Why use an oil for oily skin + Grapeseed oil review

grapeseed oil for oily skin
By now you may have already read about the benefits of using oils as moisturizers. Oils are gaining the momentum in skincare with cleansing oils, facial oil blends etc. At first, when I read such articles, I was like why should I add oil to my already oily face? Wouldn’t it just make it greasier? What if it leads more acne?

If these questions are on your mind too, I am here to help you girls out. For the past month or so, I have been using grapeseed oil in place of my regular moisturizer and enjoyed it truly. In this post, I will share my experience using oil for oily skin, what type of oils to use and how to use them in your skincare routine.
  • Why use an oil for oily skin?

Contrary to popular belief, using an oil can actually benefit the oily skin. It helps unclog pores and prevent acne. The fatty acids moisturize your skin while antioxidants and vitamins heal and prevent further damage.  
  • Which oils to use?

The key to choosing an oil for oily skin is the amount of two fatty acids in it- oleic and linoleic acid. Oily skin has low linoleic acid and higher oleic acid levels. This is due to the excess natural oil our skin makes a.k.a sebum which is mostly oleic acid. Both of these fatty acids are essential to moisturize the skin but oleic acid is greasier and tends to clog pores.
Hence, adding linoleic acid to it can help maintain a balance between the too. So if you have oily skin prone to acne, you want to use an oil that has a higher concentration of linoleic acid and low in oleic acid.
I choose grapeseed oil since it was the cheapest and most easily available oil out of all. It contains about 70% linoleic acid and 15% oleic acid. Other oils with a high amount of linoleic acid are:
1. Rosehip seed oil (great for acne scars too)
2. Hemp seed oil
3. Evening Primrose oil
4. Safflower oil
5. Soybean oil
6. Wheatgerm oil (high comedogenic so better avoid using on its own)
Oils to avoid(rich in oleic acid):
Almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, macadamia nut oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, palm oil. (Don’t panic if your favourite moisturizer has listed one of these oils in ingredients. It is probably used in low concentration and hence won’t affect much.)

grapeseed oil for oily skin

  • How to use oil in skincare routine?

The best way to use oil is applying 1-2 drops directly as a moisturizer. It will go after your toner or serum but before sunscreen. Just rub it between your fingertips and pat on evenly all over your skin. Let it sit for a minute before applying your sunscreen.
Oils rich in linoleic acid absorb faster and are lightweight to use. You can also add a few drops of essential oil like tea tree, rosemary etc. for treating specific skin issues.
  • My Experience using Grapeseed oil.

I have used grapeseed oil in a couple of ways to see how it performs well for me.
1. Standalone moisturizer
I started using 2 drops of grapeseed oil all over face and neck after cleansing and toning twice a day. For nighttime routine, I even use a third drop sometimes and it works well.
My skin stays oil-free for 2-3 hours just like it would with my regular moisturizer. It feels slightly greasier and has some visible shine compared to a regular mattifying moisturizer because it is an oil after all. But it doesn’t feel so greasy that you can’t handle it. I have seen lesser whiteheads since I have started using grapeseed oil as a moisturizer.
2. Along with a humectant.
You can also use oil along with a humectant if your skin is dehydrated(Yes, oily skin can be dehydrated too!). Apply a humectant(hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, etc.) and then seal the moisture with the oil. I sometimes mix a drop of grapeseed oil with a small pump of the Aroma Magic Juniper Berry Moisturizer in my hand and apply it. It is easier to apply and gives a nice dewy look without any visible shine. It’s great this way if you don’t like the idea of using oil by itself. 

grapeseed oil for oily skin

3. As an eye cream
Grapeseed oil is lightweight yet moisturizing so you can use it around your eyes in place of an eye cream. It doesn’t look or feel greasy like almond oil which I use around my eyes at night. It keeps the area well moisturised and I don’t have to buy a separate eye cream for daytime use. So Yay!
  • Where to buy them?

There are lots of brands on Amazon and other e-commerce sites selling cold pressed oils. But they can be refined, diluted with cheaper oils or extracted using chemicals. So its best to buy pure oils from well-trusted brands. I got mine from Blend It Raw Apothecary and they have really good-quality and reasonably priced products. You can also checkout Soulflower, Aroma Magic or Juicy Chemistry for the same.
Some pointers on using oils:
  • Always use cold pressed, unrefined oils as they give the best results.
  • Don’t use too much oil as it can clog your pores. 2-3 drops will suffice.
  • Use it at end of your routine at night and just before sunscreen during the day as it can affect other products from absorbing properly.
  • Don’t rub it in, instead pat it gently and give it some time to sink in.
  • Avoid dipping your fingers into the oil bottle and store it away from sunlight.
The beauty companies have demonised oils for oily skin. But choose a proper oil for oily skin and it can help combat acne and clogged pores easily. Are you still worrried to put oil on your face? Let me know in the comments below how I can help you out.

*This post contains affiliate links.

grapeseed oil for oily skin + Wyy you need to use oil on face

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  1. Thank you so much for giving this information because almost all of us dream to look beautiful for that you given one best tip with oils. I will share this with my friends. Keep sharing info that makes people more beautiful

      1. So glad i found this blog about oils.i jus started using grape seed oil from juicy chemistry.can u please suggest me a good quality hemp seed oil?

    1. Hey Ankita, That product has a lot of other oils apart from Rosehip and they could easily be the culprit. Time for you to play detective to find out which ingredient caused the reaction.

  2. Does rosehip oil lead to acne? I started using rosehip oil from a very good natural brand but ended up with tiny bumps all over my face so discontinued its use..and also does rosehip oil fade away old acne scars?

    1. It is unheard of rosehip oil to cause acne. It is used for acne-prone skin all over the world, but sometimes even the most natural ingredients don’t suit some people. So it could be a reason for it. A good rosehip oil is orangish in colour and I hope the one you used was similar as I have seen natural brands sell diluted, refined versions which are transparent.
      And yes, rosehip oil can help fade old scars too with regular usage.

  3. Very useful and detailed post on using facial oils. Ever since I started using oils in my skincare routine, I can feel a huge difference in my skin texture and complexion. I like to use cleansing oils (for first step in cleansing) as well as facial oils (for moisturization). And Blend It Raw Beauty has authentic and pure oils Nowadays am experimenting with a lot of different oils and butters 🙂


    1. True, oils can be a great help in the routine especially when you are inclined towards natural and clean beauty solutions.

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