Best face oils and serums for your beauty routine in 2024
Keep your skin glowy and hydrated with our round-up of the best face oils and serums - including the cult-favourite Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Face Oil Serum that leaves skin feeling "nourished and hydrated".
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Once upon a time, skincare regimens were as simple as three steps – cleansing, toning and moisturising.
But with more education and research, we now know there are many more products that can be added into the mix to boost your skincare line-up.
One inclusion that will differ depending on your unique complexion? Face oil.
Facial oils now decorate the vanity of every beauty enthusiast. Packing a punch with every drop, it’s never been easier to tailor a morning and evening skincare routine that works for you.
Now that we've piqued your interest in facial oils, our current pick is the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturising Face Oil Serum. This face oil serum has earned its cult-status due to its effectiveness at correcting your skin after poor sleep, and has received over 2000 five-star reviews with many shoppers hailing it a "holy grail". Not to mention, this product is celeb-approved by Heidi Klum who uses this oil at night before getting her beauty rest.
We're also liking the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Rosehip Skin Therapy Oil which has been tried and tested by our shopping writer, Harriet, who says it's "lightweight", "gentle" and "worth the hype".
Looking for more? Scroll on for our entire round-up of the best face oils in the market.
OUR TOP PICKS
EDITOR’S PICKS: BEST FACE OILS
Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturising Face Oil Serum, $135 at Kiehl's
Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturising Face Oil Serum
What You Need To Know
With claims of being able to visibly correct 30-days of poor sleep for youthful and refreshed looking skin by the morning, this popular face oil serum has gained a cult-following with no signs of slowing down.
It's formulated with a botanical blend containing lavender essential oil, sunflower oil and evening primrose oil to strengthen the skin's barrier as well as target signs of ageing, and treat dryness, fine lines and dull-looking skin. While it's ideal to use at night time before bed, you can also use it in the morning, and with a qua sha or facial massager for added benefits like lymphatic drainage and tension relief.
With a 4.6-star rating on the Kiehl's site and over 2000 five-star reviews, shoppers attest to the products greatness saying they "wake up with [their] skin feeling nourished and hydrated". Plus, it's celebrity approved by top-model, Heidi Klum.
"I have been using this product for many years. I love it! Absorbs quickly into my face and neck. It keeps skin soft and very young looking. Most people guess I am 10 years younger. I highly recommend it," one wrote.
"This is a perfect skin must have!!! I will never not use this every night before going to sleep. This is an amazing product that makes a difference that you can notice the next day! The quality of the product is worth the hefty price tag," another wrote.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Rosehip Skin Therapy Oil for Face, $17.39 at Amazon Australia
Tried and Tested by Harriet Amurao, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
Formulated with 10 skin restorative oils, cocoa butter, vitamin C and retinol, this face oil is incredibly nourishing and so lightweight. It has a subtle rosehip fragrance that isn’t overwhelming, it’s gentle and easily absorbs into your skin. Plus, a little goes a long way!
I’ve been using it for almost a month now and I can honestly say that it’s become a must-have product in my skincare routine. I prefer to use it at night as it has retinol (sometimes I will use it in the morning if I’m not going out) and when I wake up the next day, my skin appears so much brighter, healthier, smoother and moisturised without the icky oily feeling!
With a 4.6-star rating on Amazon and over 1000 five-star reviews, I say that this product is truly worth the hype!
BEST FACE OIL FOR ANTI-AGEING
Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Firming Face Oil, $90 at Jurlique
Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Firming Face Oil
What You Need To Know
Formulated with a blend of plant oils and botanical extracts, essential fatty acids and natural Rock Samphire Extract, this potent face oil effectively targets signs of ageing and ensure your skin is smooth and hydrated. It's free of parabens, silicone and artificial colours or fragrances, and will protect your skin from environmental aggressors.
Plus, at $90 for 50ml, this face oil comes out to be a lot more affordable compared to more expensive options that give you less than 50ml of product.
This highly-rated face oil has garnered a 4.9-star rating on the Jurlique site and 4.8-star rating on Google with reviewers praising the beauty product.
"I can highly recommend this firming face oil. It penetrates my skin so easily and my skin feels amazing after. The oil hydrates my skin all day and looks amazing. I have seen an improvement in my skin already," one wrote.
"I’m completely blown away by this oil! It not only firms my skin overnight , but makes it glow and appear smooth and definitely younger. I never really had much faith in oils for my face but this is truly a game-changer!" another wrote.
BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY FACE OILS
Bio-Oil Specialist Skincare Oil, $14.99 at Priceline
What You Need To Know
Containing a combination of natural ingredients – including calendula, lavender, rosemary and camomile oils – this popular skincare oil is beloved for its ability to fade the deepest of scars and manage uneven skintones.
Kim Kardashian has previously raved about her love of Bio-Oil. “It just makes my skin glow, and it has so many benefits,” she said in 2018. “If you have a scar or stretch marks, you just massage the oil onto the area two times a day.”
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Oil, $18.90 at The Iconic
What You Need To Know
Cold-pressed and organic for superior performance, its unique composition of linoleic acid and provitamin A enhances the skin’s moisture barrier, reduces signs of ageing and balances uneven tone and dullness.
At such a low price point, it’s natural to wonder at its efficacy – but only a glance at Google Reviews reveals a 4.5 star rating with close to 10,000 customer reviews.
“I’ve been using this oil for almost a year, and I absolutely love it! I’m 51 and started to notice fine lines around my eyes getting more defined,” one reviewer said.
“This oil is by far the best, most fresh, and clean product at a very reasonable price. The fine lines around my eyes have visibly improved.”
