The organic body oil your skin actually needs depends on your skin type and most people are using the wrong one.

Are you searching for the best organic body oils for glowing, radiant skin? If you haven’t tried natural oils yet, you might be missing out on a skincare game-changer. Like many, I was initially skeptical about applying oil to my skin, but once I gave it a try, the results were transformative. My combination skin became less oily and more hydrated, and I believe you can experience similar benefits by incorporating organic body oils into your routine.

Before diving into the best organic body oils, it’s important to have a solid body skincare routine in place. For tips, check out “The Best Body Skincare Routine for Glowing Skin.“

Why Choose Organic Body Oils?

Organic body oils can be an excellent alternative to traditional moisturizers. Their benefits include preventing dryness, regulating sebum production, evening out skin tone, and providing antioxidant protection. With so many options available, how do you choose the best one for your skin type? This guide will help you navigate the choices to find the perfect organic oil for your skin.

Understanding Your Skin’s Natural Oils

Before selecting an oil, it’s crucial to understand the natural oils in your skin and how they function.

Types of Oils on the Skin Barrier

1. Sebum – Sebum is the oil primarily responsible for greasiness and shininess. It’s composed of triglycerides, squalene, wax esters, free fatty acids (such as Oleic and Linoleic acids), and a bit of cholesterol. Sebum helps to seal in moisture and lubricates the skin. A deficiency in Linoleic acid can make sebum thick and greasy, leading to clogged pores and acne.

2. Epidermal lipid – These lipids form the skin’s barrier, protecting against environmental toxins. They include ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. A disrupted skin barrier can result in damaged skin, so replenishing these lipids with natural oils is essential for maintaining overall skin health.

Choosing the Right Organic Oil for Your Skin Type

When selecting an organic oil, it’s important to consider its fatty acid profile. Oils high in Linoleic acid are lightweight, fast-absorbing, and non-greasy, making them ideal for acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin types. In contrast, oils high in Oleic acid are richer and more moisturizing, perfect for dry and mature skin.

Linoleic acids are usually lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-greasy while Oleic acid is greasy and thick. One of the pathogenesis of acne is that people with acne generally have lower Linoleic acid levels in their sebum. So replacing Linoleic acid for people with acne with facial oils will help to address acne. However, higher levels of Oleic acid are more nourishing and moisturizing which is best for people with dry or mature skin type

In other words, high Linoleic acid oils are appropriate for acne-prone, oily and sensitive skin types while high Oleic acid oils are appropriate for dry and mature skin types. Combination skin types should look for equal amounts of Linoleic and Oleic acid oils.

Best Organic Body Oils For Dry And Mature Skin Type

Maple Holistics – Sunflower Seed Oil

Sunflower seed oil is not only great for cooking but also offers significant benefits for the skin. It’s high in Linoleic acid, yet it provides excellent hydration. A research compared the use of Sunflower seed oil with Olive Oil and found that Sunflower seed Oil improves skin hydration for adults with dry skin. Although sunflower seed oil contains a high amount of Linoleic acid, it was still highly hydrating when applied to adults after 4 weeks of treatment.

Maple Holistics Sunflower Oil contains vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, which help combat free radicals and reverse signs of aging

Moroccan – Argan Oil

Argan oil was traditionally used in cooking and treating skin infections. Various research has shown the beneficial effect of Argan oil on the skin. For example, the daily application of Argan oil has been shown to improve skin elasticity and skin hydration by restoring the skin barrier function and maintaining the water-holding capacity of the skin lipids. Argan Oil contains a slightly higher amount of Oleic acid than Linoleic acid. This means a combination skin type can use it as well

Acure – Marula Oil

Marula Oil is one of the many plant ingredients that has gained popularity in the cosmetic world. You would find this in lotions, lipsticks and mostly foundations. It is very popular in most African countries where it is traditionally massaged on the skin to provide hydration and moisturization. The major fatty acid in Marula Oil is Oleic acid making it hydrating and maintaining water content in the skin. Marula Oil is generally considered safe and does not irritate the skin.

Acure Marula Oil is light, fragrance-free, and comes in a non-transparent bottle to protect it from oxidation.

