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.
