Once perceived as the bad guy of the beauty world, face oils have undergone a huge transformation in recent years, firmly earning their place in modern routines. The best face oils are no longer heavy and gloopy, instead, today’s formulas are lightweight, thoughtfully blended and designed to support everything from barrier repair to radiance and long-term skin health.
At their best, face oils work by sealing in hydration, strengthening the barrier and delivering a concentrated hit of lipids that the skin naturally recognises. Ingredients like squalane, rosehip, jojoba and meadowfoam seed oil can help replenish moisture without clogging pores, while antioxidant-rich oils like marula, camellia and sea buckthorn can help protect against environmental stressors. So, while drier skin types might benefit from richer, cold-pressed blends, combination and oiler skins tend to be better matched with fast-absorbing oils that sink in without leaving residue.
So, whether it’s layered over serum, mixed into moisturiser or pressed into skin as the final step in a night-time routine, a good face oil can often be one of the most versatile products in your routine. Keep reading to discover our tried and tested favourites.
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The best face oils for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Skin Rocks the support oil: £65, Spacenk.com
- Best budget buy – Q+A super food facial oil: £8.50, Hollandandbarrett.com
- Best for mature skin – Liz Earle superskin concentrate: £48, Lizearle.com
- Best for instant glow – Summer Fridays heavenly sixteen all-in-one face oil: £55, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best for brightening dull skin – Nip+Fab vitamin C fix antioxidant morning oil 20%: £29.95, Nipandfab.com
How I tested
In order to find the best face oils, I tested a range of formulas over several weeks, incorporating them into our daily skincare routine. I mostly focussed on nighttime use, but some formulas were used during the day. In all cases, products were applied to freshly cleansed skin, either alone or layered over hydrating serums, in order to see how they performed. You can read my full in-depth testing criteria at the end of this guide.
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Skin Rocks the support oil
Best: skin oil overall
Key ingredients: Ceramides, squalane, omega-rich oils
Why we love it
- Barrier-focused formula
- Balances richness with absorption
- Reduces tightness
Take note
- Premium price
- More functional than glow-boosting
I am already a fan of Skin Rocks products, and this oil stood out immediately for its thoughtful, barrier-focused formulation. It’s a nourishing formula that absorbs quickly and leaves skin looking healthy and balanced rather than shiny.
I noticed reduced tightness and improved resilience over time, with a soft glow that looked natural rather than glossy. It combines performance with elegance, making it the most well-rounded oil I tested.
Buy now £65, Spacenk.com
Q+A super food facial oil
Best: budget face oil
Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, broccoli seed oil, grape seed oil
Why we love it
- Extremely affordable
- Lightweight texture
- Good starter oil
- Layers easily
Take note
- Basic formulation
- Less transformative than higher-end options
Coming in at less than £10, this oil was one of the biggest surprises of my testing. A seriously lightweight formula that sinks into skin quickly, providing a subtle glow without any greasiness.
I found it easy to layer, and while it is formulated with antioxidants making it a good choice for daytime, I preferred to use it at night-time. It’s suitable for daily use, and is a good choice for anybody new to face oils – simple, effective and impressively affordable.
Buy now £8.5, Hollandandbarrett.com
Liz Earle superskin concentrate
Best: face oil for mature skin
Key ingredients: Rosehip oil, argan oil, neroli essential oil
Why we love it
- Deeply nourishing
- Improves suppleness
- Leaves skin looking rested
- Silky rather than greasy
Take note
- Contains essential oils
- Premium price compared to basic blends
A silky, botanical-rich oil that felt instantly comforting and left skin looking rested by morning, I noticed an improvement in the overall smoothness of my skin, as well as a subtle boost in glow after consistent use.
It absorbs well for a formula that’s more nourishing than some, though the essential oil blend does give it a noticeable scent, which is potentially something to be wary of depending on your personal preferences. Consider it a strong option for mature or drier complexions.
Buy now £48, Lizearle.com
Summer Fridays heavenly sixteen all-in-one face oil
Best: face oil for instant glow
Key ingredients: Marula oil, jojoba oil, evening primrose oil, squalane
Why we love it
- Lightweight but nourishing
- Layers well under makeup
- Gives immediate radiance
- Versatile for day or night
Take note
- High price point
- May not be rich enough for very dry skin
Incredibly lightweight but surprisingly replenishing, this oil sinks in quickly and leaves a luminous, glass skin-esque finish in its wake. I found it layered seamlessly over serums and under sunscreen, making it versatile for both morning and evening use.
After a few days of consistent use, skin looked smoother and fresher, and I loved that it strikes an excellent balance between both glow and practicality. If you’ve always been firmly in the anti-oil camp, try this and prepare for your mind to be changed.
Buy now £55, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Nip+Fab vitamin C fix antioxidant morning oil 20%
Best: face oil for brightening dull skin
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, sea buckthorn oil, sweet almond oil
Why we love it
- Adds visible glow
- Antioxidant support
- Great under SPF
Take note
- Slight tackiness before fully absorbed
- Citrus scent won’t suit everyone
Designed for daytime use, this bi-phase, antioxidant-rich oil adds visible brightness without weighing skin down or feeling too heavy. I found it absorbed well after a short setting period, leaving a healthy-looking sheen that worked surprisingly well under make-up.
