The 10 Best Natural Oils for Your Face

From coconut to argan, many oils are claimed to be beneficial for the skin. But which ones are most effective for improving skin health and quality? Whether you’re interested in moisturizing, protecting, or cleansing your skin, oils could be the key to enhancing your skincare routine.

Each type of oil has its own benefits and may affect your skin in different ways. At NOTO, we focus on creating inclusive skincare products, so we look for oils that work best for all skin types. Here we’ve created a roundup of the best natural oils for your face to help find one that suits your skin type and needs.

1. Argan Oil

Argan oil is harvested from the kernels of the argan tree in Morocco. It is considered a good oil for your face because it is packed with antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamin E, making it an excellent choice for moisturizing and protecting your skin. The oil is lightweight and absorbs quickly, so you can use it on its own or with other skincare products to nourish your skin.

Argan oil is perfect for those with sensitive, acne-prone skin, as it is non-irritating and non-comedogenic. This oil is also known to deliver anti-aging effects. One study found that argan oil can increase skin elasticity in postmenopausal women. You can find argan oil in our Rooted Oil. We’ve blended argan oil with essential oils like bergamot to create a mood-lifting potion with tons of skincare benefits!

2.Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the best natural oils for your face because it has many benefits for the skin. It is rich in medium-chain fatty acids and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The fatty acids help moisturize dry skin and prevent premature signs of aging. The oil is also shown to reduce acne due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Coconut oil can be used in many different ways to benefit your skin. We get our coconut oil through sustainable harvesting methods and use it in everything from our skincare to Color + Glo sticks. The blend of coconut oil and natural pigments in our multi-use makeup sticks provides the perfect vehicle for stunning color that you can use all over your face, including lips, cheeks, and eyelids.

3. Grapeseed Oil

Another good oil for your face is grapeseed oil. This oil has high amounts of vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids. Grapeseed oil increases skin’s moisture levels and enhances its ability to bounce back. This makes your skin more supple and less likely to crack, reducing the likelihood of wrinkle formation.

Grapeseed oil is among the best natural oils for your face because it has a powerful antioxidant called proanthocyanidin. This antioxidant is shown to lighten hyperpigmentation and even out your skin tone. One study found that taking grapeseed oil orally helped reduce the appearance of melasma, which are brown or blue-gray patches that appear on the face.

4. Rosehip Oil

Long considered one of the top anti-aging oils, it’s no surprise that rosehip has made it onto our list of the best natural oils for your face. This oil is extracted from the seeds of rosehips, which are fruits of the rose plant. Like other plant-based oils, rosehip oil is a rich source of vitamin E and essential fatty acids. They help moisturize your skin and keep it soft and supple.

What distinguishes rosehip oil from other plant-based oils is its high concentration of vitamin A, the active ingredient in retinol products. Vitamin A increases cellular turnover, boosts collagen production, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. We use rosehip oil in our best-selling Deep Serum facial oil to rejuvenate your face and neck.

5. Olive Oil

You’re probably not surprised that this made our list of good oils for your face! Olive oil is made by pressing olive fruits and extracting their oil. This kitchen staple is one of the best natural oils for your face because it contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, antioxidants, and squalane. It hydrates dry skin, fights free radical damage, and slows skin aging.

Olive oil stands out from other plant-based oils due to its potential ability to fight cancer. In one study, mice that had olive oil applied to their skin experienced lower rates of tumors caused by ultraviolet rays. While most people benefit from olive oil’s emollient and protective properties, those with sensitive skin should stay away from this oil as it can cause allergies.

6. Sunflower Seed Oil

Sunflower oil is produced from the seeds of the sunflower plant. It is considered one of the best natural oils for your face because it has several compounds, such as oleic and linoleic acid, that are beneficial for the skin. It is a highly absorbent oil that can be used on all skin types, including normal, dry, oily, and acne-prone skin. Sunflower oil is non-comedogenic, so it does not clog your pores.

