A Clean Beauty Junkie Reveals Her Top 3 Facial Oils
I am a Junior Category Manager at Adore Beauty, where I look after Skincare and Wellness brands. I have been working in buying and retail for 5 years in various types of products, but beauty is my favourite. In recent years I have become very passionate about the ingredients in my beauty products, and have been slowing detoxing all my skincare, haircare, and make up.
Adore Beauty buyer Samantha McLaren says facial oils can hydrate dry skin, boost elasticity and add glow, with top picks including Hunter Lab Lipid Vitamin Face Oil and Salt By Hendrix Mermaid Oil. She explains layering order, how to mix a few drops into moisturiser or foundation, and which formulas suit dehydrated or dull skin.
Fast Facts You Need to Know
- Pick Hunter Lab Lipid Vitamin Face Oil for antioxidant brightening; currently $54.40 (was $68.00).
- Use Salt By Hendrix Mermaid Oil for severely dehydrated skin; omega rich formula seals in moisture.
- Apply oils after water-based serums and before your creamy moisturiser to lock in hydration.
- Add a few drops to moisturiser or foundation for a dewy finish without heavy oil texture.
Even before I worked in beauty, and before I became a clean beauty nut, I was a big fan of facial oils. There is just something so luxurious about them; the lovely scent as you put them on, the beautiful bottles, the premium ingredients, the lush glow they give your skin - I could go on…
What's To Love About Facial Oils?
I have quite dry skin, so I have always loved the way oils make my skin not only feel hydrated, but actually look healthier. When I really need a pick me up, I’ll even add a few drops to my moisturiser to give some extra illumination and glow (oh, and you can add a drop to your foundation for a dewy finish). With consistent use, I've found using facial oils has helped to boost my skin’s elasticity and give me plump, happy skin.
And the best part about most facial oils is that they don’t have fillers or artificial fragrance, just pure hard-working botanical extracts. And don’t forget to share the facial oil love by slathering some on your neck and decolletage too!
Where Do You Apply Oils In Your Routine?
Ahhh the age old question of layering. It's actually easier than you expect. You just apply your skincare in order of lightest to heaviest in terms of their consistency. So for example, you'd apply a water-based serum like a hyaluronic acid first, then your facial oil, then your creamy moisturiser.
And if you don't like the feeling of facial oils, our Beauty Editor adds a couple of drops directly to her moisturiser and mixes it in, so she still gets the benefits of the facial oil without the texture of it.
So, let's get to the important part - which oils are my must-haves?
Hunter Lab Lipid Vitamin Face Oil
Everything about this oil is light and fresh; the colour, the scent, and the texture. But it certainly isn’t light on results! Thanks to all the amazing antioxidants in the formula, this oil won’t just hydrate and balance, but also work to brighten skin tone. And bonus points for the sexy black glass bottle and slimline pepette! You don’t see that a lot, and it makes for such luxe user experience.
Salt By Hendrix Mermaid Oil
Firstly, it’s just super pretty! This is they type of skincare product you want to decorate your bathroom with! But don’t let the sexy branding fool you, this oil delivers some real results! Mermaid Oil is amazing for replenishing dehydrated skin because the omega rich formula it able to deliver vital fatty acids and seal in moisture. Plus it comes in the cutest mini which is perfect for travel.
