If you've spent years reaching for cleansers, moisturisers and serums from the skincare aisle, the idea of replacing some of those familiar products with facial oils can feel a little foreign.
Will they clog your pores?
Will your skin feel greasy?
Could they cause breakouts?
These are perfectly reasonable questions.
The good news is that using facial oils doesn't have to mean abandoning everything you know about skincare. The right botanical oil, used in the right way, can be a beautifully simple addition to your routine — providing nourishment, softness and conditioning without leaving skin feeling heavy.
So if you're curious about oils but not quite sure where to begin, let's make it simple.
Why use a facial oil?
Your skin naturally contains lipids that help support its protective barrier and keep it feeling comfortable and supple.
Cleansing, weather, environmental exposure and everyday life can all leave skin feeling dry or depleted. Botanical oils can complement your skincare routine by providing nourishing fatty acids and other naturally occurring compounds that help soften and condition the skin.
Unlike a complicated multi-step routine, a facial oil can be wonderfully simple.
A few drops can be enough.
Let's clear up a few common concerns
"I have oily skin, so I can't use oil."
Not necessarily.
Oily skin can still benefit from lightweight botanical oils. The key is choosing an oil that feels comfortable on your skin rather than automatically avoiding oils altogether.
Lighter options such as grapeseed and some carefully formulated blends can provide nourishment without the heavy finish associated with richer oils.
"Won't oil make me break out?"
Not every oil behaves the same way, and individual skin can respond differently to different ingredients.
If you're prone to congestion or breakouts, introduce one new product at a time and choose a lightweight formula suited to your skin. Patch testing is also a sensible step when trying something new.
"I don't want greasy skin."
This usually comes down to how much you use.
Facial oils are concentrated. You generally don't need much — two or three drops can be enough for the entire face and neck.
Applying oil to slightly damp skin can also give a more comfortable, conditioned finish.
Making the transition
You don't need to replace your entire skincare cabinet overnight.
Instead, start by introducing one oil-based product into your existing routine and see how your skin responds.
A simple approach is:
1. Cleanse gently.
Start with clean skin without over-stripping it.
2. Apply your hydrating products.
If you use a mist, serum or moisturiser, apply these according to your usual routine.
3. Finish with a few drops of facial oil.
Warm the oil between your fingertips and gently press it over the skin.
The oil can help leave the skin feeling soft, conditioned and nourished.
Choosing an oil for your skin
There's no single "best" facial oil. Different botanical oils have different characteristics, which is part of what makes them so interesting.
Dry or tight skin
Look for nourishing oils with a richer, comforting feel.
Sweet Almond Oil — softening and nourishing.
Camellia Oil — silky and conditioning.
Meadowfoam Seed Oil — helps leave skin feeling smooth and moisturised.
Oily or combination skin
Look for lighter oils that don't leave a heavy finish.
Grapeseed Oil — lightweight and naturally rich in linoleic acid.
Apricot Kernel Oil — silky and easily spreadable.
Meadowfoam Seed Oil — lightweight with a comfortable conditioning finish.
Sensitive-feeling skin
Keep things simple and introduce new products gradually.
Camellia Oil — beautifully silky and conditioning.
Apricot Kernel Oil — gentle-feeling and nourishing.
Meadowfoam Seed Oil — helps soften and condition without a particularly heavy feel.
Dull or lacklustre skin
Look towards botanical oils naturally rich in antioxidants and nourishing fatty acids.
Pomegranate Seed Oil — a particularly interesting botanical oil with a rich nutritional profile.
Apricot Kernel Oil — lightweight and softening.
Rosehip Oil — naturally rich in fatty acids and commonly used in facial oils.
Mature or dry skin
A richer botanical oil or nourishing blend can be particularly lovely when skin feels dry or lacks suppleness.
Camellia Oil — softening and conditioning.
Pomegranate Seed Oil — rich in naturally occurring fatty acids and antioxidants.
Rosehip Oil — nourishing and conditioning.
How to use facial oil
Start with 2–3 drops.
Warm the oil gently between your fingertips, then press and massage it over clean skin.
For a more comfortable application, try using it while your skin is still slightly damp.
You can use facial oil:
- On its own as a simple final step
- Over moisturiser when your skin needs extra nourishment
- In the evening as part of a richer nighttime routine
- A few times a week if you prefer a simpler approach
You don't need to use a large amount. With facial oils, a little really can go a long way.
The oils we love
At Lux Aestiva, botanical oils have always been at the heart of what we do.
Some of our favourites include:
Grapeseed Oil — lightweight and silky.
Sweet Almond Oil — nourishing and softening.
Apricot Kernel Oil — smooth and lightweight.
Camellia Oil — beautifully conditioning.
Rosehip Oil — naturally rich in nourishing fatty acids.
Pomegranate Seed Oil — a rich botanical oil with a distinctive nutritional profile.
Meadowfoam Seed Oil — wonderfully stable and silky.
And, of course, Prickly Pear Seed Oil — one of the botanical oils we return to again and again for its beautiful combination of nourishment and lightweight feel. For a concentrated botanical treatment, discover our 100% organic, cold-pressed Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Wildflower Face Oil — a beautifully balanced botanical blend created to nourish and condition the skin while leaving it soft and comfortable.
Discover Wildflower Face Oil for a beautifully simple botanical addition to your skincare routine.
It doesn't have to be complicated
Perhaps the best thing about introducing oils into your skincare routine is that they can make things simpler rather than more complicated.
You don't need ten products.
You don't need a complicated ritual.
You simply need to understand what your skin enjoys, choose ingredients thoughtfully and give your skin time to respond.
Start with a few drops.
See how it feels.
And let your skincare become a little more considered.
A final thought
There is something wonderfully uncomplicated about botanical oils.
They come from seeds, fruits and plants, and contain naturally occurring compounds that have made them valued ingredients in skincare for generations.
For some people, discovering facial oils becomes a complete change in the way they approach skincare.
For others, it's simply one beautiful addition to a routine they already love.
Either way, there's no need to be intimidated by the bottle.
Start slowly. Choose thoughtfully. And let your skin be your guide.