Facial oils may be your saviour in battling the oil build-up that causes acne. "When you use natural facial oils, your skin is less dehydrated and sebum is less likely to cornify -- making little plugs for your pores," says Kristen Ma, a certified ayurvedic practitioner. But not all oils are created equally. Mineral oils, like petroleum, can cause acne because they sit on top of the skin and clog pores instead of sinking in, says Ma. And Ma recommends skipping circulation-stimulating ingredients (think: rose hip oil and sesame oil) because they can force toxins to the surface and trigger breakouts.
Oils that won't cause your acne to flare up? Ma recommends coconut oil for it's anti-inflammatory properties, as well as jojoba oil, which has the same consistency as the oils on our faces. But just like the oils you cook with, make sure the ones you put on your face are high quality. Meaning: generally you get what you pay for. This doesn't mean you have to throw down hundreds of dollars, just look for oils that are minimally processed and have few-to-no additives.