The 16 Best Face Oils for Every Skin Type, Tested and Reviewed

They’re a beauty editor secret weapon.

collage of the best face oils including augustinus bader and drunk elephant
(Image credit: Future)

When I think about face oils my mind goes straight to greasy, slick, suffocating, and sticky. But after extensively testing the best face oils on the market, I've learned that they're anything but. A well-formulated oil has the power to treat my skin issues (looking at you, acne) and are masters of maintaining skin hydration. You just have to pick the right player (read: jojoba oil, marula oil, moringa oil—the list goes on) to get the results you're after, but once you do, it inevitably leaves you with healthy, hydrated, and glowy skin. Trust me—I have the photos to prove it.

"Facial oils can provide benefits to the skin by acting as occlusives (which act like sealants to keep water in the skin) and emollients (which soften and strengthen the outer layer of the skin by filling in spaces between skin cells)," explains board-certified dermatologist Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, M.D. FAAD. "Skincare oils often form a protective barrier on the outer layer of the skin, providing antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and skin barrier repair properties."

Questioning my oil-loving antics? Try some of the best face oils for yourself. Some of the Marie Claire team and I are sharing our favorite products for oily, sensitive, dry, broken-out, and yes, even normal skin. If you’ve never given a face oil the time of day, consider this the perfect place to start.

The Best Face Oils for Every Skin Type

Ariel Baker holds the Drunk Elephant Marula Oil

Freelance beauty writer Ariel Baker wears Drunk Elephant Marula Oil.

(Image credit: Ariel Baker)

Jenna Igneri holds Dr. Brandt Glow Overnight Retinol Oil

Freelance beauty writer Jenna Igneri wears Dr. Brandt Glow Overnight Retinol Oil.

(Image credit: Jenna Igneri)

Jenna Igneri holds Acaderma Rainbow Radiance Face Oil

Freelance beauty writer Jenna Igneri wears Acaderma Rainbow Radiance Face Oil.

(Image credit: Jenna Igneri)

Jenna Igneri holds Klur Unseasonal Kind Lipid Replenishment Oil

Freelance beauty writer Jenna Igneri wears Klur Unseasonal Kind Lipid Replenishment Oil.

(Image credit: Jenna Igneri)

Brianna Peters holds Tata Harper Bio-Shield Face Oil

Freelance beauty writer Brianna Peters wears Tata Harper Bio-Shield Face Oil.

(Image credit: Brianna Peters)

Other Face Oils We Love

What to Look For in Face Oil

  • Type of Oil

There is a wide range of oils to choose from—and the best one for you is closely related to your specific skin type and concern. "For example, for sun-damaged skin, rosehip oil is one of my favorite oils since it has a high ratio of linoleic acid, which has not only been shown to be beneficial for those with acne, but also has been shown to reverse UV-induced hyperpigmentation," explains Dr. Levin.

Oily skin and acne-prone skin, on the other hand, are best off with jojoba oil. "Its structure mimics your own skin's natural sebum, which is appropriate for oily and acne-prone skin while providing moisturization," she adds. Tea tree oil is also a great facial oil alternative to acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. (There is a rare chance of allergic contact dermatitis with tea tree oil so if you develop a rash, it’s important to see a board-certified dermatologist.)

  • Treatment

More often than not, these products are packed with additional ingredients that provide supplementary benefits. "Since some facial oils are antioxidants and have vitamins like C and E, they neutralize free radicals to slow the aging process," says Dr. Levin. "Certain facial oils have hydration properties and can be used as a moisturizer to help restore the natural oils in the skin and hair, improve skin hydration, and restore and strengthen the skin’s natural protective barrier."

  • Fragrance 

If you're not sensitive, then by all means, go straight for the deliciously smelling products. If you are sensitive? Steer clear. "Fragrant plant-based oils or essential oils can cause skin irritation, photosensitivity, and even cause allergic reactions," says Dr. Levin. Those with known plant-based allergies or sensitive skin in general should avoid fragrant essential oils. Look for jojoba oil, plum oil, argan oil, or grapeseed oil options.

How to Use Face Oil

When it comes to face oil, a little goes a long way, notes Dr. Reszko. “Apply two to three drops of the face oil to your fingers and gently pat it into your skin, starting from the neck and working your way up and outwards,” she says. As a rule of thumb, face oil should be the very last step in your nighttime skincare routine, and for daytime use, it should be applied after your serums and moisturizers and before your sunscreen and makeup.

