Face oil is one of those skincare steps I really look forward to applying.
Typically packed with nourishing ingredients and scented with heavenly aromatherapy fragrances, applying a face oil can bring a touch of spa to your normal skincare routine. The result is spa-like too, leaving your skin with a radiant glow.
While the purpose of face oil is generally to create a moisture barrier on your skin, many oils are formulated with some effective ingredients for added benefits such as brightening, toning and targeting signs of ageing.
In this article, I will be discussing some of the best face oils on the market, exploring the benefits of oils for skin and explaining the differences between oil and moisturiser.
What type of oil should I use for my skin type?
Before we jump into our recommendations for the best facial oils, we wanted to provide some suggestions on what type of face oil you should look for depending on your skin type.
Some oils have multiple benefits, making them perfect for targeting different skin types and concerns.
Normal or Combination Skin: Rosehip, Jojoba, Grapeseed, Sweet Almond, Apricot Kernal
Oily Skin: Evening Primrose, Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Grapeseed, Tea Tree
Dehydrated Skin: Rosehip oil, Sweet Almond, Jojoba, Avocado, Apricot Kernal, Macadamia Oil
Mature: Avocado, Rosehip, Evening Primrose. Almond, Argan, Apricot Kernal, Macadamia Oil
9 of the Best Face Oils for Glowy, Hydrated Skin
Go To Skincare Face Hero
Best face oil for all skin types, but especially sensitive skin.
With so many amazing facial oils on the market, it’s hard to determine the best face oil of them all, however, Face Hero by Go-To Skincare is a standout.
There is a cult following for Face Hero due to it being incredibly nourishing and effective in improving your skin tone and health while also being affordable.
Related Read: Go-To Skincare Face Hero Review
It is a lightweight facial oil with a perfect consistency that features 10 potent, purposefully selected plant and nut oils. These oils are packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants that penetrate deeply and quickly to hydrate, revive, and brighten the skin.
It is non–comedogenic and suitable for sensitive skin, made in Australia, Cruelty-free and vegan.
It also smells amazing and leaves skin feeling plump and dewy.
- 30mls
- Contains ten potent plant and nut oils
- Absorbs quickly
- Cruelty-Free, Vegan
- Sulphate Free, Paraben Free
Frank Body Super Ceramide Barrier Oil
Best face oil for dehydrated, sensitive and breakout-prone skin types.
Soothe stressed-out skin with the Super Ceramide Barrier Oil from Frank Body. Known for their budget-friendly, yet high-performance skin and body care products, this facial oil is no exception and will be a staple in your Winter skincare routine.
The lightweight and nourishing formula is enriched with a harmonious blend of Ceramides, Prickly Pear Oil, Squalane and Kakadu Plum Extract designed to shield and fortify your skin barrier.
I have been using the Super Ceramide Barrier Oil to get my skin barrier back on track and find it leaves your skin feeling super soft, supple and plump. Unlike other face oils I have tried, this is a ‘dry oil’ with a more watery consistency that effortlessly absorbs into your skin without leaving a sticky or heavy residue. Complement the oil with a moisturiser to seal in hydration.
- 30ml
- Affordable and effective
- Lightweight, non-sticky consistency
- Can be used on sensitive and breakout-prone skin
- Made in Australia
- Cruelty-Free
Kora Organics Noni Glow
Best face oil for normal to dry skin types.
Noni Glow is an Award-winning face oil from Kora Organics – founded by Australian businesswoman and model, Miranda Kerr.
Like the entire KORA range, Noni Glow is formulated with a powerful combination of certified organic ingredients to nourish, brighten, smooth and improve overall skin health and radiance.
Some of the key ingredients include Rosehip for overall skin radiance and health, Pomegranate Oil for calming and regenerative benefits, Jojoba oil for soothing, nourishing and hydration and Noni – a powerful antioxidant to soften, improve skin tone and target fine lines and wrinkles.
This is a lightweight formula that absorbs quickly and is pleasantly fragranced.
- 30ml
- Powerful formulation of natural and organic ingredients
- Made in Australia
- Relaxing Jojoba scent
- Comes in a few different sizes
The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil
Best face oil for oily skin types and anti-ageing concerns.
At under $20 AUD, this is a really affordable face oil. Don’t let the price fool you – it’s one of the best-rated face oils on the market.
Rosehip Seed Oil is loved by The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton and Goop Girl herself, Gwyneth Paltrow due to the various benefits it provides for the skin. Some of these benefits include protecting the skin, fighting free radical damage and targeting signs of ageing.
The Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Oil from The Ordinary is a pure Rosehip Oil that has been carefully processed to lock in the benefits. It works particularly well in improving hyperpigmentation.
- 30ml
- High quality and efficacy, low price
- Certified Organic
- Cold pressed for maximum potency
- Cruelty-Free and Vegan
- Suitable for all skin types including acne-prone
Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil for Dehydrated Skin
Best face oil for signs of ageing and dehydrated skin types.
Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil is a luxurious blend of natural ingredients that helps restore vitality and radiance to dehydrated skin. This oil is enriched with Blue Orchid extract and essential oil Patchouli to tone and revitalise parched skin.
Nourishing Hazelnut oil helps to protect against dehydration, leaving the skin feeling supple and satiny soft without any greasy residue.
