Face Oils: The Myths Your Skincare Routine Is Built On — And What's Actually True

The most persistent myth in skincare: people with oily skin should avoid facial oils.

The second most persistent: people with dry skin need more moisturiser, not oil.
Both are wrong. And understanding why will change how you think about your whole routine.

What oils actually do

Facial oils work at the skin barrier — the outermost layer of your epidermis, made up of dead skin cells suspended in a lipid matrix. Natural fats, essentially. When that matrix gets depleted — through ageing, sun damage, harsh cleansers, cold Canadian winters — the barrier breaks down. Water evaporates faster (transepidermal water loss). Irritants get in more easily. Skin becomes reactive and sensitised.
Oils replenish the lipid layer. Different oils have different lipid profiles, which is why different oils suit different skin types. It's not complicated once you know this. It's actually quite logical.

Rosehip (The Face Soothe, The Face Glow)

High in linoleic acid (omega-6) and rich in tretinoin precursors — compounds that convert to retinol-like molecules in your skin. This is why rosehip has clinical evidence for reducing hyperpigmentation and fine lines. It's also why it's the base of our face oils.

Squalane (The Face Soothe)
A stabilised form of squalene — a compound your skin naturally produces and gradually produces less of as you age. Extremely light, non-comedogenic, and remarkably biocompatible. Your skin already knows what to do with it.

Oils signal to your skin that it doesn't need to produce more sebum, which can reduce oiliness over time. Counterintuitive. Effective.

Which oil for which skin