The best cruelty-free & vegan Korean face oils
Emulsions, lotions, creams are aplenty in the K-beauty world—almost too many if you ask me. But there aren’t as many Korean facial oils flooding the market…yet. I’ve been testing various Korean face oils in 2020, and these are the three best and unique Korean facial oils I’ve come across!
My Top Three Korean Face Oils
AIPPO Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
99% plant derived oils make this facial oil blend, including hemp seed oil, jojoba oil, apricot oil, olive fruit oil, sunflower seed oil, and argan oil to name a few. The texture is very lightweight for a face oil but it is extremely moisturizing and quick absorbing. With squalane oil high on the ingredients list, it helps replenish and balance your skin’s moisture level — and you also get added benefits of antiaging and soothing.
I absolutely love using the AIPPO Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil. The light texture makes it great for year round use. This face oil is also very soothing on the skin thanks to squalane oil and hemp seed oil making it an ideal face oil for sensitive skin. I also noticed a slight cooling sensation when using this oil and look forward to using this one for that reason.
99.8% natural plant oils make up the vegan-friendly Bonair Blue Smoother Face Oil. Blue tansy flower oil is the main star of this fermented face oil, which is rich in azulene and naturally gives it a gorgeous blue color. Azulene calms sensitive and irritated skin, whilst the marula oil boosts and strengthens the skin barrier. Other oils blended in the Blue Smoother Face Oil are rosemary leaf oil, rice bran oil, rapeseed oil, and more. Packed with antioxidants, this oil also fights signs of aging and environmental stressors while deeply nourishing the skin.
This one of the most exquisite face oils I’ve ever tried! The texture is “plush” and non-greasy, and the oil just sinks in surprisingly quickly for a nourishing luxe oil. I often reach for this oil when my skin is sensitized from a dermatologist visit or just stressed out in general. Plus, this oil is a fermented oil blend so the skin benefits will be deeper and more impactful. I also love that it is 100% natural fragrance! Overall, this is a solid Korean face oil for sensitive skin, aging skin, dry skin…basically most skin concerns!
Technically, not your average face oil—and actually a mist—but hear me out! This 3-in-1 multi-functional product can be used as a mist, a toner, or serum/face oil. The Sioris Time is Running Out Mist is a bi-phase mist so an oil blend sits on top of the yuja (citrus juno fruit) water. You have to shake and mix the oil and water before spraying, as the oils are what will give your skin the lasting hydration and glow.
The oil blend in the Sioris Time is Running Out Mist is made of macadamia seed oil which is full of antioxidants and fatty acids that provide intense nourishment and antiaging benefits to the skin. Macadamia seed oil also hydrates the skin without clogging pores since it is similar to the skin’s natural sebum. Some other oils in this mist are jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, Pelargonium Graveolens flower oil, and Cananga Odorata flower oil.
This is a great face oil product to use if you are a face oil newbie or haven’t had a great experience with traditional face oils. I personally love using it as a face oil before applying a moisturizer on very hot and humid days or on nights when I feel lazy and want to condense my skincare routine (the pH is 5.3 so it double functions as a toner)!
Benefits of Face Oils
Face oils are a great alternative to your regular cream moisturizers and you can also use them with serums, lotions, and creams for some extra nourishment. In that regard, face oils are useful for moody skin during seasonal weather changes or on days you use strong actives, like AHA or retinol, where you’ll need that extra deep hydration.
Who Should Use a Face Oil?
If your skin is constantly dry, dehydrated, dull, or flaky, you can especially benefit from using a facial oil as it helps lock the hydration in. But also, almost anyone can benefit from using face oils. The right face oil can rejuvenate your skin from within and give you a natural glow. Your skin just looks smoother and softer. Plus, it’s super relaxing to massage the oil into your face!
Why Use an Oil Blend?
The three Korean face oils listed above are face oil blends and not a single oil (like rosehip or jojoba oil) that you might see sold in your local supermarket or drugstore. I prefer using oil blends because you know that the oils have been refined, pressed, and specially formulated to result in a more sophisticated oil blend. Since multiple skin benefiting oils go into making a facial oil blend, you know you’ll be getting more unique benefits from each of the different oils!
Which Korean face oils have you tried? Which of these Korean face oils do you want to try next?
