If you've ever applied moisturizer and still felt tight, flaky, or just... dull by noon — a face oil might be the missing piece. Not a heavy, greasy one that clogs your pores. A lightweight one that actually absorbs and gives your skin what it's been asking for.
The tricky part is that "face oil" covers a massive range of products, from single-ingredient oils to complex botanicals to everything in between. So let's make choosing one a lot simpler.
What does non-comedogenic mean?
A comedone is a clogged pore. Non-comedogenic means a product is formulated to minimize pore-clogging. In the world of oils, this is measured on a comedogenic scale from 0 to 5 — where 0 means it won't clog pores at all, and 5 means it almost certainly will for most people.
The good news: many of the most effective botanical oils sit at 0–2 on that scale, meaning they're safe for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin types.
The best non-comedogenic oils
Squalane (0): The gold standard for non-comedogenic skincare. Squalane is derived from plants (usually sugarcane or olives) and is chemically similar to your skin's own sebum, which means it absorbs completely without sitting on top of the skin. It's stable, odorless, and suitable for every skin type — including oily and acne-prone.
Jojoba oil (2): Technically a liquid wax rather than an oil. It mimics skin's natural oils closely enough that it can actually help regulate sebum production. Lightweight and fast-absorbing — a reliable choice for combination skin.
Strawberry seed oil (1): One of the lighter botanicals, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E. Absorbs quickly and offers antioxidant protection without congesting pores.
Apple seed oil (2): A lesser-known ingredient with a high antioxidant content and a light, silky texture. Non-irritating and well-tolerated even on sensitive skin.
Avocado seed oil (2–3): Slightly richer than the others, but still on the lower end of the scale. Best for dry or mature skin rather than oily or acne-prone.
Oils to be cautious with
Not all oils are created equal. Coconut oil (4), wheat germ oil (5), and flaxseed oil (4) are among the more comedogenic options and can cause breakouts in pore-prone skin. These show up in a lot of beauty oils marketed as "natural" — which is why reading the ingredient list matters more than the label claim.
What about combination or oily skin?
Counter-intuitively, the right face oil can actually help oily skin. When skin is dehydrated, it compensates by overproducing sebum. A lightweight non-comedogenic oil — especially squalane or jojoba — can signal to skin that it's adequately moisturized, dialing back that overproduction over time.
Start with one or two drops, applied after your moisturizer, and give it two to four weeks before judging results. A purge period is common with any new skincare addition.
What izé uses — and why
The Everywhere Oil is built around squalane, strawberry seed oil, apple seed oil, and avocado seed oil — all ingredients with low comedogenic ratings chosen specifically for the formula's lightweight, fast-absorbing finish. You can see the full ingredient breakdown on our ingredients page.
The result is an oil that works for sensitive and dry skin without the heaviness or pore risk that puts most people off face oils in the first place.
The short answer
If you've avoided face oils because you're worried about breakouts, squalane and jojoba are the safest starting points. Both absorb quickly, won't clog pores, and give skin what it needs without the greasiness. For dry skin that needs more nourishment, add strawberry seed or apple seed oil into the mix. Avoid anything with coconut oil or wheat germ oil at the top of the ingredient list.
