The 12 Best Natural Face Oils for Anti-Ageing Skin (2026 Guide)
You know the moment... You catch your reflection in the car visor mirror, or under the brutal fluorescents of a shop change room, and your skin looks – quietly tired.
There's a softness around the jaw that wasn't there last winter. The fine lines next to your eyes have invited a few friends.
Welcome to skin over 40.
The good news: you don't need needles, lasers or a 14-step routine to do something about it.
The best natural face oils for anti-ageing have been quietly outperforming half the 'breakthrough' serums on Instagram – and they've been doing it for, oh, only a century or so.
This 2026 guide breaks down the 12 plant and essential oils worth knowing. Which ones genuinely help with fine lines, loss of firmness and that dull, 'I look tired' look – plus how to choose between them.
Three of them do the heavy lifting. We'll get to those first.
Indagare's best-selling face oils are formulated with these 12 most effective anti-ageing plant and essential oils
Delivering a power-packed cocktail of potent anti-aging botanicals, our face oil duo:
- Stimulates cellular turnover
- Enhances skin elasticity
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Repairs and brightens damaged skin
-
Corrects skin tone and fades pigmentation
1: Prickly Pear Seed Oil
If we had to recommend just one face oil for skin over 40, this would be it. Sorry, we don't make the rules.
Prickly pear seed oil contains three times the vitamin E of any other plant oil used in beauty, and 150% more than argan. That matters because vitamin E is one of the most studied free-radical scavengers in skincare – and free radicals are the thing quietly breaking down your collagen every time you nip to the letterbox without a hat on.
What that translates to on your skin:
Smoother-looking fine lines around the eyes and mouth
Brighter, more even tone (particularly good on the hyperpigmentation patches that arrive with perimenopause)
Plumper, more hydrated skin – without ever feeling greasy
Visibly brighter under-eye area, thanks to a hefty hit of vitamin K
Here's the catch: most 'prickly pear oil' on the market isn't actually from the seeds. It's pressed from the fruit (fine for jam, useless for skin) or chemically macerated to cut costs.
Real prickly pear seed oil takes about 30kg of seeds to produce a single litre. It is, frankly, a faff to make.
Ours is sourced directly from Berber women's cooperatives in Morocco, cold-pressed from the seeds only. It's the hero ingredient in Illumino Youth Serum – our morning face oil for skin that needs to look brighter and bouncier – and you'll also find it in our Signature Night Recovery Oil, and Prickly Pear Eye Roller.
2: Argan
Famous for hair. Criminally underrated for skin.
Argan oil's anti-ageing reputation comes from a very high vitamin E content paired with saponins (skin-softening compounds) and a fatty acid profile that happens to mirror what your skin naturally produces – so it's recognised, not rejected.
Here's the part that matters most if you're perimenopausal or postmenopausal: studies show argan oil is more effective than olive oil at supporting collagen in postmenopausal women.
Which is interesting, because we lose roughly 30% of our skin's collagen in the five years after menopause. That softening of the jawline, the way the skin on the back of your hands suddenly looks thinner – yeah, that's collagen leaving the chat.
Argan won't reverse menopause. But it does:
Help restore the lipid layer your skin uses to hold onto moisture
Smooth the appearance of fine lines without that 'I just got out of a deep fryer' oily look
Support firmness over time, particularly when used overnight
Like our prickly pear, our argan is ethically sourced from Berber women's cooperatives in Morocco. We use it in our Signature Night Recovery Oil and our Hair Renewal Oil.
3: Rosehip
Rosehip seed oil is the one your friend who's 'really into skin' will mention at dinner. She's not wrong.
Rosehip contains all-trans retinoic acid – the same vitamin A compound that prescription retinol converts to once it's on your skin.
Same destination, much gentler journey. No redness, no peeling, no 'do not go outside or you will burn' warnings.
What that means in practice:
Improved skin texture (the kind of smoothing that makes foundation sit better)
Fading of scars and post-acne marks
Visibly more even skin tone
Anti-inflammatory effect that calms redness and reactive skin
Rosehip is particularly useful for skin that's both ageing and sensitive – a combination that becomes weirdly common in your 40s and 50s, when the skin barrier starts misbehaving for the first time in your life.
You'll find it in our Signature Night Recovery Oil, where it gets to work overnight while you're (theoretically) asleep.
4: Tamanu
If your skin has gone reactive in your 40s – stinging, redness out of nowhere, products you've used for years suddenly not playing nicely – tamanu is the one to look at. It gently soothes and helps minimise scars' appearance with its fatty acids, antioxidants, and antibacterial qualities.
It is a very healing oil with several studies finding tamanu oil can help skin wounds improve faster, reduce inflammation, and promote collagen production.
Pressed from the nut of the laurelwood or 'tamanu' tree (Calophyllum inophyllum), tamanu oil is rich in omega-9 — a fatty acid that powers healthy cell growth and regeneration. Tamanu is a great face oil best for skin that needs a moisturising overhaul.
