It is important to know that oils are very beneficial to our skin and each oil has different properties. Now you me might be asking which oil will help protect you from the sun or which will reduce irritations or provide natural retinol, or you might be looking for the suitable face oil for sensitive skin.

Well your answer is here as Jane Scribner, the oil expert has a cheat sheet for you.

For me, oils are the basics of any skincare routine. They have the ability to protect, repair, and replenish the skin cells. Natural oil and water sit below our skin's surface, and these act to create a protective barrier for our skin. It protects the skin from dehydration and from environmental pollutants. The natural oils we have on our skin can be removed by the action of cleansers, harsh products or even inadequate diet. This causes the skin to lose a lot of its protection and leave it susceptible to a lot problems.

Oils are like the natural protectors of our skin and can also provide the skin with several nutrients. Below, I will discuss 12 of my best oils that can help you and I'll also talk about which is best for each skin type. So below are some of the most common questions I'm asked.

Should Oil Be Applied On Oily Skin?

Oily skin just like dry skin also needs oil. If your skin overproduces sebum, this can be corrected with the right facial oil which can give you ultra smooth skin.

An inflamed, acne-prone skin can benefit immensely from an omega-rich, calming facial oil. Identifying the appropriate oil type for your skin is very important, ideally, it is usually advisable to use oils with a low molecular size, a very good example is the jojoba and argan. Low molecular weight oils improves skin absorption, it also regulates the skins natural sebum production, replenishes and restores the membrane barrier functions without causing excess accumulation of oils and it's residues on the skin surfaces.

Photo by Chelsea shapouri on Unsplash

Will My Face Need Oil As I Get Older?

It is no news that as we age, the skin produces lesser amounts of natural oil, which eventually leads to fine lines on the face. The lipid bilayer of the skin becomes compromised thereby reducing moisture retention abilities and consequent increase in trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL, loss of water through the skin), the skin dries out more frequently. Oils are lipophilic by chemical nature meaning that they love fat and allow fat to pass through and combine with other chemical molecules and replenish the skin’s lipid layers, preventing further water loss and also conditioning the skin from within thus improves plumping and smoothing of the skin

Differentiating Oils for Cleansing, Moisturizing and Nourishing?

Oils have particular functions they perform in the nourishing spectrum. Oils that are derived from plants and Leaf extracts are more nutrient rich and are widely available for use. Oils that are easily broken down and emulsify easily such as jojoba and squalene without challenging the acid mantle are more suited as removal products. The best use for oils can be determined by its consistency, for example, creams will work best with lighter oils like rosehip or apricot, and these can give you ultra smooth skin and reduce fine lines on the face.

Do We Really Need Oil On Our Skin?

All oils (fatty acids) protect the skin in various ways.  EFAs (essential fatty acids) are particularly needed for the skin’s health. ‘Essential’ means the body cannot manufacture these oils, they need to be taken internally through meals and then digested or administered directly. Omega 6 and 3 oils are particularly important for skin health. Linoleic acid in omega 6 fats and alpha-linolenic acid in omega 3 fats and all their variants are crucial to maintain the barrier and ‘passage’ function of the lipid layer of the skin – allowing protection from bacteria and dirt while the passage of moisture and nutrients is facilitated into the deeper skin layers. Omega 3 or ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is vital for its anti-inflammatory properties and its promotion of blood circulation which are both very important for the health and conditioning of our skin.

Oils also contain phyto-chemicals - plant compounds (vitamins, antioxidants, sterols, polyphenols etc.). Our skin needs these phytochemicals 24/7 to maintain a healthy skin condition. Skin Vitamins are similar to EFAs in that the body cannot produce them, they have to be taken or applied and so vitamins added to skincare can help us maintain a healthy, strong, and ultra smooth skin.

JOJOBA OIL: The King of Oils and Best Multipurpose Oil

This is my non-oil, oil - by this, I mean that it can be broken down with water (hydrolysis). It is extracted from the jojoba nut, it's a wax ester that’s the same as the one present in human skin, so it is as close to the skin’s natural sebum production as you can get and has the effect of being able to balance our skin’s natural oils. With a smaller molecular size, it’s fabulous for oily skin because it can absorb fully without sitting on the surface and in time will regulate sebum production.

It is also high performing in the collagen and elastin regenerating stages. Being rich in anti-oxidants means it takes on free radicals (the damaging, skin destroying chemicals) and high in vitamin E and so protects the skin from the effects of aging. Jojoba is beneficial for any skin type and is effective in preventing fine lines on face.

Good for: balancing oily skin, dry skin conditions, mature skin and wrinkles.

ROSEHIP OIL: The Repair Oil Loaded Vitamins and Natural Retinol

Rosehip oil penetrates into the skin very quickly without a heavy, greasy unpleasant feel. It’s an anti-aging powerhouse that kick cellular turnover, promotes collagen, works adequately for all types of skin damage such as post-operative scars, acne scars, sunburn and skin burns. Rosehip is essentially filled with EFAs (essential fatty acids), vitamin C (anti-oxidant) and vitamin A (natural retinol). It works wonders for smoothening out fine lines on face and bringing out your skin tone (if you want to learn more about Rosehip Oil benefits for Acne, check out here).

Good for: mature skin, pigmentation, lines and wrinkles or all-round ‘pick me up’.

