Best Facial Oils for Winter: 13 Nourishing Picks for Dry, Cold Weather Skin
Winter can wreak havoc on your skin—tightness, flaking, and irritation are all too common. Winter skin often needs more than just moisturizer—sometimes you need to rethink your whole routine. That’s where the best facial oils for winter come in. These deeply hydrating, barrier-repairing formulas don’t just soften dry patches—they lock in moisture, restore radiance, and protect your skin from brutal winter winds and indoor heat.
Whether you’re battling extreme dryness or just want that lit-from-within glow despite the cold, these luxurious oils will transform your skin.
Below, you’ll find award-winning favorites, clean beauty essentials, and dermatologist-approved options for every budget and skin type. I’ve either tried these oils personally or they are highly rated.
🏆 Best Facial Oils for Winter (Top Picks)
- Best Overall: True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil
- Best Splurge: La Mer The Renewal Oil
- Best Budget: Buffer Jelly Facial Oil-Gel
- Best for Mature Skin: Dr. Alkaitis Organic Nourishing Treatment Oil
- Best for Oily Skin: Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil
- Best Clean Beauty Pick: MARA Algae + Moringa Face Oil
- Best Drugstore Alternative: Dr. Jart Ceramidin Oil Balm
- Best Multitasker: Youth to the People Superberry Dream Oil
💧 Want to shop all 13 facial oils in one place? Browse the full collection here: ShopMy Hydration Heroes: Winter Oils
| Product | Skin Type | Price | Key Ingredients | Texture | Award-Winning? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil | Dry, sensitive, mature | $110 | Chia, kiwi, passion fruit oils | Silky oil | ✔️ |
| La Mer The Renewal Oil | All | $275 | Miracle Broth™, lime tea | Bi-phase oil | ✔️ |
| Buffer Jelly Facial Oil-Gel | Dry, combo | $24 | Ceramides, squalane | Gel-oil | ✘ |
| Dr. Alkaitis Organic Nourishing Treatment Oil | Sensitive, mature | $90 | 100% organic botanicals | Medium oil | ✘ |
| Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil | Oily, sensitive | $72 | Plum kernel oil | Lightweight oil | ✔️ |
| MARA Algae + Moringa Face Oil | Normal to dry | $72 | Algae, moringa | Rich oil | ✔️ |
| Dr. Jart Ceramidin Oil Balm | Very dry, damaged | $48 | Ceramides, fatty acids | Balm-to-oil | ✘ |
| Youth to the People Dream Oil | Dry, dull | $34 | Maqui, acai, prickly pear | Rich oil | ✔️ |
Here Are the 13 Best Facial Oils for Winter
These are my ride-or-die facial oils that hydrate, soothe, and protect—even in the coldest, driest weather.
1. True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil
This award-winning oil is a winter skin savior. It’s lightweight but rich, instantly melting into your skin without clogging pores. Made with a potent mix of chia seed, kiwi seed, and passion fruit oils, it leaves your face plump and luminous—even when it’s snowing sideways. I reach for this every single morning when my skin is tight and dull from central heating.
Key Ingredients: Chia seed oil, kiwi seed oil, passion fruit oil
Why We Love It: A clean, non-toxic formula that seriously delivers radiance and moisture.
2. Dr. Alkaitis Organic Nourishing Treatment Oil
This is the oil I trust when my skin barrier is on the verge of a meltdown. It’s 100% organic and handcrafted with a blend of plant oils and herbs that calm, heal, and deeply nourish. I especially love this for mature skin or after a facial when my skin is more sensitive. I actually use this every day, and it’s on my Holy Grail list! I LOVE it.
This organic oil is especially effective for soothing irritation that flares in cold weather.
Key Ingredients: St. John’s Wort, rosehip, evening primrose, ginseng
Why We Love It: Holistic healing in a bottle—perfect for irritated, reactive skin.
3. Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil
If your skin leans oily, this is the facial oil that won’t weigh you down. Cold-pressed from upcycled plum kernels, it’s rich in antioxidants and absorbs quickly while leaving a velvety finish. I use it in the morning because it layers beautifully under SPF and makeup.
Key Ingredients: Plum kernel oil
Why We Love It: Luxurious, sustainable, and surprisingly lightweight.
4. Buffer Jelly Facial Oil-Gel
This jelly hybrid is ideal if you hate the feel of traditional oils. It has ceramides and squalane to repair the barrier and hydrate without leaving your skin greasy. I like to keep this one in the fridge for a cooling effect on puffy winter mornings.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, squalane
Why We Love It: The jelly-oil texture makes this a dream for layering and sensitive skin.
5. MARA Algae + Moringa Face Oil
This one’s a clean beauty favorite for a reason. It’s packed with algae, moringa, and plankton extract to detox and replenish skin. The texture is rich, but not sticky, and my skin drinks it up on dry, windy days.
Key Ingredients: Algae, moringa, plankton
Why We Love It: Clean beauty that feels indulgent and works wonders on dull skin.
