The best face oil can deliver other beneficial ingredients like retinol and antioxidants in addition to sealing in moisture and other skincare products.
It makes sense to dress in layers to stay warm and protected during the chilly fall and winter months. Below are some top picks we choose from the market:
- Best Overall: Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil
- Best Splurge: ISDIN Isdinceutics Melatonik Restorative Night Serum
- Best Lightweight: Ghost Democracy Softglow Facial Oil
- Best Drugstore: Burt’s Bees Facial Oil with Rosehip Seed Extract
- Best Budget: Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
- Best Nourishing: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Skin Therapy Face Oil
- Best for Oily Skin: Aesop Fabulous Face Oil
- Best for Dry Sking: Epara Balancing Face Oil
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil
- Best for Wrinkles: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oi
- Best for Combination Skin: Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
- Best Anti-Aging: Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream Oil
- Best for Redness: Osea Undaria Argan Oil
This opens up a world of facial oil options, so there is something for all skin types, including sensitive, oily, dry, and acne-prone skin. Check out the top face oils below to see how we’ve got you covered, just like oil.
Best Face Oil Reviews
Best Overall: Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil
What We Like
- Lightweight texture
- Fast-absorbing
- Creates radiant glow
What We Don’t Like
- The packaging could be more luxe to align with the pricetag
This product maintains a lightweight texture while moisturizing the skin and bringing out a natural-looking radiance thanks to the blend of nourishing plum oils used in its formulation. People who are sensitive to skincare ingredients will find this product to be a great option because of its extremely short ingredient list—it is literally made from only 100% organic plum oil.
If you’re unfamiliar with face oils, you might imagine them having a thick or greasy texture, but the best ones—this one included—don’t. As a matter of fact, our tester discovered that it had a slightly runny consistency, making it best to use a few drops in order to prevent a mess. The beautiful glow it gave her skin was even better than how hydrated it felt. We also value the fact that a small amount of the product can accomplish a lot, given the price.
Best Splurge: ISDIN Isdinceutics Melatonik Restorative Night Serum
What We Like
- Non-greasy finish
- Lightweight texture
- Moisturizing feel on the skin
What We Don’t Like
- Some people might desire more glow out of a face oil
Finding a great nighttime serum to care for your skin while you rest is our ideal version of beauty sleep. Melatonin, bakuchiol, and vitamin C are combined in this product’s formulation to offer antioxidant protection and support the restoration of skin elasticity. Our tester also reported that it feels moisturizing on the skin.
She added that she liked the light texture and how quickly it absorbed, as well as the subdued vanilla scent. She described the finish as looking almost matte on her skin. So, this might be a great option if you have oily or combination skin or prefer non-greasy products, especially at night. However, keep this in mind if you have extremely dry skin or if you’re looking for an oil to give your skin a noticeable glow.
Best Lightweight: Ghost Democracy Softglow Facial Oil
What We Like
- Weightless texture
- Adds beautiful glow to the skin
What We Don’t Like
- Not accessible at multiple retailers
This is a great option for you if you’re uncomfortable using oil on your face or dislike the way heavy skincare products make you feel. Our tester said that it quickly absorbs into the skin and leaves the skin feeling moisturized and glowing while still feeling lightweight.The formula contains a blend of vitamins and fatty acids to provide antioxidant protection, help calm inflammation, and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier.
Our tester observed that their skin felt moisturized and soft immediately after application in addition to quickly absorbing into the skin. They also agreed that it gave off the perfect amount of radiance without appearing greasy in terms of a glow.
If there was one thing we could change, it wouldn’t be the product itself, but rather the location of the sales. We would love to see it available at more retailers to make it more accessible.
Best Drugstore: Burt’s Bees Facial Oil With Rosehip Seed Extract
What We Like
- Provides pretty glow to the skin
- Rich texture
What We Don’t Like
- Not much product in the bottle
While your mind might immediately jump to lip balm when you think of Burt’s Bees, don’t sleep on their skincare (but feel free to sleep in it). This budget-friendly formulation nourishes and moisturizes the skin with rose hip oil, vitamins, and essential fatty acids.
Our tester loved how it gave her skin a healthy-looking glow, but she did complain that it took a while to absorb completely. We advise using it at night as a result. However, she thought it looked and felt good on her skin and could see it becoming a winter skincare staple.
While it is widely available and reasonably priced, the bottle’s 15ml capacity makes it more expensive than some other drugstore alternatives.
Best Budget: Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
What We Like
- Lightweight texture and feeling on skin
- Fast absorption
- Moisturizing feel
What We Don’t Like
- Some people may find the scent to be overpowering
This popular facial oil is known for its ability to help prevent stretch marks on the body, but it’s a great option for moisturizing the face and helping to even out the complexion. If you have post-acne scarring, it works to repair skin damage brought on by scars and stretch marks.
