10 Best face oils for sensitive skin

Skin is something to be cherished. As the largest, most visible organ of the human body, skin much be protected, nourished, and treated gently. Especially when it comes to the face, how we look is how we present ourselves to the world, and healthy, glowing skin says a lot about who we are.

The skin on our faces differs from the skin on the rest of our bodies for multiple reasons. First, it’s thinner, and there’s less fat under the skin on our faces than in other parts of our bodies. For example, there’s a whole extra layer of the epidermis – or top layer of skin – on our hands and soles of our feet.

Another skin difference is cell turnover rate. Skin cells turn over slowly on our body, but on our face, that rate is quicker. New fresh, plump cells that keep our skin looking healthy may sound good, and they are, but as we age, the cell turnover rate on our faces also slows down. Slower cell turnover can make skin appear drier, resulting in a more uneven texture and increasing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

The final key difference between our facial skin and body skin is arguably the most obvious: sun exposure. The skin on our face is the most uncovered area of our body. Facial skin is susceptible to the damaging UV rays of the sun.

But the sun isn’t the only factor to worry about—there’s also wind, air humidity, pollution, and other potentially damaging environmental factors. Hence, a lot of care needs to be taken when considering our facial skin.

The Skin We Live In

Skin changes substantially as we age. The plump, soft, and glowy skin we’re born with goes through decades of changes. As we age, the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis, thins.

The quality of the cells that remain changes, as well, as pigment-containing cells, or melanocytes, also decrease. The melanocytes we do retain increase in size, so the skin begins to look thinner and more translucent as we age.

As we age, the connective tissue beneath our skin also changes. The elastic, connective tissues in our skin are a tight, connected framework that provides the face with structure. Aging and time diminish the strength of this framework, and the skin naturally begins to sag.

Connective tissue is formed by different types of biomolecules, one of which is structural proteins or amino acids. Studies have shown that as we age, amino acids decrease. This adds another factor to skin sagging and aging.

While we can’t change the aging process of our skin, there are several preventative steps that can be taken to minimize the signs of aging. Of course, everyone is familiar with the most common procedures of using Botox to relax fine lines and filler like Restalyne to plump up wrinkles for a smoother look. But there are other ways to help fight signs of aging: using the right skincare products, establishing a daily skin care routine, and protecting our skin from environmental factors can help improve the skin’s appearance and slow down the process of aging skin.

The News Isn’t All Bad

Taking care of your skin properly from the earliest age possible is the ideal way to keep your skin healthy-looking. Wear sunscreen, and use moisturizers with ingredients that nourish and protect the skin. Eat a balanced, nutritious diet while staying properly hydrated. These steps keep you healthier and add to a youthful appearance.

What’s more, medical science and skincare research are constantly improving. Research over the last few decades has shown that key skincare ingredients in products like facial oils and moisturizers can help skin look its best. Ingredients like peptides, retinoids, vitamin C, and certain botanical extracts like green tea have been shown to help slow down the visible signs of aging.

You can never start a skincare routine too early. Dermatologists and skincare experts recommend starting a skincare regimen to meet the changing needs of your skin in your teens and twenties. Additionally, your skincare routine should evolve as you age.

What suits your skin as a teenager may be different from what you need in your forties or fifties. Addressing specific concerns like oil buildup or acne versus dryness or aging will be key to determining your routine and the types of products to use.

Key Skincare Ingredients

Like most products, not all skincare products are created equally. With so many different brands and types of facial oil, how do you choose? It’s important to read labels and reviews carefully before buying products for your skin.

Quality, natural ingredients from companies that understand the science behind effective skin care are always a safe bet. Do your research to see which brands have products that will work well for your skin type.

Facial oils are primarily oil-based liquid skincare products. Most facial oils are non-comedogenic (won’t cause clogged pores) with a base of botanical or essential oils. In addition, most contain other active ingredients that benefit the skin and treat specific skin concerns like dryness, redness, and irritation or premature aging issues like hyperpigmentation.

Let’s take a look at some popular yet common skincare ingredients and how they work to help protect the skin and fight premature aging:

Vitamin C

Topical vitamin C has been shown through research to help slow early signs of aging, prevent sun damage, and improve the appearance of dark spots, acne, and wrinkles. That’s a true powerhouse in the fight against aging skin. How does it work?

