I have always made taking care of my skin a priority. It was something that was instilled in me at a young age and I think it’s paid off. I keep my skincare routine pretty simple with the basics…double cleansing, toner, eye cream, and some type of moisturizer. I don’t really change up my skincare unless I’m seeing issues and I don’t really jump onto the latest skincare trends. I’m all about what’s currently working. If it ain’t broke, right?!

About five years ago I wanted to start moving into skincare options with clean ingredients so I started looking into beauty oils to replace my moisturizer. And now I’m onto my third, fourth and fifth bottles of some of these and have no intention of looking back.

I know many scoff at the thought of putting oil on their face especially if they’re acne prone but I’m telling you facial oil is your friend. Of course, everyone’s experience and how their skin reacts to skincare products will differ but since I’ve converted to using facial oils my skin has never looked better. I’m going foundation free way more nowadays.

The Benefits of Face Oil

There are so many facial oils available that you can find one to specifically target your skin concern. Each oil has it’s own benefit but overall the skincare benefits of using natural oils are endless.

• Oils are full of anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce redness and/or irritation.

• They are packed with essential nutrients like fatty acids and antioxidants delivered in a pure form so you get the most out of them.

• They form a protective layer for your skin cells.

• They can reduce blemishes and age spots.

• They are multi-purpose meaning some oils can be used on your face, body, and hair.

My Favorite Face Oils & How I Use Them

Jojoba Oil: I love Jojoba Oil so much I wrote all about here. I use it on my body, to wash my face, and as a moisturizer on my face. It’s one the first oils I started using and is a staple. The latest brand I’ve been using is from Aura Cacia and I think I got it from Whole Foods but any Jojoba Oil will work so long as it is 100% jojoba.

Biossance Squalane Oil: This oil and brand is rather new to me. I’ve only been using it for the past year and so far I’m impressed. Squalane oil is naturally created by our bodies but starts to decline as we get older. Squalane oil is now produced by different plant sources and the squalane oil used by Biossance is sourced from sugarcane. This oil is such a great multitasker. I use it on my body after I shower, on the ends of my hair, and also on my face. I typically save this oil for my face when I’ve had multiple showers or face washes in order to save on using too much of my more expensive oils. It’s super lightweight and doesn’t leave me feeling greasy. It’s made my legs so much smoother too.

La Bella Figura Barbary Fig Seed Oil: This is my holy grail oil. I can’t even begin to tell you how many bottles of this I have used. I started using this one because it helps with combating hormonal acne and sun damage. Barbary fig seed oil is an oil extracted from the fruits of a species of cactus and is naturally high in Vitamin E. This is one of the first oils I tried that was a game changer for me. It’s lightweight and I could put a full face of makeup on with no issues. It probably took about two months for my skin to balance out using this from when I switched from a normal moisturizer to oil. My hormonal acne has subsided considerably. I use this every morning and the only time I don’t use it is in the dead of winter when the air becomes so dry that I need some extra moisture. So then I switch to Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream.

True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Oil: I was turned onto True Botanicals about two years and have used a few of their products. Of all of their products I continually reorder this oil. Their Pure Radiance Oil is a blend of several oils and extracts such as rosehip oil, evening primrose oil, and fir needle oil. Whatever they are doing, they are doing it right because I love this oil. It’s a heavier oil than the ones above and I use this one solely as part of my nighttime routine since this one is made to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Sunday Riley Luna Retinol Sleeping Night Oil: I wanted to start upping the anti-aging aspect of my skincare routine and I know retinol is one of the ways to help do that. In my research, the Sunday Riley brand kept popping up and luckily I got a sample during a stop into Sephora. After I went through the sample I ordered the full-size. The first thing I noticed about this oil is that it’s blue which is different but that comes from the blue tansy oil. But don’t worry, it goes from blue to clear once massaged into the skin. Retinol speeds up the cell turnover process on the skin basically shedding those top layers to reveal softer and brighter skin. Due to this, it’s not something you want to start out using nightly as it will dry out the skin. I use this twice a week and then in the morning I exfoliate any noticeable flaky skin.

How to Apply Facial Oils

I use my fingers to apply my facial oils as follows:

1. Add a few drops to my fingers and warm the oil up between both my hands.

2. Press the oil onto my jaw, cheek, and forehead.

3. Massage the oil into my skin using upward motions starting with my neck and working my way up my face to my forehead.

Once it’s applied all over, I’ll continue using my jade roller or my Refa carat. I have a few face rollers that I use that probably deserve their own post.

What I love about oils is that they don’t leave you feeling greasy but they give you a nice glow. You can even mix a drop of your favorite oil in with your foundation.

I’m so happy I made the switch to facial oils and in the end don’t we all want happy skin?! While facial oils aren’t the end all be all of skin issues they are a great place to begin the journey of being proactive with your skin or aiding in repair. There are so many facial oils out there and all are not created equal but you will definitely be able to find one for your skin type, skin concern, and budget.