However, Dr. Levin notes that you should exercise caution when applying it in the morning. "When using an oil during the day, you do need to be careful about how it interferes with your SPF, as oils have the ability to break down or dilute your sun protection," she says. If you're new to the oil game, stick with nighttime application to start as you grow accustomed to the formula.

Can I Use a Face Oil If I Have Oily Skin?

"It used to be widely believed that using oil in your skin-care routine was a no-no for acne or oily-prone skin. We now understand well that not all oils are the same, and while some facial oils can clog skin and worsen acne, the right oils can actually re-balance the skin's sebum and water ratio as well as help hydrate and moisturize the skin," says Dr. Levin.


That being said, it’s all about finding the right oil, says Dr. Reszko. “Look for lightweight, non-comedogenic oils like jojoba or squalane, which won’t feel heavy when applied or greasy to the touch, to help balance and promote the regulation of sebum production without clogging pores.” Argan, marula, and rosehip oils are also great non-comedogenic choices.

Why Trust Us

To compile this list of the best face oils, we scoured the internet and combed through countless customer reviews to find the top-rated options on the market. We also asked the Marie Claire team to share their holy grail picks, tapped dermatologists for their go-to formulas and insights, and asked independent and staff testers to test a mix of cult favorites and new launches.

How We Tested

For each face oil we tested, we assessed the formula's texture and finish, how well it absorbed, and its overall efficacy in delivering its promised benefits—whether that was to hydrate, plump fine lines, or boost radiance deeply.

Meet the Dermatologists

Dr. Melissa Levin
Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin

Known for her honesty and love for bespoke medical and cosmetic skin solutions, Dr. Levin has established a loyal following of patients from all walks of life - entire families, skincare enthusiasts, actors, designers, beauty editors, physicians, lawyers, teachers, and many more. As a native Californian, Dr. Levin graduated summa cum laude from the University of California of Los Angeles (UCLA) and earned her medical degree from the University of California of San Francisco (UCSF), as a member of the highest honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. She completed her internship at the California Pacific Medical Center and dermatology residency at New York University Langone Health. As a clinical assistant professor at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, she is committed to contributing to the field of dermatology by teaching dermatology resident physicians and medical students, as well as serving as a reviewer for various scientific journals. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Dermatologic Society, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. She is a leading expert and speaker in facial rejuvenation, laser surgery, acne and rosacea. Dr. Levin has won awards and research grants for her research in laser surgery, acne, and global dermatology. Media knows expertise. Dr. Levin is frequently sought-after as a skincare and beauty expert, regularly contributing to major media outlets and consulting for skincare and beauty companies. Community is a passion for Dr. Levin. She has cared for patients, educated local health care providers, and performed clinical research in various international settings, including Thailand, Uganda, and Botswana. Dr. Levin serves as a member of the Skin Cancer Advisory Committee for Standing Voice, a non-profit organization focused on promoting the well-being of persons with albinism in Tanzania. As a yogi and prior ballerina, Dr. Levin believes in maintaining balance and natural aesthetics. Her commitment to global volunteerism, education, and communication has shaped her holistic approach to skin health. You can often find her in Manhattan, trying different restaurants, local bookstores, watching ballet, and visiting the Met museum with her husband, Ishay.

Dr. Anetta Reszko, MD, Ph.D.
Dr. Anetta Reszko, MD, Ph.D.

Anetta Reszko, MD, PH.D., is a world-renowned dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and an Assistant Attending Dermatologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital. As a respected leader in the science of the skin, she has published multiple scientific research articles and reviews and has contributed to leading publications in the fields of dermatology and dermatologic surgery.

Her mission from day one has been to enhance the overall skin health in every patient through a whole-body dermatological approach to the skin with a focus on skin cancer awareness, treatment and education. Patients entrust Dr. Reszko with any number of concerns — from skin aging to skin cancer. But what every person who interacts with her will tell you is she’s concerned with the health of their skin from head to toe.

Dr. Reszko brings the same level of compassionate care to every patient who visits her practice — whether they’re in for a tightening light treatment, curious about a suspicious mole, or entrusting her expertise for reconstructive surgery. Every woman, man and child is treated with the same attentive care.

By looking at the body holistically, Dr. Reszko is able to more effectively focus on prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of serious skin concerns.

Samantha Holender
Beauty Editor

Samantha Holender is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.