A face oil is a blend of plant oils, sometimes with added extracts or essential oils. Oils help soften skin and slow water loss from its surface, which is why they usually go on last, sealing in whatever was applied before.
Oils are not interchangeable. They differ in their fatty acid make-up, and that changes how heavy they feel and how quickly they absorb. The ingredient list names each oil by its botanical (INCI) name.
Reading the label
- Reading botanical names
- Oils appear under Latin names: Simmondsia chinensis is jojoba, Rosa canina is rosehip, Squalane is often olive- or sugarcane-derived. Our product pages list every one.
- Essential oils
- Essential oils add scent and are listed individually or under "fragrance". If you tend to react to scented products, check the full list rather than the front label.
