best oils for skin
Julie Hambleton
Julie Hambleton
March 27, 2024 ·  6 min read

21 of the Best Natural Oils for Your Skin and Hair (Benefits and How to Use)

Our skin is the largest organ of elimination and absorption; it is also an indicator of our overall health.  While acne, eczema, and psoriasis are all common skin conditions, they can also give you clues to what is happening within your body. Eczema, for example, can be caused by food sensitivities or even exposure to an environmental toxin that irritates your skin. While I am a firm believer in always getting to the root cause of the problem, sometimes we just need relief from the symptoms. Relief can often come from a soothing oil or lotion. While there are many commercially made products for skin care, they often contain ingredients that are harmful to your health.

21 Best Oils for Your Skin

Multi-ethnic beauty. Different ethnicity women - Caucasian, African, Asian and Indian.
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In the pursuit of skincare simplicity, natural oils offer a compelling alternative to products laden with synthetic chemicals. Delving into the properties of various oils commonly found in household pantries, we explore their potential benefits for skin health and maintenance.

Read More: Christie Brinkley Says She Has Skin Cancer

1. Almond Oil

Almond oil in bottle on wooden background
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Mild and rich in UV protection, sweet almond oil boasts fatty acids, vitamins A, and vitamin E. It is ideal for sensitive skin, eczema, and psoriasis. (1)

2. Apricot Oil

apricot kernel oil in a glass jar closeup on the table and ingredients. Horizontal
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Resembling skin lipids, apricot oil serves as a gentle moisturizer. It is suitable for mature or sensitive skin and addressing conditions like eczema. (2)

3. Argan Oil

Argan fruit, seeds and oil, used in cosmetics and alimentary products
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Extracted from Moroccan argan trees, this luxurious oil is rich in tocopherols, phenols, carotenes, and fatty acids. It offers excellent hydration and targets fine lines for aging, dry skin. (3)

4. Avocado Oil

Avocado oil on table close-up
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Abundant in vitamins A, D, and E, avocado oil penetrates deeply, enhancing skin texture and shielding against UV damage. This makes it ideal for dry, sensitive, mature, or irritated skin. (4)

Read More: Common Blood Pressure Medication May Increase the Risk of Skin Cancer

5. Baobab Oil

Baobab fruit and oil on nature background.
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Derived from Adansonia tree seeds, baobab oil is a quick-absorbing blend of vitamins A, E, F, and sterols. It is beneficial for damaged skin and stretch marks. (5)

6. Castor Oil

beans and castor oil on the black table
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With anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, castor oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, proteins, and minerals. This makes it effective for acne-prone and inflamed skin when used in blends. (6)

7. Coconut Oil

coconut oil and fresh coconuts on old wooden table
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Serving as a protective moisturizer, coconut oil retains skin moisture. It is particularly suitable for sensitive skin and eczema. It also makes for a good carrier oil for essential oils. (7)

8. Flaxseed Oil

Brown flax seeds on a spoon and flaxseed oil.
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Featuring natural anti-inflammatory properties, flaxseed oil offers relief for sensitive skin and eczema when used topically. (8)

Read More: How Kidneys, Skin, and Brain Change Every Time You Put On Makeup

9. Grapeseed Oil

Cold Pressed Grapeseed Oil

High in antioxidants, grapeseed oil suits various skin types and serves as a base or carrier oil in skincare formulations. (9)

10. Hazelnut Oil

Bowl of hazelnut oil and hazelnuts on white wooden background. From top view
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With astringent and antibacterial qualities, hazelnut oil is ideal for acne-prone skin. It is quickly absorbed without leaving an oily residue. (10)

11. Hemp Oil

Flour hemp in a wooden spoon, seed in a bag and on the table, oil in a glass jar, cannabis leaves on the background of wooden boards
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Rich in essential fatty acids, hemp oil’s anti-inflammatory properties make it beneficial for conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Hemp oil is particularly suited for dry skin. (11)

12. Jojoba Oil

Pouring with jojoba oil from jug into bowl on white marble table
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Mimicking the skin’s natural oils, jojoba oil contains minerals and vitamins B and E. These help to strengthen the skin, making the oil best suited for dry skin. (12)

Read More: 7 Health Benefits of Aloe Vera Body and Skin Will Love

13. Kukui Oil

candlenut essential oil on wooden natural background

Derived from kukui nut trees, this oil contains essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. It is not only soothing dry skin, but it also is great for aiding wound healing. (13)

14. Olive Oil

Bottle pouring virgin olive oil in a bowl close up
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Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, olive oil mimics natural skin oils making it a great moisturizing choice. That being said, it should be avoided by those with acne due to its heaviness. Olive oil best benefits dry skin. (14)

15. Pomegranate Seed Oil

Pomegranate seed oil in a glass bottle on a table close-up. Horizontal
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High in ellagic acid, an antioxidant, pomegranate oil helps prevent UV damage and the wrinkles that they cause. This oil is suitable for various skin types including those with eczema, psoriasis, and sunburns. (15)

16. Rosehip Seed Oil

A bottle of rosehip seed oil with fresh plant
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Similar to Retin-A without side effects, rosehip oil contains omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin C. This makes it beneficial for fine lines, acne, scars, uneven pigmentation, dry, and mature skin. (16)

Read More: Want better skin? Try this DIY coconut oil baking soda facial cleanser

17. Safflower Oil

safflower oil
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Featuring omega-6 fatty acids and linolenic acid, safflower oil moisturizes deeply. This makes it particularly useful for dry, inflamed, and irritated skin. (17)

18. Shea Oil

Shea nuts and products: butter, oil and soap for skincare
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Rich in vitamin A, shea oil imparts a smooth feel to the skin. It targets fine lines and makes your skin beautifully soft. (18)

