These 6 face oils are the secret to that 'lit from within' glow
Our beauty team tested dozens of formulas - here are the ones that actually deliver lasting hydration and radiance
The best face oils are the ones that work for most people, whether you're a dry or oily skin type. I'll admit it, for years, I avoided them like the plague. The idea of deliberately putting oil on my skin - skin that already felt oily enough by midday - seemed completely counterintuitive. Surely that's a one-way ticket to breakouts and a shiny T-zone?
But the more I spoke to industry experts and realised the different things the skin needs, the more I understood the place of face oils in a skincare routine. While I always though they were something you'd use instead of a face cream, they're actually uniquely indispensable for complementing your best face moisturisers, helping lightweight formulas last longer on the skin and/or locking in all the goodness of your serums and creams underneath.
Our beauty team has spent years testing the most talked-about formulas to find the best face oils for all skin types, from affordable finds to luxurious treats. We tested each one on different skin types to find out how easily it was absorbed, how well it layered with other products, and what affect it had on radiance and hydration.
The best face oils, tested by our beauty experts
Face oils aren't just for dry skin - in fact, used correctly, they can help balance oil production, calm irritation, and give even oily or combination skin a healthy, dewy glow rather than a greasy sheen. These are the ones we recommend...
RRP: £44 Key ingredients: Camellia Japonica Seed Oil (rich in omegas)
Reviewed by: Dionne Brighton
When it comes to a face oil that does it all - hydrate, repair, and soothe - REN's Evercalm Elixir is our winner. It's 100% naturally derived, fragrance-free, and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. Infused with camellia japonica seed oil and meadowfoam seed oil, it strengthens the skin barrier and locks in hydration without heaviness. If your skin barrier needs a bit of love and a lot of repair, this is the best face oil for you. It also helped calm irritation, making it a go-to pick for anyone dealing with redness or sensitivity.
Pros: Calms redness and irritation, deeply nourishes, and has a lightweight, non-greasy feel.
Cons: Doesn't add as much glow as some richer oils.
Why we love it: An effortless, everyday oil that leaves all skin types calm, hydrated and healthy.
RRP: £37 Key ingredients: Frankincense, turmeric, bergamot
Reviewed by: Dionne Brighton
This aromatic blend is ideal for facial massage or gua sha - especially before bed. Its silky texture glides easily over the skin without pulling, while frankincense and turmeric soothe your skin and senses. It smells heavenly - subtle, never overpowering - and feels lightweight yet luxuriously rich on the skin. Thanks to its relaxing properties, testers reported using it exclusively as part of their nighttime routine, noticing benefits to both their complexion and sleep quality. By morning, the oil had fully absorbed, leaving skin buttery soft, nourished, and radiant.
Pros: Perfect texture for massage tools, absorbs beautifully, and the calmin scent aids relaxation.
Cons: Fragrance may be a little strong for anyone scent-sensitive.
Why we love it: Helps create a gorgeous bedtime ritual that leaves skin soft and glowing by morning.
RRP: £9.70 Key ingredients: Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Reviewed by: Dionne Brighton
An absolute bargain that's kind to your bank account and your skin too. This product, which one member of our beauty team has used for years, seems quite greasy initially, but the skin drinks the nourishing oil in no time. It has a lovely, natural fragrance and works for all skin types. Lightweight and antioxidant-rich, this product is proof that even oil or breakout-prone skin can benefit from a good-quality facial oil.
Pros: Brightens dull skin and balances sebum production. Excellent value.
Cons: Slightly heavier feel on application.
Why we love it: A fuss-free classic that proves affordable skincare can deliver excellent results.
RRP: £135 for 30ml Key ingredients: Saffron, sandalwood, lotus
Reviewed by: Aleesha Badkar
On no-makeup days, I use this in the morning, as the final step of my skincare routine, in place of any face makeup. A couple of drops leaves my complexion brighter and more even-toned, with a warm, healthy glow rather than anything shimmery or greasy. My complexion looks so even and radiant that I happily skip foundation when wearing this, as my skin just looks like it's doing the work itself - though if I want to wear foundation, it makes for a nice nourishing base. One thing to note though, the oil has a yellow tinge from the saffron, so wash your hands straight after applying and be careful with light-coloured clothing, as it can leave marks.
Pros: Brightens dull skin, gives a natural glow, works well as a makeup alternative.
Cons: Pricey for a 30ml bottle, and the yellow tint can stain fabric if you're not careful.
Why we love it: A small amount makes a noticeable difference to radiance.
RRP: £85 Key ingredients: Trans-retinol, blue tansy, avocado seed oil
Reviewed by: Dionne Brighton
It’s no surprise that Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil frequently appears on lists of the best face oils. Not only is it highly effective, but it also streamlines your evening skincare routine, thanks to its retinol content. One of our testers has been loyal to this oil for nearly five years - and swears by it. A retinol and oil hybrid, it tackles fine lines, uneven tone, and dullness - while you sleep! It's blue, which initially surprised us, but it turns clear when massaged into the skin. We can’t get enough of the scent - it lingers delightfully into the morning. While it feels rich in your palms, it absorbs quickly, leaving a genuine, healthy glow. Within just a week, skin appeared smoother, brighter, and noticeably more supple.
Pros: Combines retinol and hydration in one, and delivered noticeable results within a week.
Cons: Only suitable for night time use.
Why we love it: A potent, all-in-one anti-ageing formula that smooths and renews without irritation. And it's blue!
