Best Facial Oil & How to Use Face Oil

If you’d told me to try a face oil a few years ago, I would’ve run for the hills. And now, I’m completely obsessed with having a facial oil. I’ve tried quite a few. Not only is this one a great organic face oil, but I think it’s the best facial oil over all!

Best Facial Oil

Having had adult acne, I was hyper aware of oil on my face, so why would I ever try a facial oil? Well, just like the foods we eat, there are good oils and not so good oils for your skin. Facial oils are the good kind.

Facial Oil vs Moisturizer

So what’s the difference between a facial oil vs moisturizer, which do you need, and can you apply both? In essence, moisturizers are water-based and so can sink into the skin to moisturize skin. Because they are water-based, however, the moisture can evaporate. Face oils are…wait for it…. oil-based, so they don’t moisturize your skin, but they seal in any moisture underneath. They don’t really evaporate.

So do you need a facial oil or a moisturizer? It depends on your skin. I use a facial oil year round (it’s one of my summer skin care musts). In the summer, I use it morning and night as my moisturizer step (no moisturizer). In the winter, I use it in the morning but turn to an intensive moisturizer at night! And when things are really dry, I put the oil on top of my moisturizer. You’ll have to see what feels right for you, now.

If your skin feels good with a moisturizer but then dries out over the course of the day or night, you might consider adding an oil on top. If your skin feels a little “claustrophobic” or you find yourself breaking out with a moisturizer, you might consider skipping the moisturizer and just doing a face oil.

There are a slew of facial oils and they all do many different things, but this luminous oil has a great scent, moisturizes my skin nicely, and is very soothing. Others, especially those focused on brightening (see other great options for skin brightening products) can be a bit more ‘active.’ This isn’t to say they’re irritating, it’s just that everyone’s skin is different, so more sensitive times or skin might not want all those active ingredients.

What is a Good Face Oil?

Face oils need to be made from high quality ingredients (again, just like the oils we eat). You always want to look at if an oil has certified organic ingredients (a good face oil should) and what the sourcing of the oils is.

There are a variety of face oil options and ingredients. Many companies use a mix of oils. The main ingredients (higher up the ingredient list) are going to be the carrier oils. Common options in clean beauty are jojoba oil, squalane oil, argan oil, pumpkin seed oil, almond oil, rosehip oil and rosehip seed oil, and marula oil.

Next on the list are usually essential oils, each of which is used for different purposes and in different amounts. Some popular oils are citrus oils (used for brightening), blue tansy (used for inflammation and as a microbial), and chamomile (to soothe skin).

These oils work to seal in moisture and actively help skin – brightening, calming, soothing, or helping with acne. Yes, face oils are good for acne prone skin as they help lock in moisture without clogging pores. Your skin can naturally balance its oil production with this help!

How to Choose Face Oil

Once you see if the oils are (hopefully) organic and processed responsibly, you’ll want to see what the other ingredients are. As I mentioned above, various ingredients – namely essential oils – are used for different purposes. Think about what you want from a face oil (brightening for sun spots or scarring? nourishing cuz ALWAYS, right? antimicrobial for acne prevention?). Pick the face oil best for you based on your needs and desires.

For the most part, a good quality face oil won’t hurt your skin, you can just pick a product that helps you with what you’re looking for.

Organic Face Oil

In the world of non toxic makeup and skincare, you’ll see a lot of ingredients. Those labeled as organic are always of interest, partly because that means they’re ‘natural.’ Now, I will note that organic is a complicated notion – especially in skincare…

First, to get every single ingredient in a product to be organic is very difficult, so often it’s partly or mostly organic. Second, the process of becoming certified organic (the farm) is very expensive, so small farmers are unable to get the certification even if they follow the same practices.

The ingredients in my favorite I AM Luminous oil organic face oil are:

Sea Fennel Extract, Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil*, Argan Oil*, Sea Buckthorn Berry Extract*, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil*, Squalane, Cucurbita Maxima Seed Oil*, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Oil, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Citrus Limon(Lemon) Fruit Oil, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Tocopherol

This is glorious combination of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and olive-derived squalane. Use my Crunchi discount code ADVOCATE15 for 15% off your first order.

