“Face oils are tricky,” says Kiran Mian, D.O, a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York City.
asserted
Mian → say → City
One size rarely fits all in skin care and face oils are particularly nuanced.
asserted
oils → fit → care
At their most basic, face oils are hydrators with both emollient and occlusive properties (meaning they help repair the skin barrier and lock in moisture), says Hadley King, M.D., board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
asserted
King → mean → City
But they can do so much more than moisturize.
asserted
they → do → more
“Face oils definitely have a place with all different types of skin because they have a lot of different benefits,” says Navin Arora, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Borealis Dermatology in New York, including treating acne and redness.
asserted
Arora → have → acne
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can also deliver an added boost to your skin care routine.
asserted
properties → deliver → routine
So, how do you find the right face oil for your skin type?
asserted
you → find → type
Below, I rounded up everything you need to know when shopping for one and compiled a list of options to shop based on expert guidance.
asserted
you → round → guidance
The best face oils
I asked board-certified dermatologists for their favorite face oils for various skin types and concerns.
asserted
I → ask → types
In Arora’s opinion, the best face oils are those that come with antioxidant benefits as well as hydrating benefits.
asserted
that → come → benefits
He likes Youth to the People’s Superberry Hydrate and Glow Face Dream Oil for its antioxidant-rich ingredient list, which has vitamins C and E and green tea to reduce inflammation.
asserted
which → like → inflammation
“Inflammation can come from a variety of things, either internal like rosacea or acne, or external like certain products, makeup or environmental exposures such as pollution and dust, which can cause the skin to flare up,” says Arora.
asserted
Arora → come → pollution
“I think this face oil is really good at protecting you from the daily damage that’s done to your face.”
asserted
that → think → face
Selected senior editor Nikki Brown says this oil from Herbivore is one of her favorite face oils to use during winter, especially after running or swimming.
asserted
oil → say → winter
It treats redness and dry skin using blue tansy oil and squalane, according to the brand.
uncertain
It → treat → brand
“It has a clarifying effect on my skin without drying it out,” she says.
asserted
she → have → it
“If I’m dealing with a teeny breakout, I’ll apply this before bed and when I wake up in the morning, the blemish is usually smaller and my skin looks generally better.
asserted
skin → deal → morning
For sensitive skin, King likes Ghost Democracy’s Softglow Facial Oil, which is rich in vitamin E, antioxidants and fatty acids — a combination she says helps repair cellular damage.
asserted
she → like → damage
It also has squalane that acts as both an emollient and occlusive, which means it is hydrating, too.
asserted
it → have → emollient
It’s also free of mineral oil, essential oils, and fragrances, none of which are fundamentally bad, but can be irritating for certain skin types.
asserted
none → ’ → types
“It’s especially good for those with acne-prone skin,” she says.
asserted
she → ’ → skin
The fatty acids found in this oil mimic the natural skin barrier, which can help hydrate, says Arora.
asserted
Arora → find → barrier
It also has antioxidant properties to help repair cell damage, according to the brand.
uncertain
It → have → brand
But the most exciting benefit, particularly for those with acne, are the anti-inflammatory properties of rosehip oil, which make it ideal for treating pimples and other inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea and eczema.
asserted
it → make → rosacea
Best for full body
Bio-Oil has long been favored by dermatologists for its ability to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks, and Arora often recommends it as a face oil.
asserted
Arora → favor → oil
The mineral oil-based product includes vitamin E (a protective antioxidant), and chamomile, lavender, and rosemary oils, all of which have anti-inflammatory properties.
asserted
all → base → properties
For this reason, Arora likes Bio-Oil for those dealing with not only acne scars, but also rosacea.
asserted
Arora → like → scars
However, Bio-Oil does have potential allergens, including citronellol, limonene, and linalool, so be sure to test it on a small area of skin before applying it everywhere.
asserted
Oil → have → it
For a luxe option, King recommends Carter + Jane The Everything Oil.
asserted
King → recommend → Oil
It’s pricey, but it has a bundle of oils in it, which work together to hydrate the skin and deliver antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, according to King.
uncertain
which → ’ → King
She likes that it’s formulated without alcohol, making it less likely to be irritating to sensitive skin.
asserted
it → like → skin
It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, according to the brand.
uncertain
It → ’ → brand
How I picked the best face oils
Finding the optimal face oil for you starts with identifying your skin type and the issue you want to target, such as redness or acne.
asserted
you → pick → redness
There’s also likely to be some trial and error involved, says Mian.
asserted
Mian → ’ → ?
Here’s what I kept in mind for our list:
asserted
I → ’ → list
Certain face oils can mimic the natural skin barrier, helping strengthen the skin and resolve issues like dryness and redness, says Arora.
asserted
Arora → mimic → dryness
Look for formulas with essential fatty acids and ceramides, both of which are emollients that can help repair damage.
asserted
that → look → damage
Many botanical oils, like jojoba and rosehip oil, are naturally rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial properties, says King.
asserted
King → have → properties
Other formulas have added antioxidants, like vitamin C, which can help repair cell damage and brighten skin.
asserted
which → add → skin
In fact, face oils can be the ideal delivery vehicle for active ingredients since they penetrate skin so well, says Arora.
asserted
Arora → penetrate → skin
…and 43 more, not listed.
The Aporia