BEST FACE OILS FOR BRIGHTENING AND GLOWING SKIN
Go-To Skincare Face Hero Face Oil, $45 at Go-To Skincare
What You Need To Know
Boasting over 5200 five-star ratings from Go-To customers who describe it as their “holy grail”, “perfection” and the “best part” of their skincare routine, Face Hero is one of our top picks.
The powerful yet lightweight oil is designed for all skin types and promises to hydrate, soothe, revitalise and protect your skin from outside factors.
It’s formulated with 10 different plant and nut oils, including sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, macadamia oil, brazil nut oil and more.
JSHealth Luminous Vitamin Oil, $59.99 at JSHealth
What You Need To Know
Described by five-star rating JSHealth customers as “liquid gold”, the Luminous Vitamin Oil promises to totally transform your skin.
It’s formulated with bakuchiol, an antioxidant that’s said to be a natural alternative to retinol. That, combined with a bunch of organic oils, pomegranate and buriti, this face oil will hydrate your skin, promoting a healthy complexion and also provide you with anti-ageing benefits.
BEST PREMIUM FACE OILS
Dr Naomi Lift Off Firming Super Oil, $139 at Dr Naomi Skin
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout editor
This Dr Naomi face oil is formulated with 20 botanical oils, peptides, bakuchiol, ceramides and more.
This firming oil gets a big tick from news.com.au checkout’s editor Hannah Paine.
“It’s fast-absorbing and makes my skin feel instantly plump after use – it works as a great pick-me-up for tired skin,” she said.
“I’m also obsessed with the packaging for this and all of Dr Naomi Skin’s products, the dispenser makes it so easy to get out just the right amount of oil.”
BEST HYDRATING FACE OILS FOR YOUR DRY SKIN
Alpha-H vitamin E Serum with 1% Ceramide Complex, $84.95 at Adore Beauty
What You Need To Know
This widely-loved vegan, Australian-made serum first calms and hydrates, healing the appearance of rough, dry and irritated skin, leaving the face brighter and healthier-looking than before. Then, the skin’s natural protective barrier is strengthened, defending against damage-causing free radicals.
It’s a lot for the one facial oil to promise, but with dozens of five-star ratings on Adore Beauty, it would appear Alpha-H delivers on their promises. “Beautiful product,” one review starts. “Absorbed well into my skin and left my face feeling fresh. I have very dry and red skin and this product helped ease those issues.”
Ole Henriksen Strength HydraBarrier Nourishing Face Oil, $85 at Sephora
Tried and Tested by Melody Teh, news.com.au checkout Deputy Editor
Melody Teh, news.com.au checkout’s Deputy Editor, has been using this and can’t recommend it enough.
”It feels nice on your face and absorbs fast so your face doesn’t feel too oily (I really hate that feeling!). It’s been keeping my face nice and hydrated all day long and I’ve definitely noticed how much more glowy my skin is looking and feeling since I’ve been using it,” she said.
BEST ANTIOXIDANT-RICH FACE OILS
Derived from a plant of the same name that thrives in desert climates, jojoba oil has cemented itself as one of the most hydrating ingredients in skincare today. Antibacterial and rich in vitamin E, jojoba oil seals skin with a protective barrier, locking in moisture; while still balancing sebum production to prevent unwanted shine.
Alpha-H Golden Haze Face Oil, $74.95 at Myer
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
If you’re looking for a nourishing face oil that’s packed full of botanical oils and antioxidants, this is one to add to your list.
Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout’s editor, loves this oil for two reasons.
“Firstly it is seriously heavy duty and perfect for nourishing tired dry skin overnight during the cold months,” she said.
“It’s also versatile – I use it on my cuticles, dry hair ends and even on my elbows.”
Inika Organic Phyto-Active Botanical Face Oil, $79 at Inika Organic
What You Need To Know
With a pure blend of 18 high-performing botanical oils – including evening primrose oil, pomegranate seed oil and rosehip oil – this certified organic facial oil will reinforce the skin’s natural barrier against harmful environmental factors, and soothe and renew your complexion for an instant glow.
Sitting on a full five-star rating with over 300 customer reviews, that’s exactly what you get with the Phyto-Active Botanical Face Oil. A user in her mid-fifties to mid-sixties stated: “Best facial oil I have ever used. Hydrating from the first application. Skin looks healthier from day one of use.”
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A FACE OIL?
When it comes to face oils, it can feel like the options are truly endless – rosehip oil, jojoba oil, moringa, acai and so much more.
If you’re just starting out, go for a single ingredient facial oil, like this one from The Ordinary, and as your skin starts to get the hang of it, you can use more complex face oils, like this one from Ole Henriksen.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT KIND OF SKIN TYPES CAN USE A FACIAL OIL?
Although it may feel a little weird applying a face oil if you have oily skin, it can actually provide your complexion with plenty of amazing benefits. If you can find one that’s fast absorbing, non-comedogenic and packed with great ingredients, then a face oil can seriously benefit your skincare routine.
Of course if you just don’t like the feel of a face oil and prefer to use a serum or moisturiser, then that’s fine too.
WHERE IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE SHOULD YOU USE A FACIAL OIL?
When trying to figure out the order of your skincare routine, it’s important to think about applying products from thinnest to thickest.
So after cleansing, you’ll start off with a toner or an essence, any thinner serums first and then finishing off with a moisturiser and finally your SPF.
Generally speaking, your oil should be applied before your moisturiser – unless the product specifies otherwise, it feels super thick and luxe or you just prefer to finish off your routine with an oil.
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