Best Face Oil for Dry Skin

So if this organic face oil is so moisturizing, do I ever have dryness? Well, yes, because seasons happen here in Sacramento and a complete lack of humidity attacks in winter months.

As I mentioned above, facial oils don’t hydrate skin (learn how to hydrate skin), they seal in what hydration is there (whether natural from your skin or from a moisturizer step).

It is important to note that dry skin can be more sensitive, which is why I love this luminous oil. It’s moisturizing and soothing – even great for rosacea! That’s why I think it’s the best facial oil! It’s all around perfection.

Facial Oil for Aging Skin

When it comes to facial oils for aging skin, you’ll want a facial oil packed with antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and something that helps with skin cell turnover. Pumpkin seed oil is the best for this!

The I AM Luminous Oil is primarily pumpkin seed oil for this reason! It’s also incredibly nourishing, which I find helpful since I’m using a variety of other products with actives in them, so this is a workhorse without worry!

How to Use Face Oil

To use a face oil, put enough oil in the palm of you (clean) hand. Rub the oil vigorously between your palms to warm it up and get it all over. Then press the oil on your palms into your face. The warmth and pressure help to get the oil in place without moving other product around!

Face oils are part of your moisturizing step. You can use a face oil in one of two ways. The first is to use it as your moisturizer (after cleanser, toner, and/or serum). If you have oily/acne prone skin or sensitive skin, this may be best. In the summer time, I use this as my moisturizer step at night because my skin doesn’t want any moisturizer.

You can also use a face oil to lock in moisture from a moisturizer. So apply your moisturizer, then apply a face oil after. Ultimately, a face oil needs to the be the last step in your routine (before SPF if using).

You can see in my AM skincare routine that I use the oil after my serum and before sunscreen. If you aren’t using a serum, apply it just after drying your face from washing – same for morning and night. Read the benefits of facial serum here!

Best Facial Oils

I’ve loved many face oils over the years. Though this luminous oil quickly became a favorite, here are a few others I also love to use.

• I AM Luminous oil by Crunchi (use code ADVOCATE15 for 15% off & free shipping)
• Brightening facial Oil by Counter
• 100% Squalane Oil by Indie Lee (use code 20LUCI for 20% off)
• Kari Gran Essential Peptide Serum – a lovely serum and oil in one (use code LUCIKG15 for 15% off your first order – read my full Kari Gran skincare review)
• Herbal Facial Oil by Annmarie Skincare
• Activist Precious Oils Active Infusion (use LUCISMORSELS20 for 20% off)

Crunchi makes a great line of non toxic beauty products. See my Crunchi skincare review and my Crunchi makeup review rundown for my favorite products of theirs.

My O.G. brand for skincare is Counter. See my favorite (read: MUSTHAVE) Counter products review.

The Indie Lee Squalane is the lightest weight oil of all of these. I like to use it as a midday pick me up (for a little glow) or to mix in with my tinted SPF. It’s fast absorbing and VERY lightweight.

If you’re looking for a skincare line that’s a little more straightforward, check out Activist refillable skincare. They’re facial oil is my other go to and the cost is significantly less!

Wondering where to start? First, you’ll need to figure out your skin type! Second, learn what order you should do skincare! From there you can learn about the benefits of facial serum to best pick the right one for you.

Don’t end your skincare at your hairline. Check out these hair detox products from my favorite hair care company!

Non Toxic Skincare & Makeup

Since clean beauty is an important part of sustainable living (what we wash down the drain matters as much as what we put on our skin), be sure to check out:

Non Toxic Makeup Brands
Counter Review (previously Beautycounter)
Crunchi Review (skincare)
Crunchi Makeup Review
Clean Beauty at Nordstrom
Clean Beauty at Sephora
Clean Beauty at Target
Clean Beauty at Walmart
Clean Beauty at ULTA

Common items of interest include shampoo bar reviews and how to you use them? What natural deodorant actually works? Are there refillable deodorant options? What’s the best double edge razor blades (the best safety razor and how to use them properly). And the best makeup brush cleaner (on the cheap and easy)!

There are also great natural skin care products for men, including hair care! And you’ll want to check out these wonderful natural bar soaps as well as the answer to the ever popular question: what are skin toners for!