It felt energising to use and it really helped revive dull areas – it’s a solid pick for anybody wanting glow with added vitamin C protection.
Buy now £29.95, Nipandfab.com
Beauty Pie super healthy skin amazing sleep oil
Best: face oil for overnight radiance boost
Key ingredients: Padinami algae extract, evening primrose oil, apricot kernel oil , rosehip oil, squalane
Why we love it
- Smoother-looking skin by morning
- Lightweight for a treatment oil
- Good value for members
Take note
- Membership required for best price
- Heavily fragranced formula
A silky overnight oil that replenishes skin well. I found it left skin feeling noticeably softer and more supple by morning.
Despite being nourishing, it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave greasy residue on pillows, and it leaves a subtly radiant finish rather than looking overly shiny, in turn making skin look well-rested rather than. A reliable option for boosting hydration overnight without overwhelming the complexion.
Buy now £49, Beautypie.com
La Mer the renewal oil
Best: luxury face oil
Key ingredients: Miracle broth, sea kelp, botanical oils
Why we love it
- Ultra-refined texture
- Boosts luminosity
- Feels weightless despite richness
- Elevates routine
Take note
- Very expensive
- Subtle results compared with some active-led formulas
Just as you’d expect from the price tag, this formula feels elegant on skin and is exceptionally light – much lighter than expected. I was also struck by how quickly it absorbed, leaving behind a soft-focus luminosity rather than overt shine. It helped cushion skin, and made it look more subtly radiant over time.
Undeniably indulgent, yes, but it does have a beautiful finish and the whole experience of using it feels like a luxurious treat – something I can definitely get on board with.
Buy now £225, Libertylondon.com
Elemis superfood facial oil
Best: face oil for tired, stressed skin
Key ingredients: Broccoli seed oil, flaxseed oil, sweet almond oil
Why we love it
- Lightweight feel
- Enhances natural glow
- Absorbs quickly
- Great daytime option
Take note
- Scent may not suit fragrance-sensitive skin
- Less intensive for very dry complexions
Fresh and fast-absorbing, this oil gives an immediate glow without any heaviness or stickiness. A bestseller for a reason, I enjoyed how comfortably it layered with both moisturiser and make-up, making it an ideal option for daytime use if you prefer.
It leaves skin feeling smooth and balanced rather than oily – it’s a really dependable option for everyday radiance, especially if your skin is looking lacklustre and tired.
Buy now £57, Cultbeauty.co.uk
The Ordinary 100% organic cold-pressed rose hip seed oil
Best: affordable barrier support
Key ingredients: 100% cold-pressed rosehip seed oil
Why we love it
- Single-ingredient simplicity
- Excellent value
- Supports skin repair
- Ideal for layering
Take note
- Earthy scent
- Slightly heavier texture
- Can feel oily if over-applied
There’s no denying the power of rose hip oil – not only does it have incredible anti-inflammatory properties, but it also helps promote collagen production while deeply hydrating skin. This is a straightforward, single-ingredient formula that stays true to The Ordinary’s ethos and delivers reliable nourishment.
While slightly thicker than blended oils, I found it absorbed well when it was used sparingly and it helped support skin recovery. While it doesn’t offer instant glow in the same way as some of the other face oils I tested, it’s effective and offers excellent value – but is best saved for night-time use.
Buy now £9.7, Amazon.co.uk
No7 youthful replenishing facial oil
Best: highstreet formula
Key ingredients: Rosehip oil, vitamin E
Why we love it
- Widely avaliable
- Softens fine lines over time
- Comfortable texture
- Good mid-range option
Take note
- Not the lightest formula tested
- Results build gradually
- Heavily fragranced
This is a seriously reliable highstreet option that delivers steady hydration and comfort. I found it slightly richer than some others tested, but it absorbed well when applied carefully (and sparingly).
Over time, my skin did look smoother and more supple; consider this a solid mid-range choice for every day use, but note that it is quite heavily fragranced.
Buy now £27.95, Boots.com
SkinTruth nocturnal nourishment oil
Best: face oil for overnight nourishment
Key ingredients: Sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, vitamin E
Why we love it
- Budget friendly
- Comforting overnight hydration
- Softens dry patches
Take note
- Richer texture
- Better suited to evening use
- Simple formula without high-tech actives
A comforting overnight oil that impressed me with how well it softened retinol-induced dry patches by morning. The texture is richer than some others tested, but when pressed into damp skin, it absorbs evenly without leaving a heavy film in its wake.
I found it particularly good for helping to restore suppleness after the colder days – for £16, it delivers fuss-free, dependable nourishment.
Buy now £16, Sallybeauty.co.uk
Your questions about face oils answered
What are the best face oils?
Out of all the face oils I tested, these are the very best and there is something in this list to suit everybody. If you’re a beginner, Q&A’s offering is the best place to start – affordable and effective, it’ll help gently introduce you to the world of oils. However, there’s no denying that La Mer’s renewal oil is a luxury favourite, while Skin Rocks strikes a great balance between skin barrier support and a satisfying user experience.
How the best face oils were tested
When reviewing each face oil, I assessed them against the following criteria:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Lucy Partington is a beauty editor with nearly a decade of experience in the industry. She’s covered everything from the best cleansing balms to face SPFs, retinol creams and serums and more, and knows how to assess formulations, results and value for money (which isn’t always a given in the world of skincare, especially when it comes to luxury products).
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