There is a misconception that oil in products (moisturizers) is a bad thing. I disagree. Oil-free products have to add fillers and emollients in order to make their product smooth and spreadable. If a product isn’t using oil(s), it is probably using synthetic, nonnutritive ingredients to replace natural oils.
High-quality, vegetal (vegetable) oils are not detrimental to an oilier skin type; petroleum derived oils, like mineral oil, probably are. Please do not shy away from using “oil” in your moisturizers if you have oily or normal to oily/combination skin. If the product is made for your skin type, you should be fine—as long as it is a quality product. As I've talked about in this blog, cheaper products with cheap ingredients (like mineral oil) are probably not going to work well if you have problem skin.
- Almond Oil, Sweet Almond Oil
- Castor Oil
- Coconut Oil, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil
- Corn Oil
- Olive Oil
- Palm Kernel Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil
- Pumpkin Seed Oil
- Shea Butter
- Soybean Oil
- Sunflower Seed Oil
- Wheat Germ Oil
Just because you are using a moisturizer with one or more of these oils in it doesn’t mean it will turn out to be a great product for you. But if you find your creams have mineral oil or petroleum listed as the main ingredient, I would opt for a moisturizer that contained more organic, “natural” ingredients and vegetable oils such as those in this list.
Please note: If you have internal allergies (food allergies) to any of the above, more than likely they will not make good ingredients in a topical skin care product—for you.
For more information, see:
- Finding the Right Products—for You
- Sensitive Skin: Q & A
- Hypoallergenic? Non-comedogenic? What do these mean?
