If you want to seriously boost your skin care routine, then start by adding a potent organic face oil or natural serum to your daily regimen. Face oils and serums are concentrated concoctions made from powerful plant-based essences, oils, and nutrients. Unlike moisturizers, which work by adding a surface layer of hydration and protection, serums are made from nutrients which can penetrate deeply into the skin and target specific skin concerns such as dark spots, wrinkles, collagen production, and moisture retention. No matter what your skin is going through there is a natural serum to treat it. Simply put, organic oils and serums are a must if you want your skin to glow every single day.
Now that you’re curious about the benefits of face oils, I bet you have a few questions. Like, which natural face oil will be best for my skin? Which ingredients are the most effective and worth the money? How should I incorporate a face oil and/or serum into my skin care routine? How do I find the best natural face oil that’s truly organic and clean?
Lucky for you, our team of beauty experts have put together this simple guide to organic and all-natural facial serums and oils that answers all of those questions and more. Included in this guide is a list of our top 40 organic and all-natural facial oils for every skin condition.
Click here to skip ahead to our top list of organic face oils. Enjoy!
Facial Oils vs Facial Serums: What’s the Difference?So far, we’ve used the terms “facial oil” and “facial serum” interchangeably, but there are actually a few key differences that make them each very unique parts of a complete skin care routine:
FACIAL SERUMS
- Made from nutrients with small molecular sizes so they can easily penetrate deeply into the skin.
- Designed to treat specific skin conditions or skin concerns (e. dark spots, acne, fine lines, wrinkles, dull complexion, oily skin, etc.).
- Typically, serums have very lightweight water-based formulas which absorb easily.
- Serums are designed to be applied under your natural moisturizer or facial oil and after cleansing and toning.
FACIAL OILS
- Made from a blend of powerful plant-based oils (both carrier and essential oils).
- Typically, natural facial oils are very rich. Though, many well formulated oils are non-greasy and absorb well.
- Designed to moisturize, repair, and protect.
- Oils mimic our skin’s natural sebum and help to maintain our skin’s lipid barrier to improve moisture retention (1).
- Can be used as a replacement for a typical cream moisturizer or used together (simply add a few drops of facial oil to your cream moisturizer).
How to Use Natural Serums & Organic Facial Oils?You don’t have to choose between a powerful organic facial serum or natural facial oil. In fact, it is perfectly suitable to add both a serum and a facial oil to your routine. Here is an example of a complete routine that includes both:
Cleanser > Mask + Exfoliate > Toner > Facial Serum > Facial Oil > Cream SPF Moisturizer
The above routine works for both AM and PM routines. Some natural facial oils and serums can be worn both day and
night, but some are intended solely for night time use. This is because some ingredients (
such as vitamin A, carrot seed oil, vitamin C, and exfoliating acids AHA/BHA) can cause your skin to become sensitive to light.
There are many ways to apply serums and facial oils. One way is to use a jade roller or Gua Sha tool to massive the treatments into the skin. The most common is to add a few drops of the serum or oil to your hand and rub your hands together to activate. Then gently press the serum or oil into the skin and massage all around. Allow the product to fully absorb before layering on other skin care products.
Which Natural Oils & Serum Ingredients Are Most Effective?Just because a serum or facial oil is all natural doesn’t mean that it can’t deliver powerful results. Natural serums are crafted with bioavailable and readily absorbed oils that are rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins A and C, lycopene, beta-carotene and antioxidants. The essential fatty acids commonly found in
premium natural serums play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin-barrier function, fighting the signs of aging, and alleviating inflammatory skin conditions (3).
Other star ingredients that are worth the money include hyaluronic acid,
vitamin c, vitamin A,
rosehip seed oil, lycopene,
rose oil,
carrot seed oil, prickly pear oil, blue tansy, borage seed,
tamanu oil,
vitamin E, squalene, and chia oil (
just to name a few).
Vitamin C, for example, is a powerful antioxidant that has a wide variety of positive dermatological benefits such as UV protection, anti-aging, and skin brightening (4). Vitamin C also plays an important role in the production of collagen (5). Carotenoids
(such as lycopene and beta-carotene) have significant photo-protective properties which can combat wrinkling, sagging, and hyperpigmentation (5).
All in all, the effectiveness of an ingredient really depends on your skin type and individual skin needs. Here are some tips for each skin type:
Sensitive: Sensitive skin needs ingredients that are non-reactive, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing. For serums, look for lightweight and nourishing ingredients like
aloe vera, chamomile, rosehip, calendula, tamanu, and seabuckthorn oil. For facial oils, look for calming and non-irritating oils like sunflower, jojoba, grapeseed, olive,
avocado, and rosehip seed oil.
Dry: Dry skin types should look to combine a hydration boosting serum (
like a hyaluronic acid serum) with a rich omega-3 fatty acid facial oil made with luscious oils like avocado, rosehip seed oil, rose oil,
marula oil, vitamin E, squalene, and
olive oil. This combination will deliver a massive boost of hydration and maintain that moisture all day long.
Oily + Acne-Prone: Yes, even oily and acne-prone skin types can benefit from a natural facial oil or organic serum. Natural oils can help to balance your skin’s natural sebum production, fight acne-causing bacteria, and actually reduce the frequency of
blackheads by keeping pores clear. The best oils for oily prone skin are castor oil, sunflower,
grapeseed, jojoba, and olive oil. Essential oils and extracts that are great for treating acne include rosemary, pomegranate, coconut, neem, burdock, and
tea tree oil (6).
Mature: Mature skin needs hydration, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids to maintain a plump, glowing, youthful look. The best ingredients found within a natural serum or organic facial oil for mature skin are hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, olive oil, squalene, pomegranate + other antioxidant packed berries, rosehip seed, vitamin E, tamanu, carrot seed oil, and rose oil. Mature skin types should combine a powerful vitamin C serum with a facial oil and moisturizer for maximum hydration.
Which Facial Oil & Serum Ingredients to Avoid?Don’t be fooled by products that claim to be “organic” and “natural” while still containing all of the fillers, preservatives, and undesirable ingredients. Conventional or unauthentic organic facial oils often contain synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, silicones, and petroleum-based ingredients.
Finding a truly organic face oil that is free from these ingredients is easier said than done. Our team of natural beauty experts researched over 300 products to bring you this list of the best organic and all-natural serums and facial oils. We tested everything from budget products to the most luxurious (and pricey) serums on the market. In the end, 40 products met our standards for purity and effectiveness. As always, all ingredients were thoroughly reviewed to ensure that they are actually natural and/or organic.
Be sure to use the “
FILTER BY” feature below to narrow this mega list down by your skin type and preferences! Still need help finding the best organic serum or facial oil for your skin? Then, check out the
Ox Box Organic Beauty Box! Let our team of experts choose 6-8 high quality organic skin care products specifically for your skin.
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