The most notable benefit of sunflower oil is its skin barrier-protecting properties. The skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin that locks moisture in and keeps environmental irritants out. When this barrier is damaged, you experience dry, irritated skin that is susceptible to premature aging. The linoleic acid in sunflower oil fortifies the skin barrier to maintain your skin’s integrity.

7. Jojoba Oil

You’re probably familiar with this beloved skincare oil. Jojoba oil is produced from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis plant, an evergreen shrub native to the Southwestern United States and Mexico. It makes our list of good oils for your face because it moisturizes your skin, controls natural oil production, has antimicrobial properties, and delivers antioxidant protection.

Jojoba oil is considered one of the best oils for your face because it is very similar to sebum, the oil your skin produces naturally. Although known as an oil, jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax. It delivers all the benefits of plant-based oils without leaving a greasy residue on your face. We use jojoba oil in our Hydra Highlighter Stick to feed your skin and light up your inner glow.

8. Neem Oil

Although a newcomer to the Western world, neem oil has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. This oil is derived from the fruits and seeds of the neem tree, a plant native to the Indian subcontinent. It is among the best oils for your face because studies have shown that it can increase collagen production, promote wound healing, and fight skin infections.

Neem oil is generally safe to apply to the skin. However, you must practice caution before using it. We recommend you shop for organic, cold-pressed neem oil, and do a patch test on your arm before application. If you develop any allergic reactions, such as redness, itchiness, or swelling within 24 hours of application, dilute the oil with other carrier oils to make it less irritating.

9. Shea Butter

Although not exactly an oil, shea butter melts on contact with your skin. This fat is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, which are native to West Africa. Shea butter makes our list of good oils for your face because it has significant levels of vitamins A, E, and F which help relieve skin inflammation, and reduces the appearance of scars.

Shea butter stands out from other plant-based oils due to its possession of triterpenes. These naturally occurring chemical compounds inhibit the destruction of collagen fibers, keeping your skin young and firm for as long as possible. Formulated with organic shea butter, our Multi-Bene sticks not only add a youthful pop of color to your complexion but also protect the structural integrity of your skin.

10. Marula Oil

Our final choice for the best natural oil for your face is marula oil. Marula oil is extracted from the kernels of the marula tree, a plant native to parts of Southern Africa. African women have used marula oil for centuries to treat cracked skin on their lips, hands, and feet. Marula oil is packed with amino acids, vitamins C and E, as well as a lesser-known antioxidant called epicatechin. 

Like jojoba oil, marula oil has a similar profile to your skin’s natural oils. It is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and does not clog pores, making it an excellent moisturizer for people with combination, oily, and acne-prone skin. Thanks to its high concentration of oleic acid, marula oil can help other products better penetrate your skin. You can find marula oil in our Deep Serum and Moisture Riser Cream.

Shop Premium Facial Oils at NOTO

There you have it; the 10 best natural oils for your face! Are you confused and don’t know which oils to pick? You don’t have to shop for each oil individually. At NOTO, we offer facial serums and creams with a mixture of your favorite oils so you can take advantage of more than one oil’s benefits. Most of our oils are sustainably sourced, Fair Trade certified, and slave/child labor free.

When you shop NOTO, you help drive positive change. We donate a portion of our Agender Oil sales to organizations like The Transgender Freedom Fund, Black Mamas Matter, and Planned Parenthood. Check out our vegan facial oils to find the perfect elixir for you.

Natural face oils for every skin type

• Beauty

From avocado to argan, these are our favourite oils for the face and beyond

It wasn’t that long ago just talking about face oil was enough to make us break out. Oil on oily skin? You must be kidding, right? But as it turns, they’re total game-changers and if you haven’t already got them in your natural skincare routine you’d best read on, stat. 

Super hydrating and easily absorbed, they boast essential nutrients that can assist with anti-ageing and most are brilliant multi-taskers that can also be used on hair, lips and nails.

