‘Facial Oils are a facialist’s best friend: They have been used in professional facials for years. They are also our secret weapon backstage at shows and shoots, as they can revive even the most stressed-out skin.’
– Celebrity Skincare Guru Nichola Joss for Sanctuary Spa
Facial oils can often be skipped in our beauty routine purely because of hesitations and unanswered questions: Is it a moisturizer? What does it do? Why do we need an oil AND a serum?
By Kate-Marie Thorpe
The truth is, facial oils should be as easy as A-B-C when incorporated into your daily skincare. Applied after serum or essence and before moisturizer, oil is the key to deep-down hydration and surface barrier protection. Oils are lipophilic; they pass through the lipid layer of the skin faster to help prevent water loss and plumping skin with moisture more effectively.
Why should you start using an oil everyday? ‘Facial oils glide onto the skin and encourage facial massage which has plenty of benefits,’ says Nichola Joss. ‘Facial massage relaxes and tones the muscles which helps to sculpt facial contours, removes stress and tension in the face, boosts blood flow and awakens the senses.’
If you’re looking to treat yourself to a true sensory experience with endless benefits, incorporate one of our top 10 oils into your routine. From luxury to everyday essentials, high-end wonders to bang-for-your-buck heroes, we’ve got an oil for every budget and skin type.
Luxe Oils We Love
Dry skin is the thorn in any woman’s side. Sisley’s Black Rose Facial Oil contains derivatives from the dark flower to prevent skin cell damage and offer instant gratification in the form of an immediate tensor effect. This perfectly balanced botanical facial oil will make you feel better than a floral bouquet delivery.
RRP $280 from David Jones and davidjones.com.au
The ultimate in luxury, The Renewal Oil from La Mer is a multi-tasking, dual-phase oil that contains La Mer’s famous Miracle Broth along with Miracle Broth Oils, Lime Tea Concentrate and more to improve skin’s natural collagen and overall firmness and radiance while softening the look of emerging fine lines and wrinkles.
RRP $350 from cremedelamer.com.au
You don’t have to venture on a European getaway to get flawless, hydrated skin. La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Dry Oil is weightless, sheer and instantly nourishing – heaven on earth for dry, tired skin. Ice Crystal Complex from Switzerland seals moisture and supports the skin’s lipid barrier for a truly luxe experience.
RRP $365 from David Jones and laprairie.com.au
3 Natural Oil Options
Fight free radicals and pollution with this Australian Kakadu Plum and Rosehip facial oil from alkira skincare. We love the naturally-occurring high concentrations of vitamin C to boost radiance and the provitamin A and omega fatty acids to help fight the signs of sun damage, scarring, and fine lines while restoring hydrating to the deep layers of dry and damaged skin.
RRP $19.95 from alkiraskincare.com.au
We love this nourishing, all skin type friendly oil from Jurlique. With Rose Hip Oil, Safflower, Macadamia and Avocado Oils to provide intense nourishment, a daily application will promote smooth, supple skin and a more even tone.
RRP $69.00 from jurlique.com
What’s better than one high-performing oil? Ten. Go-To’s Face Hero is a powerful, but lightweight, facial oil that deeply hydrates, soothes, revitalizes and protects thanks to a cocktail of plant and nut oils like almond, jojoba, brazil nut, rosehip, and buriti. It balances oily skin and hydrates dry skin, making it the Goldilocks of facial oils and a great starter oil for the uninitiated.
RRP $34.00 at gotoskincare.com
3 Essential Beauty Basics
Take it all off with CosMedix Purity Solution Nourishing Deep Cleansing Oil. Double the pleasure with this facial oil which gently removes all traces of deep-down dirt while nourishing and moisturizing the skin’s surface. This fast-absorbing, pump-to-disperse oil dries into the skin instantly, guaranteeing a clean pillowcase every morning.
RRP $52. For stockists contact 1800 648 851
So good it’s been in the beauty market for over 25 years, Elizabeth Arden’s Ceramide Capsules are the beauty staple that will save your skin. Formulated with technology that has been crafted an perfected over more than two decades, this little bursts of oil will retexturize, rehydrated and reawaken your skin’s appearance.
RRP $125 from Myer and David Jones store nationally
Whether you choose to use as a stand-alone or mix with moisturiser, Paula’s Choice Moisture Renewal Oil Booster is a concentrated, daily dose of hydration that relieves dry skin with a blend of nourishing plant oils and ceramides. Top Tip: Add a few drops of this wonder oil containing jojoba, sunflower, and apricot before applying your makeup to achieve smoother, more even coverage.
RRP $52 from www.paulaschoice.com.au
Best All Rounder
It’s the savior of skin sufferers, itchy scalps and soon-to-be-mums – Bio Oil is a game-changer for those searching for the ultimate multi-tasker. Containing PurCellin Oil, Vitamins A and E and Chamomile, the little orange bottle will help with scarring, stretch marks and even skintone. A handbag must-have.
RRP $14.99 from Priceline and selected pharmacies nationally
