28 Essential Oils That'll Give You the Best Skin of Your Life

Nicknamed "liquid gold" in Morocco for its many beauty benefits, this oil — which comes from the kernels of the argan tree — is loaded with vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and proteins. It's amazing in products because it's ultra-hydrating for skin and strengthens hair, but it's also a great nail treatment on its own. "If your nails are brittle or peeling, soak them in a small bowl of pure argan oil, available at health-food stores, for 10 minutes every day for a week," suggests dermatologist Ellen Marmur, M.D., director of Marmur Medical in New York City. "In the winter, do this seven-day regimen once a month to help keep nails healthy."

Try: Majestic Pure Moroccan Argan Oil, $13; amazon.com.

Consider it the all-natural miracle hydrator for your face, body, lips, cuticles — anywhere you want to relieve dry skin. "Coconut oil is packed with nourishing fatty acids, which help to keep skin cells moist and strong by minimizing water loss," says dermatologist David Colbert, M.D., who has studied the skin benefits of oils for more than 15 years. Skin pros also like it as a gentle makeup remover, and yes, you can cook with it, too.

Try: Carrington Farms Coconut Oil, $17; amazon.com.

As a snack, almonds are filled with good-for-you fats — and it's those same omega–3s that make this oil a super-soothing body moisturizer. "Almond oil is hypoallergenic, so it's great on skin that's easily irritated," says Colbert. "It works to ease the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis, too."

Try: Now Solutions Sweet Almond Oil, $13; amazon.com.

Got dandruff or a dry, itchy scalp? Olive oil can help, thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. "To calm either issue, once a week, massage 1/4-cup of olive oil into your scalp so it's evenly saturated," says Marmur. "Wait at least 20 minutes, then shampoo and condition." You can also use olive oil — which is rich in vitamins that help battle lines and spots caused by sun damage — to amp up the anti-aging benefits of your favorite moisturizer: Just add two drops to your blob of lotion.

Try: Flora Olive Oil, $20; amazon.com.

On top of being a fantastic skin softener, this plant-derived oil works wonders on dry or textured hair. "Jojoba oil smooths frizz, conditions, and keeps hair strong," says Mona Gohara, M.D., an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. Look for it in shampoos and conditioners, or use it alone as a weekly deep-treatment: Work a quarter-size amount through clean, damp hair (avoiding your roots), then rinse after 10 to 20 minutes.

Try: Desert Essence 100% Pure Jojoba Oil, $10; walgreens.com.

You'll spot this on the ingredient label of many anti-aging creams and serums because it's shown to aid in restoring collagen, meaning it softens lines and helps skin stay firm. "Plus, grapeseed oil is high in polyphenols, which are antioxidants that help calm inflammation," says Colbert. Pure grapeseed oil is also available at health-food stores or GNC: Mix one to two drops into your daily dose of a.m. moisturizer for an age-busting boost.

Try: Now Foods Grapeseed Oil, $10; amazon.com.

This powerful anti-ager, which is extracted from the seeds of rose bushes, is chock-full of potent antioxidants like vitamins C and E, along with wrinkle-fighting vitamin A. "So it both protects skin from damage that can cause lines and dark spots as well as increases cell turnover rate, which leads to a smoother complexion," explains Gohara. Apply a few drops of the oil to your face like a serum, or blend them into your dollop of nighttime lotion.

Try: InstaNatural Organic Rosehip Seed oil, $22; amazon.com.

Derived from the nuts of Africa's marula tree, this oil can help clear up acne. Yes, an oil can nix breakouts: "It has antimicrobial elements that fight acne-causing bacteria, it's lightweight and doesn't clog pores, and it assists in balancing skin's oil production," says Colbert. A number of natural beauty brands offer 100-percent pure marula oil; it's also an excellent frizz tamer, so look for the ingredient in hair products, too.

Try: Shea Terra Organics Marula Oil, $20; amazon.com.