Our tester discovered it to be fast-absorbing and non-greasy in addition to the weightless texture. She enjoyed the way it moisturized her skin without leaving a heavy or sticky film. It’s one of our favorites because of the price, comfortable texture, and noticeable results, but if you’re fragrance sensitive, beware as this product definitely has a strong scent.
Related Post: Is Bio Oil Good for Face?
Best Nourishing: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Skin Therapy Face Oil
What We Like
- Non-greasy finish
- Fast-absorbing
- Quickly quenches dry skin
What We Don’t Like
- People with oily skin might find it to be too heavy
The best facial oils do more than just hydrate the skin. This product contains retinol and vitamin C to treat fine lines and dark spots, and if you are typically sensitive to retinol, it might be a great option since the oil formula helps to counteract any drying effects that the potent ingredient might have.
We adore how this oil deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin in addition to having active ingredients. Our tester discovered that it effectively hydrated her dry skin without feeling overly heave, and she observed that her face felt soft to the touch after use.
We advise choosing this option for dry or mature skin types because some online reviewers with oily skin found it to be too heavy for them.
Best for Oily Skin: Aesop Fabulous Face Oil
What We Like
- Fast-absorbing
- Great for layering
- A little bit goes a long way
What We Don’t Like
- Some people might find the scent to be too strong
Look for face oils that aren’t thick or greasy in texture if you have oily skin to avoid adding to the problem. This one has a lightweight consistency and a hydrating feel thanks to a formulation of botanicals that work to balance and soften the skin.
Our tester praised the way it made her skin look and feel soft, and she appreciated that it didn’t create a greasy finish on her face. She noted that just a couple of drops worked to evenly coat her skin, and even said that just one drop would get the job done. The fact that it completely absorbed in less than a minute and left behind a soft glow that avoided looking oily is possibly the best feature.
Be aware that because it’s made up of a variety of botanical extracts, it has a very green scent that some people might find a little too strong.
Best for Dry Sking: Epara Balancing Face Oil
What We Like
- Non-greasy feel
- Recyclable packaging
- Provides a subtle glow
What We Don’t Like
- Could add even more glow
Those with dry skin can typically tolerate more dense skincare formulas, but there is such a thing as being too thick and heavy—even for dry skin. This face oil has what we think is the ideal consistency for dry skin—it’s rich without being heavy. It contains a combination of nourishing ingredients to help soften the skin, add moisture, and restore elasticity.
Despite having a rich texture, this oil, according to our tester, didn’t make her skin feel or look greasy. It succeeded in adding moisture and a light sheen without leaving a film or pilling. Even though she preferred to see even more glow from this oil, the fact that it only adds a slight radiance makes it a great choice for layering with primers and moisturizers that also induce glow.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil
What We Like
- Lightweight texture
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- Fast-absorbing
What We Don’t Like
- Some online reviewers say they have similar products that are less expensive
Finding a fantastic product that can calm and hydrate sensitive or irritated skin is essential. This nourishing oil contains noni extract, rose hip and pomegranate oils, as well as noni (a fruit-bearing plant found in Southeast Asia), to create a blend of antioxidants and essential fatty acids.
The founder of KORA Organics, Miranda Kerr, claims that this oil is her holy grail travel companion because it helps to hydrate her skin and keep her complexion glowing. She also shares that it’s excellent for all skin types, especially sensitive skin—and many online reviewers can attest to that. According to our tester, the formula worked to give her skin a gorgeous radiance without leaving a greasy finish. She also said that the light texture sank into her skin in just a few seconds.
Best for Wrinkles: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil
What We Like
- Comes in a variety of sizes
- Weightless texture
- Fast-absorbing
What We Don’t Like
- Someone online reviewers say it could be more moisturizing
Although formulas without retinol can be useful for this, retinol is well known as a key ingredient in skincare for treating fine lines and wrinkles. Evening primrose oil and a combination of replenishing oils are used in the formulation of this nighttime oil to help minimize the appearance of fine lines and uneven skin texture while also supplying moisture and enhancing radiance.
We adore that it is offered in a range of sizes at various price points and that it comes in a dark bottle that is recyclable, protecting the formula and making it eco-friendly. Our tester thought she could layer it on to achieve the level of hydration she wanted because the consistency felt so comfortable and light on her skin. The silky texture, fresh scent, and soft feeling on her skin made it a luxurious experience.
In light of the fact that some online reviewers wish it were more moisturizing, we advise layering it over moisturizer if you have dry skin.
