7 Best Face Oils for Mature Skin to Target Dryness and Wrinkles

When you’re looking for the best face oils for mature skin, you’re probably not trying to recreate a disco-ball sheen so much as seeking moisture that actually sinks in and sticks around. Mature complexions are famously thirsty, and there are real biological reasons behind this: “As we age, our skin becomes drier for many reasons,” says Kate Viola, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Sparks, Maryland. “A decrease in estrogen production, reduction in sebum, slower cell turnover, and thinning of the skin layers all play a significant role in decreasing moisture retention.”

Translation: As the dermal layer ages, it gradually loses collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, making it that much harder for the skin to stay plump, hydrated, and radiant. That goes even if you’ve had oily or combination skin for most of your life.

Our Top Face Oils for Mature Skin

The good news? This is where face oils shine (just not in the greasy way you might be imagining). According to Dr. Viola, they act as emollients that “lock in moisture and may also have occlusive properties,” which helps support the skin barrier and, over time, can make fine lines look softer because the skin becomes more supple. Ingredient choice matters, too. Lightweight oils like jojoba and squalane suit sensitive or irritation-prone skin, while slightly richer picks like rosehip or evening primrose can deeply nourish very dry, mature complexions. Ahead are our dermatologists’ and editors’ top picks.

Best Overall: Biossance 100% Sugarcane Squalane Oil

Why it’s worth it: Ingredient lists don’t get any simpler than this. Biossance’s 100% Sugarcane Squalane Oil is literally just squalane—no fillers, fragrance, or extras—which is part of why dermatologists love it. “Squalane closely mimics the skin’s natural oils and is very well tolerated, even by those with sensitive or thinning skin,” says Mona Foad, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cincinnati. Dr. Viola points out that the brand sources its squalane from sugarcane, making it vegan and more ethically produced than traditional shark-derived squalane. “It helps restore moisture, improve elasticity, and reduce dryness without clogging pores. The texture is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and works well layered over serums or moisturizers.” P.S. If you have reactive skin, it’s also accepted by the National Eczema Association, meaning it meets criteria for being gentle, non-irritating, and suitable for compromised or reactive skin.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

Why it’s worth it: Sunday Riley isn’t one of those brands that churns out a new launch every week just to chase trends. So when they do release something, it tends to become a beauty-editor favorite—and Luna Sleeping Night Oil has been a staple on our vanities for years. The formula leans on a retinoid ester, a milder cousin in the retinoid family that converts into retinoic acid through several metabolic steps. That slower conversion, plus the fact that esters are oil-soluble, makes them gentler than traditional retinol and far more tolerable than prescription-strength tretinoin, delivering benefits with less peeling and sting. It helps soften “fine lines, even out tone, and improve overall skin clarity without harshness,” says Dr. Foad. Blue tansy and chamomile keep redness in check, while chia and blackberry seed oils cushion skin so you wake up smooth, not flaky.

Best Retinol: 111Skin Black Diamond Retinol Oil

Why it’s worth it: They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and after trying 111Skin’s Black Diamond Retinol Oil, we get it (though we’ll admit the diamond part here is mostly for a sparkly effect). The real action in this formula comes from 1% pure retinol—a relatively high strength for over the counter—paired with hydroxypinacolone retinoate, a gentler retinoid ester. Together, they help soften fine lines, speed up cell turnover, and brighten dull areas that tend to show up with age. Because retinoids can be drying, the formula is buffered with nourishing oils like squalane, olive, sunflower, linseed, rice bran, coconut, and grape seed to support the skin barrier. “A little goes a long way—using just two or three drops a night can visibly reduce wrinkles,” says Cheryl Karcher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, who adds that sunscreen is essential since skin becomes more sensitive with retinol.

Best Budget: Good Molecules Pure Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil

Why it’s worth it: Many plant oils are extracted with heat or solvents, which can degrade delicate fatty acids and antioxidants in the process. Cold-pressing avoids that, so more of the good stuff survives. In Good Molecules’ Pure Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil, that “good stuff” includes rosehip oil rich in omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids to help replenish the lipids that dry or mature skin tends to lose, plus pro-vitamin A (a precursor to vitamin A). Because the skin has to convert that precursor step by step before it becomes active vitamin A, you get gentle smoothing and mild resurfacing benefits without the abrupt flaking or redness associated with stronger retinoids. “It helps restore hydration and improve texture, and it absorbs well overnight so dry or flaky skin feels smooth and plump by morning,” says Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reno, Nevada.

