The term “face oil” seems counter-intuitive. Your face naturally produces oil to moisturize and protect your skin. So more oil sounds like the last thing you'd want to slather on. Not true. By adding on some good oil (meaning stuff that's packed full of vitamins and natural ingredients), your skin slows down its own oil production to maintain balance.

Oils offer a ton of benefits—from radical hydration and brightening (for when your skin looks sullen and dull) to anti-aging and lifting. The secret is the essential (read: naturally derived from plants) oils included in most formulations. These oils are highly potent, so your face reaps mega benefits without a lot of additional ingredients that can dilute the effectiveness.

Oils have a whole host of useful grooming applications (from shaving oils to body oils), but for our purposes here, let's focus on the facial applications. You really can’t go wrong by just patting a few drops on dry skin (note: we said pat, not rub). If your skin is sensitive, try mixing it with your moisturizer to see how it reacts. Some oils are on the heavier side, so start by trying them at night, when your skin has time to really soak up the good stuff.

Here are our favorites. Remember, don’t be afraid to experiment. Mix and match until you find the right one—or the right combination—for you.

The All-Around Favorite

The Recovery Treatment Oil from Malin + Goetz is the lightest oil out there, and it's absorbed quickly so your face doesn't get slick or shiny. This is a winner from the 2017 GQ Grooming Awards.

> $82, buy it now at Malin + GoetzThe Morning Wakeup

Big night? Need a little pick up? Vitamin C (just like the kind found in your orange juice) can perk up and firm your face after you stay out late.Triple C Peptide Firming Oil from Dr. Dennis Gross

> $63, buy it now at Dr. Dennis GrossThe Balancing Act

When skincare products use the word “balance,” it means mostly addressing inflammation, which is what causes redness, texture issues and irritation. Use these specific oils as your multi-use tool.Balancing Face Oil from Peet Rivko

> $56, buy it now at Peet RivkoThe Great Hydrator

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One of the things face oil does best is hydrate. It not only replenished lost hydration (especially in colder weather), but it also helps lock it down inside so you don’t lose it as easily. Choose a specifically hydrating mixture with things like jojoba and hemp oil.Hydrating Oil, Basics from True Botanicals

> $38, buy it now at True BotanicalsWatch NowGQ's 60 Greatest Trends From The Last 60 YearsRelated Stories for GQGrooming AwardsGrooming