Heading into winter, sometimes even the best moisturiser isn’t enough. Cold air and indoor heating deplete the skin’s moisture barrier — the protective lipid layer that keeps hydration in and environmental irritants out — faster than most moisturisers can replenish it. Facial oils work differently: rather than sitting on the surface, they penetrate the barrier and supplement the skin’s own lipid structure from within, providing deeper and longer-lasting hydration.
Our Six Oils of Rejuvenation is a vegan, COSMOS-certified antioxidant booster treatment that blends six of the most effective natural oils for dry winter skin. Here’s what each one does, which skin types benefit most from each, and how to introduce them safely.
Avocado Oil
Avocado Oil is rich in oleic acid, which penetrates deeply into the skin and directly supports the ceramide layer — a critical component of the moisture barrier. When the barrier is disrupted in winter, ceramide-supporting oils like avocado help accelerate recovery. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that calm and heal irritated skin, and offers natural UV protection — important in Australia, where winter sun exposure remains a factor.
Best for: Dry and mature skin. Oleic acid-rich oils are most beneficial for skin that’s genuinely dry rather than oily — they absorb deeply and provide lasting emolliency without sitting on the surface.
Carrot Seed Oil
Rich in Vitamins A and E, Carrot Seed Oil moisturises the skin and fights visible signs of ageing. Combined with the essential oils of Ylang Ylang and Rosemary in our formula, it works overnight to rejuvenate damaged and stressed skin — making it particularly effective as part of an evening routine when the skin’s regeneration cycle is most active.
Best for: Ageing and dull skin. The high Vitamin A content supports cell turnover and improves skin texture over time, while Vitamin E provides antioxidant protection against environmental damage accumulated during winter.
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower Oil is high in Vitamin E and linoleic acid, both of which support a healthy barrier. Linoleic acid in particular is one of the essential fatty acids that form the skin’s lipid matrix — deficiency in linoleic acid is directly linked to a compromised barrier and increased water loss. Sunflower Oil also has powerful antioxidant properties that help protect the skin from pollution and oxidative stress.
Best for: Oily and acne-prone skin. Linoleic acid-rich oils are particularly well tolerated by oily and breakout-prone skin types — unlike oleic acid-heavy oils, they don’t contribute to congestion and can actually help regulate sebum production. If you have oily skin and have avoided facial oils, Sunflower’s linoleic acid content makes it a safe starting point.
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening Primrose Oil is high in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid with potent anti-inflammatory properties. It’s particularly beneficial for skin that’s prone to sensitivity, redness or hormonal breakouts in winter. It also treats pigmentation and supports an even, balanced complexion over time.
Best for: Sensitive, reactive and hormonally disrupted skin. GLA directly reduces inflammatory responses in the skin, making Evening Primrose particularly valuable during hormonal transitions — including peri-menopause — when skin sensitivity and reactivity increase significantly.
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet Almond Oil is lightweight and absorbs readily, making it well-suited to daytime use. It deeply cleanses the skin as it absorbs, gently dislodging debris from within pores. Zinc and Vitamin A help soothe irritation and reduce breakouts — useful in winter when hormonal fluctuations and barrier disruption can trigger unexpected congestion.
Best for: Normal and combination skin. Its lighter texture makes it the most versatile oil in the blend — comfortable for those who find heavier oils too rich, while still providing meaningful hydration and barrier support.
Rosehip and Jojoba Oils
These two oils anchor the formula. Rosehip provides Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids that regenerate damaged skin tissue and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, scars and pigmentation, while Vitamin C brightens and evens the complexion. Jojoba is structurally similar to the skin’s own sebum, which means it absorbs without feeling greasy and helps regulate oil production. Together, they create an effective barrier against sun damage and pollution.
Best for: All skin types. Jojoba in particular is one of the few oils genuinely suited to every skin type — its sebum-like structure means it signals the skin to produce less of its own oil if oily, while deeply nourishing skin that is dry. Rosehip suits all types but is especially valuable for ageing, pigmented or post-inflammatory skin.
Which Oils Are Right for Your Skin Type?
Our Six Oils of Rejuvenation blends all of the above into a single formula — but understanding which oils are doing what for your skin type helps you get the most from the product and know what to expect.
Dry or very dry skin: You’ll benefit most from the Avocado and Rosehip in this blend. These oleic and fatty acid-rich oils penetrate deeply and provide long-lasting emolliency. Use 3–4 drops morning and evening, and consider using the oil under your moisturiser rather than mixed into it for maximum barrier repair benefit.
Oily or acne-prone skin: The Sunflower and Jojoba oils are your key allies here. Start with 2 drops in the evening only, and introduce gradually. You may find your skin’s oil production actually reduces over time as the linoleic acid helps regulate sebum. Avoid applying over areas of active congestion initially — build confidence on the drier parts of your face first.
Sensitive or reactive skin: Evening Primrose and Aloe Vera (in our serums that pair with this oil) are your most important ingredients. Use 2 drops on skin that has been patch-tested first, and introduce every second evening before building to daily use. Avoid using during active flare-ups — restore the barrier with a simple moisturiser first.
Combination skin: Sweet Almond and Jojoba are ideal for the balance required. Apply 2–3 drops in the evening, focusing on the drier areas of the face (cheeks, around the eyes) and using a lighter hand on the T-zone.
