a woman applying face oil on her face using a dropper

What are face oils?

Put simply, face oils are one of the multiple skincare solutions out there. They are specially fitted to work with your natural oils to help keep your skin balanced.

Our skin makes oils and lipids naturally, which help prevent water loss from our skin and keep it hydrated.

Face oils can have numerous possible benefits, but their overall goal is to serve as an excess level of protection for your skin.

However, the skin cells are the bricks and the oils and lipids are the mortar, which holds it together in place and prevents anything from dribbling through if you think of the skin as a brick wall. Face oils are regarded as a kind of emollient, which means they help strengthen the external layer of your skin — the stratum corneum — by softening and sealing it, preventing water loss.

Face oils are frequently plant-based, generally derived from the various parts of plants — flowers, leaves, roots, etc. And since they can include a range of strong components, the possible benefits are endless.

While they are generally known for their hydrating properties, face oils can also help your anti-ageing routine and give antibacterial and healing properties.

Where do they go in a skincare routine?

With multiple skincare solutions available, deciding which order to apply them to can be frustrating. But it's indeed simple than you may think!

A good rule of thumb when applying skincare products is to proceed from lightest to thickest. So start with the lightest products first, such as serums or oils, and move to the thickest products, like moisturizers and sunscreen.

Naturally, everyone will have a different regime depending on their skin type and the desired effect of the oil, but one common usage tip is to use a face oil to multitask with your existing skincare products.

You can always add a few drops to your facial moisturizer or serum to attain addictive properties. Face oils can also be applied after serum to permit the treatment effects of the serum to be locked into the skin.

Face oils can be applied either in the morning or evening or can indeed be used as a spot treatment to tackle skin issues like dark spots and dryness.

Who should use face oils?

As with any skincare product, face oils should be cautiously used in your skincare routine at first to see how your skin responds.

Face oils can be a good inclusion for any skin type just as long as it's done in moderation. They need to be given a patch test first.

Dry skin types get most benefits from face oils, as they act as emollients by sealing and preventing any water loss. But that doesn't mean that acne-prone skin types have to stay away from them for good.

There are various face oil options available, but which one is right for your skin? Let's take a look:

Best face oils for oily skin

There are a few facial oils that can help your skin make less pore-clogging sebum. These facial oils contain components that can kill acne-causing bacteria and help ditch dead skin cells.
Face oils you can try: jojoba, aloe vera, tea tree, squalane, marula.

Best face oils for dry skin

For ultra-dry skin, massage in facial oil then uses a rich moisturizer on top. If you have dry skin, a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid in addition to a facial oil would work very well. Hyaluronic acid plumps the skin and refills any moisture loss.
Face oils you can try coconut, rosehip, olive, sunflower, argan, maracuja, squalane.

Best face oils for sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin, you need to patch test any oil on a tiny spot, like your jawline or neck, before you apply it to your full face. If it's been a few days and your skin has shown no reactions, then you can try it out on your face.
Face oils to try: chamomile, lavender

Best face oils for combination skin

Those with combination or normal skin and no other concerns or side effects can start with oils that have fatty acids and antioxidants present in them to help lock their skin and guard against the damaging result of pollution.
Face oils you can try: marula, jojoba, grapeseed, carrot seed

Best face oils for hyperpigmentation

Argan oil is rich in vitamin E which can aid with hyperpigmentation or dark spots. You can also try Vitamin E oil for face pigmentation.
Face oils you can try: argan, frankincense oil, lemon oil, tea tree, evening primrose, rosehip

Best anti-ageing oils

Grapeseed oil has fatty acids and polyphenols, which help with premature ageing. It also contains various vitamins, which help moisturize and guard the skin against damaging free radicals.
Face oils you can try: grapeseed, olive, rosehip, sunflower

What about cleansing oils? What’s the deal with those?

Not to be confused with targeted face oils, cleansing oils are an option for your day-to-day face wash.

Cleansing oils are generally prepared with a range of oils, such as virgin olive oil for face, castor oil, jojoba oil, almond oil for face, argan oil and coconut oil for face. To apply, you rub the cleansing oil onto the skin for around two minutes then wash with warm water and wipe it off with a washcloth.

However, cleansing oils can be a good key product to see how your skin will react to oils If you are interested in applying face oils.

Cleansing oils are not any better or worse than your average facial cleanser, and it's all about personal preference. They can, still, have certain advantages.

A cleansing oil leaves your skin fresh and moisturized. It should be light and leave no residue.

Take Away

In these days of sustainable and natural living, using face oil may be a far better alternative than using chemical-loaded skincare products. These oils are natural and have different features to help your skin problems. As they have to be used in small quantities, they can work out even if they are costly. However, always do a patch test before you use any oil on the face.