A-Z Guide to Face Oils

Wondering which face oils are best for your skin type?

We’re here to help! Below is a HUGE guide to some of the best types of face oils out there along with our product recommendations for each. We even tell you which skin types will benefit the most from each oil…because, let’s face it, not all oils are created equal!

We have a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get into it!

Açaí

Açaí oil has a ridiculous amount of benefits for those of you with dry, aging or acne-prone skin. It contains fatty acids that are easily absorbed by the skin to help increase plumpness and elasticity…perfect for aging skin! It also has a slew of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help our skin cells regenerate faster, meaning we can more easily heal breakouts, dry patches and irritation.

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Almond (Sweet)

Sweet almond oil is full of vitamin E and vitamin A, which are both great for the skin! The vitamin E in this oil helps fight environmental stress and UV damage, while vitamin A helps reduce acne. Almond oil can easily penetrate the skin, so it’s great for cleaning out any dirt and oil that accumulates in your pores. Be sure to use almond oil as a natural makeup remover! Just rub it all over your face, rinse and follow up with a double cleanse.

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Argan

While you typically see Argan oil in hair products, it’s actually a great oil to use on your skin as well. It’s one of those oils that fall right in the middle of the heavy to light spectrum, and it is non-comedogenic meaning it won’t clog your pores. Argan oil can be used to moisturize your skin and reduce acne! The vitamin E in the oil helps reduce inflammation, while also helping to control oil production.

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Arnica

Growing up, my mom used to always apply arnica on our sore muscles because of its incredible healing properties. Little did I know, you can use it on your face to help reduce scarring and inflammation as well! If you have irritated or acne-prone skin, give this oil a try to speed up the healing process after a stubborn breakout.

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Avocado

What can’t an avocado do?! Avocado oil is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, D, and E, which are all great moisturizers and protectors for the skin. It helps reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne or irritated skin, and also promotes collagen production to help heal wounds faster.

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Blue Tansy

Think of Blue Tansy as an anti-stress oil for your skin! It is a powerful anti-inflammatory that soothes irritated skin and reduces redness. Great for acne, eczema and dermatitis flare ups. Be sure to use at night only due to its rich blue color!

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Calendula

Calendula oil is extracted for marigold flowers and is an amazing anti-inflammatory! (This another one of those oils my mom used to use on us as little kids.) It is perfect for soothing acne wounds, eczema flare ups and any other rashes you might find on your skin. It’s an all-around healer!

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Camellia

I’ve been using this Good Molecules Facial Oil for a couple of months now and love the effects of the camellia oil in it! This oil is very moisturizing but sinks in perfectly into your skin. It’s also rich in fatty acids and antioxidants which help protect against free radical damage. Not to mention, it’s great for acne because it controls oil production!

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Castor

While castor oil is most commonly known for stimulating hair growth, it is actually also great for your skin! This oil contains Ricinoleic acid, which can actually stop bacteria growth caused by acne (hooray!). Castor oil is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and rich in fatty acids that can help sooth the skin’s texture. It’s also a low comedogenic, meaning it is less likely to clog your pores.

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Chia Seed

Chia seed oil is filled with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin B3, zinc and TONS of antioxidants, meaning this oil is here to do some work! It helps soothe dry skin, fight irritation and UV damage, and even clear up blemishes thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Seriously, what can’t chia seed oil do?

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Coconut

Coconut oil is a tricky one! While it’s great for your scalp, teeth, underarms, etc…it might not always be the best for your skin. Coconut oil is actually very heavy and comedogenic, meaning it can easily clog your pores. Now for those of you with extra dry skin, this might be a good facial oil to spot treat with after you moisturize. Personally, I like to use it as an eye makeup remover!

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Evening Primrose

How fancy does this facial oil sound?? Evening Primrose oil (EPO) comes from a little yellow wildflower found in North America, Europe and Asia that is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid with incredible healing properties. EPO is known to increase elasticity in the skin, reduce inflammation and scarring from acne flare ups, and increase moisture retention.

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Flaxseed

Flaxseed oil is full of omega 3 fatty acids which help to improve our skin’s texture and reduce wrinkles by helping to repair our skin cells. It’s a great anti-aging oil that you can either use all over your face or as spot treatments for stubborn areas (like crows feet!). It also helps reduce inflammation if you have any rashes, irritations or breakouts!

