5 Face Oils for Acne Prone Skin

It used to be that anyone with acne steered away from any products that contained oils, which were seen as greasy pore clogging agents. The majority of oils on the skincare market today can indeed be bad for skin because manufacturers rely on mineral oil for two main reasons: more economic and good performance. The mineral oil is a synthetic that is not costly to obtain and it does a good job of preventing moisture loss by coating the skin. The drawback is that the skin essentially is saran wrapped. In various studies, it's shown that these mineral oils can contribute to clogging pores and suffocating skin over long term use. This leads to systematic issues such as cancer, thyroid/lymphatic issues, chronic skin issues, etc. as the epidermal waste and filtration system cannot do its job.

A lot of green companies are changing the perception of oils by introducing plant based oils that provide the high performance hydration benefits yet also provide skin with health benefits. Plant oils are exceptionally high in nutritional value, when Hilary Swank trained to become a boxer in Million Dollar Baby, Flax Seed Oil was the main component of her dietary supplement. Plant oils have different viscosity (thickness) and benefits so I've compiled a few blends that I think are especially beneficial for those who have acne prone skin.

de Mamiel Summer Facial Oil ($100 for 25ml/0.84oz): What makes this blend unique is that the oils are crafted by seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall). So it goes without saying that this oil is especially suitable for summer by focusing on preventing sun damage, anti-inflammation (wonderful for acne), and essential fatty acids. Here are a few of the ingredients:

May Chang: A calming anti-inflammatory that also revitalizes circulation. Great to flush out blemish causing impurities and sooth skin.

Rosemary: A regenerative essential oil that helps to balance skin. Rosemary is abundant in antioxidant power that can repair and heal skin.

Lemon: Wonderful for cutting through and dissolving surface impurities on oily skin. May cause photo-sensitivity so remember to apply a sunscreen.

Vered Theraputic Balancing Face Oil ($68 for 45ml/1.5oz): A handcrafted facial oil with herb-infused blends that balance sebum production, also containing anti-inflammatories and anti-bacterial ingredients to tone down and prevent blemishes. A few of the star ingredients include:

Chickweed: An anti-viral herb that has both a cooling and drying effect which makes it suitable for acne.

Speedwell: An anti-inflammatory that is also rich in antioxidants (due to high tannin concentration).

Lemon Thyme: An anti-septic that is also used as a natural disinfectant, this helps kill acne causing bacteria. Think of this almost as a natural alternative to Benzoyl Peroxide.

In Fiore Pur Face Oil ($65 for 30ml/1oz): The complexion treatment from In Fiore features a simple roster of just 5 oils: Grapeseed Oil, Rose Hip Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Sweet Orange Peel Oil, and Neroli Oil. These 5 team up to regulate and balance sebum oily and acneic skin.

Evening Primrose: Acts as a regulator to balance skin tissues while aiding in regeneration. Will absolutely satiate lackluster skin tissue.

Grapeseed Oil: Antioxidant rich with anti-inflammatory benefits to heal skin that needs to recover from breakouts. Grapeseed oil is known to provide a wonderful base for acne prone skin as it is light and quick sinking.

Sweet Orange Peel Oil: An astringent with toning properties that eases and conditions acneic skin. This oil breaks down excess oil and overproduction of sebum as it strengthens tissue.

May Lindstrom The Youth Dew ($120 for 20ml/0.68oz): Though the Youth Dew might seem like it belongs on an anti-aging face oils list, I think this is an oil suitable for those who have acne prone skin that veers on the dry side (after all, not everyone who gets blemishes has oily skin). 

Tamanu Oil: A very healing oil with a cool green color. It's a star acne fighter due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant properties. 

Borage Seed Oil: Found to be extremely rich in Essential Fatty Acids which in turn help keep skin healthy. A deficiency in EFA's can lead to imbalances which cause acne.

Grapefruit Oil: An antiseptic astringent that helps to tone skin and relieve blemishes. Grapefruit also has aromatherapy benefits which uplift mood and calm the wearer, thus creating a balance for acne sufferers.

YÜLI M.E. Skin Fuel ($92 for 30ml/1oz): Described as a nutrient cocktail especially beneficial for blemish prone skin, this blend truly lives up to it's name as it contains all the major essential nutrients to fuel healthy skin incorporating the best superstar ingredients to optimize complexion:

Black Cumin Oil: Described by Dr.Gary Null as "the most important oil to put in your system", this oil is incredibly healing and stimulates the immune system to self correct. It is another star ingredient that meets the trifecta criteria of being an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral. 

Indian Fig Seed Oil: Another superstar ingredient known by many names including Barberry Fig Seed, Prickly Pear Seed, Cactus Pear, its profile is spectacular: super antioxidant concentration, amazing anti-inflammation action, and remarkable healing powers that even fade acne scars.

Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil: Hailed by holistic practitioners including Dr.Oz as an acne remedy, this oil balances skin, regulates hormones and stress that can cause breakouts, sooth inflammation, and heal scars. 

Although all of these oils have wonderful ingredients, it is important to pick one with the right texture for your skin type. For those who have drier and more mature skin, May Lindstrom's base on avocado and meadowfoam seed will provide that extra bit of moisture for you. For those who worry about oily complexions and grease slicks by mid-day, look into the Vered or YÜLI blends which are the lightest and fastest absorbing of the group. Sensitive skins should look for formulas that contain less essential oils as that can cause potential irritation but many of these essential oils also have acne fighting properties, so it might be a trade off. With the right information, those with acne prone skin can enjoy facial oils which tend to be much more pure and concentrated in nutrients than the typical moisturizing cream. Have fun experimenting!