I was going to start this post with a declaration of love for face oils but then I remembered my friend who uses coconut oil for 90% of her skincare, body, hair, and teeth cleansing routine and thought ehh maybe my feelings are more along the lines of strong like.

Regardless, I have dry skin, which means it naturally doesn’t produce very much oil, so oils are useful for me. I also find them to be extremely versatile and easily incorporated in many different ways, such as:

Applied directly to skin

Adding a few drops to thinner cleansing oils to facilitate / prolong a deep oil massage before rinsing

Applied under a sheet mask

Mixed with emulsions or creams

On especially cold and windy days, I will sometimes apply multiple layers of moisturizer with a thin application of oil between each layer, which helps my skin absorb the multiple, thicker layers

Dotted around the eyes in place of eye cream

Before we go any further, I feel like I should mention what I DON’T use oils to properly set expectations. Oils are not serums. Depending on source, they frequently contain bioactive compounds, but probably not in significant or consistent quantities. If you bought a bottle of rosehip oil thinking it’s an all-natural alternative to a properly formulated retinol product, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. Oils are not sunscreens. There are certain oils that will mitigate sun damage, but that is likely due to their antioxidant content, not because they’re filtering UV rays (so use an oil if you want but don’t neglect sunscreen). There are oil based products that contain active ingredients (Sunday Riley Luna, Holy Snails El Dorado, Samuel Jordan EtOILe, Goop Oil Sunscreen, the 2Sol oil discussed below) that obviously break this rule but in these cases, oil is the delivery system, not the agent, for those effects. Lastly, despite what the internet tells you, oils probably won’t cure your warts or tumors nor will they get rid of your stretch marks. If you suffer from any serious skin ailments, please consult a dermatologist and if you read any questionable claims online, look for citations to credible resources (i.e. Pubmed and Wisderm, NOT the EWG).

The oils discussed in this post are:

Kuramoto Bijin Komeyu 100% Cold Pressed Rice Bran Oil

Stratia Fortify

Herbivore Botanicals Lapis Oil Balancing Facial Oil

Acure Organics Marula Oil

Blossom Jeju Camellia Soombi Essence Oil

2Sol Turn Up Rejuvenation Retinol

Here’s a rundown of each:

Oil #1

Kuramoto Bijin Komeyu Rice Bran Oil // 蔵元美人 コメ油



Where does it fit in your routine?

Everywhere! It mixes well with moisturizers, it mixes well with toners, it works well applied directly to my skin, which I’ve been doing more and more especially when I think about all the beneficial compounds and antioxidants rice bran oil contains. I also will apply this before a sheet mask when my skin needs a boost in moisture.

Size and Price

I purchased these through Ana with a bunch of other Kuramoto Bijin items. This item is available on Rakuten for ¥1,080 ($9.31 USD), or Amazon US for $15.82.

Packaging

This comes in an amber glass bottle and the oil is dispensed through a small hole. There’s a deep blue label that goes around the bottle. My one gripe about this oil is that the bottle seems to leak. I can’t identify where or why the leak is happening but it does leave things around it oily if I’m not careful about storing it upright.

Fragrance

There’s not really a distinct fragrance. It smells like oil.

Color and texture

This oil is a light yellow color and is of medium-ish weight.

What’s in it?

100% cold pressed rice bran oil

Cosdna does not recognize rice bran oil as either an acne trigger or irritant.

Performance

This is my favorite oil of the bunch. My skin has a history of responding well to rice-based products and rice bran is no exception. Bran is the brown, outer, nutritious layer of rice. It is high in phytochemicals and formulations containing semi-purified rice bran extract has been shown to enhance hydration, lighten skin, improve skin thickness and elasticity. In addition, various phenyl compounds found in the roots of rice, trans-p-coumaric acid methyl ester and N-(trans-cinnamoyl)tryptamine, have been shown to have melanin inhibiting abilities and soaking skin in rice starch has been demonstrated to improve the healing capacity of damaged skin. Rice bran oil contains several bioactive compounds including ferulic acid, y-oryzanol, and phytic acid, which have potent antioxidant properties.

In addition to being emollient and doing typical oil things, this rice bran oil also seems to calm my skin. I have reactive/easily inflamed skin and when I use this at night, my skin looks noticeably calmer in the morning. No other oil I’ve used so far has had this effect.

Oil #2

Stratia Fortify



Where does it fit in your routine?

I use this mainly in two ways. I either add a few drops to a moisturizer to make it more emollient or I will mix with cleansing oil for when I want to do a prolonged first cleanse / face massage. This oil is thick but has good slip, making it great for massages IMO and mixing with oil cleanser makes it easy to rinse off when I’m done.

