Why Use Facial Oils?
A face oil adds the fatty acids your skin uses to build its barrier. Those lipids help skin hold onto water, stay soft and look smooth. As we age, or when skin is stripped by harsh cleansers, cold weather or acne treatments, the skin's natural oils run low. Facial oils help replace them.
Face oils are often misunderstood. Many people with oily skin avoid them, assuming oil will make breakouts worse. In practice, a well-chosen face oil can help balance oily skin, because skin that's stripped of its natural sebum may produce more oil to compensate. The key is choosing an oil with the right fatty acid profile for your skin type.
Organic Omega Oil was one of the first modern facial oils, and it has been the center of Sonya Dakar's line for decades. Los Angeles magazine named it the Best Face Oil in its 2024 Best of Beauty Awards, noting it was "heralded as a breakthrough upon its release." Face oils have moved from niche to mainstream over a decade, and this formula still sets the standard for our collection.
Nourishing oils also improve the feel of the skin right away. A few drops leave skin feeling soft, help smooth skin texture and give a healthy glow without a heavy finish. That makes face oils one of the easiest additions to any skincare routine, whatever your skin concerns.
Organic Omega Oil: Our Award-Winning Face Oil
Organic Omega Oil is built on cold-pressed organic flaxseed oil, one of the richest plant sources of omega fatty acids. It comes in two versions, so you can match it to your skin type:
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Dry/Sensitive: flaxseed oil with chamomile, lavender and rosemary oils
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Oily/Combination: flaxseed oil with neroli, eucalyptus and lemongrass oils
Both versions are lightweight oils that absorb quickly without feeling greasy, a nourishing formula for oily skin types and dry skin alike. Warm a few drops between your palms and press them into damp skin after your serum, or mix a drop into your moisturizer.
Essential Fatty Acids and What They Do
Most of what a face oil does comes from its essential fatty acids. The two that matter most are linoleic acid and oleic acid.
Linoleic acid (omega 6) is lighter and is often lower in the sebum of people with acne prone skin. Oils high in linoleic acid, like grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oils and rosehip seed oil, tend to suit oily and combination skin types.
Oleic acid (omega 9) is richer and more moisturizing. Oils high in oleic acid, like olive oil, avocado oil and marula oil, suit dry and mature skin.
Alpha-linolenic acid (omega 3) is what makes flaxseed oil stand out. Flaxseed is one of the most concentrated plant sources of omega 3, and it also contains omega 6 and 9. That balance is why Organic Omega Oil can work across skin types.
Face Oil for Dry Skin
Dry skin lacks oil, so it benefits most from a face oil. Oils replace lost lipids, soften rough patches and help skin feel hydrated for longer. Use the Dry/Sensitive version of Organic Omega Oil morning and night, or choose Hoya Organic Omega Oil, which adds porcelain flower (hoya) oil, passion fruit oil and fig oil to the flaxseed base for dry, mature and dull skin.
For the most deep moisture, apply your oil as a night oil over moisturizer. For more options, browse our skincare for dry skin.
Face Oils for Dehydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin lacks water rather than oil, and it can happen to any skin type, including oily skin. A face oil alone won't add water, but it seals in the water from your other products. Apply a hyaluronic acid serum to damp skin, follow with moisturizer, then press in a few drops of oil. That layering keeps skin hydrated much longer than any one step on its own.
Can Acne Prone Skin Use Face Oil?
Yes, if you choose carefully. Lighter oils with more linoleic acid are less likely to clog pores, while pure coconut oil and other heavy oils are best avoided on acne prone skin. The Oily/Combination version of Organic Omega Oil is made for this skin type.
Tips for Acne Prone Skin
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Use one or two drops, not a full dropper.
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Apply it at night, over a lightweight moisturizer.
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Pair it with treatments like salicylic acid or tea tree rather than replacing them.
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Patch test along your jawline for a week before using it all over.
