Best Oils For Glowing Skin: 10 Facial Oils To Try (Glowy Skin) |

Facial oil is the skincare step most people get wrong.

Not because it’s complicated. Because nobody tells you the rules.

Pick the wrong oil for your skin and you get breakouts, a greasy T-zone, or a heavy, overdone shine instead of a glow.

Pick the right one and apply it at the right moment, and you can see the difference in about a minute.

And one of the most popular “natural” oils in the world? Research has shown it can weaken your skin barrier.

Yes, really. It’s probably sitting in your kitchen right now.

So before you buy another shiny little bottle, here is what actually works, which oil suits which skin, and how to use it properly…

I’m Patri Hernández, a certified organic skincare formulator and dermocosmetic technician with a background in health coaching. I specialise in natural skincare, botanical ingredients and evidence-informed approaches to natural wellness, so I care about what the research says, not just what the label promises.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. This never influences my recommendations, and I only mention products and ingredients I genuinely think could be useful.

What the right facial oil actually gets you

Let’s be realistic about what a good facial oil can do. Here’s the honest list.

Softer skin in minutes. Oil fills the tiny gaps between dry surface cells, so skin looks smoother and reflects more light straight away.
Less of that tight feeling after cleansing. Sealing skin while it’s still damp slows water loss.
A shorter routine. For many skin types, 2 to 4 drops at night can replace a heavy cream.
Better value than it looks. A drop is roughly 0.05 ml, so a 30 ml bottle at 3 drops a day is around 200 uses.
Fewer expensive mistakes. Matching the oil to your skin saves you weeks of congestion or irritation.
Comfort all year. Central heating, air con and cold wind all dry skin out. The right oil cushions it.

What it won’t do: add water, fade pigmentation, exfoliate or replace sunscreen. Anyone promising that is selling a story.

What creates a healthy-looking glow?

Glow is really about light. Smooth, hydrated skin with a healthy barrier reflects light evenly. Dry, rough skin scatters it, and that’s why tired skin looks dull.

Four things feed into it:

A healthy barrier. The outer layer (the stratum corneum) keeps water in and irritants out.
Good hydration. Water in the skin matters more than surface shine.
Smooth texture. Gentle exfoliation and a supported barrier both help.
Even tone. Sun damage dulls skin, and sunscreen is your best defence.

Here’s the bit most people miss. Oils contain no water, so they don’t hydrate on their own.

What they do is soften the skin and slow water loss. That means the trick is applying oil over water-based products or onto slightly damp skin.

The damp-skin rule: oil on bone-dry skin seals in dryness. Oil on damp skin seals in water. Same bottle, very different result.

10 best oils for glowing skin

A quick reality check before we start. Most research on plant oils is small, short, or done on specific groups such as people with dry skin conditions.

Where the evidence is thin, I’ll tell you. Plenty of bloggers repeat big claims without checking the science. I don’t.

1. Jojoba oil

Not technically an oil at all. It’s a liquid wax, and its structure is similar to the wax esters in your own sebum, which make up roughly a quarter of it (Practical Dermatology).

It’s light, stable and slow to go off. A very good first facial oil.

Did you know? Jojoba is a tough evergreen shrub that grows in the deserts of North America. Its seeds hold a liquid wax rather than a typical oil, which is a big part of why it feels so steady on skin (Science News).

2. Squalane

Squalane is the stable, hydrogenated form of squalene, a lipid your skin makes naturally. Plant versions usually come from olives or sugarcane.

It’s silky, non-greasy and very unlikely to spoil. It suits almost everyone, including oily and sensitive skin.

Squalane and squalene are not the same thing. Squalene spoils quickly, which is why cosmetics use hydrogenated squalane instead.

Did you know? Squalane is made by hydrogenating squalene, and that step is what makes it stable enough for skincare. Today it’s commonly made from olives or sugarcane (Cosmetics & Toiletries). Look for “plant-derived” or “vegan” on the label to be sure.

3. Rosehip oil

Rich in linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids, rosehip is popular for dull, uneven-looking skin. Some small studies have looked at scarring and photoageing, but the evidence is limited. It isn’t a proven treatment.

It oxidises faster than most oils, so buy small bottles and keep it cool.

4. Argan oil

A balanced mix of oleic and linoleic acids, plus tocopherols (vitamin E compounds). It feels medium-weight and leaves skin soft.

Research on argan for skin is mostly small studies, so I’d call the benefits plausible, not proven. It’s a tree nut oil, so be careful with nut allergies.

5. Marula oil

Higher in oleic acid, so it feels richer. A good candidate for dry or mature skin, and it absorbs better than you’d expect.

