I never paid much attention to face oils because I thought they were just going to leave my skin feeling greasy, heavy, and way too shiny. I wrote them off for the longest time, but then the Who What Wear beauty team tested out a new face oil-serum for a story, and my mind was completely changed. The serum wasn't greasy or oily at all. In fact, it was lightweight and fast-acting.
I guess I should preface all of this by saying that my skin doesn't have too many problems other than being prone to dryness. Sometimes, it goes absolutely nuts and gets super parched, red, scaly, and all-around unhappy. In those moments, I'd normally slather on my go-to moisturizers, but now, I also add select face oils to the mix to get my skin under control. These oils absorb into my skin so quickly and leave it much smoother, plumper, and more glowy. The one-two punch of face oil and moisturizer cuts my skin's freak-out time in half, so my dry and angry skin is moisturized and happy within three to four days instead of a full week. When I add a face mask to the routine, the healing process is even faster.
Now, whenever my friends complain about dry skin, I go on and on about the miraculous power of face oils. The thing about face oils is that there's one for every type of skin condition, not just dryness. Some tackle hyperpigmentation and dullness. Others target acne and breakouts. And there are products that deliver awesome anti-aging benefits.
If you're looking to deal with your dry-skin woes, I've got you covered. Take a look at the best face oils for dry skin below.
How to choose a face oil for dry skin:
Look for face oils that contain hydrating ingredients like marula, rose hip, or jojoba oils. If you're trying to address any other concerns, look for an oil that specifically calls them out.
Best Overall Oil for Dry Skin: Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum
This face oil is my go-to. First, it's formulated with 22 botanicals, so it's clean and nourishing. Second, it just feels so dang luxurious. It soaks into my skin really quickly and doesn't leave it greasy. My skin is always softer, smoother, and extra glowy after applying.
Customer review: "This serum is insanely expensive, but also insanely good. It's like a bottle of love for your skin. Hyperpigmentation? It fades dark spots. Acne? I haven’t had a zit since I started using it 6 months ago. Sensitive skin? I can now start using chemical exfoliates, which I've never been able to do. This stuff is amazing! It's expensive, but I no longer need serums and oils and moisturizers—just this stuff."
Versed's oil-serum was my gateway into face oils. It's what made me a believer. Because it's a hybrid, it feels super lightweight and a little bit more watery than other face oils, which I love. It's so good at curing dryness, and I love that it gives the skin a radiant finish.
Customer review: "Since I began using Sunday Morning, I am complimented every day on how beautiful my skin is. Sunday Morning gives a glow that is out of this world."
Made with a blend of cold-pressed superfood seed oils, Sunday Riley's Juno Face Oil restores the skin's natural moisture barrier, brightens skin complexion, and leaves it feeling oh so soft.
Customer review: "I have combination skin, and this was my first oil, so I was nervous. Juno felt like a miracle on my face! My face and skin actually felt relieved to be getting the added moisture!"
A best seller and cult favorite, this hydrating and nourishing face oil contains marula-seed oil, which is rich in antioxidants and omega-6 and -9 fatty acids.
Customer review: "I have combination to dry skin and have used oils in my routine for a long time, but this oil takes the cake. It leaves my skin feeling smooth and gives it a dewy glow without excess grease."
The rose hip, jojoba, and evening primrose oils in this facial oil give it ultra-hydrating properties. It also has some anti-aging benefits thanks to the rose hip, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Customer review: "Within a few days I noticed a difference in my skin. It is softer and smoother and more evenly toned. There is less redness and it doesn't make me break out like the lotions I have been using."
The key ingredients in this formula are THC-free cannabis sativa–seed oil, which is rich in omegas and fatty acids, and colloidal oatmeal. Both work to calm and soothe dry and irritated skin.
Customer review: "The only face oil I've found that doesn't make me break out and doesn't make me look oily. I use it morning and night under my moisturizer. It makes my skin feel so smooth and hydrated."
This is another face oil I like to keep in rotation. You use it overnight, so when you wake up, your skin looks and feels softer, smoother, and brighter. It's a blend of botanical oils such as lavender, squalane, and evening primrose.
