Facial oils, are they worth the hype?
The hard truth is that facial oils are a ‘nice to have’ in your skincare routine. I wouldn’t categorize them as a staple like cleanser, exfoliant, serum, or moisturizer. A simple skincare routine can be complete without them. With that said, facial oils are a VERY NICE TO HAVE. If your skin has a specific need like increased hydration or luminosity, or you are looking to kick up your routine before an event, maybe you just want to pamper yourself, facial oils are the answer.
Facial oils are specific to your skin type, tailored to work with your natural oils to help keep your skin balanced. Considered a type of emollient, facial oils strengthen the stratum corneum, the outer layer of your skin, by softening, sealing, and preventing water loss, especially as we age.
According to Ling Chan, celebrity facialist and founder of Ling Skin Care, “The skin needs oil to maintain a healthy balance, otherwise, it gets too dry which can cause breakouts, fine lines, and wrinkles. Using a facial oil helps keep moisture in the skin while protecting it from the environmental damage.”
Women and men can reap the benefits of adding a nutrient rich oil to their skincare routine. And since facial oils are typically plant-based, derived from, flowers, leaves, roots, algae, etc., the ingredients are potent and the benefits are endless. From shrinking pores and hydrating skin, to reducing wrinkles and recovering from travel, there’s a facial oil to help your specific skin type be better than ever.
DRY SKIN
Key ingredients to look for: Omega fatty acids, Marula, Squalane
Drunk Elephant: Virgin Marula Antioxidant Face Oil my travel go-to
Cost: $72/32ML
Herbivore: Phoenix Rosehip Anti-Aging Face Oil in my collection
Cost: $88/50ML
OILY SKIN & ACNE-PRONE SKIN
Key ingredients to look for: Jojoba, Tea tree oils, Marula, Squalane, Rosehip
Sunday Riley: U.F.O. Ultra-clarifying Acne Treatment Face Oil tops every list by dermatologists
Cost: $80/35ML
Herbivore: Lapis Blue Tansy Face Oil in my collection
Cost: $72/50ML 
NORMAL SKIN & COMBINATION SKIN
Key ingredients to look for: Marula, Jojoba, Grapeseed, Carrot seed
Kiehl’s: Midnight Recovery Concentrate my everyday oil
Cost: $75/50ML
Sunday Riley: Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil on my list to try
Cost: $72/35ML
SENSITIVE SKIN
Key ingredients to look for: Chamomile, Lavender
Darphin: Chamomile Aromatic Care in my collection – love after exposure to the elements
Cost: $75/15ML
STRESSED SKIN
Key ingredients to look for: Vetiver, Lavender
Darphin: Vetiver Aromatic Care in my collection – love after flights
*also try the oil mask for instant recovery*
Cost: $75/15ML
DULL SKIN, HYPERPIGMENTATION, LACK OF RADIANCE
Key ingredients to look for: Argan, Frankincense, Lemon, Tea tree, Evening primrose, Rosehip
Darphin: Orange Blossom Aromatic Care one of my favorites before an event
Cost: $75/15ML
Chantecaille: Rose de Mai Face Oil in my collection
Cost: $186/30ML
*there is a great story about why this oil – which is produced in small quantities from Rose Centifolia, or Rose de Mai, from Grasse, France – warrants the price point*
ANTI-AGING
Key ingredients to look for: Grapeseed, Almond, Rosehip, Sunflower
Darphin: 8-Flower Nectar combines the best of all Darphin oils and is a true multi-tasker
Cost: $150/15ML
Sunday Riley: Luna Sleeping Oil my Mom’s favorite
Cost: $135/35ML
WORTH THE SPLURGE
Joelle Ciocco: Elixir Nutrif – I wish I didn’t love it ($$$), but this is my #1 pick
Cost: $243/15ML
WHY?
Description: “Oily skin and dry skin produce toxins that cause permanent inflammation suas drought, redness, sensitivities and even imperfections when not eliminated. /I developed the Elixir Nutritif just for you. This is the perfect nutritive serum for skin with daily discomforts. /I choose to use glycerin extracts and cinnamon essential oils to optimize the natural oxygenation of your skin and stimulate its anti-inflammatory defenses. /I also add virgin evening primrose and jojoba oils for their rich density in omegas, essential against the deficiencies in lipids responsible for the loss of natural elasticity. /Day after day, the sensitivities and various inflammations decrease considerably and you find the comfort of a healthy skin.”
Active Ingredients:
Jojoba and evening primrose oils:
to provide triterpenes to delay skin aging
Apricot kernel and castor oils:
rich in omega 6 to sooth and repair sensitive skin and protect against dryness
Cinnamon essential oil:
to tone and detoxify
Anti-aging silanol:
to regenerate and restructure elastin and collagen fibers
Vitamins A and E:
as nourishing and anti-oxidants
Final Quick Facial Oil Facts
1. A little goes a long way.
2. Trick I learned from Darphin: let your sense of small tell you what
your skin needs. If it smells good, your skin probably wants it.
3. Avoid lots of artificial fragrance and oils that smell metallic.
4. If your facial oil is lighter than your moisturizer apply first.
5. For daytime, you may be able to skip moisturizer in favor of facial oil.
6. Mix a couple drops of facial oil with moisturizer to add hydration.
7. Include a couple drops of facial oil in with your foundation to increase luminosity.
8. Avoid oils where the first ingredient is water, as you want a product that is potent.
9. IMPORTANT: Not all oils are equal. Two oils may have the exact same ingredients but different price points. Read reviews and do your homework as the higher price point could be justified by the potency and concentration of the respective ingredients.
The Cheeky Genova 