Available brands
Brands we trust
Peel Mission
DermaQuest
estGen
Sesderma
Skeyndor
Medik8
Purlés
TEOXANE
DSD de Luxe
KV-1
Institut Esthederm
pro XN
Dermalogica
Mediderma
Dermomedica
Cell Fusion C
Mesoestetic
SolverX
Dottore
Olaplex
Diego Dalla Palma
Selvert Thermal
Intraceuticals
Vagheggi
Podopharm
DIVES MED
pHformula
My Skin Chemistry
Retix.C
ONmacabim
Kevin Murphy
Moroccanoil
LPG
MineTan
SunFX
Facial oil does not hydrate—it lubricates. This is an important distinction: hydration refers to water in the epidermis, while lubrication refers to the lipids that prevent water loss. Therefore, oil works best as a sealing layer, applied to damp skin or over a hydrating serum. In this category, we offer facial oils and dry oils.
Who is facial oil for?
- Dry skin — a chronic lack of lipids; oil replenishes them directly.
- Mature skin — sebum production decreases with age, making an occlusive layer beneficial.
- Skin dried out by treatments — retinol, acids, isotretinoin. Oil helps rebuild the barrier.
- In winter — frost and heating increase transepidermal water loss, even for normal skin types.
For oily and acne-prone skin, oil is not forbidden, but you must choose carefully—light oils with low comedogenic potential, such as squalane or grapeseed oil, work better than heavy butters.
How to use facial oil
Warm two to three drops in your palms and press them into the face—do not rub. Oil should be applied as the final step of your skincare routine, after your cream, because its molecules are too large to allow subsequent products to penetrate.
You can also add a drop of oil to your cream—it is a simple way to boost it during winter without buying a separate product.
Frequently asked questions
Can oil replace a cream? No, if the skin is dehydrated—oil does not provide water. It will only replace a cream for those with dry but well-hydrated skin.
Does oil clog pores? It depends on the oil. Squalane, jojoba, and grapeseed oil rarely cause issues; coconut and wheat germ oils do so more frequently.
Does oil protect against the sun? No. No plant oil provides real sun protection.
See also: hydration, face creams, sensitive skin.