Some days, a face oil is the only thing I put on my skin.
Of all the skincare products in my routine, face oils are my favourite. I find they're the one step that makes the most difference for plumping, smoothing, hydration, and glow. I have dry, mature, and sensitive skin, so almost all face oils are a great match for my skin type, but there are great options for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin too, so there is an option for every skin type.
What Makes Face Oils Different to Face Serums?
Because (natural) face oils are oil-based, they're rich in plant-derived essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants. There are lots of different types, from classic oils like almond oil, rosehip oil and jojoba oil (although jojoba oil is technically a liquid wax) as well as specific blends that use a combination of different oils with actives and other skin-boosting ingredients to target specific concerns, like bakuchiol and retinol blends for cell turnover and anti-ageing, kakadu plum rich in Vitamin C for brightening and tea tree-based oils for refining pores and tackling blemishes.
Serums are similar in that they also target specific skin concerns, but are usually more lightweight, water or gel-based, they work well under face oils so perfect for laying. I have matched my favouriteface serums to skin types too.
7 of My Favourite Natural Face Oils
1. Mukti Antioxidant Facial Oil
A nutrient-rich antioxidant oil that suits every skin type, including oily and sensitive. It blends fifteen organic oils, from jojoba, rosehip and apricot kernel to chia, evening primrose and hemp seed, with West Australian sandalwood and pomegranate among them. It's certified organic and fast absorbing, made to strengthen the skin barrier, lock in hydration and protect against oxidative stress, leaving skin visibly softer, smoother and luminous. This is what I'm using in the above photo after my facial acupuncture session, just look at that glow with zero makeup on.
2. Vanessa Megan N.E.O. 12 Hour Miracle Oil
Vanessa Megan’s award-winning skin elixir, N.E.O is short for Nature’s Elixir Oil. It works like a multi-vitamin shot for the skin, with vitamins A, E, P and K plus zinc and omega 3-6-9 from argan, pumpkin seed and sea buckthorn oils, helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, with visible results reported within 12 hours. The way you use it is a little different: mix two to four drops with a little water in your palm to create a vitamin emulsion, then massage it over the face, neck and décolletage, morning and night.
3. LAMAV Vitamin A Repair Oil
A bakuchiol oil made for mature skin. The 2% bakuchiol is a plant-derived alternative to retinol that supports cellular turnover and collagen and elastin production, helping address the appearance of wrinkles without the irritation retinol can bring. It's in a base of raspberry seed oil, rich in essential fatty acids, with sea buckthorn for carotenoids, plus argan, sweet almond, camellia and baobab. It is certified organic, there is a 5ml size to trial, and if you love this ingredient I have a whole bakuchiol collection to use this with.
4. Black Chicken Remedies Love Your Face Serum
An oldie but a goodie, and an everyday oil for all skin types, light enough to use in place of a moisturiser. It is made with apricot kernel, jojoba, rosehip and argan oils, evening primrose rich in essential fatty acids to help support skin renewal, and vitamin E to protect and restore. The scent comes from a blend of sandalwood, ylang ylang, neroli, palmarosa and rose maroc, with the neroli also helping improve the appearance of skin elasticity. It absorbs quickly with no greasy residue, morning and night.
5. KORA Organics Noni Glow Face Oil
An instant glow oil with all day hydration. Antioxidant-rich noni fruit is blended with rosehip, jojoba, sea buckthorn and pomegranate seed oils to visibly nourish, brighten and smooth. The clinical results are strong: in KORA’s four week study, 87% noticed more radiant skin after one week, 93% saw a more even tone after two weeks, and 100% saw a noticeable improvement in skin elasticity. I love this one so much that some days this is all I'll put on my skin.
6. Weleda Sensitive Recovery Face Oil
The one for sensitive and allergy-prone skin. It combines pure organic sweet almond oil with plum seed oil and soothing blackthorn blossom extract in a completely fragrance-free, dermatologically approved formula that helps calm irritation, redness and tightness. In Weleda’s clinical testing, 90% of participants reported a reduction in tightness and 85% described a velvety-soft skin feel. It doubles as a gentle eye makeup remover on a damp cotton pad too. Weleda has been making natural skincare for more than a century, and I have written about why I love them here.
7. The Jojoba Company Australian Jojoba Oil
An award-winning jojoba oil you can use on your face, hair and body. Technically it is a liquid wax with a molecular structure very similar to the skin’s own esters, which is why it balances combination skin, soothes sensitive skin and nourishes dry skin so well. Grown from Wadi-Wadi jojoba in Australia, cold pressed and filtered 14 times, it is naturally rich in vitamins A, D and E plus omegas 6 and 9, and in clinical testing it provided up to 8 hours of moisturisation. The Eczema Association of Australasia recognises it as suitable for eczema-prone skin. This is a must have skincare product for everyone's bathroom cabinet.
How Do I Use Face Oils?
A face oil can be used on its own or layered into an existing routine.
Step 1: Layer it in order. Apply after toner and serum and before moisturiser, with face sunscreen last.
Step 2: Match the oil to the time of day. Lighter oils in the morning, richer ones at night before your night cream.
Step 3: A few drops is plenty. Warm the oil between your palms, press into the skin, and take what is left down the neck, décolletage and chest.
Leave a comment