Oils have been used as skincare ingredients for centuries by different cultures. They provide amazing benefits for the skin, such as nourishing and rejuvenating dry skin, balancing out combination skin, and maintaining and regulating oily skin. The most important thing to know when it comes to using oil is finding the right one for your skin type and skin needs.

Although most people have heard about the amazing benefits of oil and the powerful antioxidants and vitamins they contain, some people are still afraid to use oils on their face, especially people with oily and acne-prone skin. Some of these individuals think it is a taboo (a no-no) to use oils on their face. Some even go as far as using only ingredients that dry out their skin. While it is great to be mindful of what oil you use, excessive use of ingredients (such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide) can dry out the skin and have the opposite effect on your skin. You see, when your skin is dry, your brain cells send signal to your skin cells to produce more sebum, this, in turn, can cause excess sebum/oil production on your skin, clog your pores and cause acne formation.

Components of Oils

Fatty acids are the building block of oil and sebum– they are important for healthy skin cell formation and act as a natural barrier for your skin. Some fatty acids that are great for the skin include omega-3 (Alpha-Linoleic acid), Linoleic acid and Oleic acid. Today, we will discuss the Oleic and Linoleic acid content in each oil, as well as, other fatty acids found in these oils. We will also determine the best oil for your skin type and goals.

Oleic acid is an omega-9 fatty acid. Oils that contain oleic acid are usually rich and very hydrating. They penetrate deep into the skin and are ideal for individuals with dry skin.

Linoleic acid is an omega-6 essential fatty acid. Oils containing linoleic acids are commonly referred to as dry oil because of their ability to absorb into the skin. They are much lighter and best for people with oily and acne-prone skin. Studies have shown that people with acne tend to have lower levels of linoleic acid in their sebum.

What is the Best Oil for your Skin type?

Oily Skin

People with oily skin produce an excessive amount of oleic acid and less linoleic acid. The excess oleic acid on the skin clogs the pore leading to acne, whiteheads and blackheads, so using oils high in linoleic acid is ideal for this skin type.

Ø **Rosehip Oil**– is a fantastic oil that is rich in vitamin C and contains high linoleic acid. It also ranks low on the comedogenic scale–meaning it won’t clog your pore. Rosehip oil contains 54.05% linoleic acid and 19.50% oleic acid.
Ø **Hemp Seed Oil**– another beautiful oil that ranks low on the comedogenic scale. It contains vitamins A, C & E and can help relieve skin inflammation. It has 50-70% linoleic acid and ~10% oleic acid.
Ø **Grapeseed Oil**– contains vitamin E and antioxidants that helps protect the skin from free radicals. It contains 66-75.3% linoleic acid and ~16.2% oleic acid.
Ø **Evening Primrose Oil**– is high in linolenic acid and contains omega-6 gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) fatty acid, as well as small amounts of oleic acid. Studies have shown that GLA decreases inflammation in the body when converted to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). Evening primrose contains 70-74% linoleic acid and 8-10% GLA.

Dry Skin

People with dry skin tend to feel tightness in their skin after they wash their face. They also often have flaky and dry patches on their skin. People with dry skin have lower levels of oleic acid on their skin and should avoid using harsh and drying cleansers and soap. Instead, they should use humectants like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, as well as oils rich in oleic acid to help retain moisture on their skin.

Combination Skin

People with combination skin tend to have oily skin on some parts of their face and dry, flaky or normal skin on other parts. It is harder to find moisturizers for people with combination skin, and in some cases, they may need to use a combination of two products. When it comes to what oils to use, it’s best to use those that balance out oily skin and hydrate dry skin.

Ø **Argan Oil**– helps balance out sebum production on the skin and also treats dry, itchy and flaky skin ailments such as dermatitis. It contains 43-49% oleic acid and 29-36% linoleic acid.
Ø **Jojoba Oil**– is not an oil but a liquid wax ester, it contains vitamin E and B-complex. Jojoba is great for most skin types because it is structurally and chemically similar to human sebum. It contains 73.4% eicosenoic acid and 8.3% oleic acid. Eicosenoic acid found in jojoba oil readily absorbs into the skin and gives jojoba oil its emollient (soothing and softening) properties.
Ø **Apricot Oil**– has emollient properties that help relieve itchy dry skin while simultaneously hydrating and moisturizing the skin. It contains 75% oleic acid and 17.5% linoleic acid.

