Best Drugstore Face Oil: 5 Affordable Oils That Actually Work

Face oils are no longer just a luxury counter splurge; the best drugstore formulas can calm dryness, soften fine lines, and boost glow without wrecking your budget. The hard part is figuring out which inexpensive bottle is actually worth putting on your face.

This guide is for anyone who wants a simple, trustworthy face oil they can grab at the drugstore, whether your skin is flaky and tight, shiny and breakout prone, or somewhere in between. Below you will find our top affordable picks, how they differ, and how to use them so you get results instead of clogged pores.

Quick picks

• The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil, best overall for most skin types. A simple, antioxidant-rich oil that helps with post-acne marks and dryness, especially at night for normal to dry skin.
• The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane, best lightweight option for oily or acne-prone skin. This virtually weightless oil locks in hydration without feeling greasy or clogging most pores.
• Burt’s Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil, best comforting blend for dry and dehydrated skin. A mix of jojoba, rosehip, and evening primrose oils leaves skin cushy and smooth with a soft glow.
• Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil Face, best for fading dark spots on a budget. Retinol, vitamin C, and vitamin E in a silky oil base target uneven tone while keeping skin moisturized.
• No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil, best for mature or very dry skin. A refined blend of plant oils gives lasting softness and a plump look under makeup or at night.

In-depth reviews

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil review

If you want one budget face oil that can handle dryness and post-acne marks, The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil is an easy place to start. It suits normal, dry, and combination skin that needs extra nourishment at night.

Rosehip seed oil is naturally rich in linoleic acid, antioxidants, and provitamin A, so it supports a more even tone over time while softening rough patches. The texture is medium weight and sinks in best when pressed over slightly damp skin, leaving a dewy finish that makes foundation glide on better the next morning.

There is a natural earthy smell and the deep golden color can lightly stain very light pillowcases, which some people dislike. If you are very oily or find this too heavy, its sibling The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane gives a lighter, more weightless finish with less risk of congestion.

The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane review

The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is ideal if you want the benefits of an oil without the greasy feel. It is particularly good for combination, oily, or breakout-prone skin that still feels tight after cleansing.

Squalane is a stable, skin-mimicking lipid that helps reduce water loss and strengthen the barrier without sitting heavily on top of the skin. This formula is a true single-ingredient workhorse, gliding on like a dry oil and disappearing within minutes, which makes it easy to use under makeup or even on your hair ends.

Because it is so lightweight and simple, it will not be enough on its own for very dry or flaky skin, which may need a richer blend like Burt’s Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil. If your main concern is keeping skin balanced and hydrated without triggering breakouts, though, this is one of the safest drugstore bets.

Burt’s Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil review

Burt’s Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil is a comforting option if your skin constantly feels thirsty. It is best for dry, dehydrated, or mature skin that tolerates natural fragrance and wants a more cushioned finish.

The formula combines rosehip, jojoba, and evening primrose oils, which together deliver a mix of omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and emollients. The texture feels plush and slightly richer than either of the The Ordinary oils, so two to three drops pressed into damp skin give a soft, bouncy feel that can sometimes replace night cream.

There is a noticeable botanical scent from the essential oils, which can be a pro or a con depending on your preferences and sensitivity. If fragrance is a no-go or your skin is acne-prone and reactive, The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is the safer, simpler alternative.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil Face review

If dark spots and old acne marks are your top complaints, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil Face offers more active ingredients than most drugstore oils. It suits normal to dry skin that can handle a gentle retinol.

This formula mixes cocoa butter and natural oils with vitamin E, vitamin C, and a low level of retinol to target uneven tone and texture. The oil feels surprisingly light, spreads easily, and leaves a satin finish that layers well over serums without feeling sticky.

Because of the retinol and fragrance, it can be irritating for very sensitive or rosacea-prone skin, and it should only be used at night with diligent sunscreen during the day. If you prefer a gentler, retinol-free way to support more even tone, The Ordinary Rose Hip Oil or Burt’s Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil are better choices.

No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil review

No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil is built for skin that feels thin, parched, or crinkly by the afternoon. It is a good fit for dry and mature skin types that want a smoother canvas under makeup or a last step over retinoids at night.

The blend typically includes jojoba, macadamia, rosehip, and vitamin E, which together mimic skin’s natural lipids and help improve elasticity. The texture is elegant for a drugstore oil, spreading easily, sinking in steadily, and leaving a soft-focus sheen rather than a greasy film.