Best for Combination Skin: Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
What We Like
- Fast-absorbing
- Comfortable feel on skin
What We Don’t Like
- Some online reviewers find that the performance doesn’t justice the price
If you have combination skin, you are aware of how difficult it can be to care for both oily and dry patches. Because of this, it can be challenging to find formulas that are rich enough to provide adequate moisture while being light enough to avoid adding to greasiness. Give this luxurious oil a try if this describes you.
This formula contains antioxidants and omega fatty acids that help to moisturize the skin and shield it from environmental stressors. It is made with 100% unrefined marula oil. It has a thin texture that quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving it feeling silky and soft. It’s rich enough to hydrate the skin noticeably but not so much that it makes it greasy. We also love that it provides the most subtle glow that truly looks like an authentic, “glowing from within” look.
Best Anti-Aging: Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream Oil
What We Like
- Deeply Moisturizing
- Recyclable packaging
What We Don’t Like
- Can feel greasy until fully absorbed
We know that some of the best anti-aging practices are staying out of the sun and keeping the skin hydrated. While this face oil won’t protect you from sun damage, it will deliver in the hydration department. It works to fight free radicals, support collagen production and cell renewal, and moisturize the skin. It is made with a combination of prickly pear, acai, squalane, and maqui (a plant native to Chile and Argentina).
After waiting a few minutes after applying it, our tester said that she initially thought the consistency was a little thick and greasy, but that it quickly absorbed into her skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. She also liked how, despite the rich texture, it didn’t look greasy; rather, it had a natural-looking luminosity.
Best for Redness: Osea Undaria Argan Oil
What We Like
- On the skin, it feels airy.
What We Don’t Like
- Leaves an oily residue
Unexpectedly, seaweed has a number of advantages for the skin that are simply too great to ignore. This oil in particular contains undaria algae, a replenishing seaweed that has anti-aging and antioxidant properties to nourish and firm the skin for a glowing, sculpted appearance.
A high amount of vitamin E and fatty acids are also present in this mixture, which helps to moisturize and calm the skin, thanks to the addition of Moroccan argan oil.
As a helpful tip, we advise using this oil in conjunction with a gua sha tool to maximize its firming effects and, of course, to accentuate your facial features.
Is Face Oil Necessary?
Although face oil is not a necessary component of a skincare routine, it does have many advantages that make it a worthwhile addition.
If your skin suffers from irritation, dryness, flaking, or often feels tight, then face oils may help calm, hydrate, soften, and moisturize your skin.
If your skincare routine includes products that can dry or irritate your skin, such as retinol or vitamin or alpha/beta hydroxy acids (acne or age-fighting treatments), a face oil can help improve your skin’s barrier and build up resistance.
What to Keep in Mind
Skin Type
Face oils are effective for all skin types, but some will gain more from particular ingredients.
Look for facial oils with squalane, coconut oil, marula oil, and other oils with high amounts of fatty acids if you have dry or normal skin. Oils that are non-comedogenic, such as tea tree, jojoba, and argan oil, can be used on acne-prone and/or oily skin in addition to squalane to balance oil production.
Finding the ideal oil for you will depend on your skin type, but the majority of these oils are excellent for calming sensitive and/or aging skin.
Consistency
Especiallyduring the warmer months, a greasy face oil is never ideal. You’ll want an oil that won’t sit on top of your face and won’t feel heavy, although the consistency and feel of a face oil will differ depending on your skin type (I personally prefer a thicker oil for my extra dry skin).
All of this is based on how quickly the oil can penetrate the skin, which depends on a formula’s fatty acid composition, the ratios of acids in its ingredient list (oils with more oleic acid than linoleic acid will feel thicker on the skin), and many other factors.
Final Thoughts on Best Face Oil
For some, face oil might not seem as important as serums and creams, but they’re filled with nutrients, fatty acids, and other essential ingredients that make them worth the extra step in your routine.
Even oily and acne-prone skin types can benefit from using face oil — it just depends on what type of oil you use.
Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil is the best option overall because of its lightweight texture and quick absorption. If you want a reasonably priced option, consider purchasing Bio-Oil Skincare Oil.
Read More: Avocado Oil for Face
FAQs
Do You Really Need Face Oil?
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, face oil can actually help to control oil production and keep your skin clear.
Is Face Oil Better Than Moisturizer?
Both oils and moisturizers, aside from their ingredients, are meant to soften the skin. All skin types will benefit from a moisturizer while dry and aging skin may prefer a facial oil.
Can I Use Face Oil Everyday?
While oils can certainly be used daily, one also needs to be mindful that the skin doesn’t become overly reliant on them.
