21 Reasons Facial Oils Are The Key To Glowing Skin

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Most people think oils are bad for skin, especially acne-prone skin but certain face oils can actually help to control sebum production and keep the skin clear. Face oils can be beneficial for all skin types, but they are particularly beneficial for dry, sensitive, or aging skin. The benefits of facial oil include locking in moisture, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and giving skin a healthy glow.1

Face oils are concentrated, nutrient-rich oils that are designed to be applied topically to the skin. They are typically made from a combination of carrier oils and essential oils and can be used to help cleanse, moisturize, and nourish the skin. A face oil that is right for your skin type can help to improve the appearance of your skin and make it feel softer and more supple.

Related: 19 Benefits Of Getting Regular Facial Treatment

Some of the best facial oils contain botanical ingredients like jojoba oil, rosehip oil, avocado oil, and almond oil. These oils are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can nourish and revitalize the skin2. Many people prefer to use a face oil before or after moisturizer to help lock in moisture and maximize the benefits of their skincare products.

Nutrients In Face Oils

What makes face oils so beneficial for the skin is their nutrient-rich composition. Face oils are typically made from a combination of carrier oils and essential oils. Carrier oils are generally lighter-weight oils that help to carry the active ingredients in essential oils into the skin.

Common nutrients found in facial oils include3:

Vitamins

Vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E are important for the health of the skin. They can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, improve moisture retention, and boost collagen production.

Essential fatty acids

Essential fatty acids like linoleic acid and oleic acid are important for maintaining the health of the skin barrier. They can help to reduce inflammation, keep the skin hydrated, and protect against environmental damage.

Minerals

Minerals like zinc and copper are important for wound healing and tissue regeneration. They can also help to reduce inflammation and improve the appearance of the skin.

Essential Oils

Essential oils contain potent plant compounds that can provide a variety of benefits to the skin. Some of the most popular essential oils used in face oils include lavender oil, rosehip oil, and jojoba oil.

With so many options available, the opportunity to find an oil that’s perfect for your skin type is vast. There are oils designed to treat skin types and oils to treat skin conditions. Most formulations will have a combination of different oils to provide the skin with everything it needs.

21 Vibrant Benefits of Facial Oil

1. Moisture

Face oils can help to lock in moisture, keeping your skin hydrated and looking plump4. Skin that’s properly hydrated is less likely to develop fine lines and wrinkles. When used in conjunction with a face serum or moisturizer, face oils can provide an extra layer of protection against dryness.

2. Balance

Oils can help to balance out your skin’s natural oil production, helping to control breakouts5. Your skin produces oil to protect itself from environmental aggressors but sometimes it can produce too much oil, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.

3. Reduce the signs of aging

Face oils can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by keeping your skin cells healthy and hydrated. Collagen and elastin fibers are responsible for your skin’s elasticity and firmness. As we age, these fibers break down, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles. Antioxidant-rich face oils can help to protect collagen fibers from damage, keeping your skin looking young and supple6.

4. That oil-kissed glow

Oils can give your skin a radiant glow by increasing blood flow and oxygenation7. When your skin is properly oxygenated, it looks plump and radiant. It’s the same principle that makes exercise give you a “natural glow.”

5. Protection

The benefits of facial oil can help to protect your skin from environmental damage and pollution. Environmental aggressors like pollution and UV rays can damage your skin cells, leading to premature aging. Face oils can create a barrier between your skin and these aggressors, helping to keep your skin healthy and looking its best8.

6. Soothing

Oils can help to soothe irritated or inflamed skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Irritated skin can be itchy, dry, and red. face oils can help to hydrate and calm the skin, reducing irritation and inflammation9.

7. Antioxidants

Face oils can provide powerful antioxidant protection, helping to fight free radical damage and protect your skin cells. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your skin cells, leading to premature aging. Antioxidant-rich face oils can help to neutralize free radicals, keeping your skin looking young and healthy10.

Related: The Ultimate Guide To Antioxidants In Skin Care

8. Nourishment

Oils can help to nourish and revitalize dull, tired skin. Vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids present in face oils can help to improve the appearance of your skin, giving it a radiant, healthy glow11.

9. Healing

The benefits of facial oil can speed up the healing process of wounds or scars. Skin that’s properly moisturized is more elastic and less likely to develop scars. Face oils can also help to reduce the appearance of existing scars by keeping the skin cells healthy and hydrated12.

10. Inflammation

Many face oils contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce swelling and redness. Inflamed skin is often the result of acne, allergies, or sensitivity. Face oils can help to soothe and reduce inflammation, keeping your skin looking calm and healthy13.

11. Reduce acne

Despite what you may have heard, face oils can actually be beneficial for acne-prone skin. Oils can help to control sebum production and keep pores clear. Acne is often the result of too much sebum (oil) production, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Face oils can help to balance sebum production, keeping pores clear and skin looking healthy14.

Related: My Fungal Acne Journey To Self-Love

12. Even skin tone

Face oils can help to even out your skin tone by reducing the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. A clear complexion is the result of healthy, evenly-toned skin. Face oils can help to improve the appearance of your skin, giving you a radiant complexion15.