Vitamin C is high in antioxidants, which effectively protect the skin from free radicals or changes to the skin’s cells from environmental factors like UVA/UVB rays from the sun. Vitamin C also boosts collagen, which is a vital protein that assists in keeping the skin elastic and supple. This is a key factor in helping reduce wrinkles.

Retinoids

As derivatives of vitamin A, retinoids play a significant role in helping skin with cell turnover. They increase the production of collagen, which makes the skin stronger and more elastic, and they also unclog blocked pores, leading to a more even skin texture. Vitamin A is also known for its anti-inflammatory and redness-reduction properties. Most retinoids are available over the counter, and some are prescribed by a doctor to treat specific skin conditions.

Peptides

Peptides are amino acids and, like retinoids, promote the skin’s ability to produce collagen, helping the skin maintain firmness and elasticity. In general, peptides are gentler on the skin than retinoids. Peptides are small enough to penetrate the outer layer of the skin and send messages to cells underneath to boost collagen production. Using a serum or moisturizer containing peptides can improve the overall look and appearance of the skin as we age.

Hyaluronic Acids

Hyaluronic acids are enzymes that occur naturally in our bodies, particularly in our eyes, joints, and skin. Because it works as a lubricant, hyaluronic acid helps cells retain water. When applied to the skin, hyaluronic acid helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles, adding hydration to the skin and helping it look more supple. The properties of hyaluronic acid also make the skin more flexible by increasing elasticity.

Botanical Extracts

Plant and fruit extracts have been used in skincare for centuries. Some of the most common extracts have been shown to have beneficial properties for skincare and overall health. For example, calendula extract, derived from marigold flowers, is high in flavonoids and carotenoids, which help protect the skin from free radicals and have anti-inflammatory benefits. Other beneficial botanical extracts are aloe vera, green tea, and pomegranate. They’re all powerful antioxidant skincare boosters!

The 10 Best Face Oils for Sensitive Skin

Now that we know which ingredients are beneficial, it’s time to take a look at the 10 best face oils for sensitive skin. In this list, the products mentioned are beneficial for the skin without harsh chemicals or irritating ingredients that can harm the delicate skin of the face.

1. Blu Atlas Vitamin C Serum

Blu Atlas’s Vitamin C Serum harnesses this powerful ingredient alongside aloe vera and mulberry root for extra anti-inflammatory benefits. Mulberry root also stimulates collagen production. Just like vitamin C, it also has brightening properties that make the skin look lighter and brighter.

Blu Atlas understands that the average person applies over 120 chemicals to their face and body on a daily basis and is trying to change that. That’s why every Blu Atlas product is composed of over 95% naturally sourced ingredients. The fewer chemicals, the better our skin looks and feels.

If dark spots (hyperpigmentation), dullness, or dryness are challenges for your skin, this is the perfect facial oil for you. It’s also ideal for anyone with sensitive skin because of its clean formula, which is sulfate free and contains no artificial fragrances. What’s more, Blu Atlas Vitamin C Serum is vegan and cruelty free.

Backed by science and a medical advisory board of some of the country’s top cosmetic and medical dermatologists, Blu Atlas Vitamin C Serum has a dedicated following. Reviewers online say Blu Atlas Vitamin C Serum works wonders, making the skin look brighter and more radiant. The easy-to-use formula is applied once daily by smoothing onto a clean, dry face and neck.

2. Herbivore Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil

Herbivore calls their formula the green goddess of facial oils. The base of this oil is hemp seed, which not only moisturizes the skin but also controls oil production to help moisturize without clogging pores. The linoleic acids in hemp oil also aids in the anti-aging process by plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Online reviewers say this lightly scented oil feels great on their skin and helps them stay hydrated while commenting on how this oil brightens their skin tone. Herbivore Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil is paraben and phthalate free, so it’s an excellent choice for sensitive skin users. To use, apply a few drops of oil to cleansed and toned skin morning and night. Massage into the face for one to three minutes before applying the next step in your skincare routine.

3. Sunday Riley Juno Antioxidant Superfood Face Oil

Sunday Riley’s facial oil formula contains a blend of superfood seed oils to add moisture, defend the skin against free radicals like the sun’s rays, and improve elasticity. Reviewers online say they love the smooth, silky feel and light, delicate scent of Juno Antioxidant Superfood Oil.

