Even though I’m acne-prone (although it’s currently all under control, thankfully!) I absolutely love a facial oil and I think they’re one of the best things you can add to your skincare routine, even though they’re pretty controversial, as some dermatologists think oils are the worst product for your skin (as your skin should be making its own oil, in a perfect world) whilst others think they’re a great way to help skin that’s in need of assistance. Oils can perform a variety of tasks, from basic, additional hydration to soothing, calming, clarifying, brightening and even feeding your skin – they are amazing and I really miss them in my current routine! With that in mid, I thought I’d put together some of my absolute favourite oils, with some great ones to try if you’re looking to add something new to your routine or even try an oil for the first time.
If you’re spot prone…
When my skin is breaking out, I always ensure I have an oil around to add some calming hydration. There are many people who believe that oils alone have cured their acne, so don’t be afraid of them if you’re spot-prone, as there are formulas designed specifically for you!
The first one is a relatively new-to-the-UK brand from Iceland called Ra Oils, which was actually formed to address one of the founder’s stubborn acne, so a whole oil range based on dealing with spots! There are a few oils in the range, but the main spot-fighting one is the Acne Therapy Face Oil, which is a great formulation for addressing the spots themselves as well as the inflammation and post-acne scarring, so great for anyone who regularly struggles with breakouts. Find it here – link – for £65.
The Indemne Gimme Clear! Anti-Acne Lotion was my first real experience of an oil created specifically to address spots, and it works so well that I keep a bottle handy for any time I need to pop any spots (which thankfully hasn’t been for a while!) as I use this to quickly sooth and settle the inflammation before cracking on with my skincare/makeup routine. It’s £20.25 here – link.
If your skin just needs some balance…
I used to really struggle with skin that was very extreme, so tricky to take care of it – it was dry and tight, yet inflamed and spot-prone, so trying to balance it all was a nightmare! The Zelens Power D Drops have quickly gained cult status for being quite unlike anything else on the market, since they help to restore the skin’s barrier and toughen it up, so it’s less of a struggle to maintain. Find them here – link – for £115.
Right at the other end of the price spectrum is The Ordinary Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil, that’s designed as an add-on to other treatments and contains an impressive collection of fatty acids, to help restore and repair stressed out skin. It’s £14.90 here – link.
If you want an oil that that’s packed with goodies…
Probably my favourite category as I love both these oils, even though I think both of them are marketed as serums more than oils, they are still very much oils to me. The Beuti Beauty Sleep Elixir was my most-used oil for absolutely ages as it’s rich, hydrating, balancing and glow-giving, with results visible after a single use. It’s £42 here – link.
Bodhi and Birch launched their extremely lust-worthy Superfoods collection recently (I want it all) and it included the Super25 Botanical Serum, named as such due to the inclusion of 25 seeds, fruits, nuts and berry oils – if you have no idea where to start with an oil, this lovely treat will see you well. It’s £75 here – link.
If your skin can go either way…
The Samaya Pitta Anti-Ageing Treatment Oil deserves all the love for the fragrance alone – as soon as you apply it you’re greeted with the scent of fresh jasmine, which lingers beautifully without being too pungent. It’s also a great oil that will keep sensible skin in good condition. It’s £79 here – link.
The Ordinary Borage Seed Oil is another great product for keeping the balance, providing some lovely fatty acids without flooding the skin. It’s also 100% organic, and can be found here – link – for £4.20.
The Australian Jojoba from The Jojoba Company is one of those fantastic, basic oils that really would suit any skin type (so a particularly great choice if you’re spot-prone) as it’s one of the most similar oils to human sebum, so skin accepts it very easily. This one is my favourite and a bargain at £12.99 here – link – as you can see, I’ve almost emptied it!
If you’re looking for a bit of luxury…
Sometimes you just want to splurge, and the great thing about oils is that you can really invest in a decadent product and reap the rewards. You don’t have to spend a lot to find a good oil, but there is a real joy to using something so incredible luxurious as part of your routine. The Decorte Vitality Tincture is a bit of a cheat inclusion as this is an essence, but it’s an oil-led essence, meaning you get that beautifully hydrating feeling, enjoying the rewards of a really fancy oil and an essence in one swoop. It’s out of stock at Selfridges at the mo, but it’s usually £140 and you can find it here – link.
The Kypris Beauty Elixir 1000 Roses is another product that’s got a steady cult status due to how lovely it is – the clue is in the name, as it’s pure rose oil and it smells incredible; nothing like the synthetic rose smell you might be familiar with! This is a very rich treatment that I like to use kind of like an overnight mask a few times a week, although the very dry could use it daily. It’s £86 here – link.
The Rodin Olio Lusso Jasmine and Neroli Luxury Face Oil is pretty much as it sounds; beautifully fragranced, light yet hydrating and comes in very pretty packaging. It’s £105 here – link.
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