Ten Oils That Maintain the Skin

Natural oils can hydrate dry skin, reduce inflammation and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, the best oil for your face may vary depending on your specific skin type.

Before you apply any essential oils to your face, you should dilute them with a carrier oil such as grapeseed or jojoba oil to avoid an allergic reaction.

1. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a powerful essential oil that has been hailed as a miracle cure. It’s an antibacterial, antifungal, and immune-stimulant with a fresh medicinal scent. It can be inhaled, diffused, or applied to the skin. This essential oil can soothe blemishes and help treat fungal infections such as jock itch, athlete’s foot, and toenail fungus.

However, it’s important to note that this oil is contraindicated for some people. It should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 7 years of age, people with cortisone-dependent pathologies (epilepsy, etc), and those who are sensitive to essential oils. It’s also best to dilute it in a plant oil before applying it to the skin. It’s always best to do a patch test before using any new oil. Then you can decide how much to use and where.

2. Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is a natural plant oil that's derived from the seeds of the jojoba shrub (Simmondsia Chinensis). It was used by Native Americans as early as 1400s for its wound healing properties.

This non-greasy oil feels just like your skin's natural sebum, so it doesn't clog pores or cause acne. It's great for all skin types, but especially those with dry and sensitive complexions.

It can be used straight up, or mixed into your favorite moisturizer for an added boost of hydration. As a bonus, it helps soothe redness and inflammation. Jojoba has also been shown to promote hair growth and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, adds Dr. Schlessinger. It's safe for daily use and there are no known ingredients that interact negatively with it.

3. Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed Oil is a "jack-of-all-trades" oil because it moisturizes, soothes inflammation, helps with sun damage and hyperpigmentation, and can be used on all skin types (especially if mixed with other acne-fighting oils like frankincense or lavender). It also has a light texture that makes it easy to absorb without feeling greasy.

It is derived from the seeds of the same grapes that are turned into wine and juice, so it's high in antioxidants like vitamin E, linoleic acid and polyphenols (especially proanthocyanidins). It's also mildly astringent and anti-microbial, says Plescia.

When buying this oil, look for organic or cold-pressed versions because it's important that the fatty acids remain intact. This helps keep the oil from going rancid too quickly and keeps its nourishing properties. (And remember to always store any oil in a dark, cool place.)

4. Fractionated Coconut Oil

Fractionated Coconut Oil is a natural emollient that softens dry skin and hydrates without feeling oily. It is also a natural anti-fungal and antibacterial that helps to prevent fungus and yeast from growing on the skin.

This oil is also high in healthy medium chain fatty acids, commonly known as MCT oils. MCT oils are known for their energizing effects on the body and have been shown to help with weight loss, depression, epilepsy, and brain function.

This makes fractionated coconut oil an excellent choice for diluting essential oils and creating homemade skin care products such as serums and moisturisers. It is also popular for using in hair masks and soothing massage blends.

5. Rosehip Oil

The ‘Oil of Youth’ is packed with essential fatty acids that help restore skin tone and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants that prevent UV damage and pigmentation.

It is also effective for oily and acne-prone skin as it can reduce the appearance of breakouts and prevent new ones from forming. It can also be used as an after sun treatment to cool and soothe the skin.

Rosehip Oil is a light, non-greasy, easily absorbed oil that works well in many face and body products. Try it in DIY skincare recipes as a base or carrier oil to boost the effectiveness of other actives in your product. It is great for anti-aging as it promotes skin renewal and increases collagen production. It is also effective for treating hyperpigmentation, reducing the appearance of scars and stretch marks, and soothing dry skin.

6. Almond Oil

Besides being a tasty snack, almonds are packed with nutrients that can benefit the skin. These include vitamin E, which can help address dryness and wrinkles, as well as fatty acids that are nourishing for the skin. Almond oil is a popular beauty product that can be used alone or mixed with essential oils like rose, lavender, lemon or geranium for added benefits.

For instance, the vitamin E found in almonds can help prevent oxidative stress, which is caused by unstable oxygen molecules. This, in turn, helps protect the skin's natural barrier from environmental damage and other toxins. Additionally, because it's non-comedogenic, almond oil is often included in products that target oily skin. Besides being a powerful moisturizer, it also has antifungal properties. The result is radiant, healthy-looking skin.

7. Marula Oil

Often referred to as “the new coconut oil,” marula oil is non-comedogenic and helps hydrate skin. It also soothes inflammation and can be used on the face or hair.

This beauty oil has been prized by Africans for centuries, and now the rest of the world is catching on to its benefits. The oil (which comes from the fruit of the marula tree) can be added to cleansers, moisturizers and other products for a boost in hydration.

It contains oleic, palmitic and linoleic acids that help moisturize and soften the skin and have anti-aging properties. It's a great option for people with dry skin and is a perfect partner for other ingredients like retinol, vitamin c serums, and CBD. It can even help tame inflammation and irritation caused by shaving or too much sun exposure. It's also a good choice for those who want to try something different than a more traditional face oil, such as rosehip oil.

8. Neem Oil

When it comes to body massages and skincare, you’ll usually think of Coconut Oil or Sweet Almond Oil, but Neem Oil has a long (and interesting) history in Indian village medicine. This botanical ingredient has been used to treat everything from smallpox and infections to lice and skin conditions like acne and dandruff.

It has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to the azadirachtin compound it contains. This natural pesticide also helps to reduce dandruff and promote hair growth, as well as ease fine lines and wrinkles.

However, neem oil is potent and is best diluted with a light carrier oil before use—particularly for face care and scalp treatments. To avoid potential irritation, patch test a little on your forearm before applying to your face. Then, wait for 24 hours to see if you have any negative reactions.

9. Shea Butter

Shea butter is a natural moisturizer that protects the skin from sun damage. Its antioxidant properties stimulate collagen production to keep the skin supple and smooth. It also helps prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines.

It’s also known to help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks by boosting circulation to the affected area. Its linoleic and oleic acid content balance out oily skin by preventing sebum overproduction, while still providing long lasting hydration.

It’s also anti-inflammatory, meaning it relieves the itchiness associated with bug bites, poison ivy, or sunburns. Moreover, its fatty acids and triterpenes (e-butyrospermol, lupeol, and parkeol) may lower hypersensitivity reactions to environmental allergens (1). It is also a great ingredient for reducing inflammation caused by dermatitis, rosacea, and psoriasis. We use shea butter in our Body Butter with Ghanaian baobab and Egyptian jojoba oil.

10. Rose Essential Oil

Rose oil is gentle and nourishing for the skin, especially when it’s properly diluted (like in Circcell’s Extraordinary Face Oil for Anti-Aging). It’s also been used as a cicatrisant (wound-healing ingredient) throughout history and is known to prevent wrinkles and fine lines.

It also boosts circulation and helps reduce the appearance of pores. It is a powerful antioxidant and scavenges free radicals that can cause premature aging.

When it comes to acne, this oil has great bactericidal properties (even stronger than thyme, lavender and cinnamon oils), which helps fight breakouts and prevent future ones. It can even help heal and repair scar tissue. It contains several anti-inflammatory compounds, including geraniol, linaloe hexanol and linalool. It also contains a few antiseptics, including farnesol and methyl eugenol. These compounds have the ability to protect the skin from bacterial infections like food poisoning, diarrhoea and typhoid.