Size and Price

I purchased this from Stratia during its launch when it was 20% off. Each bottle contains 30ML and normally retails for $18.

Packaging

This comes in a tinted plastic dropper bottle. The top twists on really tightly, which prevents leaks, but sometimes is a little tricky to open when my hands are wet or lotiony.

Fragrance

This oil smells really funky. It’s a little nutty, a little fishy, and a little like mayonnaise. It’s not pleasant.

Color and texture

This is a golden olive color and has medium thickness. It’s a little thinner but similar to the feel of rosehip oil.

What’s in it?

Camellia japonica (Camellia) Seed Oil, Borago officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Perilla ocymoides (Perilla) Seed Oil, Squalane, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) Seed Oil, Calophyllum inophyllum (Tamanu) Oil, Vaccinium macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Tocopherol

Cosdna identifies squalane (1), jojoba oil (2), and tocopherol (2) as acne triggers and jojoba oil (0-2) and tocopherol (2) as potential irritants.

Performance

One of the things I love about Stratia is their products are formulated to achieve specific goals: The borage seed, perilla seed, and cranberry seed oils are included for their essential fatty acid (omega-3, omega-6) content. Camellia japonica and marula oil contain oleic acid (omega-9).Together these oils can increase overall skin health, potentially reduce signs of aging, and have other effects such as mitigating UV damage and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers.

I tend to like thicker oils over thinner ones (because dry skin), and this oil has pretty much the ideal thickness in a face oil IMO. Last winter rosehip oil was my go-to product when my skin was irritated and functionally, I think this is very similar to rosehip but a wee bit more nourishing. The only issue is scent – I like using this but would enjoy it a lot more if the scent was less noticeable.

Oil #3

Herbivore Lapis Oil Balancing Facial Oil

Where does it fit in your routine?

After cleansing but before sunscreen or makeup.

Size and Price

I purchased this from Lord & Taylor (which doesn’t seem to carry it anymore) during some sale. It’s also available on Nordstrom or Herbivore for $26. The rollerball contains 10ml (0.17oz) of product.

Packaging

This oil is in a rectangular, glass container and dispensed via rollerball. If nothing else, this oil has taught me that I HATE rollerballs. It’s ineffective (it takes FOREVER to get any product out) and seems extremely unsanitary.

Fragrance

This has a slightly sour, herbal scent. Amaranth has a sour taste but I’m not sure that would carry over if only the squalane is extracted from the amaranth, so my guess is the scent is from the blue tansy, jasmine absolute, and rose absolute although. Strangely, this doesn’t smell like jasmine or rose at all to me. The scent is not strong enough to bother me but it’s just kind of weird and not at all expected.

Color and texture

Blue in color, thanks to the inclusion of blue tansy oil. As an oil, this is fairly lightweight.

What’s in it?

Amaranthus Squalane Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Capric Triglycerides (Fractionated Coconut Oil), Aleurites Moluccana (Kukui) Nut Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Tanacetum annuum (Blue Tansy) Leaf Oil, Jasminum Sambac (Jasmine) Absolute, Rosa Damascena (Moroccan Rose) Absolute

Cosdna identifies squalane (1), jojoba oil (2), and tocopherol (2) as acne triggers and jojoba oil (0-2) and tocopherol (2) as potential irritants.

Performance

I had high hopes for this oil. It’s blue which reminds me of Sunday Riley’s Luna oil, which I’m fond of, and it’s main ingredients are squalane and jojoba oil, which I also like. Squalane is one of the most common lipids produced by human skin cells. It accounts for 13% of the composition of sebum and is an excellent moisturizer. This squalane in this oil is extracted from amaranth, which is good because it means it’s not extracted from shark liver. I’m not vegetarian and usually don’t mind animal ingredients, but I do mind when they come from animals in decline. Jojoba oil is an emollient oil that also has anti-inflammatory properties and is known for being similar to human sebum.

Unfortunately, on my skin Lapis didn’t stand out in any way nor did it produce any effects beyond basic emollience. I also cannot emphasize enough how much I HATE the rollerball packaging.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning this oil is advertised as having sebum-controlling properties. I think what they mean is this oil would be appropriate for oily skin, which I would agree given how light it is, BUT it’s not going to control sebum. Your pores don’t have a feedback mechanism which it would need in order for that to be possible.

Oil #4

Acure Organics Marula Oil



Where does it fit in your routine?

I add this to emulsions and creams but also works well sandwiched between earlier steps.

Size and Price

I purchased this from Whole Foods for around $16. It is also available on Amazon for $11 or Marula’s website for $15.99.