With so many options it’s tricky to know which ones to choose so we’ve rounded up our favourites and the skin types they’re best suited to.

Argan oil

Remember when everyone lost their minds over Moroccan oil (aka argan oil) in a bid for lustrous locks? Well it turns out this oil isn’t just good for your strands it’s great for faces too. Rich in fatty acids, it’s super moisturising. It’s also great for nails and lips too.

Best for; dry skin, chapped lips and brittle nails

Jojoba oil 

We’ve interviewed many natural beauty experts and as far as they’re concerned a single blend jojoba oil is one of the cheapest and most effective natural oils for your face. Why? Because its wax esters contain the same molecular structure as the sebum on our skin. In other words, it helps our skin stay youthful and prevent wrinkles, YES PLEASE! It’s also full of Omega 3 and 6 and vitamins A, D and E. Great for both sensitive and dry skin.

Best for; anti-aging or sensitive skin

Olive oil

TBH, it’s probably not the first oil you’d think about slathering all over your face but this pantry staple is surprisingly versatile and it’s really nourishing, especially on dry skin. Ideal if you’re ever caught short, it’s also great for hair, cuticles, cracked heels and to remove eye makeup. Remember to always reach for the extra virgin.

Best for; emergencies, hair, nails and heels

Coconut oil

Trusty coconut oil has long caused a buzz in natural beauty circles however, not everyone’s convinced – does it or doesn’t it clog your pores when used as a moisturiser? That being said, it’s antibacterial and antifungal, and great for dry hair, makeup removal or used as a carrier oil if essential oils are your bag. You can also add it to coffee grinds for a DIY scrub or oatmeal for a zero-waste facemask. However, if you’re prone to acne then it’s probably safer to steer clear of this one.  

Best for; use as a carrier oil

Rosehip oil

Known for its anti-ageing and anti-scarring properties, rosehip oil contains Vitamin E, which is anti-inflammatory and Vitamin C, for skin brightening. It’s also a natural source of essential fatty acids omega 3, 6 and 9, that help to repair and regenerate damaged skin tissue. What we love most though, is that it’s not as greasy as some other oils. It’s also great for stretch marks and pregnant bellies.

Best for; scarring or stretch marks

Macadamia oil

After jojoba, macadamia oil is considered the closest match to the natural properties of our skin. It contains squalene and oleic acid that assist with cell regeneration, which means it’s a great option for dry or chapped skin as it softens, moisturises and repairs. It contains phytosterols that assist with itchiness and redness, plus it is also widely spruiked as an anti-ageing oil.

Best for; ageing, redness or irritation 

Avocado oil

Turns out avo isn’t just great smashed on your sourdough, it’s good for our skin too! It’s lighter than coconut oil but just as hydrating and absorbs faster. Power nutrients include beta carotene, lecithin, and it’s high in vitamin E. And like macadamia it contains phytosterols which can assist in the production of collagen. Look for it in the supermarket as a single blend oil or in your favourite serum as a composite to ingredients like rosehip. 

Best for; mature skin

overview 5 cosmetic moisturizing oils

Contents

• Properties of oils
• Facial care with natural oils
• Nourishing and moisturizing oils
• Essential oils for dry skin
• Rating of the best oils

Properties of oils

In the wake of the popularity of natural and organic products, once forgotten vegetable oils have once again soared to the pinnacle of success. Now they are used not only by fans of spa rituals and lovers of folk beauty recipes, but also by the general public.

Vegetable oil is a valuable cosmetic ingredient © iStock

The mass fascination with oils, both vegetable and essential oils, is not so much due to fashion as to the awareness of the modern consumer. To fall in love with oils firmly and forever, you just need to read the list of skin benefits that they have. It is not for nothing that oils occupy the most honorable places in ready-made cosmetic formulas, and not only spa brands, but also pharmacy, luxury brands, and now the mass market.

