beauty

5 face oils that will make your skin look and feel incredible.

These days, most of us are fairly clued-up on the benefits of incorporating oils into our beauty routines.

Whether it’s for cleansing, moisturising, putting in your hair, or slathering over your body, oil is the ‘It’ product of the moment — and for good reason. You see, the skin consists of both oils and moisture (in the form of water), and it needs both of these things to function at optimal health. Therefore, it’s important to use products that replenish both of these things.

RELATED: 3 oils you didn’t know will work wonders on your hair.

As there are so many amazing beauty oils out there, it’s tricky to know which is the right one for you and your needs. So I’ve rounded up five of the most popular ones, and all the info you need to decide which oil is ‘The One’.

1. Rosehip Oil

No, you won't smell like one of these - but you'll be just as beautiful.

 

We’ve all heard about rosehip oil. It’s been around the beauty traps for years, and is praised by many skincare pros as the ultimate skin saviour.

This oil is made from the bud of the rose, not the petals, so don't expect it to smell in any way like a bouquet. To be perfectly honest, it kind of smells like wet wood — but you’ll have no problem moving past the scent when you see what it does for your skin.

RELATED: Zoe Foster Blake tells us all how to use face oils properly.

Thanks to its fatty acids, rosehip oil is one of the best anti-ageing products you can buy. It’s a winner for cell regeneration and repair, which keeps the skin firm and plump. It also aids with evening out skin tone and lightening pigmentation caused by things like sun exposure, hormonal changes, and acne scarring.

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Best for: Those with normal to dry skin, wanting to target ageing and/or hyperpigmentation.

Recommended uses: Warm a few drops between your palms and pat into clean skin before applying your moisturiser. Or add a couple of drops to your moisturiser to give it a bit more oomph. It's also great to use on your body during winter when your legs and arms have dried out.(Post continues after gallery.)

2. Jojoba Oil

Jojoba seeds. (Image via iStock.)

 

Jojoba oil is made from the seed of the jojoba plant, and may I just say… this colourless and odourless oil is an absolute gem.

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Boasting vitamin E, B-complex, zinc, and selenium, among others, jojoba oil contains all of the goodness essential for healthy skin and hair. It’s also known to be one of the most cooperative oils when it comes to allergic reactions, so it’s a good pick for sensitive-skinned folk.

RELATED: Hair how-to: Nourish your hair using hair oils.

One of the coolest things about this product is that it mimics the activity of your body’s natural oils, so it’s nice and light on the skin.

Best for: All skin types. It's good for sensitive skin, and ideal for anyone with combination/oily skin hoping to add some great nutrients to their face without creating an oil slick

Recommended uses: Use in place of a night time moisturiser by warming a few drops between palms and patting all over cleansed skin.

3. Argan Oil

This one will make both your skin and hair happy.

 

Extracted from the kernels of the Argan tree, argan oil is like liquid gold when it comes to hydration. Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, it's the ideal product to give your skin a natural boost.

Argan is also one of the best oils for hydration and moisture, so it's a good pick for anyone with dry skin or brittle hair.

RELATED: Noticed your skin's been oily lately? This could be the culprit.

Best for: Normal to dry skin types in need of hydration. Also those with dry, brittle hair.

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Recommended uses: Warm a few drops between palms. Pat into clean skin before applying your moisturiser, or run fingers through the lower lengths of your hair to help with dry split ends. (Post continues after gallery.)

4. Coconut Oil

(Image via iStock.)

 

Of all the facial oils you can buy, coconut oil has the most delicious scent — it's extracted from the kernel of matured coconuts, so it'll make you smell like a summer island holiday.

As well as being incredibly moisturising, coconut oil is naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal which makes it a fantastic facial cleanser. It cleans effectively without stripping your skin of the oil it needs to stay nice and balanced.

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RELATED: What really happens to your skin when you don't wash your makeup off?

This product also does a really good job of breaking down makeup — even waxy waterproof eye makeup, which can be stubborn to remove with your average face cleanser. Double whammy.

Best for: All skin types, particularly those that are blemish prone. Excellent as makeup remover.

Recommended uses: For cleansing, melt some of the oil between your palms and then gently massage it into dry skin, rubbing the oil in circular motions all over your face and neck. Once your makeup is broken down, wash away the oil with your facial cleaner as normal.

5. Marula Oil

(Image via iStock.)
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There’s a fairly new oil on the block, and it’s one the oily-skinned among us have been waiting for.

Marula oil, harvested from the nut of the marula fruit, is the lightest beauty oil in the land. Since its molecules are much smaller than those or many other oils, it absorbs easier, faster, and deeper into the skin.

RELATED: 3 reasons why cleansing your face in the shower isn't the best idea.

Its natural structure is very close to that of our skins natural oils, so it’s perfectly hydrating without clogging your pores or leaving an oily film on your skin. This means it’s also the very best oil to add to your routine if you suffer from acne. Using marula oil will help your skin stop overproducing oil (since it isn't dehydrated any more), resulting in fewer breakouts.

Marula has microbial properties to help fight bacteria while it hydrates, so your pimples can heal and you won’t go getting flakey.

Best for: Oily and acne-prone skins.

Recommended uses: Use in place of a night time moisturiser by warming a few drops between palms and patting all over cleansed skin.

Do you use beauty oils? Which ones are your favourite?