7 affordable face oils that'll work for any skin type

A face oil is one of those tricky skin care products that's often the subject of misinformation and parrying opinions. 

While some love the stuff and swear by its benefits, others just can't seem to make it work for them.

Look, we get it. Your relationship to face oils is likely informed by your skin type and how oily (or lacking in oils) your complexion seems to be. But even oily skin can stand to see the benefits of a moisturising and nourishing skin care oil when used correctly and in moderation. 

In fact, the way we see it, face oils should be used with the same frequency in a skin care routine as a chemical exfoliator. By simply layering on a healthy dose of face oil three nights a week you can expect to see an improvement in the overall clarity, radiance and suppleness of the skin. 

This experiment doesn't have to come at a great cost either. There are a wealth of affordable face oil options available in Australia — here are seven BEAUTYcrew trusts to nourish our complexions when we need it the most.

2024's Top 3 Best Affordable Face Oils

1. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil, $17.50, Look Fantastic
2. The Jojoba Company Australian Jojoba Oil, $19.95, Adore Beauty
3. The Ordinary B Oil, $18.49, Look Fantastic

The Best Affordable Face Oils Of 2024

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
from $17.50 at Look Fantastic

This French pharmacy best-seller is the perfect introduction to face oils for naysayers, it features a blend of antioxidant rich botanical oils and extracts, which protect the skin from pollutants. The dry oil texture never feels greasy and can be used on the face, body or hair.

Key features:

Contains sweet almond, hazel seed, camellia oleifera seed, camellia japonica seed, argan, borage seed and sunflower seed botanical oils
Enriched with rosemary leaf and tomato plant extracts
Rich in antioxidants
Protects the skin from pollution and environmental aggressors
Minimises the appearance of stretch marks
Dry oil texture
Can be used on the face, body and hair

Available at:

• $17.50 from Look Fantastic
• $17.50 from RY
• $25 from Sephora

The Jojoba Company Australian Jojoba Oil
from $19.95 at Adore Beauty

If you're battling with perennially dry skin, then this pure jojoba oil is the face oil for you. The ultra-nourishing oil is naturally rich in vitamins A, D and E, and omegas 6 and 9, and it helps to relieve the signs of dry and dehydrated skin. Personally we reserve this pick for the evenings as the final step in our skincare routines to seal in the rest of our products and to ensure our skin feels moisturised, supple and nourished come the morning. 

Key features:

100 per cent jojoba oil
Naturally rich in vitamins A, D and E, and omegas 6 and 9
Relieves dry and dehydrated skin
Leaves skin feeling moisturised for eight hours
Suitable for dry skin

Available at:

• $19.95 from Adore Beauty
• $19.95 from Look Fantastic
• $19.99 from Priceline

The Ordinary B Oil
from $18.49 at Look Fantastic

The Ordinary has formulated a potent oil blend with the intention of targeting dull and dry skin. The affordable beauty brand has combined micro-algae, squalane, and antioxidant-rich oils to enhance radiance and hydration, helping to improve the softness and texture of skin over time.

Key features:

Contains squalane, crambe abyssinica seed oil, and isochrysis galbana extract
Targets dull, dry skin
Enhances radiance and hydration
Softens and smooths skin
Can be used under face cream

Available at:

• $18.49 from Look Fantastic
• $18.49 from RY
• $18.50 from Adore Beauty

Antipodes Divine Face Oil
from $22.67 at Amazon Australia

This divine pick was created for the sole purpose of helping you maintain a youthful-looking complexion. It's pumped full of avocado, rosehip and macadamia oils, which help to support collagen production, and aid in conditioning, softening, moisturising and plumping skin. 

Key features:

Contains avocado, rosehip and macadamia oils
Plumps fine lines
Softens and conditions skin
Moisturising and nourishing
Supports collagen production

Available at:

• $22.67 from Amazon Australia
• $22.69 from Chemist Warehouse
• $25.19 from Priceline

Garnier Organic Soothing Lavandin Glow Facial Oil
from $10 at Kogan

Cultivated in France and extracted using steam distillation, this face oil's hero ingredient is lavandin, which aids in repairing the skin and supporting the skin's natural regeneration process. It also contains argan oil which is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E to nourish, smooth and comfort the complexion. 

Key features:

Features lavandin and argan oils, and vitamin E
Repairs and supports the skin
Nourishes and comforts
Smooths texture
Enhances radiance

Available at:

• $10 from Kogan
• $15 from Amazon Australia
• $17.94 from Catch

Q+A Skincare Super Food Facial Oil
from $16 at Priceline

Q+A have married together a potent blend of oils such as jojoba oil, which is easily-absorbed into skin, enhances suppleness and improves elasticity. Antioxidant-rich berry-derived oils also make an appearance on the inkey list, and prickly pear oil, which is rich is vitamins E and K, and essential fatty acids. The result is powerfully hydrating, soothing and rejuvenating skin care cocktail.

Key features:

Jojoba oil is easily-absorbed, improves skin condition
Berry-derived oils are rich in antioxidants
Prickly pear oil boasts vitamins E and K, essential fatty acids
Hydrates and calms
Rejuvenates and revitalises the complexion

Available at:

• $16 from Priceline
• $16 from Q+A

Bondi Sands Everyday Skincare Wonder Potion All-In-One Hero Oil
from $12.59 at MYER

Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin, this impressive face oil utilises sea buckthorn oil and rosehip oil, which are naturally rich in vitamin C to brighten dull, dry skin. While calendula oil soothes, nourishes and hydrates.

Key features:

Rich in brightening ingredients
Contains sea buckthorn, rosehip and calendula oils
Soothes and nourishes sensitive skin
Hydrates dry skin
Promotes a radiant complexion

Available at:

• $12.59 from MYER
• $14.39 from Priceline
• $14.99 from Chemist Warehouse

Bio-Oil Skincare Oil

from $14.99 at Priceline

Okay, okay, we know that this iconic oil isn’t technically a ‘face oil’, but don’t let that stop you from slathering away. With a breathable formulation design, this nourishing oil is enriched with a heap of moisture-boosting ingredients. 

Key Features:

• Formulated with vitamins A and E, calendula, lavender, rosemary and chamomile oils
• ‘Breathable’ formula
• PurCellin Oil® base

Available at:

• $11.24 (usually $14.99) at Priceline
• $15 at Woolworths
• $10.99 (usually $14.95) at Chemist Warehouse

Do dermatologists recommend face oil?

While not all face oils are created equal, there are benefits to using a face oil as the final step in your skincare routine as they help to lock in moisture and prevent transepidermic water loss. Some oils also contain fatty acids, which can be beneficial for promoting a plump complexion and better product absorption too. 

Are oils good for your face?

It really depends on your skin type and how you want to use them, but generally speaking, face oils can work for just about everyone. If you have oily skin, you might prefer to use a face oil in the evening to prevent excess amounts of oil sitting under a layer of makeup during the day. However, if you have sensitive skin, you may have to patch test face oils to ensure they don't irritate your skin. Dry and normal skin types are likely to reap the most benefits from a face oil for moisture and nourishment, especially during the winter when the skin is exposed to dry and harsh climates. 

Main image credit: @madelame

Looking for a hydrator that's light enough for oily skin? These are the 8 best oil-free moisturisers for lightweight hydration.