I have long been wary of facial oils. Call it a hangover from my teenage years when even the thought of applying any kind of oil to my breakout-prone skin would make me, well, break out. Years ago, an aesthetician told me that no “serious” skincare formulations included oils, which made me double down on my anti-facial-oil rhetoric. But I’ve decided to give my nemesis a chance because this column is not just about me. Hence, you may spot things like a purple shampoo for blonde hair in my reviews. (I glean its efficacy from willing guinea pigs). Also, I have met a plethora of women – varied skin types, textures, tones – who swear by facial oils and have the skin to prove it. I cannot ignore that. And then, fundamentally, facial oils have changed. There are “serious” formulations with oil in them. Ones that are super-effective at tackling numerous skincare woes. Dull, stressed-out skin? MZ Reviving Antioxidant Facial Oil is a winner. Skin barrier needs strengthening? There’s Skin Rocks Skin Support. Congestion? Try Sunday Riley’s UFO Facial Oil. In fact, Sunday Riley has a great line of face oils to combat everything from pigmentation to dehydration and include ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C. Generally, oils are now “dry” and/or lightweight – so you won’t feel like you’re dousing your face in vegetable oil.
1. Votary Super Seed Facial Oil £79, libertylondon.com
2. Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil £62.90, sephora.co.uk
3. Soho Skin Nourishing Face Oil £60, sohoskin.com
4. Dior Capture Youth Oil Serum £79, boots.com
5. Summer Fridays Heavenly Sixteen Oil £55, spacenk.com
6. De Mamiel Autumn Facial Oil £90, cultbeauty.co.uk
7. Sunday Riley UFO Ultra Clarifying Face Oil £34, selfridges.com
8. Fresh Crème Ancienne Face Oil £157.25, johnlewis.com
9. MZ Reviving Antioxidant Face Oil £160, mzskin.com
10. Skin Rocks The Support Oil £60, skinrocks.com
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