Once again, we use this oil in our Signature Night Recovery Oil .
5: Pomegranate
Pomegranate seed oil is pressed from the seeds of the fruit (Punica granatum) and contains predominantly (75%) punicic acid, an omega-5 fatty acid. Omega 5 is a rare yet potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, two fantastic tools in your kit when it comes to stalling the signs of premature ageing due to sun exposure.
A study done by the University of Michigan found pomegranate seed oil helps accelerate skin rejuvenation, which, in turn, slows down the formation of new wrinkles.
When it comes to skin rejuvenation, pomegranate is a powerful anti-ageing oil. By stimulating keratinocytes (cells that produce keratin in the epidermis) and boosting the efficacy of firming proteins, pomegranate helps improve the look of your top layer of skin, providing an instant glow.
Further, pomegranate contains a high concentration of ellagic acid, which helps prevent wrinkles and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), an enzyme that signals collagen breakdown.
Pomegranate seed oil is one of the ingredients in our Signature Night Recovery Oil .
6: Sea Buckthorn
Sea buckthorn is the oil to know if your skin has lost its bounce.
One of its standout properties, omega-7, is key for collagen production (and difficult to find in even the most luxurious products), joining a dream team of ingredients including vitamins C, A, E, K, P, F, B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, and calcium.
It's a star line-up known for smoothing damaged skin through regeneration.
Sea buckthorn provides the building blocks we need to stimulate long-lasting collagen production. Because collagen is what gives skin its plumpness and 'lifted' shape, adding this oil to your regimen is the perfect way to reclaim skin's youthful bounce.
The regenerative properties of Sea buckthorn make it an ideal inclusion in our Signature Night Recovery Oil.
The 12 best natural face oils for anti-ageing at a glance
| Oil | Best for | Key actives | Found in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prickly Pear Seed Oil | Brightening, fine lines, dark under-eye circles | Vitamin E (3x other plant oils), vitamin K, linoleic acid, betalains | Illumino Youth Serum, Signature Night Recovery Oil |
| Argan | Postmenopausal firming, hydration | Vitamin E, saponins, omegas 6 & 9 | Signature Night Recovery Oil, Argan & Prickly Pear Oil |
| Rosehip Seed | Texture, scarring, natural retinoid effect | Trans-retinoic acid, beta-carotene, phenolic acid | Signature Night Recovery Oil |
| Tamanu | Healing, reactive and irritated skin | Omega-9, antioxidants, antibacterials | Signature Night Recovery Oil |
| Pomegranate Seed | Anti-inflammatory, sun-related ageing | Punicic acid (omega-5), ellagic acid | Signature Night Recovery Oil |
| Sea Buckthorn | Collagen-rebuilding, plumpness | Omega-7, vitamins C, A, E, K | Signature Night Recovery Oil |
| Immortelle | Dullness, fine lines | Gamma-curcumene, neryl acetate | Signature Night Recovery Oil |
| Rose | Plumping, calming redness | Anti-inflammatories, astringents | Signature Night Recovery Oil |
| Jasmine | Moisture-locking, scars | Anti-inflammatory compounds | Signature Night Recovery Oil |
| Neroli | Cell turnover, elasticity | Bitter orange compounds | Illumino Youth Serum |
| Carrot Seed | Detoxifying, UV-related ageing | Carotol, vitamins A, K, C, biotin | Signature Night Recovery Oil |
| Frankincense | Sunspots, skin tightening | Boswellic acids | Illumino Youth Serum & Signature Night Recovery Oil |
All formulas: Australian-made. PETA certified.
7: Immortelle / Helichrysum
A cousin of the sunflower, this fragrant bloom is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Also called "Immortelle" due to the flower's resistance to wilting, helichrysum prevents dullness and soothes the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
The compounds found inside – gamma-curcumene (sometimes confused with curcumin), skin-lightening diketones, and neryl acetate – fight against metabolic cellular ageing and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Immortelle is known for the youthful glow many users report, making it the perfect choice for the face, neck, and decolletage.
Immortelle + a restful night's sleep make our Signature Night Recovery oil a blissfully simple trip to the "fountain of youth"!
8: Rose
Rose oil is the calming, plumping all-rounder – particularly useful if mature skin and rosacea or redness have decided to gang up on you.
Rose oil is known for helping skin cells speed up their turnover and renewal rate, allowing your healthiest and most youthful-looking skin shine through.
Additionally, rose oil is a calming anti-inflammatory, soothing away redness and rejuvenating stressed-looking skin.
Astringent and antibacterial, rose oil's real secret lies in its ability to moisturise. By encouraging increased water content, rose oil helps naturally plump the skin while making it more receptive to other skincare ingredients.
Another excellent inclusion in our Signature Night Recovery oil .
9: Jasmine
Derived from fragrant white jasmine blooms, jasmine oil is known for its moisturising properties and can help fight against ageing and limiting dryness.
