If your skin is sensitive, reactive or greasy, eschewing a facial oil for an oil-free, non-comedogenic, gel-based product seems like an obvious choice. You may be concerned about the heavy, sticky texture of oil causing acne on your skin instead of moisturising, brightening and fortifying it. But if you pick the right oil for your skin type, it can be the skincare saviour you didn’t know you needed—it can mitigate breakouts, mattify skin and balance flaky complexions. Ahead, we list out the best facial oils you can use for your specific skin concerns.
If you have very oily skin
It might sound counterintuitive (and you might feel weird applying oil on oily skin), but the right one can help get rid of that excess layer of slick on the skin. Reach for the lightweight jojoba oil. This one not only acts as an astringent but also stabilises and regulates skin’s sebum production. It sinks in easily like a serum or essence, so it won’t feel sticky or heavy on the skin. This is because it’s more a wax ester than an oil, which is actually the main component of the skin’s sebum. This is also why it doesn’t clog pores or confuse skin cells. You can use it as the last step in your skin care routine to seal in moisture, but jojoba oil also doubles up as a makeup remover and the first step in your double cleansing routine–just scoop it out and slather it all over your face till it dissolves and break down any mascara or base makeup.
If you’re prone to regular breakouts
Some oils have gotten a bad rep due to their pore-clogging abilities (we’re looking at you, coconut oil), which is why those with acne-prone skin prefer to keep oils out of their routines. However, most plant-based oils are non-comedogenic and do not clog pores. While any lightweight oils work, finding one that has a similar molecular structure to sebum is ideal. If you’re dealing with papules and pustules (the most inflammatory kind of acne), grapeseed oil is the best bet—it is able to promote cell regeneration to help replace damaged skin, and is also rich in Vitamin E, which helps improve wound healing.
It is best to use oils with caution, especially if your skin is particularly reactive. Due to its occlusive nature, it forms a layer on the top of the skin surface and traps heat—thus creating an environment for bacteria to grow and cause more breakouts. For best results, use an oil-free moisturiser that doesn’t clog pores, and then seal it in with grapeseed oil.
If you’re grappling with red, inflamed skin
Red, reactive skin is a real annoyance, and more people than ever before are being classified as sensitive skin types. While environmental changes and pollution are major reasons for the exacerbation, over-exfoliating can also make it worse. This can cause a weakening in the skin’s moisture barrier, which is formed by fatty acids. Rosehip oil contains a wealth of essential fatty acids, including linoleic acid that help to keep cell walls strong so they don’t lose water. An added benefit? Rosehip oil is rich in Vitamins A and C—both necessary for the production of collagen. Plus, Rosehip oil has also been shown to stop the creation of MMP-1, an enzyme that breaks down collagen in the body.
If you have a greasy T-zone but dry cheeks
Moringa oil is a one-size-fits-all product that works to hydrate, mattify and anti-age skin all at the same time. It is chock-full of cytokinins that promote cell growth, and has antiseptic and antibacterial properties to prevent breakouts and act as a quick-fix salve for wounds. It has a low molecular weight, so it is not heavy on the skin, but it sinks in deep enough to moisturise all over.
If certain areas require extra moisturisation (like the cheeks), use a humectant like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to improve water content in the area, and then top with oil for a double-dose.
If your skin is flaky, dry and tight in the morning
Dry skin can usually accepts all kinds of oils because the pores are already small and closed, so they don’t tend to clog or get inflamed. However, flakiness and tightness is usually the issue at hand here. Giving the skin’s outermost layer some TLC leads to a healthier skin barrier, and minimises the chance of inflammation or irritation, which are common characteristics.
With drier complexions, choose an a lighter oil that will penetrate deep into the skin and not just sit on top. Marula oil is a good example—it has oleic fatty acids that keep skin supple and moisturised through the day.
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