Poppy Austin – Sea Buckthorn Oil

Sea Buckthorn Oil has a potent orange hue due to the high concentration of beta-carotene. It is known to contain more vitamin C than orange fruits. Vitamin C as you know is really good at promoting collagen production which plumps and firms the skin. Another amazing thing about this oil is that it is known to reduce sun spots, and hyperpigmentation and soothe irritation. It contains Vitamins A, B, C, and E making it a great antioxidant.

Poppy Austin’s sea buckthorn oil is high in fatty acids and it can be applied to the face and neck areas

Best Organic Body Oils for Acne/Oily And Sensitive Skin Type

Bella Terra – Hemp Seed oil

Hemp Seed Oil contains a high amount of polyunsaturated fat such as Lineloic and gamma Linoleic acid. Since the sebum of acne-prone skin is deficient in Linoleic acid, it is beneficial to replace Linoleic acid to regulate sebum production. In addition, Linoleic acid contains anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties to help improve acne scars.

This product can be applied to the skin and hair to improve the skin barrier. It comes with a scent so you might need to add it to your moisturizer or use it like that.

The Ordinary – Rose Hip Oil

I cannot forget not to talk about Rosehip Oil because it is great for acne and mature skin type. It is one of the best sources of Retinoic acid or Tretinoin. Retinoic Acid helps with skin cell renewal to reverse signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, sunspots and treat Acne. Although Rosehip oil contains retinoic acid, it is never going to replace the prescription cream Tretinoin. However, if you would like Retinoic acid in plant form, then Rosehip Oil is your go-to. It also contains a high amount of Linoleic acid.

The Ordinary Rosehip Oil is 100% unrefined Rosehip Oil with a bit of scent due to its high fatty acid content

Now Solutions – Grape Seed Oil

Grapeseed oil contains a high amount of free fatty acids and vitamins that regulate sebum production in acne skin types. It also contains Resveratrol which repairs acne scars and helps soothe the skin. Resveratrol is also anti-inflammatory and has anti-microbial properties against pathogens. Grapeseed oil is also rich in Vitamin E, linoleic acid and phenolic compounds which provide the anti-oxidant effect.

Shea Terra – Evening Primrose

Evening primrose has an extremely high amount of Linoleic acid (70-74%) and it contributes to improving acne. This prevents skin damage and it locks in moisture while at the same time, improving skin elasticity and softness. Due to the high amount of Linoleic acid, acne patients treated with isotretinoin benefit from its moisturizing effect. In other words, supplementation of evening primrose oil improves moisture balance weakened by isotretinoin.

Best Organic Body Oil For Combination Skin Type

ArtNaturals – Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is a very unique oil as it is far different from other seed oil types as it does not contain glycerine. It is not fat but a liquid wax. Unlike other oils, Jojoba contains 50% wax esters making it close to the human sebum. It is good for all skin types. Reports have shown that it works well for rosacea, psoriasis, and acne skin types. Jojoba oil not only increases skin hydration but also protects the skin barrier.

Pur360 – Tamanu Oil

Tamanu oil acid profile contains an equal amount of Oleic and Linoleic acid making it a perfect candidate for combination skin type. Tamanu Oil also has antioxidants and antimicrobial effects that help fight against UV radiation and pathogens respectively. It is also good to repair brown spots in case of hyperpigmentation.

The Ordinary – Squalane Oil

Squalane is naturally present in the sebum and it is part of the oil that naturally protects us from toxins. Squalane oil acts as an emollient, when applied to the skin, it gets absorbed easily leaving no oily residue. It is great at softening the skin and improving skin elasticity. But the thing about this oil is that it is comedogenic which might clog your pores, so ensure you apply as little as possible or add a bit to your moisturizer.

Conclusion

Organic body oils offer a multitude of benefits, from deep hydration to antioxidant protection. By understanding your skin’s natural oil profile, you can select the best body oil for your specific needs. Always perform a patch test before fully incorporating a new oil into your skincare routine to ensure it’s a good fit for your skin.

Remember, natural oils often come with an earthy scent due to their cold-pressed and unrefined nature. This is a sign of their purity and effectiveness in nurturing your skin.

I hope this guide has helped you find the perfect organic body oil for glowing, radiant skin. Let me know in the comments which one you’re excited to try!

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