What Oils Are Good for Skin? Types and Benefits

16 Oils That Support Healthy, Fresh-Looking Skin

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Oils that are good for the skin, like coconut oil, can provide moisture to parched skin and delay some signs of aging. Oils are a little different than lotions, and you might find that certain oils make your skin look and feel better.

This article explains how certain oils can have health benefits for the skin, and how to use them in your moisturizing and skincare routine.

The Best Oils for Skin

Jessica Olah / Verywell

Types of Oils for Skin

Here are some natural oils that can benefit the skin. 

Coconut Oil

Research suggests that coconut oil has anti-bacterial, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. It can also help reduce inflammation and enhance skin barrier function.

Almond Oil

There’s some research suggesting a link between topical application of almond oil and anti-aging effects. Almond oil may also help with skin barrier repair.

Grapeseed Oil

Studies suggest that grapeseed oil has anti-bacterial, antioxidant, and wound healing properties. It may have possible anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects as well.

Olive Oil

According to animal and human studies, olive oil may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing effects when applied topically. There’s also a possible link between topical application of olive oil and anti-aging effects.

Sunflower Seed Oil

There’s evidence that sunflower seed oil may help improve skin hydration and promote skin barrier repair. Research also shows that it has anti-inflammatory effects and may help with wound healing.

Argan Oil

Argan oil is a popular skincare oil that can help with skin barrier repair. Studies suggest that it has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects. Topical application has also been shown to have an anti-aging effect on skin by improving skin elasticity.

Rosehip Seed Oil

Rosehip seed oil may help with skin barrier repair. There’s also evidence that it can help fight signs of aging and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Jojoba Oil

There’s promising research on jojoba oil that suggests it can aid in skin barrier repair. It also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties.

Jojoba oil can also improve the absorption of topically applied medications. It may have anti-bacterial effects and may be helpful in treating acne. When combined with an anti-acne agent like benzoyl peroxide, it can help reduce dryness and irritation.

Marula Oil

Research shows that marula oil has significant moisturizing benefits for the skin. It’s also non-irritating and may help the skin retain moisture.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has been used to help manage acne and as an anti-fungal. It is also thought to help reduce inflammation.

Safflower Seed Oil

Sometimes used in cooking, safflower seed oil has also been used directly on the skin to help manage signs of eczema. Safflower oil acts as an antioxidant, and some research suggests that it may also have anti-aging properties.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is derived from the nut of the karité tree. This tree is native to the Sahel region of Africa.

Shea butter may be a good moisturizer for people who have sensitive skin. Small studies have found that people with atopic dermatitis or eczema see symptom improvement when using a shea butter moisturizer. Moisturizers containing shea butter have also shown good results in people with clinically assessed sensitivity to other skin care products.

It's worth noting, however, that most studies so far have been small and/or have been conducted by people who are associated with the companies that manufacture these products, which means there is a potential for bias.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint contains menthol, which is an ingredient in many different skincare and pain-relieving products. Peppermint oil is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows the blood vessels and can help reduce skin redness. 

Peppermint oil is sometimes used to relieve pain and itching associated with pruritus, a skin infection. One small study found that people with this condition experienced significant improvement in itching when using peppermint oil vs. a placebo.

Peppermint oil can be a skin irritant, so use products that contain peppermint oil with caution. Some people report burning, irritation, and contact dermatitis after using peppermint oil-containing products. Studies have used products with a lower concentration of peppermint oil (.5%).

Chamomile Oil

Chamomile oil is derived from Matricaria chamomilla, a plant that is native to Europe and western Asia. A few small studies have demonstrated its effectiveness as a moisturizer and treatment for pruritis, inflammation, and dermatitis.

Some people may experience an allergic reaction to chamomile oil, though this is uncommon. You are more likely to have an allergic reaction to chamomile oil if you are allergic to plants in the sunflower family.

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary contains compounds that act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Some are believed to have potential as antifungal and antibacterial agents. Rosemary is sometimes used in skincare products to help keep the product from degrading. 

Rosemary also contains a number of polyphenols that may act as skin protectors. Some studies also suggest that rosemary oil may protect against hair loss and help regrow hair, though the research so far is limited.