13. Soften wrinkles

The benefits of facial oil can help to soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Crepey skin is often the result of dryness and lack of moisture. Face oils can help to hydrate and plump the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles16.

14. Regeneration

Face oils can encourage cell regeneration, helping your skin to look younger and more radiant. Skin cells naturally regenerate every 28 days. However, this process slows down as we age. Face oils can help to speed up cell regeneration, giving you a more youthful complexion17.

15. Relaxing

The act of massaging face oil into your skin can be relaxing and help to reduce stress levels. Gua sha and face massage are two popular techniques that can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation using face oils18.

Related: 11 Gua Sha Facial Benefits and How-To Guide

16. Detoxification

The benefits of facial oil can help to detoxify the skin by drawing out impurities and toxins. Toxins can build up in the skin, leading to breakouts and dull-looking skin. Face oils can help to cleanse and purify the skin, giving you a radiant complexion19.

17. Exfoliation

Many face oils contain exfoliating properties that can help to slough off dead skin cells and reveal brighter, smoother skin. Skin cells naturally die and are replaced every 28 days. However, this process can slow down as we age, leading to a buildup of dead skin cells. Exfoliating face oils can help to speed up cell turnover, revealing brighter, healthier skin20.

18. Stimulation

Face oils can help to stimulate collagen production, giving your skin a firmer, more youthful appearance. Circulation-boosting face oils can also help to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells, giving them a boost21.

19. Balance pH levels

Oils can help to balance your skin’s pH levels, keeping it healthy and balanced. The skin barrier is designed to protect your skin from invading bacteria and toxins. However, this barrier can be disrupted, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and inflammation. The benefits of facial oil can help to restore the skin barrier, keeping your skin healthy and hydrated22.

20. Smoothing

Oils can help to smooth out rough patches of skin, making it softer and more supple. Skin tone and texture can be uneven, resulting in a dull complexion. Face oils can help to improve the appearance of your skin, giving you a radiant complexion23.

21. Reducing pore size

Face oils can help to reduce the appearance of pores by keeping them clean and clear. Pores can become clogged with sebum, dirt, and impurities, which can lead to blackheads and breakouts. Face oils can help to cleanse and purify the pores, giving you a more even complexion24.

Choosing The Right Face Oil

When shopping for face oils, it is important to choose one that is right for your skin type:

A face oil for dry skin: should contain hydrating and nourishing oils like pecan oil, avocado oil, or rosehip oil25.

Our top facial oils for dry skin:

The Ordinary
100% Cold- Pressed
Rose Hip Seed Oil
Sephora – $9
Youth To The People
Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil
Amazon – $44
Drunk Elephant
Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil
Amazon – $68

A face oil for oily skin: should contain balancing and sebum-regulating oils like jojoba oil, grape seed oil, or hazelnut oil26.

Our top facial oils for oily skin:

Biossance
Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
Amazon – $32
Drunk Elephant
Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil
Amazon – $68
WISHFUL
Get Even Rose Face Oil
Sephora – $63

A face oil for sensitive skin: should contain calming and soothing oils like chamomile oil, lavender oil, or neroli oil27.

Our top facial oils for oily skin:

Sunday Riley
Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil
Sephora – $72
fresh
Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil
Sephora – $52
KORA Organics
Noni Glow Face Oil
Amazon – $69

A face oil for mature skin: should contain nourishing and revitalizing oils like strawberry oil, babchi oil, or carrot seed oil28.

Our top facial oils for mature skin:

WISHFUL
Get Even Rose Face Oil
Sephora – $63
Biossance
Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
Amazon – $32
Sunday Riley
Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil
Sephora – $72

A face oil for acne-prone skin: should contain sebum-regulating and antimicrobial oils like jojoba oil, tea tree oil, or lemon oil29.

Our top facial oils for acne-prone skin:

Drunk Elephant
A-Gloei™ Retinol Oil
Sephora – $72
Sunday Riley
U.F.O. Salicylic Acid BHA Acne Treatment Face Oil
Sephora – $80
KORA Organics
Noni Glow Face Oil
Amazon – $69

How To Use Facial Oils

Once you’ve chosen the right oil for your skin type, it’s time to apply it. You can use facial oils in a number of ways.

Knowing how and when to use facial oils is the key to getting the most out of your beauty routine. Here are some tips on how to use facial oils to help improve your complexion:

  1. Start with a clean face. Use a gentle cleanser to remove makeup and impurities.
  2. Apply a few drops of oil to your face. Gently massage the oil into your skin using circular motions.
  3. Allow the oil to absorb for a few minutes before applying moisturizer or makeup.
  4. Use facial oils as needed to help keep your skin hydrated and healthy. Experiment with different oils to find the ones that work best for you.

One option is to add a few drops to your regular moisturizer and apply it as you would normally. Another option is to use them as a standalone product. Simply apply a few drops to your face and massage it into your skin.


The benefits of facial oil help to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. When used properly, they can help improve your complexion and give you a radiant glow. Be sure to choose the right oil for your skin type and use it as directed for the best results. With a little trial and error, you’ll soon find the perfect facial oil for your needs.