These days, oil is a skincare buzzword. From combating oily skin to avoiding oily foods to discovering the health benefits of essential oils, there’s a lot to learn about oil!
I’ve struggled with acne my whole life, creating a pretty tumultuous relationship with oil. Sometimes, my skin has felt Little-Caesar’s-greasy. Other times, after one too many rounds of benzoyl peroxide or other acne-fighting products, my skin has been a dry, chafed Sahara. Thankfully, Korean beauty has taught me to love oil -- not the pizza kind (although I do love that kind too, shh!), but the forgiving, balancing, right-for-my-skin-type kind. After all, it's the lipid (oil) content of the skin that contributes to it looking youthful and supple.
So, as an ode to oil, and because not all skin types are created equal, I’ve compiled a list of proven, oil-based products for every type of skin. Here it is, my love list of oils:
For Dry Skin
There’s nothing more uncomfortable than dry skin. Whether your skin feels brittle and rough or itchy and irritated, the Urang Glow Oil Serum is the perfect boost of antioxidants and nutrients. Sunflower, jojoba, and sweet almond oils repair and nourish skin, citrus flower oil fights free radicals, and chamomile flower oil brightens and evens the skin in an oil extravaganza to get your skin back to its lush, moisturized glow.
Also try: Sioris Deep In A Barrier Cream
For Sensitive Skin
It’s good to be sensitive, but not when it comes to your skin! Urang's Brightening Blue Oil Serum is a masterful blend of green tea seed oil, German chamomile oil, tocopherol (vitamin E), and alpha-bisabolol. That’s right, just four ingredients!
Green tea seed and German chamomile oils brighten, even out, heal, and protect the skin without being overbearing. Not only is it free of synthetic fragrances, chemicals or other harmful additives, but the German chamomile oil also makes it a beautiful shade of BLUE. What’s not to love?!
Also try: Our Vegan Heartleaf 98 Cica Serum
For Dehydrated Skin
Dehydration produces dull, lackluster skin and even excessive oil production. Luckily, this is easily dealt with (dehydrated skin is a condition, not a skin type, after all!). The Huxley Oil Essence strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier with antioxidant and vitamin-rich ingredients like prickly pear seed to provide lasting hydration and nourishment.
Confused about the difference between dry and dehydrated skin? Check out this Ohlolly blog post!
Also try: Urang True Rose Repair Essence or Pyunkang Yul Moisture Serum
...it's the lipid (oil) content of the skin that contributes to it looking youthful and supple.
For Oily/Acne-prone Skin
If the thought of oil makes your acne-prone skin shudder, fear no longer!
The Pyunkang Yul Oil provides antioxidant protection with a rich combination of jojoba, sunflower, geranium, and rosemary oils. This is a lightweight oil, so it will leave your skin feeling hydrated and restored without the greasy, heavy feeling of a thicker oil.
Also try: Sioris Time is Running Out Mist
For Combination Skin
If reading this list makes you say, “I sort of relate to all of these,” then you may have combination skin. If so, you're in luck, as there are many oils that can help your skin type. The Huxley Light And More Oil is a lightweight, luxurious blend of oils that's great all year round, even during summer. Perfect for balancing, it also boosts moisture and nourishment to skin in need of protection against various environmental stressors; free radicals, pollutants and moisture loss. Because of this, almost everyone can benefit from this oil -- it’s gentle, moisturizing, and protective, helping your skin maintain its natural oil balance while staying hydrated and fresh.
Also try: Sioris Falling Into The Rose Mist
For Mature Skin
Ahh aging, the great equalizer. Thankfully, HaruHaru WONDER Black Rice Facial Oil gives you a leg (or should I say face?) up to help age gracefully. Black rice protects the skin against free radicals (IE: UV rays, pollution, etc) and encourages new skin cell growth, while jojoba, sweet almond, sunflower seed, and lavender oils promote elasticity and soothe irritation.
Whether you’re 18 or 80, this lightweight oil leaves your skin glowing and radiant. Read more about this versatile anti-aging line in this Ohlolly blog post!
Also try: Urang Pink Everlasting Ampoule or Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule 5X
Redefining what oil means to you and finding a love for good oils can be a game-changer in your skincare routine. I know it was for me.
Oil is a word that comes with so many connotations, but they don’t all have to be negative!
While I don’t always have perfect skin, I do have skin that I know and love. I know how to protect it and I know how to treat it, when necessary, using the right oils. So when I do get the occasional greasy pizza craving, I eat that pizza free of guilt. Because, at the right time and with the right amount for me, oil is always a good choice.
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Originally published in March, 2020. Written by Anna @ Ohlolly
