Helpful Tips on Choosing the Best Skin-Nourishing Oils

Selecting the right nourishing oils for your skin type is crucial to achieving healthy, radiant skin. In this article, you’ll discover how to choose the ideal skin-nourishing oils based on your specific skin needs. 

One of the most important steps in DIY skin care is selecting the right oils for your specific skin type. While some oils deeply nourish dry skin, others help control excess oil and acne.

Using unsuitable oils can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, irritation, or excessive dryness. 

Understanding which ingredients suit your skin ensures you get optimal benefits from your skincare routine.

Best Carrier Oils for Different Skin Types

Carrier oils are the base oils used in skin care formulations. They help deliver moisture, vitamins, and nutrients to the skin while balancing its natural barrier.

Best Oils for Dry Skin

Dry skin lacks natural oils, which means it needs extra nourishment and deep hydration. The best oils for this skin type include:-

• Argan Oil: Rich in Vitamin E, deeply hydrating without feeling greasy.
• Avocado Oil: Packed with fatty acids to repair dry, flaky skin.
• Sweet Almond Oil: Lightweight yet deeply moisturizing, great for sensitive dry skin.
• Marula Oil: Absorbs quickly and restores elasticity.
• Macadamia Nut Oil: Rich in oleic acid, very nourishing and emollient.
• Sea Buckthorn Oil: High in vitamins and omega fatty acids; deeply restorative.

Best Oils for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin

Oily skin requires lightweight, non-comedogenic oils. These types of oils won’t clog pores or cause breakouts.

• Jojoba Oil: Mimics the skin’s natural sebum, balancing oil production.
• Grapeseed Oil: Antioxidant-rich and helps tighten pores.
• Hemp Seed Oil: High in linoleic acid, calms acne and inflammation.
• Rosehip Oil: Natural source of Vitamin A, helps fade acne scars.
• Black Cumin Seed Oil: Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.
• Watermelon Seed Oil: Light, non-comedogenic, helps dissolve excess sebum.
• Neem Oil: Potent antibacterial; best used diluted due to strong scent.

Best Oils for Combination Skin

Combination skin has dry and oily areas, requiring a balanced oil blend.

• Squalane Oil – Hydrates without making oily areas greasy.
• Tamanu Oil – Helps even skin tone and calm inflammation.
• Baobab Oil – Lightweight and full of antioxidants.
• Meadowfoam Seed Oil: Balances oil production, stable and gentle.
• Apricot Kernel Oil: Light and nourishing, works for dry and oily zones.
• Pomegranate Seed Oil: Balancing, rich in antioxidants and punicic acid.

Best Oils for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is prone to redness, irritation, and inflammation. Choose oils with soothing, anti-inflammatory properties.

• Calendula Oil: Ultra-soothing and great for redness.
• Camellia Seed Oil: Hydrating yet gentle for reactive skin.
• Evening Primrose Oil: Helps with eczema and sensitivity.
• Moringa Oil: Anti-inflammatory and rich in vitamins A and C.
• Borage Seed Oil: High in GLA, helpful for inflammatory skin conditions.
• Kukui Nut Oil: Lightweight and soothing, traditionally used for eczema.

Choosing the right oils is just the first step. Tracking their performance on your skin is the key to perfecting your DIY skincare routine.

The Importance of Tracking Your DIY Skincare

Tracking the performance of different oils on your skin is essential to fine-tune your skincare routine and can help you:-

• Identify which oils work best for your skin type.
• Adjust ingredient ratios to improve results.
• Avoid irritation by keeping track of reactions.
• Create consistent, reliable DIY skincare formulations over time.

Consider using a structured tracker, like the Skincare Lab DIY Tracker to document your results and formulations!

Beginner DIY Skincare Recipes 

DIY skincare is all about personalization. These recipes offer a great starting point, but everyone’s skin is different. 

As you begin using oils, note how your skin responds. Depending on changes in your environment, skin cycle, or sensitivity, you might need to adjust the ratios, swap an ingredient, or add something extra. 

Start simple, listen to your skin, and evolve your formulations for the best results.

DIY Facial Serum for Dry Skin

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of argan oil
• 1 tablespoon of avocado oil
• 5 drops of rosehip oil
• 3 drops of lavender essential oil

Instructions: Measure into a dropper bottle and mix. Then apply nightly for deep hydration.

Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil
• 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil
• 3 drops of tea tree essential oil

Instructions: Mix and apply lightly to skin to balance oil production.

Balancing Facial Oil for Combination Skin

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of squalane oil
• 1 tablespoon of baobab oil
• 3 drops of tamanu oil
• 3 drops of geranium essential oil (optional – helps balance oil production)

Instructions: Mix all ingredients in a small dropper bottle. Use two to three drops after cleansing, focusing on dry areas first, then spreading evenly.

Soothing Facial Oil for Sensitive Skin

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of calendula oil
• 1 tablespoon of camellia seed oil
• 5 drops of evening primrose oil
• 2 drops of chamomile essential oil (optional – calms irritation)

Instructions: Combine all oils in a sterilized glass bottle. Apply a few drops gently to your face, especially on red or inflamed areas.

Find the Perfect Nourishing Oils for Your Skin!

Using the right nourishing oils can transform your skincare routine! Track how your skin responds to different ingredients to refine your formulations.

Start simple, experiment, and keep a record for the best results.

Want to get serious about your DIY skincare journey? Grab a copy of the Skincare Lab DIY Tracker here and start perfecting your homemade skincare today!

Abi is a curly hair expert who delved into the world of natural oils after severe hair loss issues. Through her research, study, and testing, she was able to regrow her bald spots & a healthy head of hair. She is the founder of Healthy Natural Hair Products & Ade Ori Hair Care, and the author of the highly-rated Healthy Hair Care Series. She continues to study hair science, Ayurveda, and natural and healthy solutions for hair and skin. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines…