Beauty These 9 Best Facial Oils of 2023 Are Like A Moisture-Packed Slurpee For Dry Skin We really like that the Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is safe for all skin types to use By Courtney Leiva Courtney Leiva Courtney Leiva is a New Jersey-based beauty and wellness reporter. She has over ten years of experience in the industry with bylines in InStyle, Byrdie, Shape, Martha Stewart Living, and more. When she is not writing, you can find her combing through Reddit threads for the scoop on the latest trends, adding new kitchen appliances to her collection, or finding yet an excuse to go to HomeGoods. InStyle's editorial guidelines and Amanda Rosenthal Amanda Rosenthal Amanda Rosenthal is a beauty and fashion commerce writer at InStyle. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on September 22, 2022 @ 01:52PM Pin Share Tweet Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews What To Keep In Mind Your Questions, Answered We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Amazon We all know we need a good moisturizer to keep our skin supple and hydrated. But using a facial oil can be equally as beneficial to ensure your skin stays healthy, especially if it tends to be dry. Not only can a face oil clear the pores and reduce inflammation, as board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD says, but it also doubles down on the hydration you’re providing your skin when used under a moisturizer. It absorbs quickly, too, for fast-acting results. But choosing the right one can be a challenge. So to uncomplicate your search, we asked two dermatologists for their favorites and some tips on how to use them. “If you have dry skin, a facial oil can add hydration to your skin even if you already use a moisturizer,” she adds. Though, in case you like spoilers: The Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil took the best overall spot, because it is chock full of antioxidants and deeply hydrates dry skin. Here are the best facial oils for dry skin that leave skin hydrated, calm, and looking oh-so radiant. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: The Ordinary Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: La Mer The Renewal Oil at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best for Sensitive: Viva Naturals Organic Jojoba Oil at Amazon Jump to Review Best Clean: Eminence Organics Facial Recovery Oil at Dermstore Jump to Review Best Sustainable: Biossance 100% Squalane Oil at Sephora Jump to Review Best for Glow: Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Face Oil at Amazon Jump to Review Best Anti-Aging: Amaki Skincare Tsubaki Anti-Aging Face Oil at Amazon Jump to Review Best Detoxifying: Pai Organic Carbon Star Detoxifying Overnight Face Oil at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil 4.3 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Sephora What We Love: It contains antioxidant-rich marula oil and is well-tolerated by all skin types. What We Don’t Love: It can leave the skin with a sticky residue if too much product is applied to the skin. Rich in antioxidants, this hydrating facial oil from Drunk Elephant will leave your complexion looking youthful and glowy. “This is an absolute must for all skin types — oily included,” says Dr. Adam Elshafei, MD. “This facial oil contains no additives or fragrance, which lends a potent antioxidant boost and healthy glow sans greasy residue.” Because it’s designed to help with fine lines and uneven skin texture, it seamlessly blends into your skincare regimen. The oil’s lightweight formula easily absorbs into the skin, revitalizing any dull or flakey skin. With all its benefits, the slightly higher price tag is worth it — trust us! Plus, this oil can be applied all over your face and body, making it a great universal product. Size: 1 fl. oz.｜Key Moisturizers: Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil｜Cruelty-Free: Yes Price at time of publish: $68 Best Value The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil 4.2 Ulta View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart What We Love: It is affordable and 100 percent organic cold-pressed rosehip seed oil is its only ingredient. What We Don’t Love: It is not non-comedogenic, meaning it can cause breakouts and blemishes to those with acne, eczema, and rosacea-prone skin. “This facial oil contains high levels of vitamin A which provides plenty of youth-boosting benefits,” Dr. Elshafei explains. Rosa canina — the only ingredient in the product — has numerous benefits that hydrate your skin and reduce the appearance of photoaging. The multitasking oil will leave your complexion looking radiant and dewy without leaving any residue behind. As an added perk, the bottle is also UV-protected, so it will remain concentrated over time. “Plus, it’s extremely affordable, so rest assured that it won’t break the bank,” says Dr. Elshafei. Size: 1 fl.oz.