A few years ago, if someone told you to smear oil all over your face, you would have looked at them in horror. Now, you’ll find vials of face oil in the beauty cupboard of pretty much every skincare fanatic. It’s the perfect way to give your skin some much-needed hydration, especially in winter.
That said, it can still feel bit scary putting something on your face that you’ve always been told will break you out. But Kristy Hines, Aveda’s National Spa Educator and Lead Facialist, explains this is just a classic case of Chinese whispers.
So many people fear oil on their face. They either hear from someone else it’s bad or have tried a product themselves and assumed it was the oil that made their skin break out! But oils are actually a great skin-balancing addition to your facial routine. If the surface is balanced with both oil and water through skincare, your natural facial oil production will be in balance and stay well hydrated.
However, not all face oils are created equal. Kristy explains that as a general rule, you should avoid mineral oils as these can cause skin imbalances. She says you should instead seek out plant-based oils such as jojoba, apricot, almond, avocado and sunflower seed. But to really get the most out of your face oil, you should go for one that’s specifically tailored to your individual skin needs.
Scroll through the gallery to find out which face oil is best for your skin type.
You have…Sensitive skin
When you have temperamental skin, you’ll want to steer clear of any fragranced, non-organic face oils — as these can be harsh and irritating. Instead, dermatologist Leslie Baumann recommends opting for Chamomile oil, as it’s gentle, soothing and anti-inflammatory. Borage Seed oil, Avocado oil, and Hemp Seed oil are also good choices for sensitive skin. Skinstitut Multi-Active Oil is also a great all-rounder and has been proven to reduce irritation and sensitivity.
You have… Mature skin
As you get older, your skin loses some of its natural oils and the moisture barrier breaks down. This can cause existing wrinkles to appear deeper. Face oils are fantastic for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as they penetrate the skin more deeply than face oils and restore moisture. You can even use them before them before your anti-ageing cream to help it soak more deeply into your skin. Rosehip, Pomegranate and Argan oil are known for being particularly great for aged skin. Try Aveda’s Tulasara Radiant Oleation Oil.
You have… Dry skin
Incorporating the use of facial oils into your daily skincare regime will not only nourish and hydrate dry skin but will also help to revitalise and enhance the texture of your skin. Look out for natural oils such as Hemp Seed oil, Rose Otto oil and Cinnamon Leaf oil to help support dry skin, especially through the cold winter months.
–Dora Erdossy, National Trainer (East Coast) for Advanced Cosmeceuticals
Medik8 Glow Oil is a great choice, as it’s specifically formulated with these ingredients to hydrate dry skin.
You have…Oily, acne-prone skin
You may think you can’t use face oils if your skin is naturally oily, but this certainly isn’t the case. Natural oil production in the skin can happen when the oil isn’t as balanced as it should be. by ridding the skin of all oil, the body then tries to overcompensate and produce more oil. By using a good quality facial oil, your skin regains its balance and not as much oil is produced which leaves skin looking radiant, not shiny. It’s best to choose oils closest to your skin’s own natural moisturising factor, like Jojoba oil and Macadamia oil.
–Douglas Pereira, Founder of Clinical Skin Therapy
Oily skin and acne tend to go hand in hand. For this reason, many people find using a face oil helps to balance the skin’s sebum production and reduce acne. Jojoba oil and Tamanu oil are especially known for this, as they balance oil and have anti-bacterial properties. The Buff is a natural skincare company that allows you to create your own customised face oils that contain these ingredients.
You have…Acne scars
One of the worst parts about acne is that it can continue to haunt you in the form of scarring, even once it’s gone. Luckily, there are a few different types of face oils that help to reduce the appearance of scars and pigmentation. Helichrysum essential oil is widely known as the best oil for scarring. This is because it contains a high amount of diketones which help accelerate healing of scar tissue and promote growth of new tissue. You will need to dilute it with a carrier oil, though. Otherwise, Flaxseed, Sea Buckthorn, Teatree and Olive Oil are also known for being fantastic for healing scars. Try The Seed Face Oil from Be Fraiche, as this contains a few of those ingredients.