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Grape Seed

Grape seed oil is great for those of you with very sensitive, acne-prone skin! It’s one of those face oils that sinks in perfectly into the skin without leaving you feeling like a greasy mess. The fatty acids and antimicrobial properties make this a great oil for treating breakouts. It also helps the vitamin E and C in your skin work better, meaning it brings back moisture, softness and elasticity!

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Hemp Seed

Hemp seed oil is a non-intoxicating oil that is filled with fatty acids and vitamin E to help bring back moisture and suppleness to your skin, which in turn controls oil production. It’s also non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your precious pores!

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Jojoba

Jojoba oil is a super popular carrier oil that can be found in MANY beauty products. Thanks to its non-comedogenic, anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties, it makes for a great facial oil! Turn to jojoba when your skin is feeling extra dry and irritated. It will provide just the right amount of moisture without clogging your skin.

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Lavender

Don’t you just love the smell of lavender? Well, good news is it’s also great for your skin! When diluted with other carrier oils, lavender can help get rid of acne-causing bacteria, soothe dry skin and even lighten dark spots to give you a more even complexion.

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Manuka

Manuka oil (which is totally different than Manuka honey btw) has amazing antibacterial properties, which make it perfect for fighting pesky breakouts. It helps fight bacterial growth and even helps reduce scarring and marks. Overall, this is a great oil for those of us dealing with pimples!

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Marula

Marula oil is one of those oils that works for pretty much all skin types! However, it is especially good for people with oily, acne-prone or aging skin. Marula oil absorbs easily into the skin and leaves little residue behind, making it a great moisturizer for those who tend to break out often. It also contains amino acids, fatty acids and antioxidants (like vitamin E) that help hydrate and protect our skin from environmental damages.

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Moringa

If you have dry, aging, acne-prone or sensitive skin, listen up! Moringa oil is full of skin loving vitamins (A, C and E!) that help heal dry skin, increase collagen production, reduce inflammation and even minimize the appearance of dark spots or hyperpigmentation. It’s pretty much an all-around superstar, don’t you think?

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Neroli

Neroli oil is derived from the bitter orange flower and is commonly used in perfumes. But did you know it’s also amazing for the skin? Neroli helps “perk up” the skin by stimulating skin cell regeneration, which in turn, reduces scarring and age spots. It’s also antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving. In other words, it’s great for treating painful pimples!

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Pumpkin Seed

Pumpkins aren’t just for cute fall decor, friends! Pumpkin seed oil contains tons of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that keep your skin hydrated, clean and full of life. The zinc and magnesium in it help treat acne, while vitamins E and C help fight off free radicals. Overall, this facial oil is a MUST in your skincare routine!

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Rosehip

If you’re looking to get rid of that stubborn, post-breakout hyperpigmentation, then look no further. Rosehip seed oil contains anti-inflammatory fatty acids and vitamins A and C, which together help to reduce scars and spots. It’s also great at moisturizing the skin, reducing fine lines and increasing elasticity.

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Sacha Inchi

Sacha whaaat?! If you’ve never heard of this oil before, listen up because it’s GAME CHANGING. Sacha Inchi is considered to be the richest plant-based source of essential fatty acids and vitamins. Seriously, go back and read that again! This powerhouse of an oil protects against UV damage, regulates oil production, soothes inflammation, increases elasticity, hydrates the skin (without clogging!) and diminishes fine lines. Say whaaat?!

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Sea Buckthorn

Sea Buckthorn oil comes from the berries and leaves of a small little shrub that grows in the Himalayas and is full of rich antioxidants and fatty acids. This oil helps your skin retain moisture, protect itself from UV damage, and even boost collagen and elasticity. It’s great for all skin types, especially aging!

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Tea Tree

Lastly, we have tea tree oil – a very popular essential oil known for its antibacterial properties. But is it actually good for your skin? Turns out, tea tree is only good as a spot treatment if you are suffering from BACTERIA-CAUSED acne. If your acne is a source of hormonal imbalances or whacky oil production, then tea tree is not for you. And if your skin is sensitive, stay away as it can cause irritations.

And that’s a wrap on face oils!

As always, comment below or DM us on Instagram with questions!