The first face oil I tried was MAC’s Cleanse Off Oil. This was over 15 years ago when I first started doing makeup. I remember asking myself, “An oil to cleanse my oily skin? How is this going to work? Won’t this make my skin look more oily?” Well, I tried it and was pleasantly surprised at how it removed all my makeup and left my face super clean, moisturized, and without a sticky residue. Years later I started dabbling in face oils to moisturize my face. The results were amazing. My skin was hydrated, wrinkle free, and oh-so-glowy.
These days there are oils everywhere! From cleansing oils to facial oils, drugstore to high-end brands, there’s an abundance to choose from. But which to pick? Here are some of my favorites and staples I use on clients as well. I’ve broken them into three categories — Cleansing Oils, Essential Oil Toners, and Face Oils.
Cleansing Oils
Cleansing oils are used to purify the skin, remove makeup, and take the place of your traditional cleansers.
Tatcha One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil
- Good for combination skin types
- Deep cleans but doesn’t irritate the skin
- Camellia Oil keeps the skin hydrated
Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil
- Good for all skin types
- Prevents hyperpigmentation and excess oil on the face
- Argan Oil helps removes makeup and impurities
Eclos Daily Facial Cleansing Oil
- Good for oily skin types
- Regulates excess oil in acne prone skin
- Kukui Nut Oil leaves skin soft and cushiony
Essential Oil Toners
Essential oil toners are used to tone and balance the skin after cleansing.
Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Skin Clearing Face Toner
- Good for oily and acne prone skin types
- Refreshes and has a tingly feeling
- Tea Tree Oil removes impurities and heals the skin
Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner
- Good for combination skin types
- Refreshes and softens the skin
- Lavender Oil is calming and reduces infection
Jane Iredale Smell the Roses Hydration Spray
- Good for dry and sensitive skin types
- Calms, soothes, and hydrates the skin
- Rose Oil is uplifting and detoxifies
Face Oils
Use face oils in place of traditional moisturizers to hydrate the skin day or night.
Kypris Beauty Elixer II
- Good for all skin types
- Deeply hydrates the skin and allows makeup to go on smoothly
- Baobab Oil moisturizes and regenerates the skin
Rodin Olio Lusso Face Oil
- Good for all skin types
- Lightweight oil hydrates skin and gives a radiant glow
- Neroli Oil softens wrinkles and improves elasticity
Kiehl’s Midnight Recover Concentrate
- Good for all skin types
- To be used at night and dramatically restores the appearance of skin
- Evening Primrose Oil repairs skin and boosts radiance
So, are Face Oils for you?
Although finding the right face oils can seem like a daunting task, use this list to help you choose what’s best for your skin type. Leave your comments below and let me know what works for you.
Cool! Can’t wait to get your thoughts on makeup brands too. I love the glowy cheek highlights you do!
Stay tuned for makeup product reviews. They’re coming soon!
Great article! Love oils!
Thank you Mariko!
Wow, great information here from the best source I know in the industry! I think many women steer clear from oils because of fear of breaking out or having excess oily skin. I even have a handful of samples that I have yet to try, and after reading this blog I can’t wait to do so and find an oil that works for me. Having worked side by side with you, I fully trust your knowledge as it is not only based on your experience and skin type, but also on your many (happy) clients. This is excellent and I can’t wait to read more.
I am excited to hear about what oils you like best. Please keep me updated on your faves!
Very nice!
I, too, l u r v e facial oils 🙂
Aren’t facial oils amazing, Tania? Which ones are your favorites?
Gurrrrl. lol. I have a whole collection, so much so that I also blogged about it but my standouts are Sunday Riley (Artemis is better for my oily skin), and Badger Balm Damascus Rose Oil.
Renee,
Thank you for the break down. This is very educational and informative. I think I have the same initial reaction you did “use oil to clean my oil skin?” I use Jojoba oil as a makeup remover and Burt’s Bee for my crows feet. I’m definitely curious about the face oils like Kiehl’s. Where do you recommend going to get the products you suggested?
Keep the information coming! This is great!
Hi Esther,
You can buy Kiehl’s online here: http://www.kiehls.com and there is a freestanding store at the Grove. You can get samples from that store which is always nice! Tell me what you think once you’ve tried it!
Thanks for the info, this year I also started using a make-up removing oil that I didn’t think would work very well for me because I have oily skin, but I really like it! (It’s the bare minerals one, have you tried it?) I’m glad for your tips because I’ve been thinking that I need to get an oil moisturizer and now I have a list to choose from 🙂
Hi Cristina,
I haven’t tried the Bare Minerals oil, but I will add that to my must try list. My favorite face oil is the one from Kiehl’s. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!
Thanks for sharing Renee. I’ve been wanting to try face oils but kinda of lost what to buy. I am gonna try kiehl’s midnight recovery. Have you tried DHC cleansing oil before?
Thank you for you comment, Hannah. I haven’t tried the DHC cleansing oil yet. DHC has really good products, so I bet the cleansing oil will work well for you!
I love this! esp for winter in NYC posts like this is what we need. i love the keihl’s midnight oil too! 🙂
The Kiehl’s oil works great with drier skin types. I’m glad you like it too!
Great list! I’m going to have to try each one to see what I love the most! Thanks for these tips.
Thank you Nicole! Let me know which ones you like the best. My favorites are Tatcha, Elemis, Kypris, and Kiehls.
Thank you so much for the all information! I love using oil and you make me want to try more!
Thank you Sayuri! Which oil are you looking to try?
Thanks, Renee! After reading this, I want to try the Josie Maran cleansing oil, the Jane Iredale smell the roses hydration spray, and the Kiehl’s midnight recovery concentrate. ; ) Looking forward to many more insider tips from a real pro!
Thank you Candice! I can’t wait to hear which products you like!
Very informative on oils loved all the benefits you wrote down for each one.
Thank you Krystal!
Love this post Renee! It answered a few questions I had…! I will def consider Eclos when my current cleansing oil runs out..! I’m always fearful of products and oils causing breakouts because my skin is soooo sensitive…! I tried a new sunscreen and my face exploded 😛
Thank you Liz! I would love to hear how the Eclos cleansing oil worked for you.
The jane iredale smell the roses hydration spray is exactly what I need! Great tips!!!
Let me know what you think about the Jane Iredale spray, Manon!
Excellent! I am going to look forward to learning about and utilizing your wealth of skin care knowledge, products and application techniques!
Bravo Renee!
Thank you!
I love this!! I wish I had a site like this to refer to when I was trying to figure out my evening skin care routine! (At least I was fortunate enough to ask you in person! 🙂 ) I started using the Kiehl’s midnight recovery concentrate and I love it! I have dry skin so it works great.
I also got the Tatcha sampler as a birthday gift but gave it away because I was kind of afraid to try it since I also have sensitive skin. I should’ve checked with you first!
The Kiehl’s midnight recovery concentrate is one of my favorite oils. I use it every night and love the results I get in the morning. Also, at night I use the Tatcha Cleansing oil to deep clean my face from the day. Works great!