Why Oil-Based Skincare Is Actually Great for Your Skin (and What to Avoid)Rethinking everything you’ve been told about oils and skincare.

When you hear the word “oil” in skincare, what’s your first reaction?

If it’s hesitation, you’re not alone. For years, oil has been painted as the enemy—blamed for clogged pores, acne breakouts, and greasy skin. Many of us grew up reaching for harsh foaming cleansers and oil-free everything, believing we needed to strip our skin to keep it clear.

But here’s the truth: the right oils are not only good for your skin—they’re essential.

Why We Were Told to Avoid Oils

There’s a big misconception that using oils will make your skin oily. But what most people don’t realize is that your skin actually needs healthy fats to stay balanced, hydrated, and resilient. When we strip the skin too often or use overly drying products, our body often responds by producing more oil, leading to the very breakouts and shine we were trying to avoid.

The real issue? Not all oils are created equal.

Oils to Avoid in Skincare

Many conventional skincare and cosmetic brands still use low-quality or highly processed oils because they’re cheap and have long shelf lives. These include:

• Mineral oil (a petroleum byproduct)

• Isopropyl myristate (a synthetic emollient that can be pore-clogging)

• Soybean oil

• Canola oil

• Corn oil

• Vegetable oil blends (often unlabeled mixtures of cheap seed oils)

These oils are often heavily refined, genetically modified, and stripped of their natural nutrients. Many are also high in omega-6 fatty acids, which in excess can contribute to inflammation when applied topically (or consumed internally).

Why Oil-Based Skincare Is Actually Beautifully Healing

When we choose high-quality, nutrient-dense oils that are non-comedogenic and skin-loving, everything changes.

Here are a few examples of beneficial oils that support the skin:

• Jojoba oil – balances sebum production and mimics the skin’s natural oils

• Rosehip oil – rich in vitamins A and C, great for brightening and healing

• Argan oil – deeply nourishing, non-greasy, and antioxidant-rich

• Squalane (plant-based) – ultra-light and hydrating without clogging pores

• Sea buckthorn oil – known for its regenerative and calming properties

These oils don’t just sit on top of your skin—they actually deliver vitamins, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants deep into the layers where your skin needs them most.

The Water-Based Cream Dilemma

Let’s talk about something that often goes unnoticed: water-based creams. Most lotions on the market are made primarily of water. While this may sound refreshing, it opens the door to a big issue: water breeds bacteria.

Because of this, any product that contains water must include preservatives—and often not the gentle kind. You’ll commonly find ingredients like:

• Phenoxyethanol

• Sodium benzoate

• Potassium sorbate

• EDTA

• Parabens (though these are less common now due to consumer pushback)

These preservatives are necessary to keep water-based products from growing mold, but they can be irritating—especially for sensitive skin types.

By contrast, pure oil-based formulations don’t need preservatives, because oil doesn't support bacterial growth. This means more stability, a longer shelf life, and fewer irritants.

Tallow and Balms: Your Skin’s Best Friends

Oil-based skincare doesn’t stop at liquid oils—tallow balms and oil-rich butters are incredible for skin health. Grass-fed tallow, for example, is packed with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and closely mimics the natural oils found in our skin. This makes it deeply compatible and soothing, especially for dry, reactive, or eczema-prone skin.

Balms made with shea butter, cocoa butter, or a mix of nourishing oils work similarly, forming a gentle protective barrier that locks in moisture and supports the skin barrier.

And the best part? No water. No junk. Just pure, skin-loving ingredients.

Final Thoughts: Less Ingredients, More Intention

When it comes to skincare, less is truly more. Your skin doesn’t need long ingredient lists filled with preservatives, dyes, fragrance, and filler oils—it needs intentional, whole ingredients that work in harmony with your body.

Oil-based skincare gives you exactly that. Simpler formulas, fewer irritants, longer shelf life, and real results.

If you’ve been afraid of using oils, maybe it’s time to rethink things. Your skin might just thrive on the nourishment it's been missing.

At Dilarah Skin, we’re deeply rooted in the belief that less is more—especially when it comes to sensitive, acne-prone skin. We handcraft every product with purpose, using only high-quality, skin-loving ingredients that truly nourish and support your skin’s natural rhythm. No fillers, no harsh chemicals—just clean, intentional formulas that let your skin breathe, heal, and glow. Because when it comes to skincare, quality isn’t optional—it’s everything.