Why are they so good?

1. 1

   They have a composition similar to that of sebum and help the molecules of active substances penetrate deeper and faster into the epidermis.

2. 2

   Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9, which intensively nourish, smooth the skin and are powerful antioxidants.

3. 3

   Contains vitamins A, E, B1, B12, C, PP.

4. 4

   Includes trace elements (potassium, sodium, zinc, calcium, iron, selenium).

Each of these features is of value to the cosmetics industry in and of itself. And the oils combined them in one ideal formula , created by nature itself.

The oil is extracted directly from the fruits, pits or seeds of plants. Its value and quality depend not only on its origin, but also on the method of production. First-class oils are obtained by cold pressing, which retains all the properties of the product. Any subsequent pressing or heat treatment deprives vegetable oils of most of their useful qualities.

Oils are a favorite of natural cosmetics fans © iStock

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Facial Treatment with Natural Oils

Dry skin is known to be dehydrated. However, this is not its only drawback. “Dry skin lacks not only water, but also lipids,” says dermatologist Maria Nevskaya. The sebaceous glands do not produce enough sebum. In addition, microcirculation is slowed down in such skin. As a result, the life cycle of the cell is shortened. Essential and vegetable oils can really help solve these problems.

Add a drop of oil to your cream © iStock

Despite the benefits of vegetable oils, they are not commonly used as a mono-product. It is not in vain that manufacturers of spa cosmetics suggest using essential oil cocktails as a serum, and then applying a cream.

Do the right thing by adding a few drops of your favorite oil to your day or night cream. If you want to get the most out of vegetable oils, refer to ready-made formulas. For example, to aromatic essences.

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Nourishing and moisturizing oils

Dry skin will never refuse a portion of high-quality vegetable oil, it will like almost any oil: olive, shea butter, coconut, avocado, macadamia, almond, rosehip, borage. According to Maria Nevskaya, there are oils that are especially beneficial for dry skin.

• Hazelnut Oil is renowned for its moisturizing properties and high penetrating power, allowing it to act as a vector for essential oils.

• Argan oil is a storehouse of omega-6 and omega-9 acids, vitamins A and E.

• Inca Inchi Oil contains essential fatty acids (particularly omega-6 and omega-3) and has a dry texture. Relieves irritation and redness of the skin, is a powerful antioxidant.

• Jojoba oil is a liquid wax and is similar in composition to sebum, thanks to which it quickly penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin without leaving stickiness and oiliness on the surface of the epidermis. Promotes regeneration, improves skin elasticity and firmness, nourishes and moisturizes.

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Essential oils for dry skin

Essential oil is a volatile substance obtained from plants by extraction. There are 386,000 plants on Earth, but essential oil can only be extracted from 400-500. Its composition includes from 100 to 500 active compounds!

“Essential oils help to stimulate skin cells (for example, fibroblasts to synthesize hyaluronic acid), creating a comfortable environment for their vital activity. In addition, they have an impact on the psycho-emotional sphere of a person due to the aromatherapeutic effect.

For dry skin – a whole bunch of essential oils: lavender, geranium, neroli, sandalwood, rosemary, rose, vetiver, marjoram, chamomile, mint (but in small quantities). Cocktails made with these oils:

• moisturize;

• improve microcirculation;

• help to activate the activity of the sebaceous glands;

• enhance cell renewal;

• have regenerating properties, which is important for dry skin.

Do not apply pure essential oils directly to the skin as this may cause redness and irritation. Exceptions are tea tree and lavender essential oils, which can be used undiluted. Essential oils are only lipid soluble (and insoluble in water), so mix them with a fat-containing substance before use.

Dry skin is not recommended essential oils that have astringent, disinfectant, pore-constricting action: grapefruit, basil, cypress, laurel, lemon, bergamot.