This essential oil contains a skin-beautifying blend of fatty acids such as oleic, palmitic, stearic and linoleic acid, all of which keep skin supple and soft. It's also known to increase circulation, says Ole Henriksen, founder of Ole Henriksen Skin Care, who recommends whipping up a body scrub using 1/2 oz. brown sugar, 1/2 oz. sea salt, and enough sesame oil to form a smooth paste (you don't want it to be too runny). Smooth over your body using circular buffing motions. "It's great for diminishing the look of cellulite," he says.

Try: Aura Cacia Organics Skin Care Oil in Protecting Sesame, $5; jet.com.

Rich in omega 6 and 9, this oil is great for softening skin and sealing in moisture without leaving a greasy residue behind. Smooth it over your face day and night, and dab some over the lower half of your hair, too: It will hydrate dry ends without weighing it down.

Try: Simply Earth's 100% Pure Camellia Seed Oil, $13; amazon.com.

A member of the mint family, lemon balm contains potent antioxidants such as caffeine and ferulic acid, which act as a shield against aging toxins like the sun's rays and smog. Tap a bit of this oil on every morning after your regular moisturizer, underneath your sunscreen to give your skin a protective barrier.

Try: Earth Elements Organics Lemon Balm Oil, $18; amazon.com.

Known for their high antioxidant count, pomegranate seeds are healthy to munch on, and the oil within them makes for a great anti-ager, too. That's because it helps increase the production — and reduce the breakdown of — collagen fibers, helping your complexion look firm and youthful. Pat a drop over clean skin, or right after your a.m. or p.m. moisturizer.

Try: Leven Rose Pomegranate Seed Oil, $14; amazon.com.

Taken from the dried seeds of the carrot plant, carrot seed oil helps fight wrinkles, fade age spots (and protect you from 'em), and can speed up healing when applied to eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and other skin irritations. Pretty great, huh?

Try: L'Occitane Body & Hair Fabulous Oil, $44, usa.loccitane.com.

Widely recognized for its relaxing scent, lavender also has the ability to relieve tight, itchy skin and protect it from environmental aggressors like UV rays and pollution, both of which cause premature aging. Smooth it straight over your face, or mix a small amount into your day and night cream.

Try: Boots Botanics 100% Pure Essential Lavender Oil, $9; amazon.com.

With its disinfecting and anti-fungal properties, geranium is an ideal treatment for clearing acne-prone complexions and controlling oil production. To reap the benefits, gently press it over problem areas, or even all over skin.

Try: C.O. Bigelow Geranium Essential Oil, $16; bigelowchemists.com.

For an all-natural fix for acne and blackheads, use this oil as a spot treatment. It contains mild disinfecting properties, so it will quicken the healing process without drying out your skin like other acne medications can. Simply saturate a q-tip or cotton pad with the oil, then sweep over areas of concern.

Try: ArtNaturals Organic Tea Tree Oil, $18; amazon.com.

Produced by cells inside the rinds of bergamot orange fruits, this oil is a natural antiseptic, repairing wounds and stimulating healing. Apply to acne scars, eczema, or psoriasis and get ready to see real results.

Try: Edens Garden Bergamot 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil, $12; amazon.com.

Smooth this oil — extracted from the seeds of the Moringa tree — over skin for the most gorgeous, rosy glow. It helps to battle skin fatigue, so your complexion will appear radiant and refreshed.

Try: The Vitamin Shoppe Moringa Skincare Oil, $15; vitaminshoppe.com.

Filled with vitamin E, this oil makes for a heavy-duty body hydrator. Use a few drops on targeted areas like ashy elbows and knees, or all over, and you'll feel nourished and, well, hydrated.

Try: Flora Organic Sunflower Oil, $12; vitacost.com.

As a face oil, it helps stimulate cell renewal, getting rid of old, complexion-dulling cells and revealing fresh ones underneath. When used as a scalp treatment, rosemary oil can treat dandruff: In a glass, mix five to seven drops in tepid water and use it as a hair rinse after shampooing.

Try: Now Rosemary Oil, $12; amazon.com.