19. Sunflower Oil

Organic sunflower oil in a small glass jar with sunflower seeds and fresh flowers. Outdoors
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Abundant in oleic acids, vitamins A, D, and E, lecithin, and unsaturated fatty acids, sunflower oil nourishes and conditions the skin. This addresses fine lines, wrinkles, acne, dermatitis, and sunburn. (19)

20. Tamanu Oil

Raw ball fruits or green ball nut of Alexandrian laurel, Beautiful-leaf, Bornero mahogany, Indian laurel (Calophyllum Inophyllum) on tree in the tropical forest
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Boasting antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, tamanu oil is beneficial for damaged skin. This includes sun-damaged skin, acne, and scars. (20)

21. Wheat Germ Oil

Wheat grain and wheat germ oil
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Laden with vitamins D and E, wheat germ oil is essential for scar treatment. It offers over 23 nutrients beneficial for dry skin and scar tissue. (21)

The Bottom Line

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Incorporating natural oils into skincare routines can offer a plethora of benefits, ranging from moisturization to healing properties for various skin conditions. By understanding the unique qualities of each oil, individuals can tailor their skincare regimen to suit their specific needs, achieving healthier and more radiant skin naturally.

Read More: 5 Deliciously Easy Smoothie Recipes For Healthy Skin

Sources

  1. Are There Benefits to Using Almond Oil on Your Face?Healthline. Grace Gallagher. September 30, 2019.
  2. Apricot Kernel Oil.” INCI Guide
  3. The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity.” NCBI. Kenza Qiraouani Boucetta, Zoubida Charrouf, Hassan Aguenaou, Abdelfattah Derouicheand Yahya Bensouda. 2015.
  4. What Are the Benefits of Using Avocado Oil on My Skin?Healthline. Annamarya Scaccia. January 27, 2017.
  5. Beauty in Baobab: a pilot study of the safety and efficacy of Adansonia digitata seed oil.” Science Direct. Baatile M. Komane, Ilze Vermaak , Guy P.P. Kamatou, Beverley Summers, Alvaro M. Viljoen. 2017
  6. Bioactive-Based Cosmeceuticals: An Update on Emerging Trends.” NCBI. Anju Goyal, Aditya Sharma,Jasanpreet Kaur, Sapna Kumari,1 Madhukar Garg, Rakesh K. Sindhu,1, Md. Habibur Rahman, Muhammad Furqan Akhtar, Priti Tagde, Agnieszka Najda, Barbara Banach-Albińska, Katarzyna Masternak, Ibtesam S. Alanazi, Hanan R. H. Mohamed, Attalla F. El-kott, Muddaser Shah, Mousa O. Germoush, Hamdan S. Al-malky, Salman H. Abukhuwayjah, Ahmed E. Altyar,Simona G. Bungau,and Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim. February 2022.
  7. Should You Use Coconut Oil on Your Skin?.” Cleveland Clinic. December 28, 2022
  8. Supplementation of flaxseed oil diminishes skin sensitivity and improves skin barrier function and condition.” Pubmed. K Neukam, S De Spirt, W Stahl, M Bejot, J-M Maurette, H Tronnier, U Heinrich. 2011.
  9. Effects of a grapeseed oil (Vitis vinifera L.) loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel on biophysical parameters of facial skin: A split-face, blinded, placebo-controlled study.” Pubmed. Ramzi Shawahna. November 2022.
  10. Influence of hazelnut oil phospholipids on the skin moisturizing effect of a cosmetic emulsion.” Pubmed. P Masson, F Merot and J Bardot. December 1990.
  11. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders.” NCBI. Sudhir M Baswan, Allison E Klosner, Kelly Glynn,1 Arun Rajgopal, Kausar Malik, Sunghan Yim and Nathan Stern. 2020.
  12. Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity.” NCBI. Heba A. Gad,1 Autumn Roberts, Samirah H. Hamzi,Haidy A. Gad, Ilham Touiss, Ahmed E. Altyar, Osama A. Kensara and Mohamed L. Ashour. June 2021.
  13. Fatty acid profiles of kukui nut oils over time and from different sources.” Science Direct. H. Ako, N. Kong and A. Brown. September 2005.
  14. The Benefits of Olive Oil for Skin Health: Study on the Effect of Hydroxytyrosol, Tyrosol, and Oleocanthal on Human Fibroblasts.” NCBI. Anabel González-Acedo, et al. May 2023.
  15. Biochemical Pilot Study on Effects of Pomegranate Seed Oil Extract and Cosmetic Cream on Neurologically Mediated Skin Inflammation in Animals and Humans: A Comparative Observational Study.” NCBI. Asmaa Fathi Hamouda and Shifa Felemban. January 2023.
  16. 9 Benefits of Using Rosehip Oil on Your Face.” Healthline. Kitty Jay. May 5, 2023.
  17. Safflower Seed Oil and Its Active Compound Acacetin Inhibit UVB-Induced Skin Photoaging,” NCBI. Eun Hee Jeong, Hee Yang, Jong-Eun Kim and Ki Won Lee. June 2020.
  18. 6 Incredible Benefits of Shea Butter.” Cleveland Clinic. October 18, 2022
  19. What’s Good About Sunflower Oil for Skin?Healthline. Corey Whelan. August 7, 2019.
  20. Potential of Tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum) Oil for Atopic Dermatitis Treatment.” NCBI. Amadeus Pribowo, Jyothsna Girish, Marsia Gustiananda, Rakrya Galih Nandhira and Pietradewi Hartrianti. December 26, 2021.
  21. Wheat Germ Oil.” Science Direct. Nurhan T. Dunford.