How To Use Facial Oil for Oily Skin + Grapeseed oil review

Last Updated on July 21, 2020

By now you may have already read about the benefits of using oils as moisturizers. Oils are gaining the momentum in skincare with cleansing oils, facial oil blends etc.

At first, when I read such articles, I was like why should I add oil to my already oily face? Wouldn’t it just make it greasier? What if it leads more acne?

If these questions are on your mind too, I am here to help you girls out. For the past month or so, I have been using grapeseed oil in place of my regular moisturizer and enjoyed it truly.

In this post, I will share my experience using oil for oily skin, what type of oils to use, and how to use them in your skincare routine.

Why Use Oil for Oily Skin?

Contrary to popular belief, using an oil can actually benefit the oily skin. It helps unclog pores and prevent acne. The fatty acids moisturize your skin while antioxidants and vitamins heal and prevent further damage.  

Which Oils to Use for Oily Skin?

The key to choosing an oil for oily skin is the amount of two fatty acids in it- oleic and linoleic acid. Oily skin has low linoleic acid and higher oleic acid levels.

This is due to the excess natural oil our skin makes a.k.a sebum which is mostly oleic acid. Both of these fatty acids are essential to moisturize the skin but oleic acid is greasier and tends to clog pores.

Hence, adding linoleic acid to it can help maintain a balance between the too. So if you have oily skin prone to acne, you want to use an oil that has a higher concentration of linoleic acid and low in oleic acid.

I choose grapeseed oil since it was the cheapest and most easily available oil out of all. It contains about 70% linoleic acid and 15% oleic acid. Other oils with a high amount of linoleic acid are:

• Rosehip seed oil (great for acne scars too)
• Hemp seed oil
• Evening Primrose oil
• Safflower oil
• Soybean oil

Oils to Avoid(Rich in Oleic Acid):

Almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, macadamia nut oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, palm oil. (Don’t panic if your favourite moisturizer has listed one of these oils in ingredients. It is probably used in low concentration and hence won’t affect much.)

How to Use Oil in Your Skincare Routine?

The best way to use oil is applying 1-2 drops directly as a moisturizer. It will go after your toner or serum but before sunscreen. Just rub it between your fingertips and pat on evenly all over your skin. Let it sit for a minute before applying your sunscreen.

Oils rich in linoleic acid absorb faster and are lightweight to use. You can also add a few drops of essential oil like tea tree, rosemary etc. for treating specific skin issues.

My Experience Using Grapeseed Oil

I have used grapeseed oil in a couple of ways to see how it performs well for me.

• Standalone moisturizer

I started using 2 drops of grapeseed oil all over face and neck after cleansing and toning twice a day. For nighttime routine, I even use a third drop sometimes and it works well.

My skin stays oil-free for 2-3 hours just like it would with my regular moisturizer. It feels slightly greasier and has some visible shine compared to a regular mattifying moisturizer because it is an oil after all.

But it doesn’t feel so greasy that you can’t handle it. I have seen lesser whiteheads since I have started using grapeseed oil as a moisturizer.

• Along with a humectant.

You can also use oil along with a humectant if your skin is dehydrated(Yes, oily skin can be dehydrated too!). Apply a humectant(hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, etc.) and then seal the moisture with the oil.

I sometimes mix a drop of grapeseed oil with some aloe vera gel in my hand and apply it. It is easier to apply and gives a nice dewy look without any visible shine. It’s great this way if you don’t like the idea of using oil by itself. 

• As an Eye Cream

Grapeseed oil is lightweight yet moisturizing so you can use it around your eyes in place of an eye cream. It doesn’t look or feel greasy like almond oil which I use around my eyes at night.

It keeps the area well moisturized and I don’t have to buy a separate eye cream for daytime use. So Yay!

Where to Buy Carrier Oil in India?

There are lots of brands on Amazon and other e-commerce sites selling cold pressed oils. But they can be refined, diluted with cheaper oils or extracted using chemicals.

So its best to buy pure oils from well-trusted brands. I got mine from Blend It Raw Apothecary and they have really good-quality and reasonably priced products. You can also checkout Soulflower, Juicy Chemistry for the same.

Also Read: Where to Buy DIY Ingredients in India

Some Pointers on Using Oils:

• Always use cold-pressed, unrefined oils as they give the best results.
• Don’t use too much oil as it can clog your pores. 2-3 drops will suffice.
• Use it at end of your routine at night and just before sunscreen during the day as it can affect other products from absorbing properly.
• Don’t rub it in, instead pat it gently and give it some time to sink in.
• Avoid dipping your fingers into the oil bottle and store it away from sunlight.

The beauty companies have demonized oils for oily skin. But choose a proper oil for oily skin and it can help combat acne and clogged pores easily.

Are you still worried to put oil on your face? Let me know in the comments below how I can help you out.

* This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase using the link, I will earn a small amount (at no extra cost to you!) The amount helps me maintain website costs and bring more and better content to you.