a glow-y hue on application.
It gave my skin a healthy tanned tint, which was great after a year of no holidays. It doesn’t technically have any tanning agents in it, but the orange colour leaves a bronze effect in its wake. However, not everyone was a fan, with one saying it left a mark on their pillowcase, although the packaging did tell me to let it sink in before bed.
The tropical fragrance was a real hit with some. It smelt like holidays, and most found it sank in easily, was easy to use and lasted a long time.
12.Farmacy Honey Grail Ultra-Hydrating Face Oil 30ml
Score: 70/100
“Farm-to-face skincare” is the mantra of this beauty brand, which works with local farms around the world to find innovative, pioneering ingredients that deliver unparalleled results. Its Honey Grail Oil scored well for boosting skin radiance, and the honey scent was a hit with testers.
It’s also multifunctional – it’s designed for use on face, body and hair – which proved popular. I used it to do a facial massage with my Gua Sha, then used it on the tips of my hair and massaged any excess into my cuticles.