Old scars and rough patches can make skin appear more aged. Jasmine works to soothe and heal that roughness, hydrating troublesome areas and locking in moisture for long periods, making it ideal for face and neck.
Fragrant and nourishing jasmine oil is found in our Signature Night Recovery oil .
10: Neroli
An effective anti-ageing treatment, neroli oil (from bitter orange tree flowers) encourages your body to work naturally against wrinkles by promoting renewed elasticity and speedy skin cell generation.
It's out with the old and in with the new! Neroli oil prepares the skin by clearing away toxins produced by bacteria (which can cause harsh ageing effects) and promotes new skin cells for a youthful and fresh look.
Neroli oil is the most stunningly fragrant as well as nourishing ingredient, found in our Illumino Youth Serum.
Try Our Best Selling Duo & Save 16% Off
They've been called "The Holy Grail" and "Affordable Luxury" countless times.
We bundled them and called them the Organic Face Oil Duo Set – our best-selling organic morning and night oils.
11: Carrot Seed
Carrot seed oil provides a hefty dose of carotol, which pounces on bacteria and harmful environmental pollutants before they can hurt your skin.
Once the harmful substances are removed, carrot seed oil encourages moisture, which can help treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and limiting signs of ageing.
After giving your skin a much-needed detox, carrot seed oil leaves skin nourished and bright over time thanks to its concentration of vitamins A, K, C, and biotin compounds.
This combination promotes cell growth speed and protects against some of the effects of ageing UV light, making it the perfect inclusion in our Signature Night Recovery oil.
12: Frankincense
Frankincense oil provides the anti-ageing repair you desire by reducing the appearance of sunspots and age spots. Uneven skin tone does not stand a chance against this powerful oil.
Additionally, frankincense is one of the most effective essential oils for tightening skin and fighting wrinkles due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes skin strength and elasticity.
Our favourite duo, the Illumino Youth Serum and the Signature Night Recovery Oil, was created with all of the above — and more — anti-ageing oils, to help slow the signs of time by ensuring skin is healed, nourished and rejuvenated daily.
These luxury face oils have enjoyed more than more than 1,400 verified five-star reviews from women (and men) using them to fight the signs of ageing.
Formulated to work in synergy to hydrate, brighten, nourish and repair skin daily, this potent yet simple day/night routine delivers that healthy radiance only balanced, happy skin has.
And while we're all about finding natural ingredients that really work, we're also passionate about our ethical chain of production. Indagare aims to use fresh, ethically sourced ingredients — working with a fair-trade international group of women for our key elements, family farms for others, and reputable Australian wholesalers for anything we can't get direct!
This feel-good/fresh-skin approach helps you nourish and glow while taking care of the earth.
Radiant Skin Starts Here: Find Your Face Oil Best Fit!
You don’t need a seven-step skincare routine to enjoy hydrated, radiant skin. In two simple steps, Indagare’s morning and night organic face oils will help nourish and firm skin and turn a dull complexion into a vibrantly healthy one.
Best natural face oils for anti-ageing – your questions answered:
Q: What's the best natural face oil for anti-ageing in Australia?
For most people over 40, prickly pear seed oil offers the strongest all-round results – it contains three times the vitamin E of any other plant oil used in beauty, plus high levels of vitamin K (for brightening) and linoleic acid (for plumping fine lines). For an Australian-made option, Indagare's Illumino Youth Serum uses ethically sourced Moroccan prickly pear seed oil as its hero ingredient.
Q: Are face oils good for skin over 40?
Yes. As skin matures, oil production slows and the lipid barrier weakens – which is why your skin starts to look duller, drier and less plump. Plant oils replenish those lipids in a form your skin recognises, supporting hydration, elasticity and firmness. Argan and rosehip are particularly well-studied for postmenopausal skin.
Q: Can I use a face oil instead of a moisturiser?
For many people over 40 with normal-to-dry skin, a good face oil can replace a separate moisturiser. Oils seal in hydration and supply the essential fatty acids your skin needs. If your skin still feels tight, layer the oil over a water-based serum.
Q: Which is better for anti-ageing – argan oil or prickly pear seed oil?
Both are excellent, and they're even better together. Prickly pear is the brightening, line-smoothing powerhouse (best for morning use under sunscreen). Argan is the deeper-nourishing, collagen-supporting oil (best at night). If you can use both, do – it's the combination behind our best-selling Day & Night Face Oil Duo.
Q: When should I apply anti-ageing face oil?
After cleansing, on slightly damp skin – it helps the oil absorb evenly. Use a lighter oil (like prickly pear) in the morning before SPF, and a richer oil (with rosehip, argan and sea buckthorn) at night while skin is in repair mode.
Q: Will natural face oils cause breakouts?
It depends on the oil. Comedogenic ratings range from 0 (won't clog pores) to 5 (highly clogging). Prickly pear seed oil and argan oil both rate 0 – meaning they're safe even for oily and combination skin types. Avoid heavier oils like coconut and wheatgerm on the face if you're prone to breakouts.