The 7 best face oils for dry and dull skin

Key takeaways

• Face oils mostly work by slowing water loss from the skin, so they suit dry skin best and are usually a finishing step rather than a source of hydration.

• Our top pick is Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Rejuvenating Overnight Face Oil: a short, fragrance-free rosehip formula that Pai labels non-comedogenic, for $54.

• For an oil that doubles as a moisturizer, The SUPER Intensive Face Oil from U Beauty combines plant oils with squalane, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants.

• On a budget, The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is a single ingredient for $10.40.

• If your skin is acne-prone or you have seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea, Cleveland Clinic suggests skipping face oils or using them with care, and strongly scented oils are best avoided.

What face oils do

Face oils sit on top of the skin and help hold water in. Cleveland Clinic puts it simply: “In theory, face oils reduce water loss from the skin, as they act as a barrier to prevent water content of the skin from evaporating.” A 2018 review of plant oils describes the same occlusive effect and notes that oils like almond, jojoba and avocado mostly remain at the surface of the skin.

Not all oils behave the same way. The review reports that oils high in linoleic acid, like sunflower seed oil, helped preserve the outer layer of skin in studies, while oleic acid and olive oil were linked to disruption of it. That’s one reason rosehip, which is rich in linoleic acid, shows up so often in face oils.

Oils aren’t for everyone. Cleveland Clinic warns that “many types of face oil are considered comedogenic,” says people with acne-prone skin or seborrheic dermatitis may want to skip face oils and that people with rosacea should be mindful about using them, and advises avoiding strongly fragranced oils like lavender or tea tree, which “can be irritating or even potential allergens.”

We compared each oil on its published ingredient list, not on hands-on testing. We looked at which oils it contains, whether fragrance or essential oils are listed, whether the brand labels it non-comedogenic, and the price.

1. Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Rejuvenating Overnight Face Oil: best overall

Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Rejuvenating Overnight Face Oil is a five-ingredient blend of rosehip seed and fruit extracts, buah merah fruit oil, vitamin E and rosemary leaf extract. Pai says it’s non-comedogenic, fragrance-free and independently patch tested, and reports that it visibly brightened skin in a four-week consumer trial of 97 women.

Key features:

• Short ingredient list. It’s free of essential oils, fragrance and preservatives, according to Pai.

• Rosehip, the classic face oil. Rosehip oil is rich in linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids.

• Easy to start. Pai suggests pressing two to three drops into slightly damp skin in the evening, after your moisturizer.

Tradeoff: it’s made as an overnight oil, so it’s less suited to wearing under makeup.

Best for: dry or sensitive skin that wants a simple, fragrance-free oil.

Price: $54 for 30 ml.

2. U Beauty The SUPER Intensive Face Oil: best oil-moisturizer hybrid

The SUPER Intensive Face Oil is U Beauty’s oil-hydrator hybrid for the face and neck. It combines sweet almond, avocado and jojoba oils with squalane, hyaluronic acid, astaxanthin and antioxidants, all powered by proprietary SIREN Capsule Technology™. U Beauty describes it as richer than the average face oil, made to help reduce water loss and visibly improve the look of dullness and dryness.

Key features:

• An oil that moisturizes. It contains water and hyaluronic acid as well as oils, so it can be worn on its own as a moisturizer or pressed over The SUPER Hydrator.

• Published study figures. In a 30-volunteer instrumental study after 30 days of twice-daily use, U Beauty reports a 34% increase in skin hydration.

• Face and neck. U Beauty’s directions call for 2 to 3 drops pressed onto the face and neck, morning, evening or both.

Tradeoff: at $188 it’s the most expensive oil on this list, and it contains a fragrance ingredient, methyldihydrojasmonate.

Best for: dry skin that wants the comfort of an oil and the hydration of a moisturizer in one step.

Price: $188 for 30 ml.

3. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: best budget pick

The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is a single ingredient: squalane derived from sugar cane. The Ordinary describes it as non-comedogenic and suited to all skin types, and it’s water-free, alcohol-free and silicone-free.

Key features:

• One ingredient. There’s nothing else in the bottle, including fragrance.

• Light feel. Squalane feels light on the skin, so it’s easy to layer.

• Face and hair. The Ordinary lists both uses.

Tradeoff: it doesn’t contain antioxidants or other oils, so it does one job.

Best for: anyone trying a face oil for the first time.

Price: $10.40 for 30 ml.

4. Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil: best single-oil rosehip

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil is 100% rosehip seed oil, certified organic. Trilogy says it’s fragrance-free, dermatologically tested for sensitive skin and suitable for acne-prone skin, and that every batch is tested for at least 80% omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids.