Mature or ageing skin: Rosehip and Carrot Seed are the stars for this concern. Use 3–4 drops every evening without exception — the cell renewal and collagen-stimulating properties of these oils require consistent use over several weeks to show their full effect. Morning use in winter is also beneficial for mature skin, applied before a rich moisturiser.
Peri-Menopause and Facial Oils: Why This Stage Changes Everything
For women in their 40s and early 50s, facial oils transition from a nice-to-have to one of the most important tools in a winter skincare routine. Here’s why.
During peri-menopause, declining oestrogen levels directly reduce the skin’s production of ceramides and lipids — the molecules that form the structural glue of the moisture barrier. As these levels drop, the barrier becomes thinner and more permeable, losing water more rapidly and becoming more vulnerable to irritants. In winter, when environmental conditions are already depleting the barrier, the combined effect is often dramatic: skin that was manageable suddenly feels chronically dry, tight and reactive, and products that worked before seem to stop being effective.
Facial oils address this at the structural level. By supplementing the lipids the skin is producing less of naturally, they help restore the barrier’s architecture rather than simply adding temporary surface moisture. For peri-menopausal skin specifically, the most relevant oils in our Six Oils of Rejuvenation blend are:
Evening Primrose Oil is particularly valuable during hormonal transition. Its high GLA content reduces the inflammatory sensitivity that many women experience during peri-menopause — the sudden reactivity to products previously tolerated, the flushing, the unpredictable breakouts alongside dryness. GLA directly modulates inflammatory pathways in the skin, providing a stabilising effect that other oils don’t offer.
Rosehip Oil supports collagen production and cell turnover, both of which slow significantly as oestrogen declines. Used consistently overnight, Rosehip is one of the most effective natural tools for maintaining skin density and reducing the accelerated fine line formation that often accompanies peri-menopause. The Vitamin A content also helps with the pigmentation changes — uneven tone and dark spots — that become more pronounced during this transition.
Avocado Oil provides the ceramide support that the skin’s barrier increasingly needs as oestrogen-driven ceramide production declines. For peri-menopausal skin in winter, this isn’t an optional extra — it’s addressing a genuine structural deficit. Use nightly without exception.
One thing worth knowing: peri-menopausal skin can experience breakouts alongside significant dryness due to hormonal fluctuations — a combination that feels contradictory. The temptation is to treat breakouts with drying products, but this will worsen barrier damage and make everything else harder. Focus on barrier repair with the oils, use only gentle targeted spot care on individual blemishes, and resist stripping the skin further.
How to Patch Test and Introduce a Facial Oil
If you’re introducing a facial oil for the first time — or returning to one after a break — a patch test is always worth doing, particularly in winter when skin can be more reactive.
Apply a small amount to the inside of your wrist or behind your ear. Leave for 24 hours without washing the area. If you notice redness, itching or irritation, discontinue use. If all looks clear, you’re good to proceed.
Start with 2–3 drops. Facial oils are concentrated — more product doesn’t mean better results, and using too much too soon can congest pores before the skin adjusts.
Apply to slightly damp skin. Oils absorb better and sit more comfortably when pressed into skin that still has a little moisture — immediately after toner or serum is ideal.
Introduce gradually. Start every second evening, then build to nightly use once your skin has adapted.
How to Layer Your Facial Oil Correctly
Facial oil belongs after your serum and before your moisturiser: Cleanser → Serum → Facial Oil → Moisturiser → SPF (morning only).
The oil helps seal in the active ingredients from your serum, and the moisturiser applied on top locks everything in. In the morning, you can also mix 1–2 drops directly into your foundation for a dewy, hydrated finish throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use facial oil in the morning or at night?
Both, if your skin tolerates it. At night, facial oils support the skin’s natural repair and regeneration cycle. In the morning, a lighter application — or mixing a drop into your moisturiser or foundation — gives a dewy, hydrated finish. If you’re new to facial oils, start with evening use only.
Will facial oil make my skin more oily or cause breakouts?
Not necessarily. Jojoba closely mimics the skin’s own sebum and can help regulate oil production. The key is using the right amount — 2–3 drops — and introducing gradually. If you have acne-prone skin, the linoleic acid-rich oils in our blend (Sunflower, Rosehip) are better tolerated than oleic acid-heavy formulas.
Why does peri-menopausal skin need more facial oil in winter?
Declining oestrogen during peri-menopause reduces the skin’s natural ceramide and lipid production — the molecules that form the barrier’s structural layer. In winter, environmental depletion compounds this deficit. Facial oils directly replenish these lipids, making them one of the most targeted tools available for peri-menopausal skin in cold weather.
How do I know if my skin barrier is damaged in winter?
Signs include persistent tightness, stinging when applying products that didn’t previously cause irritation, redness, flakiness that doesn’t resolve with moisturiser, and increased sensitivity. Facial oils rich in linoleic and oleic fatty acids are one of the most effective ways to support barrier repair alongside a gentle, non-stripping cleanser.
Is the Six Oils of Rejuvenation suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes. The formula is COSMOS-certified organic, fragrance is derived only from natural essential oils, and Evening Primrose Oil is included specifically for its anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. As with any new product, patch test first.
- Sylvie Hutchings, Founder, SCOUT Organic Active Beauty
