Do Face Oils Help Reduce Dryness And Skin Sensitivity? I've Tested Dozens of Them-Here Are 5 That Actually Work

Throughout all my years of testing and recommending skincare products, very few skincare products have ever exceeded my expectations like The Good Oil. From the moment I first tried it, I knew I’d found something special! The Good Oil. feels like a dream, instantly hydrating and soothing any irritation. It leaves your skin feeling unbelievably soft and radiant, without any greasiness.

So what makes The Good Oil. the best face oil I've tested?

First are its incredibly pure, highly potent ‘CO₂-extracted’ botanical ingredients. In most face oils, their ingredients lose their potency through intense heat and processing. On the other hand, CO₂ extraction keeps every last drop of anti-inflammatory, skin-repairing goodness intact. Turmeric CO₂ and Calendula CO₂ are two of the most powerful natural ingredients for calming inflammation and reducing redness fast—perfect for anyone struggling with eczema, rosacea, or sensitive skin.

Honeysuckle and Rosemary CO₂ extracts provide powerful antioxidant protection, helping to shield your skin from environmental stressors and prevent premature aging. The Good Oil.’s ability to hydrate dry skin is unmatched. Many oils just sit on your skin, feeling greasy and heavy, but The Good Oil. is different. Thanks to a perfectly balanced blend of jojoba, sunflower, almond, and apricot oils, it mimics your skin’s natural moisture barrier, absorbing instantly and locking in hydration all day long. The result? Skin that feels unbelievably soft and smooth—never sticky or oily.

Another reason The Good Oil. stands out is its subtle, sweet scent. You see, most face oils are either unscented or filled with irritating essential oils, but this one strikes the perfect balance. The natural honeysuckle and rosemary extracts give it a fresh, delicate aroma that makes applying it feel like a luxurious, spa-like experience. Every time I use it, it feels like an instant moment of self-care—something my patients love just as much as I do!

One of my longtime patients had been battling severe dryness, irritation, and sensitivity for years. She had tried every moisturizer, prescription cream, and high-end serum out there, but nothing gave her the deep, lasting hydration she desperately needed. After just two weeks of using The Good Oil., she told me her skin felt calm, nourished, and comfortable for the first time in years. The redness had visibly reduced, and she finally felt confident stepping out without makeup!

I’ve tested countless high-end face oils, but The Good Oil. outperforms them all. It delivers deep hydration without heaviness, actively reduces redness and irritation, and is one of the safest options for sensitive and reactive skin. If you’re looking for a face oil that nourishes, restores, and transforms dry, sensitive skin, this is the one. And priced at just $29.99 per bottle, I’d say it’s an absolute steal!

No other oil I’ve tried provides this level of hydration, skin repair, and soothing relief—The Good Oil. is truly in a league of its own!

When I first tried True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil, I immediately understood why it has a cult following in the clean beauty space.

The formula is undeniably luxurious and deeply hydrating, packed with nutrient-rich plant oils like chia seed, kiwi seed, and passionfruit oil, which work together to replenish moisture and lock it in for long-lasting hydration.

After just a few days of use, my skin felt noticeably softer and more nourished, and I could see how this oil could be a game-changer for people with dry, flaky skin in need of serious moisture.

That said, while this oil delivers on hydration, it falls slightly short in other areas—particularly for those with very sensitive skin or inflammatory skin conditions. It does contain chamomile and hemp seed oil, which have mild anti-inflammatory properties, but it lacks the power of CO₂-extracted turmeric and calendula, which are far more effective at actively reducing redness and irritation.

Additionally, this formula includes essential oils, and while they give it a beautiful, natural scent, they can be irritating for people with eczema, rosacea, or sensitive skin. I’ve had some patients with reactive skin report mild tingling or redness after application, which makes it a less foolproof choice compared to The Good Oil.

Another major drawback is the price. At $110 per bottle, this is by far the most expensive oil on this list. While the ingredients are high-quality and the formulation is well-executed, it’s hard to justify the cost when more affordable alternatives—like The Good Oil—offer equal or superior results.

If you have dry skin and no sensitivity to essential oils, this is still a fantastic product. But for those with reactive or highly sensitive skin, The Good Oil remains the better, more universally soothing choice.