With blueberry seed oil, red raspberry seed oil, and wild carrot seed oil, the antioxidants in this formula help improve the skin’s appearance. Just a few drops smoothed over the skin after cleansing and under moisturizer, and hydration is sealed, and the skin’s barrier is protected.

Perfect for sensitive skin, Juno Antioxidant Superfood Face Oil is not too heavy or pore-clogging. Users with dry skin and conditions like rosacea say their skin looks more radiant with consistent use.

4. Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil

This hydrating face oil contains all-natural plant extracts for a clean, nourishing formula. The essential oils, including Blue Orchid and patchouli, help restore the skin’s radiance. It also contains hazelnut oil, which contains vitamin E and omega 9, both of which soothe and heal the skin, giving it a stronger barrier against the elements.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil is gentle on sensitive skin and light enough to use morning and night, making it one of the ten best face oils for sensitive skin. Online reviewers say they notice a difference in their skin’s tone and texture, most notably making it softer. It’s easy to use: apply a few drops in your hands, lightly rub them together, and gently press them onto your face, covering your cheeks, forehead, and neck.

Clarins is a leader in the beauty and skin industry and has been making products to help reduce signs of aging for over fifty years.

5. Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil

Biossance designed the formula of Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil to hydrate, brighten, and firm the skin. The powerful combination of these three major ingredients helps achieve that goal. Squalane is one of the many natural lipids, or fatty acids, that help lubricate the skin.

Adding extra squalane brings moisture to dry skin. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is also helpful for brightening skin and making it appear more radiant. And rose oil helps refine the skin’s texture while also allowing it to stay hydrated and luminous looking.

Online reviewers adore the gentle scent of this face oil. This formula is also non-toxic and paraben free, so it’s a good choice for sensitive skin.

6. Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum

Vintner’s Daughter broke onto the beauty scene in 2013 and immediately became a skincare industry darling. Their products have received multiple awards and recognition for their quality ingredients and skin anti-aging effectiveness. Active Botanical Serum contains over 60 restorative nutrients to bring vitality to the skin.

This powerful serum contains fatty acids, free radical-fighting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The ingredients are 100% natural, and the serum is cruelty and paraben free. Just a few drops of this decadent oil applied daily is enough to create a noticeable change in the skin’s overall appearance.

Reviewers online have called Active Botanical Serum the holy grail of face serums and tout its hydrating benefits and ability to help skin look more youthful and radiant.

7. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil

If you’re hesitant to use a face oil during the day, Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is an ideal overnight option. Apply a few drops into your hands, rub them together, and press them onto a freshly cleansed face. As you sleep, the nourishing ingredients do their work.

Its fast-absorbing texture feels light on the skin. With squalane, lavender, and evening primrose oils, Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil smooths, soothes, and adds radiance to the skin.

For more than 95 years, Kiehl’s has been making skincare products for men and women. Reviewers online say this is their go-to oil, making it one of the ten best face oils for sensitive skin.

8. Juice Beauty Organic Treatment Oil

Juice Beauty’s Organic Treatment Oil uses antioxidant-rich cranberry seed and grapeseed oils to deliver the nourishment and moisture skin craves. It’s specifically formulated for dry, aging, and sensitive skin. With a combination of calendula and chamomile, it’s also soothing for easily irritated skin.

Reviewers say Organic Treatment Oil is great for the face and can double as a hair treatment. For the face, Juice Beauty recommends applying their oil after cleansing and smoothing over the face, neck, chest, and even dry spots on the body like elbows and heels. If you’re looking for an all-around moisturizing oil that can do double duty for both skin and hair, this is it.

Juice Beauty Organic Treatment Oil is organic and uses sustainable glass packaging, and it’s also cruelty free and vegan. The natural botanical ingredients give this hydrating oil a light, floral scent.

9. Elemis Superfood Facial Oil

Skin and wellness brand Elemis, a British company that’s been innovating in skincare for over 30 years, is committed to truth in beauty. Their Superfood Facial Oil is chock full of antioxidant-rich ingredients that help nourish skin to keep it looking and feeling its best.

There are nine superfood oils in this blend, including broccoli, rosehip, flaxseed, radish, and rosemary leaf extract. These plant-based botanical oils restore hydration to the skin while protecting it from free radicals. To use, smooth over a freshly washed face each morning for a radiant glow.