There is a light floral fragrance, and the price per ounce sits at the higher end of the drugstore range, which may not be ideal if you are extremely sensitive or on a strict budget. If you want a similar level of comfort for a bit less money, Burt’s Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil feels a touch heavier but delivers comparable relief.

How to choose a drugstore face oil for your skin type

The right face oil can make your existing routine work harder, but the wrong one can leave you shiny or clogged. Start by matching the texture and ingredient profile to your skin type and tolerance.

Oily or acne-prone skin

• Look for lightweight, non-greasy oils such as squalane, rosehip, grapeseed, or hemp seed.
• Avoid heavy, waxy oils like coconut oil or pure cocoa butter on your face, since they are more likely to sit on top of the skin and cause congestion for many people.
• Stick with formulas that are fragrance free or lightly scented and keep the ingredient list short, like The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane.

Dry or dehydrated skin

• Choose richer blends that combine several plant oils, which give a mix of fatty acids and longer lasting comfort.
• Look for jojoba, avocado, argan, marula, or evening primrose oil if your skin flakes or feels tight after washing.
• Use your oil over a hydrating serum or moist skin so it can seal in water instead of sitting on top of dryness.

Sensitive or reactive skin

• Seek out fragrance free or low fragrance options with very few essential oils.
• Simple, single ingredient oils like squalane or some rosehip oils tend to be easier to tolerate than complex botanical blends.
• Patch test along the jawline for several nights before applying more broadly, especially with formulas that include retinol or vitamin C like the Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil Face.

Whatever your skin type, pay attention to packaging and price per ounce. Dark glass bottles help protect delicate oils from light, and many of the best drugstore picks cost far less per use than luxury alternatives while performing just as well.

How to layer face oil in your skincare routine

Face oil works best when it supports the rest of your products instead of replacing them. The basic rule is to apply products from thinnest to thickest so water based serums go on first and oil goes near the end.

At night, a simple order could be: gentle cleanser, hydrating toner or serum, treatment serums, moisturizer, then a few drops of face oil pressed on top. If your skin is very dry, you can mix two or three drops of oil directly into your night cream to boost richness without adding an extra step.

In the morning, many people prefer to skip oil or use a tiny amount, since sunscreen must be the last step. If you enjoy a dewy daytime finish, press one to two drops of a light oil like The Ordinary Squalane over your moisturizer, wait a few minutes, then apply a generous layer of sunscreen.

Whichever routine you choose, start with just a couple of drops and increase only if your skin still feels tight. Rubbing vigorously or using too much product is more likely to disturb your moisturizer and sunscreen, so warm the oil between your palms and gently press it into the skin instead.

Final thoughts

You do not need a luxury price tag to get the benefits of a good face oil. For most people, The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil is the best starting point, with The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane as the top choice if you are oily or breakout prone.

If your skin is chronically dry or mature, Burt’s Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil or No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil add more cushion and comfort. When dark spots are your priority and your skin tolerates retinol, Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil Face is a smart, targeted budget pick, as long as you pair it with daily sunscreen.

See also

To round out your routine, pair your face oil with a budget hydrating serum like The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and barrier-friendly options from our guide to the best ceramide serums for compromised barriers.

• Best moisturizers for oily and combination skin
• Affordable dupes for luxury cleansing balms
• Budget drugstore skincare picks for dark skin tones

FAQ

Will a drugstore face oil clog my pores?

It depends more on the specific oil and your skin than on the price point. Lightweight options such as squalane and rosehip are generally less likely to clog pores than heavier oils like coconut, and using only a few drops on top of well hydrated skin further reduces the risk.

Can I use face oil if I have oily or acne-prone skin?

Yes, as long as you choose the right formula and use it sparingly. A light oil such as The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane can help balance excess oil production and reduce dehydration, which sometimes makes breakouts look worse.

Do I still need a moisturizer if I use face oil?

In most cases, yes. Moisturizers supply water and humectants that hydrate the skin, while oils mostly act as emollients and occlusives that seal that hydration in, so pairing a simple cream under your oil usually gives better, longer lasting results.

Can I use face oil every day?

Most people can use face oil daily once their skin has adjusted, but it is smart to start a few nights per week and increase as needed. If you notice new clogged bumps or irritation, scale back the amount or frequency and consider switching to a lighter or simpler formula.

Are drugstore face oils as good as high-end versions?

Often they are, especially when you are buying single-ingredient oils like rosehip or squalane. Many high-end oils rely on similar base ingredients with fancier packaging and fragrance, so focusing on the ingredient list and how your skin responds is more useful than the brand name on the bottle.

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