There’s little independent clinical research, so most claims are traditional or brand-led. Take them with a pinch of salt.

6. Sunflower seed oil

Underrated. In a 2013 study of 19 adults, sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity and improved hydration. Olive oil did the opposite.

One catch: high-oleic sunflower oils exist, and they behave differently. Look for standard or high-linoleic types.

7. Grapeseed oil

Light, thin and high in linoleic acid. It can suit combination or oily skin that still wants a little glow.

It goes rancid fairly quickly. If it smells like old crayons, bin it.

8. Hemp seed oil

Another linoleic-rich option with a green tint and a nutty scent. It’s light to medium in feel.

Like grapeseed, it spoils fast. Keep it in a dark bottle and use it within a few months.

9. Sweet almond oil

Soft, gentle and cushioning. Good for dry skin, less ideal for very reactive skin.

It’s a tree nut oil, so avoid it with nut allergies.

10. Camellia seed oil

Traditionally used in Japanese skincare and known for absorbing well for an oleic-rich oil. It suits dry to normal skin.

Evidence for skin benefits is limited, so think of it as a pleasant, well-tolerated emollient rather than a miracle.

The olive oil problem

Olive oil is the one I’d keep off your face, especially if your skin is dry or eczema-prone.

In that same 2013 study, four weeks of twice-daily olive oil significantly reduced the integrity of the outer skin layer and caused mild redness. This happened in people with and without a history of atopic dermatitis.

It’s a small study, but it kills the idea that “natural” always means “good for skin”. The fatty acid profile matters.

The 10 oils at a glance

Shelf lives are rough guides for fresh, well-stored oil. Always trust your nose over the calendar.

Oil	Feel	Best for	Use within (once opened)	Watch out for
Jojoba	Light, silky	Most skin types	1 to 2 years	Rarely an issue
Squalane	Very light	Oily, sensitive, all types	Around 2 years	Choose plant-derived if you prefer
Rosehip	Light to medium	Dull, uneven-looking skin	About 6 months	Oxidises quickly
Argan	Medium	Normal to dry	About 12 months	Tree nut allergy
Marula	Medium to rich	Dry, mature	About 12 months	Tree nut allergy
Sunflower (linoleic)	Light to medium	Dry, combination	6 to 12 months	Check it isn’t high-oleic
Grapeseed	Light	Combination, oily	About 6 months	Goes rancid fast
Hemp seed	Light to medium	Combination, dull skin	3 to 6 months	Strong scent, spoils fast
Sweet almond	Medium	Dry, normal	6 to 12 months	Nut allergy
Camellia	Medium, absorbs well	Dry to normal	12 months or more	Limited research

Which oils suit dry skin?

Dry skin generally likes richer oils that slow water loss:

Marula oil
Argan oil
Sweet almond oil
Camellia seed oil
Rosehip oil

A published review of natural oils and barrier repair found that oils with a higher linoleic to oleic acid ratio tend to repair the barrier better. Oleic-heavy oils may cause trouble on compromised skin.

So if your dryness comes with stinging, flaking or eczema-type patches, lean towards linoleic-rich oils and speak to a dermatologist.

Which oils suit combination skin?

Combination skin wants balance. Try:

Jojoba oil
Squalane
Sunflower seed oil (linoleic type)
Grapeseed oil

Put a couple of drops on the drier areas like cheeks, and go lighter on the T-zone.

Which oils are lightweight?

If you hate any hint of heaviness, go for:

Squalane
Grapeseed oil
Hemp seed oil
Jojoba oil

Light doesn’t mean weak. It just means the oil sinks in fast and leaves less of a film.

How to choose your oil

Think about your skin type, but also your climate, your other products and how your skin is behaving right now. Skin changes.

Dry or mature skin: richer oils like marula, argan or camellia.
Oily or acne-prone skin: squalane, jojoba or grapeseed, in small amounts. Oily skin can still be dehydrated.
Sensitive skin: fewer ingredients, and squalane or jojoba first.
Nut allergies: skip almond, argan and marula unless your allergist says otherwise.

Did you know? People with acne tend to have less linoleic acid in their sebum than people without it (Practical Dermatology). That’s why linoleic-rich oils are often suggested for oily skin. It’s a reasonable idea, but clinical proof that facial oils treat acne is limited.

Comedogenic ratings: take them lightly

Those 0 to 5 “pore-clogging” scales come from older lab tests. A 2025 review found the results were inconsistent when applied to human skin, and that “non-comedogenic” labels aren’t standardised or regulated (JAAD Reviews).

Your own skin is better evidence than a number on a chart.

Cold-pressed or refined?

