The 13 best face oils of 2025, tried and tested by 240 people

Score: 90/100

If you’re looking to soften a furrowed brow or smooth out fine lines, you’ll be pleased to hear our winning facial oil does more than simply hydrate the skin – hence its impressive score. It claims to reduce wrinkles, improve the suppleness of the skin, replenish the skin barrier and boost healthy radiance. And – thanks to the combination of omega-rich seed oils, vitamin F blend and skin-supporting lipids – it delivered, and then some.

Testers told us their skin felt firmer, bouncier and way more hydrated after use. “I noticed a huge difference in my skin after a couple of days, which shocked me,” said one. “My skin was visibly hydrated and my fine lines almost invisible.” Another noticed similar results, telling us: “It did a great job of improving my valley of fine lines and wrinkles and I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my skin elasticity.”

It’s lightweight and “lovely to apply”, also helping to tackle pigmentation for some panellists. Every single person who tried it said they were happy with the product and planned to continue using it after the trial. It’s quite the investment, but by the sound of the feedback, it's worth it.

Score: 89/100

Eve Lom promises “lingering skin softness” after using this luxurious oil, and our testers praised its high-end, lightweight feel. Every single person said their skin looked brighter, more radiant, and felt immediately moisturised after use, with hydration lasting all night and day. They found it wasn’t too greasy or heavy either and glided easily onto skin without sitting on the surface.

It may be a little pricey, but skin was left plump, smooth and glowing. The scent was a little divisive – someone described it as “bearable”, while others said they didn’t notice a strong scent.

Score: 86/100

Lavender fields, famous painters and lovely wines – Provence is known for many great things. One of them – perhaps our favourite – is that it’s where heritage French skincare brand L’Occitane was born and still grows many of its skin-nourishing ingredients.

This face oil – also made in France – is said to reduce visible signs of ageing by boosting firmness and radiance. Putting such an iconic brand to the test at the Good Housekeeping Institute is always interesting, but this classic clearly stands the test of time. Testers told us their skin was far more firm and supple after the trial period, with almost every single tester agreeing their skin looked smoother after rotating this into their routine.

“It wasn’t sticky, was easy to apply, absorbed quickly and smelt great,” said one tester. “It’s light and doesn’t clog up my pores like other face oils – I absolutely love it.” Chic and effective, bravo L’Occitane.

Score: 85/100

The skin barrier is an essential part of keeping complexions clear and healthy. The modern world, however, is out to get it, with pollution and over-active skincare products all working to damage our barrier. Enter: The Hydrabarrier Oil from Ole Henriksen.

Designed to boost and support the skin's protective barrier, this blend of Scandinavian berry oils, peptides and vitamin E helps to prevent trans-epidermal water loss. The result is soft, supple, healthier skin. On top of this, it's non-comedogenic, which means pores are less likely to be blocked and it can be used on any skin type.

Packed with fortifying peptides, the brand claims the product “strengthens your moisture barrier by 19% in just one day”. So, did it deliver? If softer, strengthened skin is what you’re after, it seems it did. “It felt very soothing on my skin and made it feel softer and plumper to the touch,” said one tester. Another told us: “I found this oil layered up nicely with my day and night creams without being overly greasy, which was great.”

Some found the product too rich to use as recommended twice a day, and a couple noticed breakouts at first, so more targeted application to areas that most need it may work better for some.

Score: 85/100

Do your ears prick up at talk of dry or dehydrated skin solutions? This could be the face oil for you. Specifically formulated for those with combination and dry skin, this oil combines 100% pure plant extracts and essential oils to keep your complexion balanced. Rosemary, geranium and lotus extracts work to purify the skin while hazelnut oil takes charge of softening and smoothing, leaving a satin-like finish.

“This is a luxurious oil that’s – somehow – not at all greasy,” said one tester. “It made my skin soft and really helped with dry patches.” It absorbed speedily and layered well, with almost everyone saying their skin felt instantly hydrated and it stayed that way all night and day. It’s also formulated with aromatherapeutic benefits in mind, so if you like a spa-like skincare moment, this is a good choice.

Score: 83/100

Soho House is known as much for its spas and treatments as it is for its rooftop pools and vibrant social scene. We know the brand has spicy margaritas nailed, but can its skin formulations impress in the same way?

Well, this face oil got the most mentions for “nourished-feeling skin” after use. Our testers couldn’t get enough of it. “I love how luxurious this oil is!” said one. “It’s like something you get in a spa with its delicious scent.”

Another added: “My foundation stayed in place all day after using this oil, and I noticed some fine lines and wrinkles began to blur and fade,” while one panellist said it let their skin looking “fresh, youthful and healthy.”