Reviewers online love that Superfood Facial Oil doesn’t leave an oily residue and say a little goes a long way with this rich formula. They also say its light, botanical scent adds aromatherapy-like benefits to using this oil.

10. Kesaradi Oil

Keseradi Face Oil is a moisturizer for dry and sensitive skin. The formulation for Kesaradi Oil is based on the foundations of Ayurvedic medicine, using natural ingredients to nourish the skin. It has over 16 Ayurvedic herbs, as well as saffron, rose, and turmeric, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. Saffron is also known to treat pigmentation, acne, and inflammation in the skin, and these ingredients together help soothe irritated skin.

Kesaradi Oil has no artificial ingredients or chemicals, and it’s also cruelty free. Reviewers say their skin looks more radiant and smoother, as well as feels softer after using Kesaradi Oil. To use, add oil to the hands and then gently massage the face and neck. Just a few drops of this nourishing oil are all that’s needed for a radiant glow.

Skincare 101

Aside from facial oils, there are many skincare products, treatments, and methods of protecting and nourishing the skin. Since your skin plays such an important role in protecting your body and helping you look youthful, taking care of your skin daily is an investment in your health and well-being.

When buying skincare products, take into consideration your skin type. If your skin appears oily throughout the day, you have oily skin. You likely have dry skin if it often feels dry or tight, not just in the cold winter months. And if it’s oily in your T zone—or forehead, nose, and chin—but dry on your cheeks, that’s considered combination skin. Also, if your skin often looks red or has blotchiness, you likely have sensitive skin and should choose skincare products with simple, chemical-free ingredients to avoid irritation.

Adding some of these to your skincare routine can help you achieve the look of youthfulness, radiance, and healthy, glowing skin:

Sunscreen

One of the most important steps in any skincare routine is to protect the skin from damaging UVA/UVB rays, both of which can lead to premature aging and some skin cancers. Using sunscreen regularly is the best way to prevent this damage. With a broad-spectrum sunscreen—meaning it blocks the most common types of UV rays—damage to the skin can be prevented. In the long run, the less sun damage to your skin, the younger you can look and the healthier your skin will be.

Moisturizers

Moisturizers are different from facial oils and contain a wide range of ingredients that can be beneficial for different skin types. Most moisturizers are water-based and formulated to add moisture to the skin, and oils act more as barriers to seal in moisture. When choosing a moisturizer, look for quality ingredients that address your specific skincare concerns. Many moisturizers will be explicitly labeled for sensitive skin, meaning that they have little to no harsh chemical ingredients, synthetic dyes, or fragrances.

Cleansers

Cleansing the skin to remove impurities, like excess dirt, germs, and oil that build up on the surface, is essential to healthy skin. Most skincare experts recommend washing your face no less than once a day. A once-daily face wash may be enough if your skin tends to be drier than normal. If your skin is sensitive or dry and irritated, look for ingredients like cucumber water, coconut water, and glycerin, which can help soothe the skin.

Exfoliators

Exfoliators help remove dead skin cells that can build up on the skin’s surface. If skin cells don’t shed off naturally, they can build up and cause pores to be blocked, resulting in blackheads or whiteheads. With chemical exfoliants, cells are removed with acids, and with manual exfoliants, tiny granules, like finely ground nuts, remove excess buildup. If you have sensitive skin, choose an exfoliator specifically designed for your skin type to avoid irritation.

Toners

Use a toner after cleansing and exfoliating your skin, gently removing any trace of dirt, oil, or impurities in the pores. A toner can also reduce the visibility of pores, making the skin look tighter and smoother. If you have sensitive skin, avoid toners with alcohol, which can be drying. Toners containing alpha hydroxy acids can help the skin absorb ingredients in oils, serums, and moisturizers, so it’s best to use a toner immediately before applying these products.

Eye Creams

Because the skin in the eye area of the face does not have as many oil glands and collagen as other areas of the face, the area is particularly prone to being dry and developing fine lines and wrinkles. Treat the eye area with special attention to stay hydrated and supple. Use an eye cream daily to hydrate the skin and lock in moisture. Eye creams with vitamin C will help treat dark circles and brighten the eye area. Also, using hyaluronic or alpha hydroxy acids will stimulate collagen production to reduce the appearance of fine lines.