The 14 Best Face Oils of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil

4.8

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Formulated with a blend nourishing plum oils, this product maintains a lightweight consistency while moisturizing the skin and creating a natural-looking, radiance. The ultra-short ingredient list—it’s literally made from just 100% organic plum oil—makes it a great option for people who are sensitive to skincare ingredients (so long as plum oil isn’t one of them). 

If you’re new to face oils, you might envision a thick or greasy texture, but the best ones—this included—aren’t that. In fact, our tester found it to have a bit of a runny consistency, making it best to apply just a few drops in order to avoid a mess. She loved how hydrated her skin felt, but even better was the beautiful glow it gave her complexion. And considering the price tag, we really appreciate that just a tiny bit of product goes a long way. 

Price at time of publish: $82

Skin Type: All skin types | Key Ingredients: Organic prunus domestica seed oil, omega fatty acids | Size: 30ml  | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Splurge

ISDIN Isdinceutics Melatonik Restorative Night Serum

5

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Finding a great nighttime serum to care for your skin while you rest is our ideal version of beauty sleep. This one is formulated with a blend of melatonin, bakuchiol, and vitamin C to provide antioxidant protection and help restore skin elasticity. And according to our tester, it also feels moisturizing on the skin. 

She also noted that she enjoyed the subtle vanilla scent and appreciated that the texture was light and fast-absorbing. In terms of the finish, she shared that it appeared almost matte on her skin. So if you have oily or combination skin, or you prefer non-greasy products, especially at night, this could be an excellent choice. However, if you have very dry skin or you’re looking for an oil to add a noticeable glow to your complexion, keep this in mind.  

Price at time of publish: $165

Skin Type: All skin types | Key Ingredients: Melatonin, bakuchiol, vitamin C | Size: 30ml  | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Budget

Bio-Oil Skincare Oil

4.2

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This popular facial oil is known for its ability to help prevent stretch marks on the body, but it’s a great option for moisturizing the face and helping to even out the complexion. It works to repair skin damage as a result of scars and stretch marks, making a great choice if you have post-acne scarring. 

Aside from the weightless texture, our tester found it to be fast-absorbing and non-greasy. She appreciated how moisturized it made her skin feel without creating a thick or sticky residue on her face. The value, comfortable texture, and noticeable results make it one of our favorites, but if you’re sensitive to fragrance, beware as this product definitely has a strong scent. 

Price at time of publish: $12

Skin Type: All skin types | Key Ingredients: Vitamin A, vitamin B, sunflower, lavender and chamomile oils | Size: 60ml  | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Budget, Runner-Up

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil

4.2

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Rose hip oil has a variety of skin benefits, like anti-inflammatory properties, collagen stimulation, and moisturizing, just to name a few. It’s rich in vitamin A, which can help stimulate collagen and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as fatty acids, which work to keep the skin hydrated.

This affordable serum is made with 100% pure rose hip oil that is organic and sustainably sourced. It comes in UV protected packaging to protect the integrity of the formula, and it comes at an affordable price tag, which earns it extra points in our book. 

According to our tester, it takes some time to absorb into the skin, but the formula has a soft feel and it works to moisturize the skin and provide a dewy glow. She noted that she found it slightly too greasy to wear underneath makeup, so if you have oily skin or you struggle with your makeup slipping and sliding around, we recommend using this face oil at bedtime. 

Price at time of publish: $10

Skin Type: Oily, Dry, Combination | Key Ingredients: Rose hip seed oil | Size: 30ml  | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Nourishing

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Skin Therapy Face Oil

4.8

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Some of the best facial oils do more than just moisturize the skin. This one includes retinol and vitamin C to address fine lines and dark spots—and if you’re typically sensitive to retinol, it could be a great option as the oil formula helps to counteract potentially drying effects of the powerful ingredient. 

In addition to the inclusion of active ingredients, we love that this oil works to deeply nourish and hydrate the skin. Our tester found that it quickly moisturized her dry skin without feeling overly heavy, and she noted that her face felt soft to the touch after application. 

One thing to keep in mind is that some online reviewers with oily skin found it to be too heavy for them, so we recommend this option for dry or mature skin types. 

Price at time of publish: $19

Skin Type: Mature, dry, and sensitive skin | Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C | Size: 30ml  | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Lightweight

Ghost Democracy Softglow Facial Oil

4.4

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If you’re intimidated by the idea of applying oil to your face, or you detest the feeling of heavy skincare products, this is a great choice for you. It provides moisture and glow while maintaining a lightweight feel, and according to our tester, it sinks into the skin quickly. The formula contains a blend of vitamins and fatty acids to provide antioxidant protection, help calm inflammation, and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier. 

Aside from absorbing into the skin quickly, our tester noticed that their skin felt moisturized and soft right after application. And in terms of a glow, they shared that it provided just the right amount of radiance without bordering on greasy. 

If we could change one thing about it, it wouldn’t be about the product itself, rather where it’s sold. We would love to see it available at more retailers to make it more accessible. 

Price at time of publish: $38

Skin Type: All skin types | Key Ingredients: Cloudberry, cottonseed, and meadowfoam oils | Size: 30ml  | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Drugstore

Burt's Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil

4.6

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While your mind might immediately jump to lip balm when you think of Burt’s Bees, don’t sleep on their skincare (but feel free to sleep in it). This affordable formula contains rose hip oil, essential fatty acids, and vitamins to nourish the skin and provide moisture. 

Our tester appreciated how it gave her skin a healthy-looking glow, although she noted that it took some time to fully absorb. Because of this, we recommend it for nighttime use. Regardless, she liked the way it looked and felt on her skin, and could see it as a winter skincare staple. 

