A complete guide to facial oils
Facial oils are either loved or feared, but it should only ever be the former. They're an incredible product to include in your skincare routine, as they intensely hydrate and nourish without disrupting your skin's natural balance.
We have selected our favourite facial oils for different skin types that help to balance and protect the complexion, to keep your face glowing, healthy and oh so nourished.
Best face oil for sensitive skin
The best facial oils for sensitive skin are ones that don't contain large amounts of essential oils, as these can be irritating to those with sensitivity.
Instead, opt for oils with higher content vegetable and plant bases like jojoba and sunflower, as these won't irritate your skin. The Caudalie Vinosource Overnight Recovery Oil is a unique botanical elixir that contains sesame, rose, grape and jojoba oils to nourish the skin as it sleeps. It also helps to repair your natural moisture barrier, so skin stays soft, nourished and comfortable.
Best face oil for dry/dehydrated skin
Dry and dehydrated complexions can benefit the most from facial oils as they need the extra moisture and nourishment they can provide. By including this additional step in your beauty routine, your moisturiser can do its job of sealing in the hydration and protecting the skin's outer barrier, instead of being immediately absorbed into thirsty cells.
We love the Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil for dry and dehydrated skin types, as it immediately provides comfort and relief. Its high antioxidant content helps to shield the skin against environmental aggressors and future damage, while possessing deeply conditioning properties to keep the skin super soft and nourished.
Best face oil for oily skin
Oily complexions tend to stay away from facial oils, but they're actually one of the best products you can introduce into your routine.
Oily skin can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, hormones and diet. But, it can also be exascerbated by dehydration when you use overly astringent products. So, adding in a lightweight oil can actually work wonders by regulating your skin's own natural oil production and minimise excess oil being produced. Voila!
We love the ESPA Balancing Face Treatment Oil, which contains rose geranium and lemon to purify and clarify oily complexions. Once you have cleansed and toned, warm a few drops of the oil in your hands and press into the skin, taking time to inhale and enjoy its energising aroma.
Best face oil for blemish-prone skin
Similar to oily complexions, blemish-prone skin types tend to stay away from facial oils for fear of them breaking out even further. However, with a careful blend of ingredients, certain facial oils can actually aid in reducing the appearance of spots and blemishes, and encourage a clear and clarified complexion.
The Bobbi Brown Skin Clarifier contains manuka honey, which has incredible antibacterial properties, as well as salicylic acid and seabuckthorn to purify and detox the complexion for a revitalised and renewed finish.
Best face oil for mature skin
Facial oils are great to use if you have mature or ageing skin as they can help to keep it hydrated and plumped-up, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair collection has been specially created to prevent the signs of skin ageing, but has been coveted by countless young influencers, models and celebrities thanks to its ingenious and glow-inducing formula.
The Advanced Night Repair Recovery Mask-in-Oil contains the same amazing ingredients as the original serum in a hydrating oil formula that keeps the skin moisturised and protected as it sleeps. The brand describe it as a "virtual bedtime cocoon", and we couldn't agree more. It's the ultimate luxury treat for your skin before you hit the sheets.
Best face oil for dull complexions
Those with fatigued or dulling complexions can really benefit from introducing facial oils into their routines. Due to their texture and finish, they provide skin with a natural radiance, and as they help to improve hydration and moisture, they're excellent at giving a glow to the complexion.
The Eve Lom Radiance Face Oil contains a cocktail of ingredients, all of which work to give the skin luminosity up to 12 hours after first application. With Vitamin C included, it's perfect for brightening and correcting uneven complexions. Discover more about why we it here.
Best face oil for stressed-out skin
If you are leading a particularly stressful and busy lifestyle, chances are that your skin will be the first place to show the signs. A normal skincare routine just won't cut it, as your skin will be calling out for attention and care. A treatment boost like a facial oil is one of the easiest ways to balance and correct and leave it glowing, renewed and revitalised.
The ELEMIS Superfood Facial Oil is free from chemical nasties, and instead contains a blend of superfoods like broccoli, flaxseed and radish to put the nutrients back into stressed skin and leave it calm and under control.
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