Best Anti Aging Face Oils for Mature Skin

Human written by Dr. Heather Smith. Links are non-affiliate.

If you’re searching for the best anti-aging face oil for mature skin, you’re not alone. With so many products and bold claims out there, it’s easy to waste time and money on something that doesn’t work for your skin. The good news? Face oils can offer powerful benefits, especially when you understand which ingredients actually support aging skin.

As a physician and skincare formulator, I believe in helping people make smart, informed choices. Whether you're looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines, eliminate dryness, or target pigmentation, the right oil can make a visible difference.

Before you burn a hole through your VISA, there are some fundamentals to know. This article is part of our beginner's face oil guide if you want to learn more.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What happens to your skin as it ages

• How face oils work to support mature skin

• Which oils are best for wrinkles, dryness, and uneven tone

• Tips for choosing and using the right oil for your unique needs

Let’s get into it.

What Happens to Skin as it Ages

As we age, skin goes through various changes that are caused by a combination of internal and external factors. As a result, the cells in our skin begin to deplete in both number and effectiveness, leading to a decrease in the efficiency of our skin's natural repair systems. This process is known as 'chronologic' aging. The visible results include thinning, loss of fat volume, increased fragility, and reduced elasticity.

In addition to chronologic aging, there is also 'photo-related' aging caused by exposure to UV radiation and sunlight. This type of aging differs from chronological aging as it results in skin thickening, excessive or abnormal elastin and collagen production, and a leathery appearance.

Both chronologic and photoaging are accelerated by factors such as sun exposure, smoking, pollution, and genetics. Hormonal changes can also play a role in the aging process.

Anti-aging skincare products target the various structures and processes of the skin that are affected by aging, such as skin thinning, loss of elasticity, and loss of fat padding. They aim to improve the overall health of the skin, and to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging.

Why Use Face Oils for Aging and Mature Skin?

Adding a face oil to your regimen can help slow or reduce some signs of aging. Getting started with facial oils at any age can have a nourishing and protective effect.

While we hate the term anti-aging and prefer to think of it as supporting skin health through all of life's stages, using the best oils for anti-aging face care is both proactive and protective.

Since the fatty acids in face oils are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, soothing, and moisturizing, they automatically have many benefits for mature skin. Add in the fact that powerful phytochemicals and active botanicals can target specific concerns like dark spots, collagen production, collagen quality, fine lines, and wrinkles, and you can see impressive results.

When using facial oils for aging skin, the types of benefits you could hope to see are:

• Improved moisturization and hydration
• A skin barrier that is repaired and strengthened
• A more even skin tone, reduced discoloration, improved brightness
• Improved texture, firmness, and elasticity revealing fewer fine lines and wrinkles

Of course, it's important to remember that carrier oils are still fairly passive regarding visible results. Oil serums have more active ingredients which translate into more visible changes, which is why learning to decipher ingredient labels is important.

How to Choose the Best Face Oil for Your Skin Type

If you have a skin type with special needs, you must factor that into your oil and ingredient choices.

Highly irritable, allergic, or sensitive skin will need to take priority. All the best oils for sensitive skin will still have benefits for anti-aging, so don't worry about missing out. 

Since retinol is oil soluble, many brands that design face oils for aging skin have decided to include retinol. This needs to be something you consider when looking at ingredients, especially if you have sensitive skin. We recommend splitting them up and using a separate face oil over the top of your retinoid. That way, you can adjust how often you use retinol and still be able to use your face oil every day.

If you have acne-prone skin or are naturally very oily, some of the best oils for aging might not be the best for you. None of the oils we recommend are very likely to clog pores, but if you have oily skin at baseline, you might prefer oils better for oily or acne-prone skin instead.

Top Anti-Aging Face Oils for Wrinkles, Pigmentation, and Dryness

Some of our most-favourite carrier oils specifically for mature skin include:

• Rosehip oil
• Pomegranate
• Daikon radish seed oil
• Sacha inchi
• Evening primrose
• Borage oil

Drawing special attention to evening primrose oil, it has some added potential benefits for post-menopausal skin. For those who have experienced menopause skin changes, including itchy and dry skin, there is a theoretical benefit to adding evening primrose oil to your skin care routine.

Evening primrose oil contains high levels of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which contributes to the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and eicosanoids. The association of GLA with hormones and prostaglandins makes it an interesting oil to try if you're searching for post-menopause skincare. Borage oil has even higher levels of GLA if that is what you are looking for. 

Other favourites for aging skin that's extra dry include:

• • Squalane (which makes its way onto the top of every "best face oils" list we've written)
  • Oat
  • Jojoba
  • Plum
  • Argan

👉🏼 Need more info? Check out our complete list of the best oils for dry skin.

Shopping Tips: DIY Blends or Ready-Made Oil Serums?

Now that you know about the right carrier oils to look for, you can start shopping, which is the fun part!

DIY Approach

If you like the idea of sticking with carrier oils, you could take a DIY approach by buying and blending your own mixture of oils from the details above.

• • Mature and dry skin could start with oils like: oat, jojoba, and evening primrose.
  • Mature and oily skin could start with squalane, rosehip, and borage.

Shopping for a Ready-Made Solution

Choose a scientifically formulated oil serum with anti-aging active ingredients, active botanical extracts, and other oil-soluble additives that will enhance your visible results.

With the explosion in popularity of waterless oil serums, there is a growing list of exotic specialized oils, oil-soluble botanicals, and active ingredients becoming available to manufacturers. As a result, there are plenty of options for people shopping for anti-aging face oils.

FAQ About Face Oils and Aging Skin

What is the best face oil for mature skin?

The best face oil for mature skin depends on your specific concerns. Rosehip, pomegranate, and evening primrose oils are popular for supporting collagen, improving elasticity, and reducing pigmentation. For a more potent option, oil serums with bakuchiol or vitamin C offer added benefits.

Can face oils help with wrinkles and fine lines?

Yes. While face oils don’t replace treatments like retinoids, they support skin hydration, barrier repair, and antioxidant defense, all of which help soften the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

What oils are best for aging skin with pigmentation?

Rosehip oil and pomegranate oil are rich in antioxidants that can help brighten uneven skin tone and reduce the appearance of age spots. Look for oil serums that include ingredients like bakuchiol or tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (oil-soluble vitamin C).

Is it better to use face oil or moisturizer for aging skin?

They do different things. Moisturizers are water-based and help with hydration, while oils seal in moisture and deliver lipid-soluble nutrients. For best results, use both; apply moisturizer first, then face oil to lock it in.

Can I use face oil with retinol or retinoids?

Yes, but apply them separately. Use your retinoid first, allow it to absorb, then layer a soothing face oil on top. This can help reduce irritation and support the skin barrier.