ARGAN OIL: Great For Irritations and Flare-Ups (Face oil for sensitive skin)

Argan oil has earned the MVP status in the beauty world, and for good reason: it’s rich in essential sin antioxidants with high concentration of vitamin E and EFAs (essential fatty acids), it also has a luxurious texture that hydrates flaky skin and softens wrinkles. It’s also anti-inflammatory and non-clogging in function, so it’s great for skin prone to acne. It's also non comedogenic (aka, unlikely to clog your pores). Opt for fair-trade organic argan oil so that profits go directly to the Moroccan women’s collectives that produce it. This is the perfect face oil for sensitive skin.

Good for: skin discoloration from acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis

AVOCADO OIL: The Natural Steroid Oil and Perfect Moisturizing Agent

Specifically meant for calming and soothing skin reliefs.  This particular oil is extracted from the pulp of the ‘fruit’ and is essentially high in vitamin A which stimulates healthy skin secretions, vitamin D for cell growth and metabolism and vitamin E for its anti-oxidant properties.

Avocado Oil contains Essential Fatty Acids, sterolin (natural steroids which soothe irritation) antioxidants, lecithin (a protein also found in soya beans and egg yolk) to revitalize, hydrate and soften skin texture and also potassium (vital mineral for hydration) for forming a thin layer to retain water in the epidermis. It removes flakes, boosts cellular regeneration, and plumps up thin and flaky skin leading to ultra smooth skin. IT has proven to be a good face oil for sensitive skin and so should be taken note of.

Good for: dry, dehydrated and mature skin

SEA BUCKTHORN OIL: The Miracle berry oil

Irrespective of the name, the deep orange oil has nothing to do with the sea. It’s extracted from the bright orange berries of the sea buckthorn shrub and is well known to regenerate damaged skin and alleviate inflammation. This oil has huge regenerative and healing properties for damaged skin cells and helps to improve fine lines and wrinkles as it is a cicatrisant (accelerates the scar healing process). It is extremely rich in omega 7 fats, and contains omega 3 and 6 in an almost perfect ratio along with omega 9, so is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and aids the skin in protection and fighting bacterial infection.

Good for: Acne-prone skin, healing scars and damaged skin

POMEGRANATE OIL: For Protection and Repair Of Sun Damage

Extracted from the seeds, this has anti-microbial (meaning it can work on yeast and fungal infection alongside bacterial) anti-inflammatory firming and healing properties. This oil has potent tightening and firming properties and contains antioxidants, to protect against free radicals. It’s also rich in vitamins A, E and K which are vital for fighting wrinkles.

Its antioxidant efficiency is three times higher that of red wine or green tea and is said to enhance skin protection for sun exposure. Pomegranate oil also contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium, Β3, Gallic and Ellagic acids. It’s one of the great oils for elasticity, hydration and moisture.

Good for: Enhancing the elasticity of the skin and repairing UV damage.

CAMELLIA OIL: The Absorbent of Antioxidants

This is extracted from the seeds and is historically known as the oil beloved in Japan for centuries. Camellia (aka green tea seed) oil rich in oleic acid (omega 9), it is excellent for dry or aging skin as it penetrates easily and deeply into the skin, replenishing lost moisture and stopping additional moisture from evaporating. It contains vitamins A, B, D and E, as well as omegas 3, 6 and 9 – the molecules in camellia, are almost identical size to the sebum molecules in our skin, allowing rapid and thorough absorption. It’s reported to have more naturally occurring antioxidants than any other plant oil. These properties make camellia oil a good face oil for sensitive skin.

Good for: Irritated skin and dry mature skin for anti-aging benefits

PRICKLY PEAR OIL: The Excellent Do-It-All Skin Treatment

This oil is derived from a type of cactus, it is a nutrient-dense prickly pear oil that contains effective and potent antioxidants known as betalains.  Betalians are red and yellow pigments found in plants. It contains the highest amount of betalains than any other plant including beetroot, Goji berries and Acai. These super antioxidant pigments help to protect skin against ageing and from a variety of damaging radicals which would otherwise cause fine lines on face. This seed oil also contains amino acids which may help stimulate collagen production. The vitamin K in prickly pear oil helps to increase the contrast of hyperpigmentation areas such as dark spots as well as being of benefit for under-eye dark circles. The oil is easily absorbed into skin and penetrates quickly without leaving any greasy residues, promoting ultra smooth skin.

Good for: aging skin, damaged skin, rosacea

CHIA SEED OIL: The powerhouse of Nutrients

The oil contains a sufficient amount of omega-3 fatty acids and is full of phytosterols, chia seed oil can help to make the skin feel soothed and calmed, speed up skin repair, and it also guarantees a well-hydrated complexion. In a study published by The Annals of Dermatology, chia seed oil was clinically proven to “significantly increase skin hydration, reduce trans-epidermal water loss and increase skin barrier function.” Another advantage of using chia seed oil on skin is its abundance of antioxidants, which protects the skin from signs of ageing, environmental and UV induced damage. The oil is lightweight and non-greasy, so it won’t leave the skin feeling oily.

Good for: All skin type, promote skin repair and calms itching.

Now that you know which face oil to use! It's important to also note that both moisturizer and face oil are equally important when it comes to maintaining a healthy, hydrated skin. The skin needs 70% water and 30% oil to maintain its balance. A good oil not only helps the skin retain the water that’s put into it, but also adds extra nourishment to promote a healthy glowing skin and reduce fine lines on face. Are you ready to introduce face oil into your skin care routine? Read this article - "Should You Apply Face Oil Before Or After Moisturizer?" to find out the best way to apply a face oil.

Check this miracle organic face oil that contains everything you need from a face oil.