Score: 80/100

Said by the brand to be “like rehab for your skin”, we were interested to see if this omega-rich marula oil could restore faces to their natural (pre-pollution) radiance. Our panellists were definitely converts. No one experienced any irritation during the trial period, and testers loved how lightweight, non-greasy and fast absorbing it is.

Those with dry skin were impressed with how long the moisturising effects lasted for, and many said they didn’t need to use a moisturiser as well. The lack of fragrance means it’s a good choice for those with any sensitivity, and panellists praised the pipette packaging (try saying that in a hurry) for dispensing just the right amount. There were some grumbles about the lack of scent, but you can’t please them all.

Score: 80/100

This is made from 100% organic cold pressed rose hip seed oil, which, in skincare circles, is said to address the signs of premature ageing by supporting skin elasticity and brightening dull areas. In contrast with many of The Ordinary’s science-sounding combi-formulations, this is no-fuss simplicity, bottled. It’s made from just one mighty, organically farmed ingredient. Impressive, right?

Almost everyone agreed that their skin felt moisturised immediately after use, and testers were pleased with the product overall after the four-week trial, noticing improvements to the appearance and feel of their skin.

A few testers found this one a bit too thick. The brand also flags that the product “imparts a natural scent, partly due to its high omega fatty acid content”, which, it says, “is not an indication of rancidity”. Our testers did pick up on this, with one telling us: “It smelt like cooking oil”, but others liked that “it wasn’t highly perfumed”.

Score: 80/100

The noni fruit is known for its antioxidant properties, helping to protect against the ageing impact of harsh external aggressors and environmental pollutants. So, when we heard of this formulation from KORA, a brand making waves in the organic beauty space – particularly with its best-selling bakuchiol retinol alternative – we knew we had to get it tested in our lab.

Although we can’t properly test the potency of anti-pollutant ingredients per se, we can assess products based on their impact on the skin’s typical signs of damage. And this smart formulation provided “touchable softness” and a “glow effect” for our panel.

Some found the small bottle “a little fiddly” and the pipette tricky to use due to its size, but our testers were pleased with how smooth and firm their skin looked and felt after using it for the trial period. “It was just so lovely on my skin – it gave an overall smooth appearance and helped with my dry patches,” said one. Everyone found it absorbed quickly and didn’t feel greasy, either. Power to organic ingredients.

Score: 79/100

BYOMA does a brilliant job of making its bottles cute enough to showcase on your bathroom shelf, while packing them full of creams and oils that bolster your skin with much-needed nourishment and protection. This purple pot is full of lipids to help support skin barrier function, along with hydrating squalane and nine different antioxidant rich oils – jojoba, rosehip, sunflower and sea buckthorn, to name a few.

“It has been brilliant,” said one panel member. “My skin has been so dry for quite a few years now after going through the menopause. Now it’s plumper and the texture feels great.” Another added: “I have extremely sensitive skin and this oil has calmed my irritated complexion down, almost overnight.” We can’t say it’s definitely best for all menopausal skin as everyone is affected differently, but those on our panel who have experienced symptoms gave us glowing feedback about the oil’s performance.

Score: 77/100

This brand puts natural, organic, skin-nourishing ingredients front and centre of its clever formulations, and this omega-rich oil is no exception. Bright orange in colour, the ‘elixir’ in its name feels apt, as it delivers a glow-y hue on application.

Testers told us it left their skin looking “dewy”. “It gave my skin a healthy tanned tint, which was great after a year of no holidays,” said one. It doesn't technically have any tanning agents in it, but the orange colour leaves a bronze effect in its wake. However, not everyone was a fan, with one saying it left a mark on their pillowcase, “although the packaging did tell me to let it sink in before bed.”

The tropical fragrance was a real hit with some. “It smelt like holidays,” said one, and most found it sank in easily, was easy to use and lasted a long time.

Score: 70/100

This oil sank into skin quickly. Our testers waxed lyrical about its lightweight, luxurious texture, which “felt nice on skin”, “wasn’t greasy” and “absorbed quickly”. It left people’s skin feeling super smooth and looking more hydrated. Everyone found it easy to use and liked the pipette packaging, too.

As with most Pai products, the bottle is chic, the price point is reasonable, and the formulation has been developed here in the UK. Much like the Tropic Elixir, some found the orange colour left clothes and sheets stained. To avoid this, allow the product time to sink in before bed.

Score: 70/100

“Farm-to-face skincare” is the mantra of this beauty brand, which works with local farms around the world to find innovative, pioneering ingredients that deliver unparalleled results. Its Honey Grail Oil scored well for boosting skin radiance, and the honey scent was a hit with testers.

It’s also multifunctional – it’s designed for use on face, body and hair – which proved popular. “I used it to do a facial massage with my Gua Sha, then used it on the tips of my hair and massaged any excess into my cuticles,” said one tester. How’s that for a multitasking beauty product?