Oregano Oil

Oregano oil may have antimicrobial properties. A 2022 study found that combining oregano oil with an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin or gentamicin inhibited the formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus bacteria by more than 90%.

Oregano also contains antioxidants and may act as an anti-inflammatory. Some studies have found that it may be helpful in treating acne and reducing signs of aging. Because oregano oil can be irritating to the skin, look for products that contain a lower concentration.

How Oils Are Used for Skincare

Cosmetic and skincare companies frequently use natural oils as ingredients in their products. Natural oils are popular because many are gentler on the skin than synthetic ingredients. You’ll find natural oils in all types of products, including cleansers, moisturizers, face masks, soaps, face oils, serums, and more. 

Many natural oils, like coconut oil, can be directly applied to the skin. However, you should be careful when using oils directly on your face—especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin.

Note that natural oils are not the same as essential oils. Essential oils should be diluted with a carrier oil because they are very potent and can cause irritation. Do a patch test on your skin when using any product for the first time to check for potential allergic reactions. 

Best Way to Apply Oils

Most research looks at the effects of topically applied oils. Topical application means that they're directly applied to the skin. That said, soaps and moisturizers are still an effective vehicle for natural oils, especially if you’re not comfortable slathering unrefined oil — oil that hasn't been processed — on your skin.

Composition

Natural oils so effective for the skin because they contain a host of ingredients with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, including:

Benefits

Natural oils have a variety of research-backed benefits.

Many natural oils: 

  • Moisturize (keep the skin from losing moisture)
  • Soothe the skin (have an emollient effect)
  • Have antioxidant effects (prevent damage from free radicals)
  • Have anti-bacterial properties
  • Have anti-inflammatory effects 

Barrier Repair

Evidence shows that many natural oils have a barrier repair effect. Oils with more linoleic acid than oleic acid may do a better job of repairing the skin barrier. Oils with more oleic acid may irritate the skin.

Reduces Scarring

Some natural oils, like rosehip oil, help with wound healing and may also reduce the appearance of scars.

Reduces UV Damage

Sun damage can seriously impact the look of your skin. Natural oils won’t protect your skin from sun damage (you need sunscreen for that), but some may help reduce UV damage. Tea tree oil, for example, is often used in sunburn relief products because of its ability to increase blood flow and promote healing in damaged skin.

More Research Needed

There’s a lot of research on natural oils for skincare and a lot of it is promising. However, more research is needed to better understand the role of natural oils on aging and skin health. More research on the potential adverse effects, like irritation, is also required.

Risks

Natural oils are great because they often don’t pose the same risk for irritation as synthetic chemicals in cosmetics and other skincare products. However, that doesn’t mean that using natural oils doesn’t pose a risk.

Because the skin on your face is more sensitive than on other parts of your body, you may experience irritation when using oils directly on your face as opposed to your arms and legs. Applying oils to your skin before going out in the sun can also increase your risk of sunburn.  

Allergy Concerns

There’s always a possibility of allergic reactions. If you notice redness or irritation after topically applying a natural oil, stop using it right away. Get emergency help if you experience swelling or hives or have trouble breathing. Those symptoms are signs of a dangerous anaphylactic reaction. Immediate treatment with epinephrine is needed. There is a risk of death with anaphylaxis, so call 911.

Summary

Natural oils like coconut oil, tea tree oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter may have properties that are good for your skin. Some can work as antioxidants or anti-inflammatory agents to promote healing of damaged skin, moisturize, reduce scarring, or treat skin conditions like acne.

Some natural oils can be irritating, while others may make you more likely to burn in the sun. It is also possible to be allergic to certain natural oils. Be sure to discuss these products with your healthcare provider before use.

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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Steph Coelho
Steph Coelho is a freelance health and wellness writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience working on content related to health, wellness, mental health, chronic illness, fitness, sexual wellness, and health-related tech.She's written extensively about chronic conditions, telehealth, aging, CBD, and mental health. Her work has appeared in Insider, Healthline, WebMD, Greatist, Medical News Today, and more.