Bolster your skin's defence and add radiance to tired skin with one of these products

Applying oil to your face may seem completely counter-intuitive when many of us put a lot of effort into trying to control greasy skin. 

However, while mineral oil should be avoided for its breakout-inducing properties, a good blend of essential oils such as evening primrose or patchouli can lock in moisture, supporting skin’s natural barrier and improve elasticity in tired, papery skin. 

There’s a facial oil to suit every skin type.

The right choice for you will sink in nicely with a little facial massage and be absorbed a few hours later; if it just sits on the skin, it’s probably too heavy.

Oils do tend to be more expensive than most other skincare – with the exception, perhaps, of serums – due to their focus on pure, natural ingredients in high percentages, but their efficacy and potency means you only need a little, so a bottle lasts far longer than you might expect. We recommend massaging two or three drops of any of the below into your skin before bed every night. 

Kiehl's midnight recovery concentrate, 30ml: £38, Kiehl's

We keep a bottle of this much-loved product by our bed, and apply a few drops every evening. Its plumping and brightening blend of essential oils and fatty acids is perfect for rehydrating and faking a good night's sleep the morning after a late one in the pub. I once went without it while on holiday and found my skin was noticeably rougher and redder. It gets extra points for being eco-friendly, too, with a recyclable glass bottle.

The Ordinary 100% cold-pressed virgin marula oil, 30ml: £8.10, Look Fantastic

Unrefined, cold-pressed and antioxidant-packed, this lives up to The Ordinary's usual standard of quality skincare ingredients for a fraction of the price. Our tester saw a big improvement in radiance in dull winter skin, and also used it on her curly, knotty hair to great smoothing and detangling effect. This oil is vegan and cruelty-free as well, which are both good boxes to tick.

Sisley Paris black rose precious face oil, 25ml: £150, John Lewis

For the price, it's certainly precious, but Sisley's oil has sold at too fast a rate and topped too many awards lists to leave it off any best face oils round-up. Its thin formula belies its deeply moisturising effects and leaves skin soft and smooth. This was the thinnest, most quickly absorbed oil we tried, and our tester found she could even apply make-up half an hour afterwards, so well did it flood her parched winter skin without leaving behind a hint of grease.