The addition of Rosewood and Patchouli essential oils further helps to restore vitality and radiance to the skin, leaving it feeling dewy and nourished. This face oil is made from 100% pure plant extracts, making it a perfect choice for those looking for a natural and effective way to achieve glowing skin.
- 30ml
- Cruelty-Free, Sulphate Free
- Made from 100% pure plant extracts
- Heavenly scent of Rosewood and Patchouli oils
- Tones and improves complexion
The Jojoba Company Jojoba Oil
Best face oil for irritated, dehydrated and sensitive skin types.
The Jojoba Company‘s Australian Jojoba Facial Oil is a luxurious, natural oil that is perfect for sensitive and problem skin.
It is made from extra–virgin, cold–pressed and filtered 14 times to create a superior concentrated extract. This oil is rich in Omega 6 & 9 fatty acids, and Vitamins A, D and E, which help to nourish and repair the skin. It can be used on its own or as a serum under your usual skincare regime. It is incredibly soothing for dryness, dehydration, redness & irritation.
It is Australian-owned, grown and bottled, vegan, gluten–free and palm oil–free. With regular use, it will result in plumper, softer and more supple skin.
- 85ml
- 100% pure Jojoba Oil
- Australian Made
- Deeply moisturises and nourishes the skin
Skinstitut Retinol Face Oil
Best face oil for ageing and mature skin types.
A great option for a retinol-based face oil is the EXPERT Reveal retinol face oil from the Cosmeceutical brand, Skinstitut.
While it’s a little on the expensive side, you are getting the benefit of retinol in a luxurious oil form.
Contains two forms of vitamin A – Retinyl Palmitate and Retinol. A gentle formulation of retinol reduces irritation and redness that can happen with using retinol products.
- 30ml
- 0.9% retinol strength (medium to high strength retinol)
- Australian Made
- Cosmeceutical standard skincare
- Sulphate, Paraben and Alcohol-Free
Eco Tan Australia Glory Oil
Best face oil for ageing and mature skin types.
Eco Tan Australia Glory Oil is a nourishing treatment oil that is suitable for use day and night.
It has a lightweight texture that is ideal for all skin types and helps to reduce the appearance of scars and fine lines. It contains a blend of certified organic and natural ingredients, including Inca Inchi, Acai and Pumpkin Seed Oils, which are rich in omega fatty acids. This facial oil hydrates the skin and provides antioxidant protection.
It is vegan and PETA–certified cruelty–free.
- 30ml
- Improves textured skin and fine lines
- Contains a unique blend of super seed oils
- Certified organic
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Ere Perez – Australian Blue Cypress Face Nectar
Best face oil for dry, sensitive skin types.
Ere Perez Australian Blue Cypress Face Nectar is a luxurious face oil that is packed with powerful botanical oils to deliver a lifting glow and dewiness to your skin.
It is infused with Australian blue cypress, camellia, jasmine flower, jojoba, cedar wood & rice to visibly brighten and lift your complexion. It helps to reduce the visible signs of dehydrated or stressed skin, leaving you with a plump, hydrated and more radiant skin tone.
This product is vegan and cruelty-free and has a non–oily formula that won’t clog your pores. It has a natural light scent and is perfect for day and night use.
- 30ml
- Formulated with several nourishing botanical oils
- Quenches dehydrated skin
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Aesop Fabulous Face Oil
Best face oil for normal to oily skin types.
Aesop Fabulous Face Oil is a lightweight facial oil designed to balance and replenish normal to combination skin.
It contains purifying, balancing and skin–softening botanicals, such as Juniper Berry, Ylang Ylang and Jasmine Petal, that work together to help reduce congestion and dullness.
The gentle floral and herbaceous scent is suitable for all genders and can be used to customise the rest of your hydration routine.
Those with normal or combination skin will most enjoy Aesop Fabulous Face Oil, especially those concerned with congestion or a lack of radiance in the complexion.
- 25ml
- Australian Made
- Cruelty-Free and Vegan
- Pleasant essential oil scent
Frequently Asked Questions
Are oils actually good for your face?
Many people often wonder whether a face oil is necessary, or even actually beneficial for your skin.
Face oils can minimise water loss from the skin. It’s important to note that they won’t add moisture (they are an oil after all!), but they will lock hydration in by creating a barrier on the skin.
Those with dry, dehydrated, sun-damaged and irritated skin can find face oils particularly beneficial in soothing skin and helping to repair the skin barrier.
Is facial oil better than moisturiser?
In short, moisturisers can actually add hydration to your skin — oils cannot. They can lock in moisture, but not add hydration.
Can I use a face oil if I have acne-prone skin?
When should I use face oil?
This can depend on your skin type.
If you have naturally oily or combination skin, you will want to apply a face oil at night given your skin’s natural sebum production throughout the day. Those with dry skin can consider adding a few drops of oil to their daytime moisturiser.
In terms of your skincare application steps, it is best to use a face oil as the last step in your skincare routine after you have applied all of your other products. This will help to seal in the moisture and nutrients from the other products, and will also help to protect your skin from environmental damage.
If you have a jade roller or gua sha, face oil is the perfect product to apply to let it glide easily across your face as you massage and tone.
