The 7 Best Facial Oils for Dry and Sensitive Skin

What Are Facial Oils?

Facial oils are made up of a range of naturally occurring oils, like rosehip and jojoba. These oils are derived from plants and work in tandem with our skin’s own oil production. The technical term for the ingredients found in those tiny bottles is emollients. An emollient is a skin softener and hydrator that works on the outer layers of our skin, instead of absorbing fully. This means they’re not a moisturiser and shouldn’t be considered as such, but they do play a separate, integral part in our skin’s hydration.

What Do Face Oils Do?

Think of facial oils as your moisturiser’s lock and key. On their own, facial oils add moisture to skin, but only at a superficial level. They also soften the feel of skin, soothe sensitivity and reduce inflammation.

Their real power though lies in what they do for our other skincare products. As an emollient, facial oils seal the outer layers of skin and hold in water (and all the other nourishing ingredients you’ve used).

Benefits Of Face Oils

A balance of water is essential for skin’s moisture. Facial oils act as a barrier to keep water levels in. Apart from hydration, there are a whole list of benefits to be gained from the ever-growing range of this skincare product:

Anti-inflammatory

With the inclusion of omega fatty acids, facial oils help to reduce redness and inflammation. This means (with the right targeted treatment) that they can work to ease eczema and sensitive skin.

Natural source of vitamins

A lot of facial oils feature specific vitamins with targeted abilities, but they all naturally contain them. Why is this a good thing? Vitamins build up our skin’s resilience to signs of ageing, and to external stressors like sun damage and pollutants.

Compatible with our skin

It’s important to work in tandem with your skin – this means using natural, organic ingredients that don’t irritate or disrupt your natural skin cycle. Facial oils are similar to our own production of sebum – the oily substance produced by our glands. This means they’ll work together to both regulate oil levels and deepen moisture levels.

Where Do Face Oils Fit In Your Skincare Routine?

Facial oils are the sealer-in of all things great skincare. You want to use them as the fifth step of your skincare routine, because the barrier that oil creates will stop the benefits of serums from absorbing fully. For moisturised and hydrated skin, follow these steps for your morning skincare routine:

Cleanse using lukewarm water. Hot water will only further irritate dry skin

Exfoliate two times a week to encourage skin renewal

Apply serums directly after showering, to allow maximum absorption

Moisturise with a deep or daily moisturiser

Apply face oils as a final soothing treatment & to lock in all of the above

Finish with SPF and a hydrating spray and you’re ready for the day!

For your nighttime routine, add a couple of drops of facial oil to your overnight moisturiser or masque for added nourishment, or pat onto clean skin before bed.

How To Apply Face Oils

Because of their silky texture, facial oils are a great opportunity for circulation-massaging.

1. Apply a few drops and warm between clean hands.
2. Smooth across your face to lubricate skin, and then begin by moving fingers from the edge of your nose to the height of your cheekbone, in line with your eyebrows.
3. Make the same motions at your jawline and across your chin, always pulling upwards. For your forehead, massage the product in an outwards motion.