Looking to grease up your beauty routine with some oil-based beauty products, but unsure where to start?
Below, the BD team reflects on this hero ingredient in its many forms.
EDITOR'S PICK: Ipsum Best Skin Patchouli Rose Body Oil - Aja
What it is: A body oil formulated with COSMOS-certified organic ingredients, that contains approximately 98.02 per cent total organic content.
My experience: Finding the perfect body oil can be quite tricky – you don't want anything 'wet' enough that you have to stand there, essentially drying for ages or anything too dry where it feels like you haven’t even applied anything. But don't worry, I've got your back. This Best Skin Patchouli Rose Body Oil from Ipsum is a complete winner. It has a warm and calming blend of pure and organic plant oils and is richly-scented with patchouli and rose and carefully formulated to smooth and massage easily all over the body. The oil absorbs instantly leaving skin dry to touch, so you can dress, even in silk, straightaway. Give it a try, you can thank me later!
EDITOR'S PICK: Kiehl's Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate - Aja
What it is: A calmative, non-comedogenic face oil for problem skin.
My experience: I have been loving experimenting with hemp-formulated products lately and my skin has been loving the Kiehl's Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate. Formulated with 100 per cent naturally derived ingredients, including hemp-derived cannabis sativa seed and green oregano oils, this lightweight non-comedogenic face oil helps soothe the feeling of stressed skin. I have found it to visibly strengthen my skin’s barrier, reduce redness, and relieve discomfort while calming and soothing skin.
Kosmea Revive Illuminating Essence - Tiarne
What it is: A superfine facial oil that provides a brightening, antioxidant boost, leaving skin looking more rejuvenated, healthy and vibrant.
My experience: I’ve been looking for a new product to bring life back to my skin, as winter really wreaked havoc on it. And thankfully this facial oil delivered! It is so easy to apply, thanks to the eye dropper and screw-top lid. It deposits the perfect amount of product into my hand so that I don’t go overboard or apply too little of the formula. When I get out of the shower, I’ve simply been applying two to three drops on my face and massaging it in gently. It feels so lovely on the skin, and not overly oily, which is great because my skin usually breaks out at the mere mention of oil! It absorbs very quickly and leaves skin feeling smooth, hydrated and just all around better. As a bonus, it has a natural scent – slightly herbal and floral with an earthy note of rosehip – which I adore. Overall, I am extremely impressed with this oil, as my skin is looking so much healthier, happier and brighter. Thank you Kosmea!
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil - Tiarne
What it is: A targeted solution designed to clear spots quickly and effectively without over drying.
My experience: This product has become my new go-to for banishing blemishes and pimples, which tend to appear out of nowhere (and without warning) now and again. As soon as I see the beginning of a blemish, I immediately grab my Tea Tree Oil and apply it (two times per day and at night) until it either disappears or shrinks in size. It is so satisfying knowing that this product actually works, as my spots tend to be quite stubborn with a mind of their own and not many things have worked in the past. I’ve also found the formula to be very gentle, which is great because when I started using it, my skin was very much a victim of the cold winter air. The oil is easy to use, non-oily and fast-drying, which in my books is everything a beauty product should be.
Andalou CannaCell® Beauty Oil - Issy
What it is: A nourishing botanical beauty oil for the face, neck, elbows, hands and nails.
My experience: I am an oil gal through and through. This was like butter – so smooth and delicate! I used this predominantly on my face and neck after cleansing, two pumps and it absorbed beautifully into my skin. When dispensed the formula is clear, and it has a refreshing botanical scent about it. Having used this throughout the cooler months, I did notice my skin remained hydrated and nourished after use. Rich in vitamins and essential oils, my skin feels restored and my complexion has gone from dull to having a glow about it.
Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil - Marsha
What it is: A nurturing body oil with antioxidant-rich ingredients that helps to reduce the signs of ageing and promote skin’s natural renewal process.
My experience: This is my first time using body oil, and I have to say that it works wonders. I’ve been using it in the cooler months and my skin has never been so smooth. I used it all over my body right after a shower and the oil is quickly absorbed into my skin without it feeling overly oily or sticky. It is smooth to apply and has a refreshing, fruity-scent that lingers on the skin.
Goldwell StyleSign CURLS & WAVES SURF OIL Salty Oil Spray - Marsha
What it is: A salty oil spray that spices up bouncy curls or natural waves with a beautifully breezy texture while hydrating the hair.
My experience: A great product to add a breezy texture to curls and waves. I sprayed on towel-dried hair and created a “twist” in the hair to then let it air-dry. My hair was left feeling hydrated with a textured and defined wave pattern after it dries. It also has a very lovely floral scent that lingers in my hair.
Biologi Br Organic Rosehip Oil - Tamara
What it is: An Organic Rosehip Oil that promotes the skins internal hydration and protective processes to support healthy cellular turnover.
My experience: The Biologi Rosehip Oil is a fragrance free rosehip oil that is great for the face and neck, but can be used absolutely anywhere on the body as well. I used only three-four drops each day for a few days of my face and neck and could really see the effects of how quickly it rehydrated my skin. It’s also a great solution for patches of dry skin caused by the cooler months and it sorted out my dry elbows in no time. The oil is not thick and absorbs into the skin really quickly. Rich in vitamins, this oil is perfectly suitable for people with sensitive skin.
Reef Coconut Shimmer Suntan Oil SPF15 - Caitlin
What it is: A tanning oil that provides broad spectrum protection from the harmful effects of UV rays, and is blended with light-reflecting mica minerals for a beautiful sun-kissed glow.
