Even as a beauty editor, I’ve been following my fair share of bad skin care tips. Some of them simply didn’t work for me, while other tips were completely harmful. I think I don’t need to wear sunscreen because I have dark skin (fiction! Upload on SPF–always!). I bought up on homemade skincare lies (sounds obvious, but never put lemon juice on your skin). And I don’t think I should use oils made for oily skin.
Oh, how times have changed. In fact, the product that really put me in skin care is Herbivores Botanicals Lapis Blue Tansy Face oil. Structure. Color. Odor. The results are undeniable – they are all the same. I knew it was a game changer from the very first application. And since then, I’ve devoted myself to debunking this particular myth and finding the best face oils for oily skin.
A lot of myths dominate the narrative around oily skin, (especially acne-prone skin). And many products can do more harm than good. A surprising number of so-called solutions are filled with alcohol and other harsh ingredients, which irritate and dry out your skin. This may affect skin barrier or make your skin overcompensate by producing more oil.
Featured image courtesy of Stella Simona.
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I often describe my skin as like somewhere oily of a combination. However, my recent call with Dr. Michelle Henry, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City, revealed that my skin can be just… oily. This is nothing to be ashamed of, she said. It’s just the way it goes! But it’s also not something you can change. “Most people with oily skin will know: their oil glands are overactive,” Dr. Henry told me. But since face oils are my favorite part of my routine, it’s a relief to know that, yes, you can use them with oily skin.
This sounds counter-intuitive. (That works for me too!) But for many people with oily skin, facial oils can help balance the amount of sebum your pores naturally produce. But it must be the right oil. Some heavier oils have the potential to do more harm than good—don’t let that scare you off. By adding some of the best face oils for oily skin, you can Simplify your routine and enhance your results. Listen to your skin by giving it the ingredients it loves in a form it can absorb. But how to find the best oil for oily skin? Dr. Henry and I have you covered.
How do you know if you have oily skin?
There are 3 main skin types: oily skin, dry skin, and combination skin. “Oily and dry skin is a genetic condition,” confirms Dr. Henry. “Dehydrated skin is different and according to the situation.” Any skin type can be dehydrated. This happens when your skin barrier is damaged and is classified by irritation. But don’t mistake it for dry skin. When your moisture barrier is healthy, you can tell what skin type you have based on how it feels throughout the day.
According to Dr. Henry, “people with oily skin will notice that they have to absorb water in the afternoon. Their skin is often glossy, especially in the T-zone.”
How your skin feels after washing or its reaction to products will also tell you a lot about your skin type. “People with oily skin never experience tightness unless they are using something really harsh.” This means your skin has a lot of moisture available – and facial oils can help balance it out.
What myths are associated with oily skin?
Of course, one of the lies with oily skin is that you shouldn’t use facial oils. But other false assumptions can also prevent you from using them.
“The biggest myth about oily skin is that it’s not sensitive,” says Dr. Henry. “So you can have sensitive and dry skin, but you can also have fairly sensitive oily skin.” To prevent sensitive skin from getting irritated, make sure to lock in moisture. Facial oils are a good way to make sure you’re giving your sensitive skin the moisture it needs.
How does face oil treat oily skin?
“Facial oils can either help or hurt the skin,” says Dr. “We don’t want face oils that are known to cause breakouts. Oils like coconut oil actually cause breakouts. But non-comedogenic oils can help lock in moisture. Those oils are light and easy to use.”
Good, light oils to look out for include:
- argan oil
- Rosehip Oil
- Squalane Oil
- Marula Oil
- Jojoba oil
- Sunflower seed oil
Is it possible to use a moisturizer with face oil?
Depending on factors in your routine, “one oil may be enough,” says Dr. Henry. Oil alone does not make a habit. Make sure you’re also using skin moisturizers, then use oils as a final step to lock in those properties.
“I like to use oils on top of my moisturizer for an extra boost of hydration. Oils don’t provide moisture, they lock it in,” notes Dr
But again, make sure to choose a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Henry recommends an oil-free moisturizer, so it shouldn’t surprise you to find heavier oils clog your pores and negate the effects of lighter, more beneficial oils.
Which ingredients are good for oily skin?
“If you have acne, buy products with ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinol — these will help reduce the oiliness a bit. There is some research showing that zinc may also slightly reduce the activity of the oil glands,” adds Dr.
Discover the best oils for oily skin