Acne-Prone Skin

People with oily skin types tend to be more acne-prone, and this skin type produces high amounts of oleic acid and less linoleic acid. Most acne skincare products in the market contain extremely drying ingredients and can strip your skin of its natural sebum. This causes your body to overproduce sebum/oil, and in turn, leads to overly oily skin, clogged pores and acne formation. When you use products that contain drying ingredients, remember to replenish your skin by using oils that are high in linoleic acid.

IMG_E1427 (1).jpg — Ø **Rosehip Oil**– this is a wonderful oil to add to your skincare routine if you have blemish-prone skin. Learn more about rosehip oil under the oily skin category.
Ø **Hemp Seed Oil**– the low oleic acid content is ideal for people with acne-prone skin. Learn more about hemp seed oil under the oily skin category.
Ø **Meadowfoam Seed Oil**– is a lightweight, waxy and non-comedogenic oil that is similar to jojoba oil and doesn’t clog the pores. It contains 61% eicosenoic acid. Eicosenoic acid readily absorbs into the skin and has emollient (soothing and softening) properties.

Normal Skin

Normal skin is not dry or oily. People with this skin type should use products that hydrate and do not strip the skin of their natural sebum/oil.

Ø **Sea Buckthorn Oil**– known to improve skin elasticity, promote skin cell regeneration and reduce inflammation caused by UV radiation. It contains 17-20% oleic acid and 33-36% linoleic acid.
Ø **Squalane Oil**– is derived from olive oil or rice bran oil. It is a great emollient and mimics the skin’s natural sebum. Studies have shown that squalane oil appears to reduce free radical oxidative damage to the skin, protecting the skin from carcinogens. Squalane can be used on different skin types including oily skin and combination skin.
Ø Other oils great for normal skin include– **Jojoba oil** (learn more under the combination skin category), **Grapeseed oil** (learn more under the oily skin category, and **Hemp seed oil** (learn more under the oily skin category).

Mature Skin

People with mature skin, often complain about dry skin and the presence of fine lines and wrinkles. Oils that penetrate deep into the skin and hydrates the skin is ideal for this skin type. As well as, oils that contain high amounts of antioxidants that protect the skin from UV damage, which prevents collagen breakdown is ideal for this skin type.

Ø **Marula Oil**– is a lightweight oil that readily absorbs into the skin and has moisturizing properties. It contains 70-78% oleic acid and 4-7% linoleic acid.
Ø **Pomegranate Oil**– contains high antioxidant properties that help prevent and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Studies have shown that pomegranate oil contains phenolic antioxidant compounds, such as ellagic acid and anthocyanins.

Ellagic acid is known to reduce wrinkles caused by UV irradiation, while anthocyanin is known to protect against UV damage. Pomegranate oil also contains ~55% punicic acid. Studies have shown that punicic acid has anticancer properties as established by its ability to inhibit prostate cancer cell invasion.
Ø **Sea Buckthorn Oil**– has elasticity properties that help reduce fine lines. Learn more about sea buckthorn oil under the normal skin category.

Sensitive Skin

People with sensitive skin can have dry, oily, combination or acne-prone sensitive skin. The type of sensitive skin you have would determine what oil is best for your skin. Today, we will discuss oils that are great for oily and dry-sensitive skin.

o **Sensitive-Oily Skin**
Ø **Borage Oil**– contains high levels of omega-6 gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) fatty acid. As discussed above, GLA has inflammatory properties that help reduce skin erythema (irritation) and are great for sensitive skin.
Ø **Grapeseed Oil**– a lightweight oil that contains antioxidants and vitamin E. It helps alleviate redness for people with sensitive skin, and contain 66-75.3% linoleic acid and ~16.2% oleic acid.
Ø **Meadowfoam Seed Oil**– as discussed above under the normal skin category, the emollient properties of meadowfoam oil help soften and soothe the skin and are great for those with sensitive skin.

o **Sensitive-Dry Skin**
Ø **Tamanu Oil**– studies have shown that tamanu oil soothes irritated skin and also promotes cell regeneration. It can also help reduce the appearance of redness on the skin. It contains 20-26% oleic acid and 21-29% linoleic acid.
Ø **Almond Oil**– contains vitamin E that helps soothe irritated skin, while the vitamin B-complex and zinc help develop and maintain healthy skin. Studies also state that the emollient and sclerosant (reduce scarring) properties of almond oil help improve skin complexion and tone. Almond oil contains 68% oleic acid and 25% linoleic acid. Note if you are allergic to nuts, especially almond nuts, then avoid using almond oil on your skin.

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Best facial oils for each skin type

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