My experience: The Reef Coconut Shimmer Suntan Oil SPF15 is the newest and fanciest tanning oil that Reef have released. It has all the benefits of the normal tanning oil, as well as containing mica minerals that reflect the light and create a shimmer and glow on the skin. With SPF15 I found that it provided protection from UV whilst allowing me to get a bronzed tan on my skin. It is smooth to apply and absorbs quickly, but best of all it has a coconut scent that smells of a tropical holiday!
Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil™ - Eleni
What it is: An ultra-gentle oil cleanser that gently dissolves impurities and waterproof makeup to reveal radiant, refreshed skin.
My experience: I’ve always heard of oil cleansers and having oily skin wondered how it would work with my skin? How do you properly wash off oil and how does adding oil to my skincare balance out my already oily skin? This introduction to a cleansing oil has converted me and answered all my questions! This product comes in a cylindrical pump bottle with the very simple and minimalist medik8 packaging/label that we know and love! I use the product by gently massaging it into dry skin. I then add warm water to emulsify into a milky product, and continue to massage. It literally melts away any makeup, so gently whilst not leaving your skin stripped or dry. Your skin feels nourished and balanced. I usually use a muslin cloth to further pat dry my face and remove any leftover oil. Where this product really shines is in removal of waterproof makeup! The nourishing formula not only gently dissolves the makeup and impurities, it also has an optimised ration of essential lipids to replenish the skin’s natural defence barrier. It works to leave the complexion soft, supple and protected from everyday irritants. This product has become a must have for me and for the price point, it will definitely be repurchased as I think it’s great value for money.
MOR Marshmallow Body Oil - Eleni
What it is: A dry touch body oil mist with peach and mango extracts.
My experience: This body oil, much to my surprise, comes in what looks to be a very generous glass perfume bottle with gold embellishments (complete with gold lid and spritzer).
I love how easy and mess free this product is, not to mention the gorgeous sweet smell. With flirty floral notes of snow musk, jasmine and white carnations, along with marshmallow and vanilla notes, this body oil also provides hydration and renewed radiance with the blend of rosehip, grape seed, avacadol, sesame seed and sunflower oils. I loved this indulgent product. It isn’t thick or greasy, but light and easily spritzed onto the skin after a shower, it left me feeling glowy, soft and silky and further added to the feeling of being “clean” due to the delicious scents! This would make an amazing gift to yourself or a loved one, and for the price, the large bottle will last you a long time!
Swisse Rose Hip Antioxidant Facial Oil - Rhianna
What it is: A Certified organic rose hip facial oil.
My experience: I always find my skin needing extra nourishment and hydration during, and post winter months, so I turned to the Swisse Rose Hip Antioxidant Facial Oil for some much needed TLC. The Swisse Rose hip Antioxidant Facial Oil has been formulated with 99.9% naturally sourced ingredients and contains a blend of rose hip oil and other essential oils. This facial oil helps to protect the skin’s moisture barrier, hydrates and nourishes the skin, and also helps to minimise the appearance of pores, and scars. I applied around three drops into my hand, warmed the formula gently between my fingertips, and then gently massaged the formula onto my face, neck and decolletage area every night. I woke up every morning with a fresh and glowing complexion, and my face felt extremely hydrated and plump. Not only did this product hydrate and nourish my previously dry skin, but I also love that this product is certified organic, and has not been tested on animals. This product is now a staple in my night time skincare routine!
Minenssey Flannel Flower Absolute - Deborah
What it is: A serum with 99 per cent botanical extract containing potent phyto-actives.
My experience: On first impression I love the simple elegant glass bottle of the Minenssey Flannel Flower Absolute, and the push button dropper dispenser gave me much better control of the product than a conventional dropper. The product has a light fluid texture, and a little goes a long way! I only needed a few drops for each use, and the product absorbed well into my skin without leaving a greasy residue. I used this serum after cleansing, exfoliating and toning in the evening, and after a week my complexion was glowier overall, and my skin looked refreshed and visibly brighter when I woke up in the morning.
JERGENS Oil-Infused Moisturiser - Skin Firming - Deborah
What it is: A body moisturiser that harnesses the efficacy of Jergens’ exclusive Hydralucence® Technology.
My experience: This is a great every day product! The large pump dispenser bottle makes it super easy to use, and this product is the perfect balance between a body oil being too runny and messy, and a body moisturiser not hydrating my skin enough. The product is a light golden colour with a smooth texture that spreads easily and absorbs well into my skin without leaving a greasy or sticky residue. I used this daily after my evening shower, and my skin felt firmer and smoother after a week.
muk Spa Argan Oil Repair Treatment - Sam
What it is: A light, absorbent oil, ideal for thicker hair.
My experience: Winter has wreaked absolute havoc on my already heat damaged and coloured hair, leaving my hair looking dry, dull and lifeless. Enter muk Spa Argan Oil Repair Treatment! This thick and rich oil is a super absorbent treatment ideal for my thick hair. I’ve been using this for several weeks following my usual hair wash routine of shampoo, condition and towel. A little product goes a long way here and once dry my hair doesn’t feel weighed down or oily. I will definitely continue to use this.
Bio-Oil - Tamara
What it is: A specialist skincare oil designed to help improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
My experience: A cult classic that everyone should keep in their cabinet. I have been using this miracle product on and off again for years and as I have gotten older I always find a new way to use it. Currently my skin hasn't been the best and with the air conditioner being on hasn’t helped. I have been using a few drops of the oil over my face at night to help deeply hydrate my skin and even out my skin tone. Over the past few weeks I have seen such a difference to my skin that has given me such a dewy glow. The unique lightweight formula combines plant extracts and vitamins with Purcellin Oil that helps reduce the thickness of the oil and allows for the product to absorb so easily into my skin without leaving a greasy film.