Years ago, if someone told you to smear oil all over your face, you would have looked at them in horror. But sometime over the past few years, face oils have managed to shrug off their bad rap as pore-clogging, acne-causing “don'ts” to being recognised for what they really are: an instant way to get fresh, dewy skin and lock in much-needed moisture year-round.
Even better, the right face oil can help combat all those annoying skin concerns.
Can they soften wrinkles? Totally.
Can they calm redness? Absolutely.
Can they bring deep down moisture to super dry skin? You betcha.
But what about skin that’s prone to breakouts? You can’t use oil on oily skin, right? Wrong. Read on to find out why…
Making the switch to face oils
Your skin has a natural oily protective barrier called your acid mantle, and this barrier is super-duper important if you want strong, healthy skin. Face oils work with your skin providing it with a broad range of nutrients at the same time as supporting its natural protective barrier.
If your skin is stressed out, using oils is one of the very best things you can do to restore optimal health. And even if your skin isn’t stressed out, oils can give your skin some much needed glowiness.
But while it sounds like using face oils should be pretty straightforward (Step one, smear on face. Step two, carry on with your day), the reality isn't quite so simple.
Not all natural, plant oils are non-comedogenic (which means that some oils can clog your pores and result in pimples), and not all oils will work for all skin types.
That’s why we put together this nifty guide, so you can choose the best face oil for your skin type.
Oily & blemish-prone skin
Once upon a time we were told that oily or acne-prone skin should avoid oil like the plague. Instead we applied ingredients that stripped the skin of oil. Of course, now we know better!
Face oils are fantastic for oily skin. Seriously! FANTASTIC. Here’s why: Oily skin is very often dehydrated and low in linoleic acid. The right face oil will deeply moisturise your skin and regulate and balance oil production, preventing clogged pores. So, they aren’t going to leave your skin oilier. They’ll leave it bright, bouncy and balanced. Clever!
If you’re particularly blemish-prone, look for oils that are high in linoleic acid. Oils like argan, grapeseed and sesame are fantastic choices. Grapeseed oil, sesame oil and jojoba are all found in the Sunrise Over C Mattifying Facial Oil along with the anti-inflammatory superpower turmeric. No wonder it is becoming so popular.
Hypersensitive skin, Rosacea and Redness
When you have temperamental skin that’s prone to a lot of redness or hypersensitivity, you’ll want to steer clear of any fragranced face oils - as these can be irritating and cause flare-ups. This includes both synthetic fragrances and essential oils.
Instead, opt for oils which are rich in omega fatty acids and have anti-inflammatory properties. Look for products containing Dilo Oil, Black Seed Oil, and Hemp Seed oil – these are all gentle, soothing and have anti-inflammatory properties to can help reduce the appearance of redness and irritation.
Jojoba Oil is another standout for sensitive skinned folk. This oil, which is technically not an oil but a wax ester, is distilled from the seeds of the jojoba tree. It’s structure is very similar to your skin’s natural sebum so it readily utilised by the skin to hydrate, calm and protect your skin. You might like our Laugh Out Loud Active Jojoba Oil which is bursting with the good stuff.
Of course, if you have sensitive skin it pays to do a patch test first.
Dry skin
If you have skin that’s drier than the Sahara Desert and you’re not using face oil, you’re missing out on the magic. Dry skin will literally drink up all the goodness you give it.
Oils are very important for dry skin because often your skin is dry because your acid mantle isn’t healthy – it let’s moisture out opening the door for irritation – not a good combo!
You’ll want to look for a face oil that will help defend your skin against external aggressors, while simultaneously providing and locking in moisture. An oil will do this much more effectively for you than most creams since they may penetrate your skin's surface more easily.
Argan, chia seed and pomegranate oils (found in our Good Vibes Omega Facial Oil) are all masters at boosting moisture levels and help retain moisture, help provide a protective barrier which reduces the chances of dry skin and irritation.
For a one-two punch of hydration, slather the Good Vibes Omega Facial Oil down your neck and décolletage for a revitalising, moisture-boosting glow.
If your skin is extremely dry we have another oil that is even more moisturising: the TLC Intensive Repair Oil. The TLC is the original "Happy Oil" and was originally created in 2011 as a body oil for the dry skin concerns associated with chemotherapy and radiation treatment, but over the years it has become a staple for very dry and aggravated skin.
Combination & normal skin
If you have combination or normal skin, you’ve got loads of options when it comes to choosing the facial oil that will make your skin smile, and chances are if you choose an oil from the Woohoo Skincare range you won’t go wrong.
The Good Vibes Omega Facial Oil is a favourite for normal skin and combination skin that tends towards being dry because of the dewy finish and irresistible blend of uplifting essential oils.
If you have combination skin that tends to be more oily then we’d recommend our oil balancing Laugh Out Loud Active Jojoba Oil(which is unscented), or the aromatic and Vitamin C packed Sunrise Over C Mattifying Facial Oil.
Mature skin
As you get older, your skin loses some of its natural oil and your acid mantle - the moisture barrier - breaks down. Enter: face oils.
They’re great at penetrating your skin deeply and restoring moisture levels like magic. You can add a few drops to your chosen cream to help it soak more deeply into your skin or mix a little in with a mineral-based face mask to combat fine lines and dehydration. Acai, Seabuckthorn and Argan oil are known for being particularly great for aged skin.
The Good Vibes Omega Facial oil contains a beautifying balance of Omega 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 to work with mature skin for optimal absorption and nourishment. It provides a heavy-weight hit of nourishing goodness that feels divinely silky when applied, and is superb for happily ageing skin due to its amazing omega and antioxidant content.
A few final oil-y tips
Face oils are best used at night… however if you have extremely dry skin, you may benefit from adding a few drops to your face to layer under your makeup.
Skincare products should be applied in order of thickness… which means serums, then facial oils, then moisturising creams last – as they have emollients in them to lock in all that lovely moisture.
Face oils are the most incredible multi-taskers… apply them to your face, cuticles, under your eyes, lips and even your hands. They can also be mixed in with your favourite makeup to smooth application and can be used to remove heavy makeup.
Oils alone are not moisturisers…and you shouldn't use them as such. Instead they should accompany traditionally hydrating products like serums and moisturisers.
So, if face oil isn’t currently part of your daily skin regimen – maybe it’s time for a rethink! What say you?
