As anyone with dry skin can attest, it’s easy to be convinced that your visage is well hydrated directly after slathering on a handful of moisturiser, but the true measure of a hydrating formula is longevity.
Now, we’re not instructing you to abandon your favourite day cream simply because your skin starts to feel dry around lunchtime. Instead, we suggest extending the life of your face cream with a face oil.
Mixed together, a face cream and a face oil can create a richly nourishing, custom moisturiser formula. Layered over moisturiser (that’s had time to sink in), and a face oil adds a silky finish to skin without affecting the staying power of makeup too — although, we’d recommend selecting an oil-based foundation to avoid the possibility of your face oil and water-based foundation interacting, and subsequently separating, on your skin.
Need help selecting the right face oil for you? Ahead, marie claire dishes on six face oils for dry skin that are easy to use everyday…
2024’s top face oil for dry skin
- Go-To Face Hero, $45, Go-To Skincare
- Elemis Superfood Facial Oil, $63.01, Amazon Australia
- Biossance Squalane and Vitamin C Rose Oil, $133, Sephora
The best face oil for dry skin 2024
Go-To Face Hero
from $45 at Go-To Skincare
Best for: A lightweight feel
Lightweight enough to work for oily skin and dry skin types alike, this pick is pumped full of moisturising and antioxidant-rich oils that target premature ageing, dehydration and dullness, without leaving behind a residue.
Sizes: 30ML
Key features:
- Contains a blend of sweet almond, jojoba, macadamia, brazil nut, apricot kernel, evening primrose, buriti, rosehip, kiwi fruit seed, and sunflower seed oil
- Enriched with arnica flower extract, vitamin e, calendula flower extract, totarol, and rosemary leaf extract
- Non-comedogenic
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
- Lightweight and doesn’t leave behind a residue
Available at:
- $45 from Go-To Skincare
Elemis Superfood Facial Oil
from $63.01 at Amazon Australia
Best for: Revitalising a dull complexion
This face oil from Elemis is infused with rich blend of superfood oils and extracts, which work together to improve the radiance, hydration and nourishment of dull skin, for a softer, more supple appearance.
Sizes: 15ML
Key features:
- Contains a blend of sweet almond, meadowfoam seed, flax seed, macadamia seed, rice bran, poppy seed, rosehip, cucumber, broccoli seed, orange peel, amyris bark, palmerosa, rosemary leaf, carrot seed, and sunflower seed oil
- Enriched with squalane, radish seed extract and rosemary leaf extract
- Brightens skin and enhances radiance
- Hydrates and deeply nourishes
- Leaves skin feeling soft and supple
Available at:
- $63.01 from Amazon Australia
Biossance Squalane and Vitamin C Rose Oil
from $133 at Sephora
Best for: Mature skin
Formulated with rejuvenation in mind, this simple cocktail of squalane Damascus rose oil, vitamin C and Chios Crystal oil targets the lack of radiance, firmness and hydration, typical of mature skin, in order to achieve a more youthful-looking appearance.
Sizes: 30ML / 15ML / 12ML
Key features:
- Contains a blend of squalane, Damascus rose oil, vitamin C and Chios Crystal oil
- Utilises an oil-soluble, stable form of vitamin C that visibly brightens the skin
- Sugarcane-derived squalane helps with moisture retention
- Chios Crystal oil revitalises and firms the skin
- Free from fragrance and parabens
Available at:
- $133 from Sephora
KORA Organics Noni Glow Face Oil
from $94 at The Iconic
Best for: Nourishment and moisture replenishment
Miranda Kerr’s secret to a plump, hydrated and glowing complexion, the Noni Glow formula is enriched with antioxidant-packed noni fruit extract and vitamin-rich oils that promote healthy, nourished, smooth, soft and radiant skin.
Sizes: 30ML
Key features:
- Contains a blend of rosehip, jojoba seed, sunflower seed, seabuckthorn, pomegranate seed, Damascus rose and rose geranium oil
- Enriched with jasmine extract, lavender extract, clove extract, grape extract and noni fruit extract
- Nourishes, brightens, and smooths uneven and rough skin texture
- Improves bounce and elasticity
- Lightweight and fast-absorbing without a greasy feel
- Suitable for all skin types
Available at:
- $94 from The Iconic
- $94 from MYER
- $94 from Sephora
Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil
from $53.46 at Cult Beauty
Best for: An impaired moisture barrier
Sunday Riley’s range of face oils have reached an undeniable state of virality, but as far as dry skin is concerned, Juno’s the pick of the litter. Infused with a collection of radiance-enhancing fruit and seed oils, this pick is going to help to reinforce the skin’s natural moisture barrier and soothe sensitive skin too.
Sizes: 35ML / 15ML
Key features:
- Contains a blend of cold-pressed blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, wild carrot, black cumin, grape, and broccoli seed oils
- Instantly enhances skin’s natural glow and restores radiance
- Reinforces the skin’s natural moisture barrier
- Soothes sensitive skin
- Created with 100 per cent pure plant extracts
- Free from fragrance, essential oils, sulphates and parabens
The Ordinary “B” Oil
from $18.49 at Look Fantastic
Best for: A mindful and demure budget
If face oil is the last step in your skin care routine you’d consider splurging on, then you should have this “B” oil from The Ordinary on rotation instead. The antioxidant-rich formula promotes a natural, healthy glow and protects skin for environmental aggressors too.
Sizes: 30ML
Key features:
- Contains a blend of squalane, crambe abyssinica seed oil and isochrysis galbana extract
- Enhances skin radiance over time
- Protects skin from environmental aggressors
- Improves surface hydration
- Softens and smooths skin
Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Firming Face Oil
$90 at Jurlique
Best for: A botanical boost
Jurlique uses a blend of plant oils and botanical extracts to help protect the skin and address visible signs of ageing. Known for sourcing Australian botanicals from the Adelaide Hills, this formula is rich in essential fatty acids and also contains Rock Samphire Extract, which has been nicknamed the retinol of the sea thanks to its ability to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the skin.
Key features:
- Protects skin from environmental factors
- Adds a hydrated and luminous finish to skin
- Fragrance-, paraben- and silicone-free formula
Should dry skin use face oil?
Face oils are rich in essential nutrients, which help to deeply moisturise dry skin and help to restore it’s natural glow and elasticity. However, not all oils are made equal or to be used on skin for that matter, which is why we recommend steering clear of coconut oil, almond oil and olive oil (unless you’re cooking in the kitchen).
Which oil is best for dry and ageing skin?
Since mature skin is usually dry, face oils for dry skin typically work for ageing skin too. Try looking for squalane, oat, jojoba, plum, apricot, avocado, and argan oils in your skin care formulas, as these play well with dry and mature skin in general.
Looking to save money on face oil? Check out our coupon codes for MECCA, Sephora and more.
Main image credit: @milli_madeleine
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