Cold-pressed, unrefined oils keep more of their natural compounds, but they spoil sooner and smell stronger. Refined oils are steadier but lose some of those extras.

How to read the label

Ingredient lists use Latin names, and they tell you more than the front of the bottle:

Simmondsia chinensis: jojoba
Squalane: squalane
Rosa canina fruit oil: rosehip
Argania spinosa kernel oil: argan
Sclerocarya birrea seed oil: marula
Helianthus annuus seed oil: sunflower
Vitis vinifera seed oil: grapeseed
Cannabis sativa seed oil: hemp seed
Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil: sweet almond

A “face oil” with a long ingredient list may be mostly cheap filler with a little of the hero oil. Fragrance (parfum) and essential oils are also common causes of reactions in oil blends.

How to apply facial oil

Less is more. Two to four drops covers your whole face.

Cleanse, then leave your skin slightly damp.
Apply any water-based serum or essence.
Warm the oil between your palms.
Press it in gently rather than rubbing.
Use it before your moisturiser for a lighter feel, or after if your skin is very dry.
In the morning, let it settle before sunscreen. In the evening, it works well as the last layer.

Patch test any new oil on your inner forearm for 24 to 48 hours before it goes near your face.

A tip that surprises people: keep your fingers and dropper dry. A wet fingertip in the bottle brings in water and contamination. Tip the oil into your palm instead.

Don’t skip the sunscreen

Your skin makes its own squalene, and it’s fragile. UVA light can turn it into squalene monohydroperoxide, a compound that is irritating and strongly comedogenic in lab studies (Pham et al., 2015).

That’s one more reason daily sunscreen matters for clear, glowing skin, and no oil replaces it.

Storage and the sniff test

Keep oils in dark bottles, away from heat and light. Most last around six to twelve months once opened. Rosehip, hemp and grapeseed are the ones to use up fastest.

Write the opening date on the bottle. It takes two seconds and saves you guessing.

Rancid oil smells sharp, paint-like or like stale nuts. It has oxidised, it can irritate skin, and no amount of vitamin E will rescue it. Bin it.

Best oil combinations

Blending oils balances weight, absorption and feel. A few simple ideas:

Jojoba and rosehip: a light everyday base with a little extra richness.
Squalane and marula: silky but nourishing, good for dry skin.
Grapeseed and argan: a light feel with a touch of cushioning.
Hemp seed and jojoba: for skin that likes light textures but needs some softness.

If you mix at home, use clean, dry containers and make small batches. A little vitamin E (tocopherol) can slow oxidation, though it won’t revive old oil.

When your oil isn’t behaving

What you notice	Likely cause	What to try
Skin feels greasy an hour later	Too much oil, or too rich	Use 1 to 2 drops, or switch to squalane or jojoba
Oil sits on top and won’t absorb	Applied to dry skin	Apply to damp skin and press in
New bumps or congestion	Oil too rich, or a reaction	Stop, switch to a lighter oil, patch test again
Stinging or redness	Irritation or fragrance	Stop using it; see a professional if it persists
Oil smells sharp or stale	Oxidised	Bin it and buy a smaller bottle
Skin still feels dry	Not enough water underneath	Add a water-based serum first

FAQ

Will facial oil make me break out?

It can, depending on the oil and your skin. Very rich oils may feel heavy on acne-prone skin. Start with squalane or jojoba, and use small amounts.

Can oily skin use facial oil?

Yes, many people with oily skin use light oils happily. Oily skin can still be dehydrated, and stripping it often makes it feel worse. Use a small amount and choose lighter oils.

Is facial oil the same as moisturiser?

No. A moisturiser usually contains water, humectants and oils together. A facial oil is mainly a softening and sealing step. Plenty of people use both.

Should I use facial oil morning or night?

Either. Night is easier because there’s no makeup or sunscreen to layer over it. In the morning, use a very small amount and let it settle.

Can I use facial oil with retinol?

Many people do, and a light oil can help buffer dryness. Introduce them separately first, so you can tell which one is causing irritation if it happens.

How long until I see a glow?

Some softness is instant, because oil smooths the surface. Lasting change takes a few weeks of gentle, consistent care.

Skin renewal is often cited as taking around a month in younger adults, and it slows with age. Sun protection matters as much as any oil.

Conclusion

The best oil for glowing skin is the one that suits your skin, feels comfortable and doesn’t irritate it.

Glow comes from a healthy barrier, good hydration and sun protection. A well-chosen oil is one helpful step, not a miracle.

Start with one oil. Patch test it, use a small amount and give it a few weeks. Your skin will tell you soon enough whether it’s a keeper.

References

Love, Patri xx