Best for Nighttime: Kiehl’s Since 1851 Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil Serum

Why it’s worth it: Kiehl’s Since 1851 Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil Serum is here to make your nighttime skin-care routine feel a little more like self-care—and a lot more effective. The formula blends squalane, jojoba, and sunflower seed oils to soften dry patches and support elasticity, while rosehip and evening primrose oils bring omegas and antioxidants that help brighten and smooth the look of mature skin over time. The lightweight and fast-absorbing base helps you wake up dewy, not greasy. While it skips synthetic fragrance, a blend of lavender, rosemary, and jasmine extracts gives it a calming, herbal scent that makes the regimen feel more luxe—and a nice companion to falling asleep faster.

Best for Daytime: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Facial Oil

Why it’s worth it: K-beauty usually brings to mind serums, essences, and ampoules—not face oils. Still, if there’s one thing K-beauty never fails to prove, it’s that even a “heavy” category can be reimagined to feel light, breathable, and easy to layer. Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Facial Oil does exactly that with its lightweight, yet antioxidant-rich, rice bran oil, sunflower seed oil, and tocopherol (vitamin E), which support skin elasticity and guard against environmental stressors. Camellia, jojoba, and sweet almond oils also add softness without clogging pores or causing irritation, and a silky triglyceride base helps it melt in rather than sit on top of your skin.

Best for Dark Spots: Ranavat Brightening Saffron Serum

Why it’s worth it: Although it’s labeled as a serum, we’ve found that Ranavat’s Brightening Saffron Serum has the silky slip and nourishing feel of a face oil. The base blends sesame and rice bran oils for a cushiony, fast-absorbing texture that immediately comforts dry skin. And if your mature complexion has lost some of its luster, the radiance boost comes from a lineup of botanicals (saffron, manjishta, turmeric, licorice, and Indian barberry) that are traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to help even tone, brighten dullness, and calm visible inflammation. Rose and lotus extracts add extra luminosity, while natural vitamin E provides antioxidant support. With consistent use, skin looks more hydrated, more even-toned, and—dare we say—more awake.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can face oils actually reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines?

Nothing over-the-counter will fully erase signs of aging, but “face oils can absolutely help soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Viola. By boosting hydration and supporting the skin barrier, oils help plump the skin so lines appear smoother and dryness-related crepiness is less noticeable. Many are also naturally rich in fatty acids and antioxidants that reinforce skin health and keep moisture from evaporating too quickly. While some oils do contain corrective ingredients like retinoids, Dr. Viola still considers most formulas “supportive players rather than corrective treatment.”

What ingredients should I look for in a face oil for mature skin?

When shopping for the right oil for mature skin, “focus on formulas that are rich in barrier-supportive fatty acids and antioxidants,” says Dr. Viola. Nourishing options such as squalane, jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil, and evening primrose oil help replenish lipids that naturally decline with age, while antioxidants (including vitamin E and botanical extracts) offer protection against environmental stressors. She also recommends choosing skin-care products that absorb well and don’t feel heavy or greasy, noting that simple, well-formulated face oils are often better tolerated than overly fragranced ones.

Will face oils cause breakouts?

“Face oils don’t automatically clog pores, even on mature skin, as long as the oil is well chosen and applied correctly,” says Dr. Viola. She notes that many oils, including squalane and jojoba, are non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog pores, and closely mimic the skin’s natural lipids. That can be especially helpful since “mature skin is often drier and benefits from the added lipid support oils provide.” Problems usually arise when “very heavy or fragranced oils are overused or layered improperly.” To avoid that, Dr. Viola recommends applying oil as “the final step to seal in hydration rather than using large amounts.”

Meet the experts

• Mona Foad, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology based in Cincinnati
• Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Spooge based in Reno, Nevada
• Cheryl Karcher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Center Aesthetic & Dermatology based in New York City
• Kate Viola, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Sparks, Maryland

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best face oils for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, cosmetic chemists, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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