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Rating of the best oils

If the package says “cosmetic oil”, inside is a ready-to-use product for external use. This is a very broad concept, under which they can hide:

• refined vegetable oil;

• mineral oil;

• vegetable oil cocktail;

• synthesized oil.

When you see the label “cosmetic oil”, we advise you to carefully study its composition and decide if it is right for you. Consider the following options – the best according to skin.ru editors.

Smooth and Radiant Face Oil.

Revitalizing Lavandin, Garnier Bio

Nourishes skin for plumpness and radiance, firms facial contours and provides comfort with lavandin, argan and antioxidant vitamin E oils. This treatment has multiple uses. Can be used as a serum; add to your cream to enhance nutrition; apply as a mask – a thick layer for 10 minutes, then remove the residue.

L’Oréal Paris Extraordinary Luxurious Facial Oil

Dry oil nourishes and hydrates the skin for radiance. The composition contains essential oils of lavender, rosemary, geranium, orange, rose, marjoram, lavandin, chamomile, vegetable oils of jojoba and rosehip. Enough 2-3 drops. It can be used as a self-sufficient remedy, as well as applied before or after the cream (for a radiant effect).

Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Kiehl’s

Oils of night primrose, rosehip, rosemary, rose oil, essential oils of lavender, geranium restore the skin, intensively moisturize and strengthen it. Apply 2-3 drops of the concentrate in the palm of your hand and gently pat over the skin of the face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes.

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Vegetable oils instead of face cream – Nathnenny Factory

Almond oil, apricot oil, shea butter – these are the components we look for when reading the label of any cream. We all know that vegetable oils are very beneficial for the skin. They relatively rarely cause allergies, are well absorbed by the skin and contain many components that are beneficial for the skin. It occurs to many people not to look for vegetable oils in cosmetics, but to use them in their pure form instead of a cream. And this makes some sense. But you need to know the nuances.

Balancing water and oils in facial care

Water and vegetable oils form the basis of healthy facial care. Without water, the skin will look dull, and with a prolonged lack of water, it can thank you with peeling, wrinkles and other troubles.

Oils in cosmetics help draw water into the skin. They also soften the skin well, nourish it and enhance the protective functions.

While oils are perfectly absorbed by the skin, water is hardly absorbed. Therefore, there is no point in spraying water on the face for moisturizing, there is little moisturizing effect also in various gels.

Therefore, for a complete face care, we need both oils and water. It would seem that you just need a good cream and that’s it. But not everything is so simple. The cream cannot be made without functional additives – emulsifiers, stabilizers, preservatives. And the skin can react quite negatively to these supplements.

Not every cream contains quality oils. Vegetable oils in creams are also a problem for the manufacturer. They oxidize and behave unstable. It is much more convenient to use glycerin, petroleum jelly or mineral oil, and there is little benefit from such a cream. In addition, vegetable oils are absorbed by the skin much better than the same oils in the cream. Therefore, there are many reasons to supplement your skin care with natural vegetable oils, and in some cases to replace them.

Under what conditions can oils be used instead of cream?

Every year the number of supporters of 100% natural skin care is increasing in the world. Therefore, a lot of experience has accumulated on how to properly apply oils for face care, so as not to harm.

You can use oils only with benefit and without harm under certain conditions:

• You moisturize the skin from the inside, that is, you drink enough water throughout the day. Cosmetics nourish the skin by about 25%, while we get the main components from nutrition. Therefore, for healthy skin, sufficient hydration is at least 6 glasses of water throughout the day.
• Stay out of the sun during the day. Some oils have little sun protection. However, with active sun, this protection will not be enough. Therefore, in the summer, it is better to apply oils at night, and during the day choose a cream with UV protection. If you are absolutely against the cream, then take care of a wide-brimmed hat that completely covers the face and closed clothing for the body.
• Use vegetable oil complex instead of alone. A combination of oils works better than one oil alone. Just like eating a healthy variety of foods, the skin will be more grateful for a variety of care. For a better effect, vegetable oil can be supplemented with essential oil.

