When I think about face oils my mind goes straight to greasy, slick, suffocating, and sticky. But after extensively testing the best face oils on the market, I've learned that they're anything but. A well-formulated oil has the power to treat my skin issues (looking at you, acne) and are masters of maintaining skin hydration. You just have to pick the right player (read: jojoba oil, marula oil, moringa oil—the list goes on) to get the results you're after, but once you do, it inevitably leaves you with healthy, hydrated, and glowy skin. Trust me—I have the photos to prove it.

"Facial oils can provide benefits to the skin by acting as occlusives (which act like sealants to keep water in the skin) and emollients (which soften and strengthen the outer layer of the skin by filling in spaces between skin cells)," explains board-certified dermatologist Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, M.D. FAAD. "Skincare oils often form a protective barrier on the outer layer of the skin, providing antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and skin barrier repair properties."

Questioning my oil-loving antics? Try some of the best face oils for yourself. Some of the Marie Claire team and I are sharing our favorite products for oily, sensitive, dry, broken-out, and yes, even normal skin. If you’ve never given a face oil the time of day, consider this the perfect place to start.

Best Overnight Face Oil

Dr. Brandt Glow Overnight Retinol Oil

If you’ve ever been weary of retinol because of its somewhat harsh nature, let me introduce you to this new must-have formula from Dr. Brandt. Designed to target dullness, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture while you catch up on your beauty sleep, it couples retinol and hydroxy pinacolone retinoate (HPR), an innovative retinoid that’s potent yet gentle, with hydrating squalane to nourish, not irritate, the skin. What’s more, it contains a special antioxidant-rich superfood complex, Oxiblock-SF, to further increase your glow.

Key Ingredients: Hydroxy pinacolone retinoate (rejuvenating), Oxiblock-SF (antioxidant), retinol (rejuvenating), squalane (hydrating)

Size: 1 fl. oz.

Who It’s For: Anyone who has previously avoided retinol products will appreciate the delightfully nourishing feel of this non-irritating, skin-rejuvenating oil—even those with sensitive skin!

What We Love: Non-irritating formula; Super nourishing feel; Editor-approved

What We Don’t: Can only be used at night

Review for MC: “My skin can handle retinoids pretty well (I use Tretinoin twice a week), but I was still amazed at how gentle this formula was. It acts more like a treatment than a moisturizer—it doesn’t instantly absorb—but feels soothing and nourishing. It’s fully soaked in by morning and I wake up with smooth, supple skin and the healthiest-looking glow. This has earned a permanent spot in my night routine.” — Jenna Igneri, Freelance Beauty Writer