All About Face Oils

From Argan to Rosehip, here’s your guide to getting face oils right. 

In the world of beauty and skincare, fewer products receive as many polarizing opinions as face oils do. For some, products made with lots of face oils are a holy grail and the pinnacle of any skincare routine, while others won’t go near them for fear of breakouts, clogged pores, or a slick, greasy looking face. Whether you’re a face oil fan or you’ve stayed far away, oils can work for almost every skin type if you know how to select and use them correctly. If you’re feeling intimidated by face oils… don’t worry. We’ve put together an easy, A-Z oils guide to get you on your way to glowing skin! 

And some more good news in addition to glowing skin: All of the oils listed below can be found in some of your favorite Saie products. ;) 

Argan Oil: balancing - moisturizing - smoothing 

You’ve definitely heard of Argan Oil, but do you know where it comes from? Argan is a plant extract taken from the fruit pit of the Argan Tree, which is native to Morocco. Argan is an incredible universal oil that works well for almost all skin types because it’s not too heavy, not too lightweight, it’s non-comedogenic and absorbs into skin easily. It’s also packed with incredibly nourishing fatty acids which help to nourish and moisturize your complexion. One of the other major benefits of argan oil is its high antioxidant content–specifically vitamin E– which helps to fight off early wrinkles and keeps skin smooth and supple… all things we’re big fans of over here. If you tend to have normal to dry skin, Argan oil should absolutely in your arsenal of products, but oily skin types need not worry either; it won’t leave a greasy layer but instead absorbs quickly and sends moisture below the skin’s surface. 

That super-quenched feeling and dewy finish you get when you use Slip Tint? You can thank Argan Oil for that. 

Castor Seed Oil: anti-aging - hydrating - nourishing 

Castor Seed oil can be a little tricky. On the one hand, it has a very thick consistency that makes it difficult to apply directly onto skin without having a bit of it sitting on the surface (in other words, definitely not an oil you would want to apply before makeup). On the other hand, its thick nature also means it’s loaded with more vitamin E and fatty acids than its peers, making it a really nourishing and reparative option for skin, hair, dry hands, and even lips. Its moisturizing properties also act as a preventative for wrinkles. Castor Seed oil can actually stimulate the body to produce elastin and collagen, the culprits that keep skin looking vibrant and bouncy. Needless to say, castor oil probably isn’t for you if you’re prone to break-outs or have very oily skin. 

Because of its consistency, Castor Seed oil is great when it’s mixed with other ingredients. We use it in our Liquid Lip Gloss and, when mixed with other superhero ingredients like Sunflower Butter and Coconut Milk, it creates a really smooth texture that absorbs easily and offers major moisture (and shine) to lips. 

Grapeseed Oil: anti-inflammatory - anti-microbial - moisturizing 

While Grapeseed oil is known to be friendly towards all skin types, it can be extra helpful for people who suffer from acne because it is a gentle astringent. That means it naturally tones your complexion and helps to tighten pores. It’s also rich in Linoleic acid, an ingredient that helps to strengthen cell membranes and keeps your skin more resilient from breakouts. 

Similar to the other oils mentioned, Grapeseed oil is high in omega fatty acids and vitamin E, but it’s perhaps most popular for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial qualities. It’s a fantastic ingredient when it comes to skincare products and makeup because it kind of does it all: it helps keep breakouts at bay, vitamin E helps to fade scars, it moisturizes, fights off free radicals, and it’s lightweight enough to wear daily! If you’re looking for a daily dose of Grapeseed oil, you can find it in Sunvisor and Slip Tint. 

Jojoba Oil: balancing - smoothing - hydrating 

Jojoba is another oil you can add to your routine without much worry that it will negatively affect your skin. It’s mild, it feels great on, and it’s technically considered an emollient so it helps to soften and smooth skin. Jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-hoba just in case you were wondering) is unique because while it’s extremely hydrating and ideal for drier skin types, its makeup mirrors that of skin’s natural sebum so it doesn’t clog pores or make breakouts worse. Hence, why oily and breakout-prone skin types still get along fine with this oil. This is also why Jojoba is considered to be balancing; it helps keep overproduction of oil in check and its anti-inflammatory qualities fight off acne, but its high vitamin E content helps keep skin hydrated and healthy. Find Jojoba in Dew Balm, it’s what helps gives it that hydrated and perfectly highlighted look!

Rosehip Oil: calming - restorative - brightening

Rosehip oil is easy to love. From its pleasant scent to its skin-regenerating abilities, it’s an oil that *immedately feels* like you’re doing something nice for your skin once you’ve put it on. Like Jojoba and Grapeseed, it’s a great oil to start with if you’ve never tried one before becaue it’s calming, super moisturizing, and helps to improve skin barrier function. Rosehip has a high concenration of omega oils, vitamin A, and vitamins B1, B2, and B3, making it an extremely healing oil. If you have old blemish scars, hyperpigmentation, or uneven skin tone, Rosehip helps to fade marks and brighten your complexion. Because it’s also rich in vitamin E, it’s a great option for calming inflammation and soothing irritaton brought on by acne, rosacea, or eczema. 

Squalane Oil 

Oily skin crew: listen up! Of all the oils listed in our guide, Squalane is best suited for you and for those who have acneic skin. Why? Because squalane is a powerhouse emollient and natural antioxidant that’s most commonly used to treat problematic complexions, and it’s light consistency absorbs quickly and won’t sit on top of your skin. Squalane is actually a derivative of Squalene, and we prefer it because it’s sources from plants whereas Squalene is harvested from sharks. Squalane is also our favorite because it’s far more lightweight than Squalene and it has a much longer shelf-life than its counterpart. Highly moisturizing and healing, we’ve packed Glowy Super Gel with Squalane to deeply hydrate skin and to give it that bouncy, healthy glow.