“Oil helps preserve the skin, and people with a regulated oil production tend to have thicker skin and fewer wrinkles. But the key is to strike a balance between having too much oil and maintaining your skin’s natural moisture,” states the American Academy of Dermatology.

This is where face oils come into play. Face oils are usually a blend of ingredients that lend fatty acids, vitamins and minerals to the skin. Fatty acids work to improve the resilience of skin—some hydrate, while others help maintain that elusive balance everyone is looking for.

According to research by Dr Suzanne M Pilkington, Dermatological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK, certain fatty acids may even help reduce the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays. Vitamins fight against pigmentation, and minerals work to heal and repair. While humectants like hyaluronic acid are better for hydration, face oils do their fair share by protecting, repairing and sealing the skin. By reinforcing the skin barrier, they help the skin to be more receptive to other skincare ingredients.

So if you’re not getting the glowy, hydrated and healthy complexion you’re looking for from your everyday moisturiser, oils might be the skin care ingredient you need to amp up your routine

 

Face-oils for every skin type

If you have dry skin: Moringa oil
It’s a common notion that all kinds of oils work with dry skin, but if you have flaky skin that is prone to redness and itchiness, you’ll want a rich oil that is high in Oleic acid, which is a fatty acid that helps lock in skin moisture. A research paper by Dr Tzu-Kai Lin, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, states that Oleic acid helps avoid or repair dry and flaky skin while also keeping the skin calm, nourished and moisturised. It also helps maintain skin barrier function, so look for thicker oils like avocado, shea and moringa, which soothe sensitised skin.

 

If you have oily skin: Jojoba oil
It might sound illogical at first, but oil for oily skin will actually regulate sebum production in the long run. Instead of rich oils like coconut, pick a thin oil that won’t clog your pores and will feel more like a lightweight serum than an extra layer on the skin. Plant oils like jojoba and apricot seed oil get absorbed quickly to leave skin feeling supple. A study by Dr P W Wertz, Dows Institute, University of Iowa, USA, states that Jojoba oil actually helps regulate sebum production because it’s very similar to the sebum that your body produces naturally. Other low-comedogenic oils like argan, buckthorn, and kukui are also safe options for oily skin.

 

If you have acne prone skin: Squalene
Everyone gets pimples but for some people, it’s more severe than others. In that case, breakouts happen due to overactive oil glands, so using a healthy supplemental oil such as squalane, reduces your own oil production. Most people that suffer from acne think that drying out their skin is the best way to reduce pimples, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Acne is your skin’s way of telling you that your oil to water ratio is off balance. Opt for lightweight oils like squalene and tea tree oils as these facial oils contain ingredients that can kill acne-causing bacteria and help reduce scars. According to research by Dr José M Lou-Bonafonte, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Aragon Health Research Institute, Spain, squalane has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce redness, swelling and prevent acne.

 

If you have sensitive skin: Rosehip oil
If you have sensitive skin, you need a face oil that will soothe and calm the skin without disrupting the balance. When looking for a face oil for sensitive skin, it is important to peek at the ingredient list, and skip any fragrant essential oils, because the fragrance can irritate your skin. Research by Dr Volker Böhm, Institute of Nutrition, Friedrich Schiller University, Germany, found that rosehip oil is rich in lycopene, which is an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from skin-damaging free radicals, while also nourishing it from within. Rosehip oil is also ideal for aging skin as it contains Vitamin A, which has been scientifically proven to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Another important point to keep in mind is that con-comedogenic oils work for all skin types because they don’t clog pores and keep your skin’s oil to water ratio balanced.