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It’s hard to believe “oil” was once a dirty word in the skincare world. However, they’ve since become increasingly popular — and more common — in everyday skincare routines. Enter the best face oils, which offer a slew of benefits to help support healthy skin. However, with so many options out there, choosing the right face oil to suit your specific skin type and/or concern is key, so keep reading to determine more.
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What to consider when shopping for face oil
Before snagging a face oil, it’s important to consider which one(s) are best for you. For example, if you have acne-prone skin, it’s best to steer clear of face oils with comedogenic ingredients like coconut oil (for the most part, though we have listed one exception below). Similarly, those with oily skin should look for products formulated with lightweight oils such as jojoba, argan, and grape seed. Individuals with dull skin may also opt for a vitamin C-infused oil to brighten.
When should face oil be applied?
Whether you’re using face oil at night or during the day, it’s recommended that you apply it as the final step of your skincare routine, with the exception of SPF. This is due to its thin consistency (it’s best to apply your products in order of thickest to thinnest!).
The Best Face Oils Based on Skin Type/Concerns
Best Vitamin C/best brightening
Those with dull skin need not look further than this face oil, which is packed with brightening vitamin C. Additional ingredient highlights include anti-inflammatory turmeric, ultra-lightweight jojoba seed oil, fatty acid-packed sunflower seed oil, and moisturizing raspberry seed oil. Also, keep in mind that a little truly goes a long way: Two to three drops is more than sufficient! We’d also be remiss not to mention that this face oil is both paraben- and sulfate-free, making it an excellent choice for those with skin sensitivities or allergies.
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Best for Dry, Dehydrated Skin
This face oil from fan-favorite skin-care brand Farmacy Beauty was specially formulated with dry, dehydrated skin in mind. The fast-absorbing facial oil features a slew of beneficial ingredients, including but not limited to nourishing rosehip oil, antioxidant-loaded sea buckthorn oil, and, as you can guess by its name, honey, known for its antibacterial properties. And, while it does contain coconut oil, which is usually comedogenic, the type featured in this product is highly purified through a process called rationalization (read: it won't clog pores). Bonus: The oil can also be used on your hair to tame flyaways!
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Best for Mature Skin
As you can tell by its name, this face oil is known for its skin-firming properties, making it a favorite amongst folks with mature skin. In addition to vitamins C and E, it’s enriched with bakuchiol, which, like retinol, has skin-smoothing and anti-aging benefits. While the product is lightweight and fast-absorbing, it melts deep into the skin to help improve hydration. It’s comprised of a total of 11 nutrient-packed oils, including rosehip, sunflower seed, and sea buckthorn. Squalane, meanwhile, adds an extra dose of moisturization.
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Best for Oily Skin
We especially love this facial oil from TikTok-favorite skincare brand Summer Fridays for its unique formulation, which features a blend of 16 non-comedogenic and vegan oils — including olive, sunflower, grape, and meadowfoam — to condition, plump, and boost the overall appearance of skin. (Since the oils featured in this product are all non-comedogenic, it won’t clog pores — making it an excellent choice for folks with oily skin.) Squalane and oat kernel extract, the latter of which is famous for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties, round out the formula.
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Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Blemishes, blackheads, and congested pores are no match for this Sunday Riley face oil. That’s because it’s infused with salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), a chemical exfoliant that helps to clear acne and prevent breakouts. Other honorable mentions include anti-inflammatory tea tree oil, skin-brightening licorice root, fatty acid-loaded milk thistle, and calming chamomile. Lastly, its non-greasy formula is also paraben-, sulfate- and phthalate-free.
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Best lightweight
Looking for a lightweight face oil that won’t leave behind a greasy residue? Enter the Ogee Jojoba Glow Face Oil, which — spoiler alert — is formulated with jojoba oil, which happens to be one of the most lightweight oils on the market. That said, don’t be fooled by how featherweight this face oil is: Since jojoba oil is packed with vitamin E, it offers intense hydration, leaving you with healthy, glowy skin.
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Best for nighttime wear
The SheaMoisture Overnight Face Oil works while you snooze, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth come the a.m. Ingredient highlights include vitamin-packed grape seed oil, moisturizing coconut oil, and conditioning shea butter. After cleaning your face, apply a thin layer of this face oil and head to bed — yes, it’s really that easy! The under-$10 price tag is an added bonus in our book.
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Of course, when it comes to building an effective skincare routine, face oils are just the tip of the iceberg. Check out our top skincare pics broken down by product!