Just like salads and pan-fried fish are better off with a bit of drizzle of oil, so is your skin. Using face oils for anti-aging for your skin might seem a bit counterintuitive, especially if you have combination or oily skin. But trust us, there’s logic ahead.

Oils are generally in the occlusive category of moisturizers, meaning they help prevent dehydrated skin by creating a physical barrier on the skin’s surface. 

Contrary to what you might think, oils can have significant anti-aging benefits for skin—yes, even if you have oily or acne-prone skin! Oils are particularly nourishing and beneficial for dry and mature skin types. Eventually, there’s a facial oil out there for every skin type.

Let’s check some of the top face oils for anti-aging and which ones could be right for you!

Different Types of Facial Oils (& Why They’re So Good for Anti-Aging)

Naturally, your skin produces oil, called “sebum”, to protect itself. Sebum production can change over time due to your hormones, environmental factors, and, of course, your skincare products. 

Using face oil can help support and balance your skin’s natural oil production. Facial oils for anti-aging can also have other beneficial features, such as antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

Here are a few of the best facial oils for anti-aging and why they’re so awesome.

• Argan

Rich in essential fatty acids, argan oil can improve skin elasticity and hydration while restoring the skin barrier for softer, more protected skin.

• Coconut

Coconut oil is as much effective as mineral oil when it comes to improving skin hydration. The result? Smoother, healthier skin, without the petroleum!

• Evening Primrose

Shown to “significantly improve” skin moisture, stop transepidermal water loss, and boost elasticity and firmness, evening primrose oil is a worthy consideration for your anti-aging skincare routine.

• Jojoba

Jojoba oil most accurately mimics your skin’s natural oil and can help reduce the appearance of skin aging and lower skin inflammation.

• Marula

Also rich in fatty acids, marula is known for preventing transepidermal water loss, hydrating skin, and delivering amino acids and antioxidants to the skin, which can help slow down skin aging. 

• Rosehip

Rosehip oil can help inhibit collagen breakdown in the skin, which happens as we age. This oil is also rich in vitamin C, a potent antioxidant for the skin!

• Sea Buckthorn

Another fatty acid superstar, sea buckthorn oil, easily penetrates the skin to lower inflammation, inhibit the aging process, and improve oxygenation of the skin.

• Sunflower

Commonly mixed with other face oils for anti-aging, sunflower oil improves skin hydration and protects the skin barrier.

• Vitamin E

Also, an antioxidant, vitamin E oil can inhibit UV damage and help chronic UV damage in the skin, which is one of the primary factors of skin aging.

What Step Should Oils Be in Your Skincare Routine?

Oils are occlusives, and as such, they’re typically one of the last steps in your skincare routine (except for sunscreen, which you should always apply last!).

However, since oils are typically mixed with other ingredients in a product, the application step can depend on the product. You can use oils in pretty much any skincare product, from facial cleansers to moisturizers and serums. So, follow the directions on the label when applying for the best results.

If you’re working with a straight oil product—for example, a product containing nothing but 100% pure argan oil—this will be the second to last step in your skincare routine, followed by sunscreen.

Best Face Oils for Anti-Aging to Try

Before trying out any of these products that contain face oils for anti-aging, it’s essential to know your skin type to understand which product could work the best for you. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best pure oils as well as oil mixtures for your skin type here!

Best for Normal Skin: Farmacy Beauty Honey Grail Ultra-Hydrating Face Oil

This product is packed with beneficial oils for the skin, including coconut and sunflower oil, along with evening primrose oil, rosehip oil, and sea buckthorn oil. YOU may use it on its own or can pair it with moisturizer to get your skin glowing! The fast-absorbing and non-greasy formula makes this oil a top consideration for normal skin.

Best for Combination Skin: Drifter Organics Gold Mine Face Oil

Combination skin types face the eternal struggle of being too dry or too oily. This product contains jojoba oil which can help balance out the skin’s natural sebum for a more even moisturizing effect. It contains jojoba oil along with pomegranate seed oil, vitamin E, and rosehip oil.

Best for Oily Skin: Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

While applying oil to oily skin might not seem like the best idea, marula oil offers unique benefits for oily skin. It’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, and it’s also antibacterial to help fight acne. Drunk Elephant’s virgin marula oil contains nothing but 100% pure marula oil, meaning no additives or fragrances to irritate inflamed or acne-prone skin.

Best for Dry Skin: Josie Maran Pure Argan Oil

Containing nothing but pure organic argan oil, this face oil is ideal for dry skin types with its naturally high vitamin E and linoleic acid content. Thus it can help protect the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated. Argan oil can also work for dry skin types that may be more on the sensitive side.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Naked Poppy Revitalize Organic Facial Oil

This combination of rosehip, jojoba, and argan oil contains no preservatives or additives that could potentially irritate sensitive skin. And, since it’s organic, that means fewer irritants in the form of pesticides that could also trigger flareups in sensitive skin types.

Best Multi-Purpose Oils

Looking for do-it-all oils for skin? Here’s a couple that made our runner-up list for face oils for anti-aging for virtually all skin types.

• Earth Harbor CALYPSO Rejuvenating Moisture Elixir contains jojoba oil, sea buckthorn oil, sunflower oil, and vitamin E paired with chia seed oil for an omega-3 punch for the skin.

• The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil contains nothing but pure rosehip seed oil. People can use it on almost all skin types or mix it with moisturizer for an added anti-aging effect.

Grab Your FREE Checklist!

Do YOU have face oils for anti-aging that you swear by? Let us know in the comments below! Also, grab Your FREE Checklist on the skincare ingredients. It’ll help you understand which ingredients to avoid for all skin types when you’re looking for the right product!