Which are the best face oils for skin care in 2023? Find out the top face oils that have been tested and reviewed for various skin types and concerns.

Exploring the Evolving Benefits of Face Oils

It wasn’t long ago that skincare experts and beauty enthusiasts alike campaigned against using products with the inclusion of oils in them. It felt like everywhere we turned, we were being advised to seek out oil-free moisturizers, oil-free SPF products, and essentially, oil-free everything. So if you’re confused or hesitant about using an oil specifically created for the skin on your face, we get it—it’s contrary to the beauty advice that’s been circulating for many years.

But just like ideas and advice in the health and wellness space are constantly changing due to frequent new studies yielding surprising findings, this often holds true in the beauty space, too. Take a 2018 study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for example. It notes that face oils with a high concentration of antioxidants can benefit the skin barrier and overall skin health. As a result, we’ve come to understand that facial oils can have a myriad of benefits.

The Versatility of Face Oils

From helping to support a healthy skin barrier, to producing a long-lasting radiant complexion, and more, we now know that choosing the right face oil to suit your wants and needs is the key to garnering the benefits. So, we did hours of research to find the highest-rated and most-loved face oils on the market. We put dozens to the test in The Lab, taking into account key ingredients and which oils work best for each skin type.

Introducing the 14 Best Face Oils of 2023

Ahead, we break down our findings and share the best face oil for acne-prone skin, the best drugstore option, and everything in between.

Le Prunier: The Plum-Powered Face Oil

What We Like:

• Formulated with a blend nourishing plum oils, this product maintains a lightweight consistency while moisturizing the skin and creating a natural-looking, radiance.
• The ultra-short ingredient list—it’s literally made from just 100% organic plum oil—makes it a great option for people who are sensitive to skincare ingredients (so long as plum oil isn’t one of them).

What We Don’t Like:

• If you’re new to face oils, you might envision a thick or greasy texture, but the best ones—this included—aren’t that. In fact, we found it to have a bit of a runny consistency, making it best to apply just a few drops in order to avoid a mess.

Isdin: The Overnight Antioxidant Serum

What We Like:

• Finding a great nighttime serum to care for your skin while you rest is our ideal version of beauty sleep.
• This one is formulated with a blend of melatonin, bakuchiol, and vitamin C to provide antioxidant protection and help restore skin elasticity. It also feels moisturizing on the skin.

What We Don’t Like:

• We enjoyed the subtle vanilla scent and appreciated that the texture was light and fast-absorbing. In terms of the finish, it appeared almost matte on skin during testing. So if you have oily or combination skin, or you prefer non-greasy products, especially at night, this could be an excellent choice. However, if you have very dry skin or you’re looking for an oil to add a noticeable glow to your complexion, keep this in mind.

The Best Drugstore Face Oil: Ulta

What We Like:

• This popular facial oil is known for its ability to help prevent stretch marks on the body, but it’s also a great option for moisturizing the face and helping to even out the complexion—all for an affordable price, which is why it’s our best budget pick.
• Its formula—which contains vitamin A, vitamin E, chamomile, sunflower, and lavender oils—also works to repair skin damage, meaning it’s a great choice if you have post-acne scarring.

What We Don’t Like:

• When we applied this formula, we were impressed with how quickly it absorbed and that it never felt greasy. We appreciated how effectively it moisturized without creating a thick or sticky residue, too. However, be advised that this product contains synthetic fragrance and the scent from the lavender oil may be too intense for some people.

The Best Face Oils for Every Skin Type

With the right face oil, you can nourish, hydrate, and protect your skin. From acne-prone to dry and mature complexions, we’ve rounded up the top-performing face oils to suit every skin type and concern. Keep reading to discover the best face oils of 2023, tested and reviewed.