Kris Carr

Wellness

Best oils for skin and hair (my top 7 picks!)

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Hello Beautiful,

When I was in highschool, my best friend had the most beautiful skin. Her secret? Oil. As in coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil…

She moisturized her face with these simple goodies, and got truly gorgeous results—yet I was always way too afraid to try it. Fast forward to many years later, when I noticed my skin losing a bit of its luster and lookin’ a little parched. I remembered my former BFF and her outrageously good complexion, and decided it was time I dabble in oils—now I’m a total convert.

I know, I know. Using oils on your skin and hair feels counterintuitive.

No one wants a greasy face or mane, which is exactly what you’d think would happen. But that’s not the case, cutie. They can restore your skin’s suppleness, and be wonderful cleansers, too! The right oil used properly will help swipe off dirt and makeup without drying out your face like soaps can.

Plus, the “oil cleansing method” leaves your skin soft and smooth thanks to its long-lasting moisturizing properties. And believe it or not, it also prevents breakouts! How? Oil binds to oil (remember “like dissolves like” from chemistry class?), so extra-oily gals can have no fear about applying more oil to the skin—it can actually help!

For many of us, winter is here and with it comes some dry flakey scales. With that in mind, here’s a list of my current favorite face, body and hair oils. I know they’ll give your cleansing and moisturizing practices a luscious boost. Give ‘em a try and let me know how it goes!

My Fave Face, Body & Hair Oils

derma e Skin, Hair and Nail Oil:

I consider this an “all-over” oil—a true multi-tasker. With an anti-aging blend of organic argan, jojoba and kukui oils, it’s great for moisturizing skin, wrangling fly-away hair and softening ragged cuticles. Bonus: It absorbs quickly and easily.

Beautycounter Lustro Face Oil 2 in Jasmine:

This oil is a staple for me because it contains a unique combination of lovely “nourishing botanicals,” and it’s from a brand I know, trust and adore. I’ve been a fan of Beautycounter’s products—especially their makeup—for quite some time. (The Petal lip shine is a must!) And with their super cool and classy packaging, I love giving these beauty goodies as gifts.

Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum:

You only need a tiny bit of this hair helper to get a hold of your frizz and pull your look together in seconds. Rub a drop or two of this serum through your strands for a silky, glossy ‘do.

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil:

Another winner from Josie Maran, this oil deep-cleans while replenishing thirsty skin. Say buh-bye to drying, abrasive soaps and scrubs, and give this gentle, hydrating oil cleanser a whirl.

S.W. Basics Lemongrass Body Oil:

This is the perfect oil to slather on post-bath or shower. The lemongrass scent is divine, and the sesame, macadamia and avocado oils (all organic) lock in moisture that lasts. Nothing could be better after a warm epsom salt soak!

S.W. Basics Makeup Remover:

Yup, oils can replace your regular makeup remover, too—and this blend is top notch. There are only three simple ingredients in this all-organic product—sweet almond oil, extra virgin olive oil and jojoba oil—and it’s perfect for sweeping off the glamour while also hydrating your skin. (Fun fact: Jojoba is pronounced ho-ho-buh. Sing it!)

Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil:

I received this ultra-luxurious oil as a gift, and while it’s pricier than anything I’d buy for myself, it’s a wonderful, hydrating treat. The fancy-pants ingredients include alfalfa and arnica extracts, apricot kernel oil, geranium and grapefruit, and this blend goes beyond moisturizing—it “helps promote healthy microcirculation, improve oxygenation, and reduce inflammation.” Whoa. If you’re looking to splurge, I highly recommend this deluxe body oil. Plus, it smells like angels.

Annmarie Gianni Anti-Aging Facial Oil:

I saved the best for last! As you may know, I’m a huge fan of this entire line. This particular oil is my favorite. It, too, smells like angels. I like to think of it as love in a bottle. Smooth this one on for refreshed, glowy skin.

Mow I’d love to hear from you: Do you use oils for your face, body or hair? Or, which oil is your fave?

Peace & supple smoothness,

Add a comment
  1. Hi,

    I am using Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil, though it’s my first time and was amazed how this product takes effect on my skin. I agree that it smells like angel :).

  2. Okah Seraphine says:

    The oils are good but how can I get it in Cameroon as a student living in Buea one of the cities in Cameroon?

  3. vivian mercy says:

    All seems to work out

  4. Susan says:

    I make and use (and sell – I’d love to send you a sample!) a coconut & avocado oil based body scrub. It is divine! I use coconut oil on my face too. Wonderful!