While it has a relatively affordable price tag and is accessible at several drugstores, the bottle only contains 15ml making it a bit pricey compared to other drugstore options. 

Price at time of publish: $20

Skin Type: All skin types | Key Ingredients: Rose hip seed extract | Size: 15ml  | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Oily Skin

Aesop Fabulous Face Oil

5

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People with oily skin will want to look out for face oils that aren’t thick or greasy in texture in order to avoid contributing to excess oil. This one is formulated with a blend of botanicals that work to balance and soften the skin, and it has a lightweight consistency that maintains a hydrating feel. 

Our tester praised the way it made her skin look and feel soft, and she appreciated that it didn’t create a greasy finish on her face. She noted that just a couple of drops worked to evenly coat her skin, and even said that just one drop would get the job done. Perhaps the best part is that it fully absorbed in under a minute, leaving behind a subtle glow that didn’t border on looking oily. 

Keep in mind that because it contains a blend of botanical extracts, it has a very green scent while some people might find it to be slightly overpowering. 

Price at time of publish: $59

Skin Type: Normal, combination, congested skin | Key Ingredients: Juniper berry, macadamia seed oil, sweet almond oil | Size: 27ml  | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Dry Sking

Epara Balancing Face Oil

4.4

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Those with dry skin can typically tolerate more dense skincare formulas, but there is such a thing as being too thick and heavy—even for dry skin. This face oil has what we believe to be the perfect consistency for dry skin—it’s rich without being heavy. It contains a combination of nourishing ingredients to help soften the skin, add moisture, and restore elasticity. 

Our tester shared that despite the rich texture, this oil didn’t leave her complexion looking or feeling greasy. It worked to provide moisture and add a subtle glow without creating a film or pilling. While she would have liked to see even more glow from this oil, the fact that it provides just a subtle radiance makes it a great option for layering with more glow-inducing moisturizers and primers. 

Price at time of publish: $147

Skin Type: All skin types | Key Ingredients: Moringa, marula, and ylang ylang oils | Size: 30ml  | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Combination Skin

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

4.3

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If you have combination skin, then you know how challenging it can be to care for both oiliness and dry patches. Because of this, finding formulas that are rich enough to provide adequate moisture while being lightweight enough not to contribute to greasiness can be tricky. If this sounds like you, give this luxe oil a try. 

Formulated with 100% unrefined marula oil, this formula contains antioxidants and omega fatty acids that help to moisturize the skin and protect from environmental stressors. It has a lightweight texture that sinks into the skin quickly, leaving it with a silky, soft feel. It’s decadent enough to make a noticeable difference in the hydration of the skin, while not so rich that it creates any greasiness. We also love that it provides the most subtle glow that truly looks like an authentic, “glowing from within” look. 

Price at time of publish: $58

Skin Type: All skin types | Key Ingredients: Marula oil | Size: 15ml, 30ml  | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Sensitive Skin

Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil

4.8

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If you’re dealing with sensitive or irritated skin, finding a great product that can soothe it and provide hydration is key. This nourishing oil contains noni extract (noni is a fruit-bearing plant found in Southeast Asia), as well as rose hip and pomegranate oils to create a blend of antioxidants and essential fatty acids. 

Miranda Kerr, KORA Organics founder, says this oil is her holy grail travel companion as it works to hydrate her skin and maintain her glowing complexion. She also shares that it’s excellent for all skin types, especially sensitive skin—and many online reviewers can attest to that. As for our tester, she shared that the light texture sunk into her skin within seconds, and the formula worked to give her skin a gorgeous radiance sans a greasy finish. 

Price at time of publish: $26

Skin Type: All skin types | Key Ingredients: Noni extract, rose hip, pomegranate, and sea buckthorn oils | Size: 10ml, 30ml  | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

ACURE Radically Rejuvenating Rose Argan Oil

5

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Gone are the days of blindly advising everyone with acne-prone skin to skip out on skincare products containing oils. While we always recommend seeking the advice of a dermatologist if you’re dealing with acne, we know that regardless of your skin type, hydration is a must. This is a great option for those with acne-prone skin because it provides adequate moisture without a thick, pore-clogging texture. 

This simple, affordable oil contains a blend of rose and argan oils which are packed with antioxidants and fatty acids to nourish and protect the skin. We also appreciate that it can be used on the hair and skin on the body, making it an even better value.

Our tester with sensitive skin loved that the rich texture provided noticeable hydration and suppleness while absorbing into the skin quickly. While she appreciated the consistency, if you have very oily skin, we recommend going with another more lightweight choice. 

Price at time of publish: $12

Skin Type: All skin types | Key Ingredients: Cold pressed argan and rose oils, | Size: 30ml  | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Wrinkles

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil

4.6

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We know that retinol is a hero skincare ingredient for addressing fine lines and wrinkles, but formulas without retinol can be helpful for this, too. This nighttime oil is formulated with evening primrose oil and a blend of replenishing oils to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and skin texture while also providing moisture and boosting radiance. 

It comes in a dark bottle that is recyclable, protecting the formula and making it environmentally friendly, and we love that it comes in a variety of sizes at different price points. Our tester found the consistency to be incredibly lightweight and comfortable on her skin, and she felt like she could layer it on to reach her desired level of hydration. The silky texture, fresh scent, and soft feeling on her skin made it a luxurious experience. 

Note that some online reviewers say they wish it was more moisturizing, so if you have dry skin, we recommend layering it on top of moisturizer. 

Price at time of publish: $24

Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily | Key Ingredients: Squalane, lavender essential oil, evening primrose oil | Size: 15ml, 30ml, 50ml, 100ml  | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No