Our products for oily skin include lightweight moisturizers and serums that pair well with a face oil.
Face Oils for Fine Lines and Mature Skin
Mature skin produces less oil, so it often looks drier and shows fine lines more clearly. Face oils help soften the look of fine lines by keeping skin plump and smooth. By protecting the skin barrier, they can help improve skin elasticity over time, giving you a more radiant complexion. Vitamin E, found in Golden Hour, adds antioxidant protection.
Hoya Organic Omega Oil is formulated with mature skin in mind. For brighter, more radiant skin, pair your oil with a brightening vitamin C serum in the morning.
Glowy Skin With Golden Hour
Organic Omega Oil Golden Hour is a shimmer face oil for a radiant complexion. It combines flaxseed, passionfruit and fig seed oils with vitamin E and a soft bronze shimmer. It absorbs quickly, so you can wear it alone for glowing skin, under makeup, or on your neck and chest. Shake it well before use.
Popular Face Oils, Compared
You'll see many oils in face products. Here's how common ones compare:
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Jojoba oil: close to the skin's natural sebum and suits most skin types
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Rosehip oil: high in linoleic acid, popular for skin tone and texture
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Argan oil: rich in vitamin E and oleic acid, good for dry skin
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Marula oil: light but moisturizing, suits dry and normal skin
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Sea buckthorn oil: brightly colored and rich in antioxidants
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Plum seed oil: lightweight, with a smooth texture
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Rice bran oils and evening primrose oils: gentle options for sensitive skin
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Grape seed oil: light and high in linoleic acid, good for combination skin
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Flaxseed oil: one of the richest plant sources of omega 3, with omega 6 and 9
Many oils work well, but the right one depends on your skin type and concerns.
Argan Oil vs. Flaxseed Oil
Argan oil is a well-known moisturizer, high in oleic acid, which makes it best for dry skin. Flaxseed oil carries more omega 3 and a more even fatty acid balance, so it can work for a wider range of skin types, including combination skin.
Essential Oils and Sensitive Skin
Our face oils include botanical essential oils, such as chamomile, lavender, neroli and lemongrass, for their soothing and balancing properties. Most people tolerate them well. If you have very sensitive skin or know essential oils trigger a reaction, patch test first, and talk to a board certified dermatologist if you have a skin condition like eczema or rosacea. If you're looking for a fragrance free option, check each ingredient list carefully, since none of our face oils are fragrance free.
What About Blue Tansy?
Blue tansy oil is a deep blue essential oil valued for its calming properties. It appears in our Blue Butterfly Balm, a rich balm for dry, irritated skin, rather than in our face oils. If your skin is reactive, the balm is worth a look alongside a face oil.
How to Use a Face Oil
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Cleanse, tone and apply serum.
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Apply moisturizer if your skin needs it.
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Warm a few drops of oil between your palms.
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Press the oil gently onto your face, neck and chest. Avoid the eye area.
Use your oil at night for deep hydration, or in the morning under sunscreen if your skin is dry. Face oils can also help with dry patches on the body, though stretch marks and very dry areas like elbows may need a dedicated body oil.
FAQ
Is face oil good for oily skin?
It can be. Skin that's stripped of oil can produce more oil to compensate, and a lightweight face oil helps keep it balanced. Choose the Oily/Combination version of Organic Omega Oil and use just a drop or two at night.
Should I apply face oil before or after moisturizer?
Most people apply face oil after moisturizer to seal in hydration. You can also mix a drop of oil into your moisturizer. Always apply oil before sunscreen in the morning.
What is the best face oil for dry skin?
Organic Omega Oil in the Dry/Sensitive version is our top pick, with omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids from cold-pressed organic flaxseed. Hoya Organic Omega Oil is a richer option for very dry or mature skin.
Will a face oil clog my pores?
Pure coconut oil and other heavy oils can clog pores, but lighter oils with more linoleic acid are less likely to. Use a small amount, apply it at night and patch test first if you're acne prone.