Why Face Oils Work: My Favorite Treatment for Softer, Glowing Skin

By: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist.

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Face oils have become one of my favorite ways to hydrate and nourish aging skin—especially when dryness or dullness shows up. I avoided oils in my 20s (who didn’t?), but once I learned how the right oils work, I never looked back.

This guide is all about how I use face oils to cleanse, moisturize, and care for my skin—including how I use them during my face and jowl massage routines.

In dry, cold weather, moisture loss can make the face look less firm—including areas like the jawline and lower face. That’s why I rely on face oils more this time of year.

If you’re wondering how to use face oil in your skincare routine, this is exactly how I apply it for glow without greasiness.

How to use face oils in your routine

If you’re deciding which oil to use, I break that down here → best face oils for glowing skin. 

Here’s exactly how I use face oils in my routine:

1. Hydrating Treatment

For hydration: I use 2-4 drops after serums, morning or night.

2. Makeup Removal

Oils melt waterproof makeup and help loosen clogged pores. I massage it over dry skin, then wipe everything off with a warm, damp cloth. You’ll be shocked how much grime it lifts off.

3. Facial Massage Base

I use richer oils for face massage—it helps tools glide better and improves circulation. My skin always looks plumper afterward.  I also apply face oil this way when I want extra lift around the jowl area — even on days I’m not doing jowl or face exercises.

Why use organic face oil

Natural plant-derived oils can soften and plump your skin—without clogging pores or making you greasy. They’re lightweight, deeply hydrating, and rich in nutrients that support aging skin.

Here’s what I love most:

• They double as a cleanser and moisturizer
• They calm dry, reactive, or flaky skin
• They’re perfect after face peels or dermaplaning

Just make sure you’re using high-quality oils that are cold-pressed, wildcrafted, or organic. (And skip anything meant for cooking or synthetic fragrances.)

Plus, they offer additional comfort after scrubs, chemical peels, dermaplaning or in instances where excessive use of retinols has led to dry and irritated skin.

What to look for in a good face oil

The right face oil shouldn’t feel heavy or greasy — it should sink in quickly, add hydration, and support your skin barrier.

Thankfully, face oils are nothing like the thick, pore-clogging formulas I grew up with. Today you can get clean, organic, wildcrafted blends that works on all skin types, especially mature skin.

Here’s what matters most:

Choose oils that are:

• Lightweight and fast-absorbing
• Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
• Cold-pressed to keep the nutrients intact
• Organic or wildcrafted
• Formulated specifically for the face

💬 “Facial oils are lipophilic, so they dive deeper into the skin to trap hydration.” — Dr. Clair Chang

If you want my clean-beauty picks — especially the glow-boosting oils that I feel works beautifully on my mature skin and for face massages — I list them here:
👉 Best Face Oils for Glowing Skin

Some people like adding essential oils for extra wrinkle support (like frankincense or rosehip), but they must be properly diluted.
👉 I break that down here: Essential Oils for Wrinkles

Final thoughts

If you’ve been hesitant to try oils, start small. Choose one that fits your skin needs and try it at night. It may take a little trial and error, but once you find the right one, it can seriously simplify your routine.

Face oils hydrate, cleanse, soothe, and nourish—all in one step. And for women 40+, that’s a win.

Let me know if you’ve found one you love!

Looking for Ayurvedic face oils?

Consider trying iYURA Kesaradi oil if you're interested in authentic Ayurveda oils that are clean and free of additives, chemicals, binders and never tested on animals. These pair especially well the Kansa Face Massage Wand.

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