Skincare

post updated Apr. 10, 2023

I’ve Seen Thousands of Patients—These Are the Anti-Aging Face Oils I Swear By

Dr. Loretta knows best.

By Lourdes Avila Uribe

Even if you’re not the kind of person who likes to walk around looking like an oil slick landed on their face, there’s no denying that face oils—more specifically, the best anti-aging face oils—are having a major moment. Now that the early-90s fear of oil is a thing of the past, nearly every beauty brand has one on its roster, and they don’t just keep your skin hydrated and moisturized! These days, oils are chock-full of skin-healthy ingredients that can help with all manner of ailments—acne, fine lines, dark spots, and more. So we decided to get the scoop on the best anti-aging face oils around from an expert.

Whether you’re in the market for an anti-aging face oil that is made with plant-based, natural ingredients or you want to really go hard with powerful active ingredients, there’s a face oil for you. We tapped Dr. Loretta, a dermatologist who has taken her experiences with thousands of patients and created her own anti-aging skincare brand.

Featured image by Riley Reed.

Images by Belathée Photography

She quickly pointed out that face oils can in fact be as effective as creams for anti-aging purposes, even though “typically a face oil will not combine as many active beneficial ingredients as a face cream or other type of serum.”

She went on to state that, “face oils are a favorite for many people to use as one step of a multi-step skincare regimen. Some face oils combine beneficial active ingredients, including vitamin E, lipids, linoleic and linolenic acids (also called vitamin F.) All of these will help with barrier repair and are a great anti-aging addition to any regimen.”

Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD

Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, is a highly sought-after board-certified dermatologist with over 40 years of experience. She received her MD from Downstate Medical College of State University of New York and completed her dermatology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY, where she was selected as Chief Resident.

The Best Anti-Aging Face Oils, According to an Expert

Elemis Superfood Face Oil

u003cpu003eDr. Loretta is a fan of this nutrient-rich facial oil. It nourishes the skin with nine antioxidant-rich superfoods to reveal a healthy-looking glow without leaving you greasy.u003c/pu003e

Dr. Loretta Intense Replenishing Serum

u003cpu003eDr. Loretta bottled up some of her favorite ingredients in this oil-based serum. It features powerhouse antioxidant Lipochroman combined with Vitamin E, Glycolipids, lecithin, linoleic and linolenic acids.u003c/pu003e

Dr. Loretta Concentrated Firming Serum

u003cpu003eEnjoy a plethora of anti-aging benefits with this lipid-based serum with 0.5% retinol. It supports collagen, protects skin from free radical damage, and exfoliates dead skin cells. The lipids keep skin hydrated, which in turn firm up the skin and minimizes dryness and redness.u003c/pu003e

Caudalie VineActiv Overnight Detox Oil

u003cpu003eDr. Loretta recommended this detox oil for people in their 30s. It combines four plant oils for an overnight skin refresher, which makes it the perfect starter anti-aging oil.u003c/pu003e

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Oil

u003cpu003eSince this luxurious oil supports skin collagen and gives skin a firmer appearance, Dr. Loretta loves it for people in their 40s. It’s replenishing, restorative, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.u003c/pu003e

The Ordinary Organic Rose Hip Seed Face Oil

u003cpu003eLooking to add an anti-aging face oil to your skincare regimen but don’t want to spend over $10? Then The Ordinary has you covered with this gorgeous rosehip seed face oil. It’s sustainably sourced, organic, and cold-pressed.u003c/pu003e

Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Face Oil

u003cpu003eLove the effects of face oil but hate that greasy feeling? Dr. Loretta suggests trying this fast-absorbing daily moisturizer. It’s specially formulated to balance excessive oiliness while nourishing your skin with light botanical oils.u003c/pu003e

True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Oil

u003cpu003eThis oil is what I (and January Jones) consider to be the holy grail of anti-aging face oils. It’s definitely an investment, but worth every penny. This bestselling oil is chock full of nutrients and is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and increase hydration levels. Its subtle jasmine scent gives it an ultra-luxurious feel—I can’t live without it.u003c/pu003e

Maapilim Nourishing Facial Oil

u003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThis soothing face oil is made with borage oil, which is extremely rich in tocopherols (a form of vitamin E.) Borage oil has powerful anti-aging properties and conditions skin, leaving it baby soft and smooth.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e

Grown Alchemist Antioxidant+ Facial Oil

u003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eFormulated with borage, rosehip, and buckthorn oils, this organic facial serum uses a blend of antioxidants and nutrients that noticeably improve skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and protect against the signs of aging.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e

Ayond Amber Elix Facial Oil

u003cpu003eGet that golden hour glow with this nourishing, fast-absorbing oil. It’s infused with plant-derived retinol, rare botanical oils, and fossilized amber extract—an antioxidant-rich gem known for its healing, anti-inflammatory properties. It instantly brightens the skin and tackles hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and UV damage.u003c/pu003e

Agustinus Bader The Face Oil

u003cpu003eIf you’re looking to invest in a celebrity-fave face oil, then this is it. This silky oil is insanely hydrating and helps to retain moisture throughout the day without making you feel like a greasy slab of bacon. A deeply nourishing combination of oils work together to minimize fine lines, reduce hyperpigmentation, and boost cell turnover without clogging pores or irritating your skin.u003c/pu003e

Herbivore Botanicals Phoenix Rosehip Anti-Aging Face Oil

u003cpu003eWhile all skin types can enjoy this gorgeous oil, it was specially made for those with dry or mature skin whose main concerns are anti-aging, dryness, and dullness. The oils sink in deeply and quickly to moisturize and nourish skin, giving it a bright, radiant glow.u003c/pu003e

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

u003cpu003eNot quite ready to get prescription retinol from your dermatologist but looking to kick your routine up a notch? Then check out this gentle retinoid night oil. It’s balanced with blue tansy to keep skin calm and hydrated while the retinoids work to improve the look of wrinkles, redness, and pores. Use alone or in combo with u003ca href=u0022https://rstyle.me/+WqZ_Ipcm94mOb6MfyJRfwQu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eGood Genesu003c/au003e to wake up with supermodel skin.u003c/pu003e

Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum

u003cpu003eThis incredibly potent and luxurious face oil delivers over 60 nutrients to the skin, leaving it balanced, brightened, moisturized, and positively glowing. You’ll be shocked at how quickly you see a noticeable improvement in your skin.u003c/pu003e