  5. Mojca says:

    Great post Kris! More people should know about how great oils are on the skin.
    I used body oils for a long time, but I used to be afraid of adding oil to my face as I’ve always had a more oily skin. But now that I’ve reached my thirties, I noticed I can get away with it and it actually works wonders! My skin is so much softer and glowing since using the oils. I adore Annmarie Gianni line (heard about them through you!), their oils are really fantastic. I love the one you recommend for normal skin, but the one for sensitive skin (no fragrance) is wonderful too. I love experimenting with my own essential oil blends so I like to have a bland product that I can spruce up according to my mood 😉
    As a cleansing oil, I use a wonderful hand-blended oil with Asian liquorice from Morning Calm (based in Florida – http://www.dearmorningcalm.com). Hwasoon that makes that whole line (also soap bars, lip tints, toners etc) is an amazing soul and her products are so beautiful, and efficient.

  6. Aoife says:

    It is so good to see someone promoting the use of oil for everything! I have been using oils to cleanse, moisturise and deep treat my hair and skin for years. I currently use coconut oil for all over body beauty and the a beautiful facial cleanser and facial moisturiser from UK based company Vedani Botanicals. They use the most beautiful organic oils and Mercedes who owns it is so passionate about it. She’s really helped me and my skin as I can’t use anything with essential oils so she makes me bespoke oils! Love her so much for that.

  7. Alyson says:

    Kris I loved this post! I’ve been using coconut oil to take off my eye makeup for years and put it on the ends of my hair an hour or two before I shower to help with my dry locks I refuse to cut off, hahaha. I’ve been wanting to try oil cleansing but for someone with acne prone skin I’m super nervous about it, but with this new info I think I’ll give it a go. Thank you!

  8. Linda-Rae says:

    If you could give us some hints on where to purchase these oils – that would be very helpful!

  9. Rebecca says:

    Wonderful info! Do you know anything about Indigo Wild? They advertise as organic and have a skin care line called Zum Face, as well as body products with goat’s milk. Love the scents they offer, but would like feedback first. Thank you!

  10. Marie says:

    Great article, Kris! I have found that most oils clog the pores on my face, but unrefined hemp oil and also argan oil work so well for me. Hemp oil absorbs nicely and I use it every day. Love it!

  11. shikha says:

    I truely believe in oil therapy. I have been using almond oil from last few months on my hair and face. It surely work wonders. Due to these usage, i hardly need to put moisturizer on my face. Badam rogan pur almond oil is the product name. Its easily available in asian grocery shops.

  12. Love oil! I give myself a little facial massage every night and it makes me feel so good. Facial massage helps us to produce serotonin 🙂 xx

  13. Ursula @ blueridgebeautyblogger says:

    I love Coconut oil the best but I love argan, olive oil, jojoba oil, and morocco oil ! I have dry skin and hair but I don’t want petro based products! Came along way from Vaseline! 🙂

    Ursula

    http://www.blueridgebeautyblogger.com

  14. Magdalene says:

    Dear Kris, I always love hearing from you , you are such a joy and inspiration ! About oils I use pure coconut oil for my face for both cleansing and moisterizing . For a day cream I mix a couple of drops of young living essential rose oil into a jar of coconut oil for a wonderful fragrance that lifts my spirit . I also run my hands through my hair for a bit of shine with very little coconut oil. It does wonders for my dry naturally curly hair !
    I am 78 and look pretty good even without makeup .
    Holiday blessings and lots of love to you !

  15. Iveta says:

    Hi, thanks for the article.

    I am about to make my “water free” moisturizer (’cause we shouldn’t be applying water-based moisturizers to our skin during the winter time) and I am just waiting for my unrefined shea butter, apricot kernel and hemp oil to come. Can’t wait!

  16. Britt says:

    This is AMAZING! I love these, thank you for the article!

  17. Love this! YES! We all need to get the word out on natural skincare and take responsibility for what we put on our skin. I began formulating with oils + butters because each of my children had a skin ailment. Natural plant oils nourished, healed and protected their skin…… we never looked back at OTC cremes or lotions again. Nice shout out for oils Kris!

  18. Marilyn says:

    I use a blend of castor oil and Olive oil to cleanse my face, it has never looked better. I also use a blend of
    oils to moisturize in a.m. and p.m.

  19. Eve says:

    Hi kris, I converted to oils and homemade creams years ago and never looked back since. Just one comment about coconut oil, while its great for moisturizing the body, it’s a comedogenic (tends to cause blackheads by blocking the pores of the skin) for the face so I would not use it there. My favourite is camellia seed oil, tamanu, argan and boabab oil. I’ve created a blog where I share homemade beauty recipes http://www.organic-beauty-recipes.com – I’d love it if you could share a recipe and spread the word about DIY beauty care! Namaste, eve

  20. Tammy B says:

    Thank you for such wonderful insight n advise on the proper use of beneficial oils! I’m a yr away from 50 so anything I can do to keep my skin healthy n vibrant is greatly appreciated. It is comforting to have a reliable source with such a pleasing personality! Bless you!

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