5 Natural Oils For Brighter, More Supple Skin — Research & Beauty Editor Backed

For those who are serious about wanting supple, glowing skin—it’s time to invest in a good oil. Oils are so spectacular for the skin for a few reasons: First, many types can act as emollients, which means they soften and repair the skin with things like fatty acids, ceramides, and other lipids. But they also have occlusive properties, so they sit on the skin, creating a barrier—keeping hydration underneath and helping shield the skin from environmental stressors.

Finally, many botanical oils come loaded with antioxidant powers, which will help ease oxidative stress, protect against dark spots, and smooth texture.

Most options on the market utilize base oils of some kind (especially if the formula uses essential oils). Base oils are vital to the formula, providing an appealing texture, stability, and often a few skin care benefits themselves. But not all carrier oils are created equal.

One of my personal favorites right now is a safflower seed oil. The lightweight, illuminating oil is extraordinarily high in essential fatty acids, specifically omega-6 fatty acids1 (it constitutes about 70% of the oil makeup). Research shows that omega-6 fatty acids are the most abundant fatty acid in the epidermis (top layer of the skin) and therefore play an integral role in the skin barrier function.2

This classic skin care ingredient is a lipid-soluble antioxidant (which just means it is an antioxidant that functions in oils, rather than water.) In fact, it’s the most prevalent fat-soluble vitamin in the skin3—making it essential for maintaining skin health.

It’s particularly useful for those with mature skin. Vitamin E has powerful anti-inflammatory properties4 on the skin and can neutralize free radical damage.

This fatty acid and antioxidant rich plant oil is one of my favorite options to look for. Moringa seed oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, with 70% of that being oleic acid. This specific combination makes it excellent for barrier support, improving water retention, and even easing fine lines. 

This oil has become quite popular over the years, as plant-derived options have become more abundant. Squalene (it’s nonhydrogenated cousin) is naturally produced by the body and actually found in your skin’s sebum! Here, it plays a critical role in keeping skin conditioned and protected. However, squalene production naturally decreases with time.

An absolute star oil for sensitive skin folks, oat oil is the lipid component from the oat plant. (Its more well-known relative, colloidal oatmeal, is derived from the same plant and is actually an FDA-approved skin protectant!)   

The oil is full of fatty acids, like omega-6, which we discussed earlier, but what makes it special is its potential role in ceramide production. Research shows that oat oil has been known to boost ceramide levels in the skin7, which help to keep skin cells together. Ceramides are lipids found in the outermost layers of the skin—and fundamental to its barrier function.