Which of these oils is best for me?
Natural oils have become a beloved staple in skincare routines everywhere, used alone or in an herbal infusion.
Whether it’s for their nourishing properties, ability to restore a healthy glow, or their all-natural appeal, oils are making a major comeback and for good reason.
But with the wide variety of options, how do you know which one’s right for you?
The truth is, not all oils are created equal, and what works wonders for one might not be as effective for another. And frankly, what is perfect for you one day, may not be the best fit another day or during a different season of life.
Just like everything else, our skin and body is constantly changing.
So, whether you’re dealing with dryness, sensitivity, acne, or aging concerns, the right oil can make all the difference. But with so many choices available, finding that perfect match can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
In this post, I’m breaking down several different skincare oils and highlighting their benefits and properties in order to help you understand which ones are best suited for your specific needs.
From lightweight options that won’t clog pores to deeply moisturizing oils that rejuvenate dry, flaky skin, there’s something for everyone
Understanding Your Skin Type
Before getting into the oils themselves, it’s important to understand your own skin type. This can help you in choosing the right oil for your specific needs.
How to Determine Your Skin Type
If you’re not sure which skin type you have, here’s a simple test you can try:
- Clean Your Face: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry. I caution against using soap. Soap is always drying.
- Wait an Hour: Allow your skin to return to its natural state without applying anything to your face.
- Examine Your Skin: Take note of how your skin feels and looks:
- If it feels tight or looks flaky, you likely have dry skin.
- If there’s noticeable shine on your nose and forehead, you may have oily skin.
- If you have a mix of dry and oily areas, you probably have combination skin.
- If your skin feels comfortable without any shine, you likely have normal skin.
- If your skin is red, irritated, or reactive, you might have sensitive skin.
Now that you know your skin type, you’re ready to explore the various oils that can help you achieve your skincare goals.
Patch Test Before Full Application
It’s always a good idea to perform a patch test before using a new oil on your face. Apply a small amount of the oil to your wrist or behind your ear and wait 24-48 hours to see if any irritation or allergic reaction occurs.
This is especially important if you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Remember, skincare is highly individual. What works for one person might not work for another. Feel free to experiment with different oils to find the perfect match for your skin. You might even find that blending two or more oils gives you the best results.
Detailed Sections on Each Oil
For each oil, I’ll provide a brief description, list the key benefits, specify which skin types it’s best for, offer usage tips, and mention any considerations.
Remember it’s always best to apply any oil to moist or wet skin for maximum absorption.
Jojoba Oil
- Considerations: Jojoba oil is generally good for all skin types.
- Benefits: Mimics the skin’s natural sebum, helps balance oil production. It non-comedogenic, meaning it’s moisturizing without clogging pores and it has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Best For: Oily, combination, and acne-prone skin.
- How to Use: Apply a few drops to clean, damp skin as a moisturizer or mix with your favorite moisturizer for added hydration.
Argan Oil
- Considerations: Argan oil is non-comedogenic meaning it won’t clog pores and it’s suitable for most skin types but can feel a bit heavy for very oily skin.
- Benefits: Rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, deeply moisturizing, improves skin elasticity with anti-aging properties.
- Best For: Dry, sensitive, and mature skin.
- How to Use: Use as a daily moisturizer, apply a few drops to the face and neck after cleansing, or mix with a night cream for extra nourishment.
Avocado Oil
- Considerations: Avocado oil is heavier and can create a barrier holding in moisture. Good for dry & mature skin types. It might be too greasy for oily or acne-prone skin.
- Benefits: Rich in vitamins A, D, and E; contains healthy fats like oleic acid; deeply moisturizing; promotes collagen production; helps soothe and heal dry, damaged, or irritated skin; anti-inflammatory properties; helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Best For: Dry, sensitive, and mature skin.
- How to Use: Apply a few drops to clean skin as a moisturizer or mix with your night cream for added hydration. It can also be used as a spot treatment for particularly dry or rough patches of skin. Avocado oil is great for facial massages or as a base in DIY face masks.
Sunflower Oil
Considerations: Sunflower oil is generally well-tolerated by most skin types. It is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, making it a great option for those with acne-prone skin.
Benefits: Rich in vitamins A, C, D, and E; high in linoleic acid; helps retain moisture; non-comedogenic; antioxidant properties; promotes skin barrier repair; soothes and calms irritated skin.
Best For: Combination, oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin.
How to Use: Apply a few drops to clean, damp skin as a lightweight moisturizer, mix with other skincare products, or use as a carrier oil to dilute essential oils.
Coconut Oil
Considerations: Coconut oil is comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores for some people, especially those with oily or acne-prone skin. Best used on body or very dry skin.
Benefits: Deeply moisturizing, rich in fatty acids, helps restore skin’s natural barrier, can help with very dry or flaky skin. Great anti-bacterial properties.
Best For: Dry and very dry skin.
How to Use: Use as an all-over body moisturizer, or apply a small amount to dry areas on the face. It can also be used as a makeup remover or lip balm.
Sweet Almond Oil
Considerations: Sweet almond oil is typically safe for sensitive skin but may not provide enough moisture for extremely dry skin types.
Benefits: Lightweight and easily absorbed, rich in vitamins A and E, helps soothe and hydrate sensitive skin, reduces dark circles and puffiness.
Best For: Sensitive and dry skin.
How to Use: Apply directly to the face after cleansing, use as a gentle makeup remover, or mix with other skincare products for added moisture.
Grapeseed Oil
Considerations: Grapeseed oil is generally safe for all skin types and is non-comedogenic, making it a good option for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
Benefits: Light and non-greasy, high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, helps tighten skin and reduce the appearance of scars.
Best For: Oily, combination, and sensitive skin.
How to Use: Use as a light moisturizer, apply a few drops to damp skin, or mix with a serum. It’s also great for use in homemade face masks.
Olive Oil
Considerations: Olive oil is heavy and may feel greasy for some skin types. It is best used on very dry or mature skin and can clog pores if overused.
Benefits: Deeply hydrating, rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, helps protect against free radical damage, supports skin barrier function.
Best For: Very dry and mature skin.
How to Use: Apply a few drops to the face as a night-time moisturizer, mix with your regular moisturizer, or use as a hydrating mask.
Enhance Your Skincare Routine with Herbal-Infused Oils
No matter which oil you choose, it will make an excellent base for creating your own customized, herbal-infused oil blend.
Infusing these oils with beneficial herbs, can help you create a tailored moisturizer to address specific concerns or enhance the overall effectiveness of your daily skin care routine.
You can add calendula to sunflower oil to help calm sensitive skin, or infuse rose petals with your oil of choice to help with inflammatory issues that cause redness or to just help to smooth fine lines around your eyes.
The possibilities are endless. And the ability to infuse your moisturizing oil with beneficial herbs allows you to craft a truly unique and personalized skincare solution that meets your skin’s needs perfectly, even if those needs change regularly.
A handy PDF Guide!
To make it even easier for you, I created a handy PDF guide that summarizes all the information on each oil
You can print this guide and keep it handy for quick reference whenever you need it, whether that’s for shopping for oils or crafting your own skincare products at home.
Simply click the link below to download your copy and keep this valuable resource at your fingertips!
Get your Natural Oils Guide here.
I hope all this information makes it easier for you when you’re ready to make your own herbal infused oil. It’s a great way to customize your perfect natural skin care products.
Now, let me know…which oil is your favorite?
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