Customer review: "This product is awesome. It absorbs quickly, and my face feels so smooth with fewer wrinkles."
Made with nine plant oils and skin-restoring ingredients, this product was made for dehydrated, flaky skin. It's also 100% fragrance-free, so sensitive skin types can use it without worrying.
Customer review: "The moisture it provides is pretty fantastic, and in the short time I've been using it, I've noticed that my skin looks a little dewier during the day."
Rose hip–seed oil targets visible signs of aging and supports skin health. This product is 100% high-purity rose hip–seed oil.
Customer review: "I am obsessed with this stuff. Although I've tried other products, nothing moisturizes, heals, and gives me a glow like this. I struggle with breakouts, but this doesn't break me out. I feel like it helps even my skin tone."
Kinship's lightweight and quick-absorbing oil works for all skin types, but especially for dry, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. It contains oat-based ceramides to restore the skin barrier and a Kin-Glo complex that's rich in antioxidants and fatty acids.
Customer review: "I have dry, somewhat sensitive skin, but I also like using multiple actives in my skincare routine. This product, along with a great moisturizer and cleansing balm, has reduced my skin irritation significantly. It's pretty light but super hydrating."
This drugstore find is lightweight and not greasy at all. It has nourishing, hydrating, and anti-aging benefits thanks to ingredients like 10 pure precious oils, retinol, vitamin C, and cocoa butter.
Customer review: "I have been using Palmer's face oil for years. I am 59, and my skin has never been better. I apply it every night after washing my face. Addicting! Takes away all the dry tightness, helps with skin tone and wrinkles. It feels so nice, and you can't beat the price. All of my girls are now hooked too!"
Good for pretty much all skin types, Tatcha's Beauty Oil targets dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and uneven skin tone. It's also infused with 23-karat gold flakes to leave the skin looking extra glowy and radiant.
Customer review: "My skin is very sensitive, and I usually get pimples when I use face oils, but not with this one. I live in Toronto, and recently, the winter weather has really increased the number of dry flakes I have on my skin. I use this oil after I use my toner and before my moisturizer, and I have no more flakes. I wake up with dewy luminous, bouncy skin."
This formula contains maqui, which is the most antioxidant-dense fruit in the world, and other super berries like goji and açai. There's also hydrating prickly pear and squalane oil to trap and absorb moisture.
Customer review: "This serum has been the perfect product to help bring my skin back to that even, natural glow I used to have! After a week of using it, my face has become so soft to touch. My acne scars have faded dramatically, and even my dry patches have become more hydrated. As soon as I put it on my face, it sinks right in and leaves that perfect healthy glow. I can't wait to see the results after continued use."
This firming and plumping formula contains a plant-derived collagen complex and vitamins A and E. The complex creates a barrier to stop water loss, leaving your skin smoother.
Customer review: "This lightweight, non-greasy, ultra-hydrating oil has completely changed the texture and bounce of my skin. Not to mention the blend of essential oils to help calm me before I go to bed."
More Face Oils to Try for Other Skin Concerns
If you're dealing with acne, this medicated oil will clear any buildup, debris, and clogged pores. It's formulated with 1.5% salicylic acid, tea tree oil, black cumin seed, hexylresorcinol, licorice, milk thistle, cucumber-seed oil, chamomile, and neroli.
Here's another option for oily and acne-prone skin types. Ingredients include Moroccan blue tansy to calm and soothe irritated skin, Ugandan nilotica shea butter to moisturize, and kigelia africana extract to clarify and firm.
Use this oil at night to rejuvenate the skin. It's formulated with algae extracts, 1.2% retinol, and natural sources of vitamin A.
This facial oil works like a rich cream but absorbs into the skin instantly. It's formulated to resurface the skin and hydrate and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
There is rose hip–seed oil in this formula, which is a natural source of vitamin A, and retinoic acid. It works to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and target other signs of aging. It also contains nourishing and smoothing ingredients such as arnica, borage, alfalfa, elderberry, meadowsweet, calendula, and neroli.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