｜Key Moisturizers 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil｜Cruelty-Free: Yes Price at time of publish: $10 Best Splurge La Mer The Renewal Oil Sephora View On Nordstrom View On Sephora View On Bergdorfgoodman.com What We Love: It can be easily layered with other skin care products to help the skin retain moisture. What We Don’t Love: The fragrance might be too strong for some. Looking to add some luxury to your skincare experience? Treat yourself to La Mer. Its Renewal Oil provides a true aromatic spa-like experience. “When I really want to treat my dry skin, I love using this oil, because it contains a multitude of top oils, including jojoba, sweet almond, and sesame oils to name a few,” says Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of the DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa. “It helps to restore moisture and softens the skin, too.” We know the price tag might seem daunting, but if you’re looking to splurge, this oil is definitely worth it, and you truly only need a few drops per use, so it’s sure to last you a while. One tip: don’t forget to activate the sea-sourced nutrients by gently shaking the bottle prior to use. Size: 1 fl.oz.｜Key Moisturizers: Jojoba, Sweet Almond, and Sesame Oils｜Cruelty-Free: No Price at time of publish: $270 We Tested 36 Face Oils — These 15 Give You a Healthy, Hydrated Glow Best for Sensitive Viva Naturals Organic Jojoba Oil Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Vivanaturals.com What We Love: It soothes irritable skin and does not clog pores. What We Don’t Love: The strong scent may be off-putting to some. With sensitive skin, the fewer ingredients the better because that means fewer possibilities your skin will react. This extremely gentle oil includes only jojoba oil, a natural way to rejuvenate your skin. “The Myristic acid inside jojoba oil is an anti-inflammatory which reduces redness and soothes sensitive skin,” says Dr. Beth Goldstein, MD, president of the North Carolina-based Central Dermatology. “It does not clog pores, so it’s also safe for those with acne-prone skin to use as well.” This product can be used alone or blended with your favorite moisturizer to create the ultimate skincare concoction. For added hydration, add a few drops of this facial oil to your favorite nourishing moisturizer. Size: 4 fl. oz.｜Key Moisturizers: Jojoba Oil｜Cruelty-Free: Yes Price at time of publish: $12 Best Clean Eminence Organics Facial Recovery Oil Amazon View On Dermstore View On Ecosmetics.com View On Planetbeauty.com What We Love: It targets dryness, spots, and signs of aging. What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t absorb into the skin as quickly as other facial oil products. This super hydrating and clean oil leaves your skin looking dewy and nourished. With key ingredients like sage leaf extract and olive oil, this facial oil calms the skin and balances out your natural oil production. “Eminence is a company committed to creating green products that are also beneficial for the skin,” explains board-certified dermatologist Emily Wood, MD. “This facial oil contains organic botanicals to soothe skin naturally. Additionally, ylang ylang and olive oil help to calm sensitive skin, while sage leaf extract is a natural antioxidant.” Eminence Organics Facial Recovery Oil will revive your dull, dry skin and can diminish the appearance of acne scars. Plus, this oil’s clean ingredients mean you know exactly what you’re putting on your face. Size: 0.5 fl. oz.｜Key Moisturizers: Olive, Clary Sage, Sesame, and Tea Tree Oils｜Cruelty-Free: Yes Price at time of publish: $48 This $14 Organic Face Oil Leaves Skin Looking "Completely Remade" and "Glistening," Per Users Best Sustainable Biossance 100% Squalane Oil 4.8 Courtesy of Biossance View On Sephora View On Biossance.com What We Love: It is endorsed by the National Eczema Association and the Environmental Working Group. What We Don’t Love: It can go on thick and heavy if too much product is applied to the skin. “This squalane-based oil is sustainably sourced, vegan, fragrance-free, and endorsed by the National Eczema Association and the Environmental Working Group,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness, MD. “Squalane is a unique ingredient that this company derives from sugarcane, but it shares similarities with squalene, which is a lipid that is found in our own skin and sebaceous glands, as well as the vernix caseosa. Overall it has a strong and supportive effect on the skin barrier.” The facial oil was also clinically tested, and after five weeks, 100 percent of subjects showed an increase in cell renewal. Pat this product over your face and décolleté to help combat any redness and dryness. Help save your skin while also being environmentally conscious. Size: 3.4 fl. oz.｜Key Moisturizers: 100% Squalane｜Cruelty-Free: Yes Price at time of publish: $32 Best for Glow Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil 4.6 Kiehl's View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta What We Love: It is light-weight and gives dry skin a boost of radiance and moisture. What We Don’t Love: Lavender essential oil can be irritating to sensitive skin types. Wake up to glowing, younger-looking skin. Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil is made up of essential oils and distilled botanicals that visibly transform your skin. “This facial oil contains squalane, evening primrose, and lavender,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Adam Mamelak, MD, tells InStyle. “It is best applied at bedtime to restore and replenish your skin overnight.” Rest assured, that your skin will soak in nutrient-rich ingredients overnight and wake up looking revitalized and dewy. Size: 1.0 fl. oz.｜Key Moisturizers: Squalene｜Cruelty-Free: No Price at time of publish: $52 Best Anti-Aging Amaki Skincare Tsubaki Anti-Aging Face Oil Amazon View On Amazon What We Love: It reduces fine lines and wrinkles and keeps skin supple and plump. What We Don’t Love: It can cause breakouts to those with acne-prone skin. Sadly, there is no secret, youthful potion, but Amaki Skincare’s Tsubaki Anti-Aging Face Oil comes pretty close! “This facial oil moisturizes dry skin while reducing fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Mamelak. “It contains argan, jojoba, lavender, chamomile, sunflower, and rice bran oils, which are rich in vitamins A, B, and D. Plus, it also contains other antioxidants that plump the skin, diminish blotchiness, and increase skin elasticity.” Your skin will look and feel silky smooth, appearing visibly younger. Size: 1 fl. oz.｜Key Moisturizers: Argan, Jojoba, Lavender, Chamomile, Sunflower, and Rice Bran Oils｜Cruelty-Free: Yes Price at time of publish: $68 This $19 Drugstore Face Oil Leaves Crow's Feet "Almost Completely Gone," According to Fans Best Detoxifying Pai Organic Carbon Star Detoxifying Overnight Face Oil Amazon View On Amazon What We Love: It is powered by detoxifying black cumin seed oil and charcoal. What We Don’t Love: Charcoal can be a bit drying/abrasive to some skin types. No one wants to deal with dry, congested skin. Give your skin some relief with Pai Organic Carbon Star Detoxifying Overnight Face Oil. This oil will help eliminate acne and dead skin cells. “This face oil contains detoxifying black cumin seed oil and charcoal,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Audrey Kunin, MD. “This combination is ideal for blemish-prone skin because it deeply cleanses pores.” Fragrance-free, this facial oil is great for all skin types. For those that are looking to deeply detoxify their skin without stripping it from moisture, this oil is the way to go. Size: 1 fl. oz.｜Key Moisturizers: Black Cumin Seed Oil｜Cruelty-Free: Yes Price at time of publish: $58 Eva Mendes Is the Latest Celeb to Back This Face Oil That Makes Shoppers "Look at Least 10 Years Younger" What To Keep In Mind Size Because facial oils can vary in price, Wood says you’ll want to be mindful of the bottle size, especially if you want to get the most bang for your buck. However, size also applies to how much product you actually use, as you’ll want to keep in mind that just a little oil actually goes a long way. “Only a few drops are needed with each application,” she adds. Key Moisturizers Since facial oils can be helpful in targeting particular skin concerns, Dr. Goldstein says you’ll want to pay attention to the key moisturizers or ingredients used. “For example, if you have acne prone-skin, you need to use products that are not likely to aggravate your condition,” she tells InStyle. “Similarly, if your goal is anti-aging versus redness reduction, you should lean into those oils that can target your goals.” Cruelty-Free “Cruelty free is important to shoppers as it indicates no testing on animals,” Wood says. “To ensure your product is truly cruelty-free, look for a small rabbit symbol on the package.” Your Questions, Answered Why do you need face oil? By definition, facial oil is a specially formulated oil that helps seal the skin's moisture barrier by having a higher lipid content, according to Dr. Michon. That being said, he suggests that you do not necessarily need to use a facial oil, especially if you incorporate a thick moisturizer plus effective skincare products in your routine. However, he says that “facial oil is a great product to add to your routine if you want to lock in the moisture in your skin for a long period in dry seasons, especially if you have dry skin.” When do you use face oil in your skincare routine? “I recommend using face oils in the morning and in the evening,” Dr. Michon tells InStyle. “Face oil should be applied as the last step of your nighttime skin care routine and before your sunscreen and makeup in the morning. You don't want to overuse a face oil, because it will create a layer over the top of the surface, which then will cause more oil production and allow for bacteria to grow more quickly, ultimately resulting in a potential for increased acne.”