Healthy, Nourishing Oils for Your Most Radiant Skin

Take a walk down the aisles of any beauty emporium and it’s hard not to notice we’ve struck oil—literally. The popularity of argan oil in skin-care products has segued into an array of other exotic nut and berry extractions, including marula, coconut, and sea buckthorn. Packed with nutrients, these slick potions are just what your skin is thirsting for—even if you have an oily complexion.

It wasn’t long ago that “oil-free” was the rallying call in cosmetics, and many of us wouldn’t dream of using anything remotely resembling an oil for fear of clogged pores. Talk about a paradigm shift! Now oils are our friends. Unlike synthetic and mineral oils that just sit on skin’s surface, today’s are packed with antioxidants and omega fatty acids, and come courtesy of Mother Nature—who (almost) always knows best. “These lipid-loving natural oils are absorbed quickly into the skin, plumping it from within while protecting with a barrier that helps prevent water loss and encourages cellular repair,” says New York City dermatologist Joshua Zeichner. So even acne-prone skin won’t be left feeling greasy. Yet picking among all the good-for-you-sounding options can feel overwhelming. Naturopathica skin-care founder Barbara Close prefers “cold-pressed” oils, saying she believes the heat- and solvent-free process preserves their nutritive value. “Read the labels,” she advises. “If additional ingredients are listed, do some research to see if they’re adding value—as preservatives, or for therapeutic benefits—or just acting as filler and diluting the potency.” But above all, she cautions against a one-size-fits-all approach. “Each oil has a different weight and profile,” she says—so choosing the wrong type may not give you the results you want. To find one suited to your needs, check out our chart.

Excessive shine; prone to enlarged pores, blackheads, or blemishes

Marula

This oil, from the fruit of the South African marula tree, is absorbed quickly without feeling greasy or heavy.

TRY Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury facial oil, $72, drunkelephant.com

“A natural preservative, this oil has an antimicrobial effect on skin,” says Zeichner.

TRY Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Overnight Detox oil, $52, us.caudalie.com

“Obtained from apricot-fruit seeds by cold-pressing and filtration, this oil is light and nonclogging,” says Close.

TRY Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Day oil, $45, drhauschka.com

Used as a soothing spot treatment, it has disinfecting properties that help kill the bacteria in pores that lead to blemishes.

TRY Aveda tea-tree oil, $14, aveda.com

Feels tight, stings, itches, or reddens easily

Sea Buckthorn

Containing omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9, this berry’s oil has long been used in eastern European countries to protect skin from blustery conditions.

TRY Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing face oil, $52, fresh.com

“With seven times the vitamin C per serving of an orange, chia is a superfood for skin,” says Susanne Norwitz, founder of Maya Chia.

TRY Maya Chia omega-3 chia oil, $60, mayachia.com

Extracted from the pulp of the fruit, this heavy oil is particularly suited to quenching ultradry, itchy conditions like eczema.

TRY S.W. Basics oil serum, $29, swbasicsofbk.com

“It’s packed with nutrients and has been used for centuries to heal compromised skin,” says Rikita Kapadia of Cocovit, which coldpresses coconut oil in India.

TRY Cocovit coconut oil, $38, cocovit.co

Dull and dry, with fine lines and wrinkles

Camelina

A curative oil for worn skin, it’s extracted from an herb also called Siberian oilseed, which thrives in subzero temperatures.

TRY Skyn Iceland Arctic face oil, $35, skyniceland.com

Although technically a wax, the substance derived from the southwestern shrub’s seed boasts a sebum-like, easy-to-absorb consistency.

TRY L’Oréal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Facial Oil Light, $25, lorealparisusa.com

Derived from the fruit of the Moroccan argan tree, the multipurpose oil has endless hydrating properties for skin and hair.

TRY Josie Maran 100% Pure argan oil, $48, josiemarancosmetics.com

As a natural source of tretinoin (a form of vitamin A), rose hip is known as nature’s Retin-A.

TRY Laura Mercier Infusion de Rose Nourishing oil, $65, lauramercier.com

Rough, scaly, flaking, chapped, or dehydrated

Camellia

Rich in antioxidants, camellia (aka tsubaki) oil is native to Asia and was prized by geishas to help remove stage makeup and nourish skin.

TRY Boscia tsubaki beauty oil, $46, boscia.com

This oil, from the thistle-like flower, is high in ceramides, which help skin retain water and avoid dehydration.

TRY Jurlique Purely Age Defying Firming face oil, $58, jurlique.com

Best for extremely dry skin, this polyphenol-, squalene-, and fatty acid-rich oil is on the heavy side, so apply it lightly.

TRY Lancôme Absolue Precious oil, $185, lancomeusa.com

Featuring vitamin E, sunflower oil supports skin’s barrier function, shielding it from future environmental damage.

TRY Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate, $46, kiehls.com