Packaging

This comes in a clear, plastic pump bottle. The pump is designed such that you can twist to lock or open. However, the twisting mechanism is extremely unreliable so if you’re planning to travel with this, I’d recommend taping it down.

Fragrance

Light, generic oil scent.

Color and texture

Thin and lightweight. Light yellow in color.

What’s in it?

100% Marula Oil, aka Sclerocarya birrea nut oil. Probably not cold pressed

Cosdna doesn’t seem to know what marula oil is, so no clue as to its purported comedogenesis or irritation.

Performance

Marula oil is super trendy right now and for good reason. It contains a host of beneficial fatty acids including oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and linolenic acid, antioxidants such as tocopherol, and sterols.

Unfortunately, for me, this oil was pretty much indistinguishable from argan oil, neither of which did anything special for my skin. Experientially, it’s lightweight and thin, which might be appealing for some, but I actually prefer something thicker.

Oil #5

Blossom Jeju Soombi Camellia Essence Oil



Where does it fit in your routine?

Applied to skin like a serum or mixed with moisturizer.

Size and Price

I purchased this as part of a group buy so I don’t remember exactly how much it cost. Maybe around $50? It’s also available on Glow Recipe for $70 (but on sale for $59 right now).

Get 15% off your first Glow Recipe order here.

Packaging

White, round-bottomed, glass bottle. Product is dispensed through dropper cap.

Fragrance

Smells like jasmine. I love jasmine. I love how this smells.

Color and texture

Clear in color. This is a thin and very fluid oil.

What’s in it?

Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Canola Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Quercetin, Astaxanthin, Fragrance

Cosdna recognizes olive oil (2), tocopherol (2), coconut oil (4), and soybean oil (3) as acne triggers and tocopherol (2) and coconut oil (1) as potential irritants.

Performance

When I add this to moisturizers, there is very little difference in how the moisturizer feels or behaves with this oil vs without. Functionally, I really don’t think this essence oil does anything at all. It does smell amazing though but is that worth $50 – $70? Probably not.

Oil #6

2Sol Turn Up Rejuvenation Retinol // 이솔턴업 리쥬브네이션 레티놀 마유 오일



Where does it fit in your routine?

I mostly use this around my eyes. My under eye area is super prone to milia and so I have a lot of trouble with eye creams, so instead I take a drop of oil and gently dot it around my eyes. It also works well added to moisturizers.

Size and Price

I purchased this from GMarket through a forwarding service (probably Koreanbuddy although TBH I can’t remember or find email confirmation).

Packaging

White, plastic airless pump bottle. I love airless pumps.

Fragrance

Generic oil scent.

Color and texture

Medium weight oil. Cloudy in appearance.

What’s in it?

Horse Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Tripropylene Glycol, Ergosterol, Quercetin, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Cosdna identifies no acne triggers and no potential irritants.

Performance

Regular readers of this blog will know I’m a fan of horse oil and so when I saw that this is a retinol (rare for Korean products) AND horse oil product, I literally built a haul just to get this.

It’s a very gentle retinol product – I experience no irritation, tenderness, or skin flaking of any sort from it. When I apply this around my eyes it definitely helps minimize the appearance of the few fine lines I have, but other oils like rice bran, camellia, or rosehip do that too. Long term, I haven’t noticed any permanent anti-wrinkling effects but retinol takes time to work.

The Takeaway / Roundup Summary

Komeyu – My favorite of the bunch. Medium weight, versatile, seems to calm redness in addition to providing emollients.

– My favorite of the bunch. Medium weight, versatile, seems to calm redness in addition to providing emollients. Fortify – The thickest of the oils (followed by 2Sol Rejuventation Oil and Kuramoto Bijin Komeyu. The Acure Marula Oil, Herbivore Lapis Oil, and Blossom Jeju Soombi Essence Oil are all very thin). Very nourishing, but smells funky.

– The thickest of the oils (followed by 2Sol Rejuventation Oil and Kuramoto Bijin Komeyu. The Acure Marula Oil, Herbivore Lapis Oil, and Blossom Jeju Soombi Essence Oil are all very thin). Very nourishing, but smells funky. Lapis – Hate the packaging. Oil is meh.

– Hate the packaging. Oil is meh. Soombi – Smells great, does nothing

– Smells great, does nothing Marula – Lightweight oil. Kind of meh but very usable.

– Lightweight oil. Kind of meh but very usable. 2Sol – Super emollient, works great under eyes, and has interesting ingredients. Effects of retinol have yet to be seen.

Hope this was helpful. I would also love to hear about any oils you guys have loved or hated!

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