RRP: £160 Key ingredients: Mastic tree tears, omegas, patchouli
Reviewed by: Dionne Brighton
If you want to reduce redness or restore radiance, this oil is the one. Created by leading oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Maryam Zamani, it’s packed with antioxidants to fight free radicals and boost skin firmness. MZ Skin is one of the top-performing, expert-led skincare brands, with beauty editors raving about the brand’s LED mask. Despite its ultra-lightweight texture, this oil is brimming with skin-loving ingredients. Seed oils help protect against collagen loss, making it a perfect addition to your nighttime routine - our testers loved how it left skin looking plump and radiant after a long day. It melts effortlessly into the skin, making it suitable for both day and night, though we found it especially indulgent to savor as part of an evening ritual.
Pros: Expert-formulated and high in essential fatty acids.
Cons: Premium price.
Why we love it: It feels indulgent and performs clinically - the perfect choice if you're ready to invest in a serious skincare upgrade.
Between our many experts on the team, we've tested dozens of face oils over the years, so some of our honourable mentions that didn't quite make it onto our top six list are: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Oil, Biossance Squalane & Vitamin C Rose Oil, and Revive Moisturising Renewal Oil, all of which performed well. We highly recommend all three, but our final six offered the best range of textures, benefits, and visible results across different skin types.
What are the benefits of face oil?
As you may already have learned, face oils are a skincare product designed with moisture and hydration in mind, to create softer and better-nourished skin. Dr Christine Hall, a skincare expert and aesthetic doctor from the Taktouk Clinic explains to us that face oils are an occlusive product. "This means that they create a barrier on the outermost surface of the skin locking in everything that you have applied to your skin beforehand, but also protecting your skin from pollutants and toxins on the outside."
Plastic surgeon and brand founder of Anokha, Dr Nina S. Naidu adds that they're not only useful for locking in moisture - but often feature in the best cleansers too. "Face oils can be used to cleanse, soothe, and hydrate depending upon the specific composition," she says. "They're the ultimate way to customize your skincare regime."
Face oils have four main benefits:
- Protect your skin barrier
- Boost radiance and glow
- Soothe and calm irritation
- Support skin elasticity
How we test face oils
A selection of the oils we tested for this guide
Our beauty team tested each oil for several weeks on dry, oily, sensitive and mature skin types. Testers applied the facial oils morning and / or night, depending on the product, taking into consideration:
- Ingredients
- Texture and absorption speed
- Hydration and skin feel
- Layering with other products
- Performance under make-up (day oils only)
- Improvements in glow, radiance or skin health
- Fragrance
- Value for money
Who should use face oils?
Facialist and cosmetic scientist Sarah Chapman, who founded award-winning skincare brand Skinesis, says that anyone can add face oil to their skincare regime - no matter their skin type.
"It’s a common misconception that oils and even oil-based cleansers aren’t suitable for those with oily skin. Our skin produces its own natural oil – sebum – so oil is easily absorbed through the existing oil pathways and helps the skin to regulate its own production."
Dr Mazin Al-Khafaji, world-leading clinician in Chinese medicine and founder of Dermatology M, agrees that anyone can use a face oil and that, in fact, these trusty products will complement and enhance the skin products you are using. "In combination with moisturisers, they lock in hydration and offer a perfect base to use before applying makeup," he explains.
How should I use facial oil?
Face oils can be used as often as twice a day as part of your everyday routine, and you might want to do this if you have particularly dry skin, says Hall. "For most though, I would only suggest using it at night and perhaps even less often if you have oily skin - maybe every other night."
Naidu agrees that using face oils in the morning and evening is fine - if it suits your skin type and environment. "If you have very oily skin and live in a humid climate, evening application will be more comfortable," she suggests.
Hall adds that how face oils are applied is important. As a rule of thumb, she suggests that they should be applied after your moisturiser as the last step in your evening routine and just before the best facial sunscreen in your morning routine.
"They are actually less hydrating than you think when used on their own," warns Hall. "So what you apply and lock in beforehand is really important."
Hall also suggests, for anybody wondering how to use a gua sha, that using the best face oils is a sure-fire way to enhance your gua sha and facial massage as they "help to reduce pulling and tugging on the skin that can lead to inflammation and redness."
Will face oils give me acne?
Putting oil onto an already congested face may seem like a one-way ticket to breakout central. However, the experts say that isn't the case and that if you're on the quest to discover how to get rid of acne, you may actually need an oil.
"Face oils will not give you acne and in some cases can help to control it," explains Naidu. "The key is to use the appropriate facial oil for your specific concern."
Al-Khafaji adds: "It seems counterintuitive to use face oils on acne-prone skin, but some of them are eminently suitable for those experiencing acne. They can dramatically improve the appearance of acne-scarred skin, as well as smooth and rebalance the skin, preventing further breakouts."
However, Hall believes that for some people, facial oils will be too much. "I would say that the majority of people with acne-prone skin will not like using facial oils," she says. "Oils can clog pores and lead to blackheads and spots, and if you are adding oils onto already oily skin, you are perhaps only adding to the problem."
She explains that some oils are better than others, and coconut oil is definitely one to be avoided. "That said, there are some face oils out there that are non-comedogenic and some people find that they get on fine with [coconut oil], but I would be cautious."
How should I apply face oil?
Warm two to three drops between your palms and gently press the oil into your skin. It's best used as the last step of your nighttime skincare routine to lock in all the goodness underneath - or mix a couple of drops with your go-to moisturiser to help it go a bit further. It can also be used to enhance facial massage or gua sha routine.