🛍 ShopMy Collection
💧 Hydration Heroes: Best Facial Oils for Winter
Your winter skincare lineup isn’t complete without one of these moisture-sealing, glow-inducing oils. Whether you’re splurging or shopping smart, there’s a face oil here that will transform your winter skin routine.
➞ Shop the full collection on ShopMy
6. Elemis Superfood Facial Oil
When your skin feels parched, this nutrient-dense blend of broccoli, flaxseed, and daikon oils will feed it. I use this one at night under my moisturizer as a final layer of protection—and I always wake up glowing.
Key Ingredients: Broccoli seed oil, daikon radish, flaxseed
Why We Love It: Fast-absorbing but rich—like a smoothie for your face.
7. La Mer The Renewal Oil
Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s worth it. This bi-phase oil uses La Mer’s signature Miracle Broth™ and feels like a silk veil over your face. I save this for ultra-cold days or when my skin is acting up from stress or travel.
If you’re building a high-end skincare routine, this oil pairs beautifully with other prestige products.
Key Ingredients: Miracle Broth™, lime tea extract
Why We Love It: The epitome of luxury skincare that lives up to the hype.
8. Youth to the People Superberry Dream Oil
Loaded with rare berry oils and vitamin C, this is my go-to when I want glow, fast. It’s super nourishing, but not heavy. If you’ve never tried a facial oil before, this is a fantastic one to start with.
Layer this with a vitamin C serum for an extra brightening boost during gloomy winter months.
Key Ingredients: Maqui, acai, prickly pear
Why We Love It: Great texture and smell—makes skin look juicy instantly.
9. Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Oil Balm
This balm-to-oil miracle is for skin that’s really dry. The balm melts into a soothing oil that locks in moisture better than anything else I’ve tried. I slather it on before bed and wake up with buttery-soft skin. Ceramides are a lifesaver if your skin barrier is compromised by windburn or over-exfoliation.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, fatty acids
Why We Love It: A dry skin life-saver when nothing else seems to work.
10. Marie Veronique Restorative Night Oil
This oil is a treatment and hydrator in one. It’s loaded with CoQ10, squalane, and sea buckthorn to restore elasticity and boost skin repair while you sleep. I swear my skin looks smoother after just one night. If you’re not ready for a whole retinol routine, this night oil is a nourishing alternative that still targets fine lines.
Key Ingredients: CoQ10, sea buckthorn, squalane
Why We Love It: Targets signs of aging and dehydration overnight.
11. Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Oil
Simple and effective, this one-ingredient wonder (100% marula oil) is rich in omegas and antioxidants. It’s gentle enough for daily use and powerful enough to protect against winter’s harsh elements.
Key Ingredients: Cold-pressed marula oil
Why We Love It: Minimalist and multitasking—it does it all.
12. Restorsea 24kt Liquid Gold Face Oil
This serum-oil hybrid includes real 24kt gold flakes and enzymes from salmon roe (yes, really) to brighten and hydrate. It’s pricey, but the luminosity payoff is undeniable. I save this one for special occasions—or mornings after late nights.
Key Ingredients: Salmon enzyme, 24kt gold, olive oil
Why We Love It: Visibly transforms dull skin with just a few drops.
13. Ren Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Serum Oil
This under-the-radar favorite deeply nourishes with omega-3s, rosehip oil, and rice germ oil. It’s like a comforting blanket for dry, red skin. Great for layering under thick creams. Essential fatty acids like omega-3s help nourish and strengthen skin from within.
Key Ingredients: Rosehip, omega 3, rice germ
Why We Love It: Gentle, effective, and perfect for sensitive types.
🛍 ShopMy Collection
💧 Hydration Heroes: Best Facial Oils for Winter
Your winter skincare lineup isn’t complete without one of these moisture-sealing, glow-inducing oils. Whether you’re splurging or shopping smart, there’s a face oil here that will transform your winter skin routine.
➞ Shop the full collection on ShopMy
FAQ: Best Facial Oils for Winter
Can I use facial oils if I have oily skin in winter?
Yes! Choose lighter oils like plum kernel or squalane. They hydrate without clogging pores and can even balance excess sebum.
Should I apply facial oil before or after moisturizer?
For best results, apply facial oil after moisturizer to seal in hydration. If using a thin oil, you can mix it in with your moisturizer. Pairing a good facial oil with the right moisturizer ensures lasting hydration through the harshest winter.
Are facial oils better than moisturizers for winter?
Not better—just different. Facial oils are occlusive and help lock in moisture, while moisturizers hydrate. Using both gives optimal results.
Can facial oils cause breakouts?
Some comedogenic oils can, but non-comedogenic options like marula, plum, and squalane are safe for most skin types.
How often should I use facial oil in winter?
You can use it daily, morning and night, or just at night for extra nourishment. Adjust based on how dry your skin feels.
💧 Want to shop all 13 facial oils in one place? Browse the full collection here: ShopMy Hydration Heroes: Winter Oils