Key features:

• Just rosehip. It’s pure rosehip seed oil.

• Three sizes. It comes in 0.34, 0.68 and 1.5 fl oz bottles.

• Study figures. Trilogy reports a reduction in the look of fine lines in a study of 20 women using it twice daily for eight weeks.

Tradeoff: Trilogy suggests following it with a moisturizer, so for most routines it adds a step.

Best for: people who want plain rosehip oil at a mid-range price.

Price: $44.99 for 1.5 fl oz.

5. Josie Maran The Original 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil: best for all skin types

Josie Maran The Original 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil is a single ingredient, organic argan kernel oil. Josie Maran says it’s non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types, including oily, and labels it fragrance-free.

Key features:

• Just argan. It’s pure argan kernel oil.

• Study figures. Josie Maran reports that 97% of 45 people agreed it kept their skin feeling moisturized for 24 hours in a two-week consumer survey.

• A finishing step. Josie Maran suggests warming two to four drops in your hands and pressing them into skin as the last step, morning and night.

Tradeoff: it has no hydrating ingredients, so dehydrated skin will still want a moisturizer or serum underneath.

Best for: people who want a single, simple oil that the brand says suits oily skin too.

Price: $39 for 1 fl oz.

6. Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil: best with vitamin C

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil combines squalane with an oil-soluble vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) and rose extract. Biossance reports that 97% of 32 women agreed their skin looked firmer and more supple in a 21-day consumer study.

Key features:

• Vitamin C in an oil. It’s the only pick here built around vitamin C, with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate as its second ingredient.

• Seven ingredients. The formula is short.

• Flexible use. Biossance says it can be used after serum as your moisturizer or on top of a moisturizer.

Tradeoff: it lists geraniol and citronellol, fragrance allergens that may not suit sensitive skin.

Best for: dull-looking skin that wants an antioxidant oil.

Price: $74 for 30 ml.

7. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil Serum: best for a night ritual

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil Serum blends squalane with rosehip, evening primrose and jojoba oils and a mix of essential oils, including lavender. Kiehl’s says 91% of 52 participants showed a visible reduction in fine lines after using its Midnight Recovery Collection, a cleansing oil, this oil and a night cream, together for seven days.

Key features:

• Made for nighttime. Kiehl’s positions it as the last step of an evening routine.

• Lots of sizes. It comes in 15, 30, 50 and 100 ml bottles.

• Labeled non-comedogenic. Kiehl’s says the formula is non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic.

Tradeoff: it’s scented with essential oils like lavender and geranium, and Cleveland Clinic advises avoiding strongly fragranced oils like lavender, which can be irritating.

Best for: people without sensitive skin who enjoy a scented night oil.

Price: $55 for 30 ml.

How to use a face oil

• Use a few drops. Most brands above suggest two to four drops pressed into the skin.

• Apply to damp skin or over moisturizer. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends moisturizing when your skin is still damp. Brands split on the order: some put oil last, over moisturizer, while others say an oil can be used on its own. Our guide to skincare routine order shows where oils usually go.

• Pair it with a humectant if your skin is dehydrated. Oils slow water loss but don’t add much water, so a serum or moisturizer with glycerin or hyaluronic acid underneath helps. Our guide to dry vs dehydrated skin explains the difference.

• Choose fragrance-free if you’re sensitive. The AAD recommends products labeled fragrance-free for dry skin.

• Wear sunscreen during the day. An oil isn’t a substitute for SPF.

Frequently asked questions

Are face oils good for your skin?

They can be, especially for dry skin. Cleveland Clinic says oils may help reduce water loss and can be useful for very dry skin, but many are comedogenic, and it suggests people with acne-prone skin consider skipping them.

Can a face oil replace moisturizer?

Sometimes. A plain oil slows water loss but doesn’t add much water, so most people get more from using it with a moisturizer. Some products, like The SUPER Intensive Face Oil, contain water and hyaluronic acid and are made to be worn on their own.

Should face oil go before or after moisturizer?

Brands disagree. Pai and Kiehl’s put oil last, while Trilogy suggests moisturizer after the oil. If you use sunscreen, apply it after both in the morning.

Can you use face oil on oily or acne-prone skin?

Carefully. Cleveland Clinic suggests people with acne-prone skin consider skipping face oils, and warns that products not labeled noncomedogenic may clog pores. If you use one, pick an oil the brand labels non-comedogenic: on this list, that’s Pai, The Ordinary, Josie Maran and Kiehl’s.

Is it okay to use face oil every day?

Yes, for most people. Most oils on this list can be used daily, though Pai suggests starting its oil on two to three evenings a week.