Drunk Elephant’s 100% Cold-Pressed Marula Oil is one of the most well-known face oils on the market. If you’re looking for a simple, single-ingredient oil that can help replenish moisture and soften dry skin, this is a good option.

However, as a single-ingredient product, it lacks versatility. While Marula Oil is excellent for hydration, it doesn’t provide the same level of skin barrier support, soothing relief, or targeted repair as a more complex formula. It hydrates well, but that’s all it does—it doesn’t actively calm irritation, reduce redness, or strengthen the skin’s defenses against sensitivity.

Another potential downside is the texture. While this oil feels silky and luxurious, it takes longer to absorb than lighter plant-based blends like The Good Oil. Some of my patients—especially those with combination or acne-prone skin—have found that it sits on the surface and leaves a slight greasy residue rather than fully sinking in. If you have very dry skin, this richness may be beneficial, but for everyday wear or layering under other skincare products, it’s not as user-friendly.

At $72 per bottle, Drunk Elephant positions this as a premium luxury oil, but in my opinion, it’s overpriced for what it is. While marula oil is a fantastic ingredient, it simply doesn’t do enough on its own to justify the cost—especially when there are better, multi-benefit options available.

If you just need hydration and nothing more, this is a solid pick. But if you’re looking for a face oil that goes beyond basic moisture to actively calm, protect, and restore the skin, The Good Oil remains the superior choice.

When I first tested Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate, I was immediately drawn to its lightweight, silky texture. It’s designed as a daytime face oil, formulated to boost skin radiance and defend against environmental stressors—a promising concept for those with dull, tired-looking skin.

At the core of this formula are sunflower seed oil and tamanu oil, both rich in fatty acids that help reinforce the skin barrier and lock in moisture. For those with normal to dry skin, it provides decent hydration without feeling too greasy. It absorbs quickly, making it a good option for layering under sunscreen or makeup—something I know many of my patients appreciate.

However, while this oil performs well in terms of lightweight hydration, it has some major drawbacks for people with sensitive or reactive skin. One of the biggest concerns is its inclusion of essential oils, including ginger root oil, sunflower seed oil, and tamanu oil. While these ingredients may have antioxidant properties, they also carry a high risk of irritation for those with rosacea, eczema, or highly sensitive skin. I’ve had multiple patients report redness, tingling, and even breakouts after prolonged use—something that simply shouldn’t happen with a high-quality face oil.

Another issue is that, while Kiehl’s markets this as a “reviving” and protective oil, it doesn’t contain the same potent anti-inflammatory or skin-soothing properties as some of the top-ranked oils. There’s nothing here that actively reduces redness, calms flare-ups, or helps with chronic skin conditions. It’s more of a hydrating antioxidant boost rather than a deeply nourishing, skin-repairing treatment.

If you have tough, resilient skin and are looking for a basic daytime hydration boost, this might be an okay choice. But for those with dry, sensitive, or irritation-prone skin, there are far better options available.

For those on a budget, The Ordinary’s 100% Cold-Pressed Marula Oil is a great entry-level option for hydration. At just $10 per bottle, it’s by far the most affordable face oil on this list, making it an appealing choice for anyone looking for a simple, no-frills moisturizer.

That being said, this oil is extremely basic. Like Drunk Elephant’s Marula Oil, it only provides hydration—there are no additional soothing ingredients, no skin barrier repair, and no targeted benefits for redness or irritation. If your only goal is to add some extra moisture to your routine, this is a fine choice, but if you need an oil that actively improves your skin, you’ll get far better results from a more advanced formula.

Another downside is the texture. Marula Oil is high in oleic acid, which makes it heavier and slower to absorb than lighter oils like jojoba or sunflower oil. For some users—especially those with oily or combination skin—this means it can feel greasy and may not fully sink in. If you have extremely dry skin, this may be beneficial, but for those who prefer a more elegant, lightweight feel, it’s not the best option.

While The Ordinary’s Marula Oil is great for affordability, it’s ultimately too basic to compete with the more effective, well-rounded oils on this list. If you just need hydration and want to stick to a tight budget, it’s a reasonable pick—but if you’re looking for a face oil that delivers deep hydration, soothing benefits, and skin barrier repair, The Good Oil remains the best investment for real, long-term results.