Many of those who practice oil facials also recommend not using aggressive cleansers (based on Sodium lauryl sulfate), but replacing them with natural products – ubtan, oatmeal or rice powder. After all, surfactants can weaken the lipid mantle of the skin, and make it more vulnerable. This, of course, is a good recommendation, but it has nothing to do with oil care. Therefore, vegetable oils, on the contrary, allow you to restore the lipid mantle much better than a cream.

In some cases, the use of vegetable oils instead of cream is the only way out. For example, for dermatitis or allergic reactions to cosmetics, it is better to limit yourself to one product than to use a cream with forty components. In addition, allergies to preservatives and flavorings in the cream happen much more often than to butter.

How to use oils instead of cream?

There are several basic rules for how to apply oils instead of cream correctly.

• Apply oil to damp skin. The most important thing to know about oils is the fact that they must be applied to well-moisturized skin before the face. For moisturizing, it is better to use a fresh decoction of herbs, hydrolate, or at least purified mineral water.
• Use a small amount of oil. An excessive amount of oil on the skin will not be comfortable for you, and this is not the case when it is worth making sacrifices for the sake of beauty. Apply just a few drops at a time so that the oil is absorbed into the skin on its own without any blotting with a napkin.
• Combine oil application with massage. A few minutes of self-massage every day is a sure step towards healthy and beautiful skin. Facial massage stimulates blood circulation in the skin of the face, which means nourishment inside, disperses the lymph, prevents excessive muscle tension, leads to the appearance of wrinkles and facial deformation.

Oils in addition to cream.

If you are just starting your transition to natural cosmetics, the best place to start is to use oils as an addition to your basic skin care routine.

Option 1: oil in the evening, cream in the morning.

One of the options for supplementing care with oils that our clients successfully use is the use of oil instead of evening cream. The oil does a great job of nourishing the skin, but as we wrote above, it does not do a very good job of protecting the sun. Therefore, we recommend using an SPF cream in the morning, and in the evening instead of a cream, a mixture of oils that are suitable for your skin type. If you supplement the evening care with a massage, the result will not be long in coming

Option 2: Oil and cream

This option may not always be successful, because it is not so easy to find a good oil-cream company. However, you can apply a few drops of oil to make the cream more nourishing. The advantage of this application is that the oil can be applied to individual areas of the skin, and not to the entire face. For example, with combination skin, apply oils only to dry areas of the skin, for example, around the eyes.

Never add oils or any other method directly to a jar of cream, shampoo. This may damage the product.

How to choose the right oil for your skin type?

Choosing the right oil for your skin is not an easy task, but it is easier than choosing a good cream. Here are the oils recommended for different skin types.

If your skin is prone to breakouts, be sure to test the oil for comedogenicity. Read more about this in our article “What you need to know about the comedogenicity of oils”

Oils for dry skin

Owners of dry skin love more oils in facial care. Dry skin is not prone to comedones, so the choice of oils for it is quite wide. Olive oil, jojoba, almond, apricot, shea, macadamia, avocado, rosehip, argan oil will suit you.

Base oil can be supplemented with a few drops of essential oil. In this case, pink (but beware of fakes), lavender, geranium, sandalwood, neroli, chamomile are best suited.

Oils for oily and combination skin

Oils for oily and combination skin should be chosen carefully, because such skin is prone to comedones. For this type of skin, grape seed oil, safflower oil, hemp, sunflower (refined only), hemp, hazelnut oil are suitable.

Essential oils of bergamot, lemon, lime, rosemary, lavender, mint, lemon balm, thyme can supplement the care. ylang-ylang, patchouli, cloves. But be careful with citrus oils, they are phototoxic, so after using them you should not go outside. Citrus oils are best used in cosmetics that are washed off or in evening skin care routines.

Oils for problem skin

For problem skin, you can choose one of the oils for oily skin as a base oil.