Best Non-Comedogenic Carrier Oils for Skin with Ratings List

Updated November 2026
The best non-comedogenic carrier oils for skin rate 0 or 1 on the 0 to 5 comedogenic scale, an older lab rating of how likely an oil is to clog pores. Hemp seed, argan, sunflower, grapeseed, rosehip, and sea buckthorn sit at the low end, and jojoba and sweet almond (rated 2) suit most people too.

Below you'll find what the ratings mean, my full ratings chart, which oils suit each skin type, and two simple face oil recipes. If you're new to carriers, start with my full list of carrier oils. Jump to the ratings chart.

What Does Non-Comedogenic Mean?

"Comedogenic" describes how likely an oil or butter is to clog pores. The comedogenic scale runs from 0 to 5:

"Non-comedogenic" means an oil sits at the low end of that scale, usually 0 or 1. One honest note: these ratings come from older lab testing, and different charts don't always agree. Use them as a starting point, then pay attention to how your own skin responds.

12 Best Non-Comedogenic Carrier Oils for Skin

These are the oils I use most for face blends and oily skin.

1. Hemp Seed Oil (Rating 0)

Light, quick to absorb, and rich in linoleic acid. It's a favorite of mine for oily and combination skin. It has a nutty, green scent and a short shelf life, so keep it in the fridge. Read my hemp seed oil spotlight.

2. Argan Oil (Rating 0)

Silky and light, pressed from the kernels of the Moroccan argan tree. It sinks in without a greasy finish, which makes it lovely for normal, combination, and mature skin. See my argan oil spotlight.

3. Sunflower Oil (Rating 0)

An affordable, gentle oil that's easy to overlook. Choose high-linoleic sunflower oil for the face. It's a top pick of mine for sensitive skin and everyday body oils.

4. Safflower Oil (Rating 0, high-linoleic only)

Very light and similar to sunflower. Check the label: only the high-linoleic type rates 0, while high-oleic safflower is heavier.

5. Grapeseed Oil (Rating 1)

Thin, fast-absorbing, and nearly scentless, so your essential oils come through. It goes rancid faster than most, so buy small bottles. Read my grapeseed carrier oil spotlight.

6. Rosehip Seed Oil (Rating 1)

A light, dry-feeling oil that's a favorite in facial serums, especially for dry and mature skin and for the look of dark marks left after breakouts. It oxidizes quickly, so keep it in the fridge. Find out more in is rosehip seed oil comedogenic? and 6 rosehip oil uses.

7. Sea Buckthorn Oil (Rating 1)

A deep orange oil pressed from the bright orange berries of a hardy shrub. Use just a few drops mixed into a lighter carrier, because it can tint your skin and stain fabrics orange.

8. Hazelnut Oil (Rating 1)

Light with a slightly dry, almost matte finish, which suits oily skin. Skip it if you have a tree nut allergy.

9. Pomegranate Seed Oil (Rating 1)

A rich specialty oil that I add in small amounts to blends for mature skin. I mix a small amount into a lighter base rather than using it on its own.

10. Castor Oil (Rating 1)

Very thick and sticky, so it's rarely used alone on the face. A little mixed with a lighter oil is popular for oil cleansing and for brows and lashes. See my castor oil spotlight.

11. Neem Oil (Rating 1 to 2)

Pressed from the seeds of the neem tree. It has a strong, garlicky smell, so I use a small amount mixed into another carrier. Read how to use neem oil for skin.

12. Jojoba Oil (Rating 2)

Technically a liquid wax, and very similar to the natural oil your skin makes. It rates a 2, but in my experience it's well tolerated by most skin types, and it keeps for a long time. It's my go-to for face rollers. Read my jojoba carrier oil spotlight.

Comedogenic Ratings for Carrier Oils and Butters

Here's my full chart. Some oils show a range because their makeup varies from batch to batch and charts disagree.

Best Carrier Oils by Skin Type

• Oily skin: hemp seed, grapeseed, high-linoleic sunflower, hazelnut, jojoba
• Combination skin: jojoba, argan, hemp seed
• Normal skin: jojoba, argan, sweet almond, grapeseed, sunflower
• Dry skin: argan, avocado, sweet almond, jojoba with a little rosehip
• Mature skin: rosehip, argan, pomegranate seed (in small amounts), apricot kernel, jojoba
• Sensitive skin: high-linoleic sunflower, jojoba, apricot kernel, sweet almond (if no nut allergy)

Higher-rated oils and butters still have their place. Cocoa butter (4), coconut oil (4), and wheat germ oil (5) are lovely in body butters, lotion bars, and massage oils for very dry body skin. I just keep them off the face.

How to Dilute Essential Oils in a Face Oil

Your face is more sensitive than the rest of your body, so keep facial blends at 0.5 to 1%. Body blends can go to 2 to 3% for everyday use by adults and teens 12+.

See my dilution calculator and chart for more.

Two Simple Face Oil Recipes

Light Face Oil for Oily or Combination Skin

Facial oil · Ages 12+ · 1%

A light, soft floral night oil that sinks in fast.

• 2 tsp hemp seed oil
• 1 tsp jojoba oil
• 2 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 1 drop frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
• 15 ml amber glass dropper bottle

Directions: Add the carrier oils to the bottle, then the essential oils. Cap and roll gently to mix. Pat 2 to 3 drops onto clean, slightly damp skin at night.

Note: Keep the bottle in the fridge, because hemp seed oil spoils quickly.

Nourishing Face Oil for Dry or Mature Skin

Facial oil · Ages 12+ · about 0.7%

A gentle, rosy, resinous oil for dry skin at bedtime.

• 2 tsp jojoba oil
• 1 tsp rosehip seed oil
• 1 drop frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
• 1 drop geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
• 15 ml amber glass dropper bottle

Directions: Mix as above and pat 2 to 3 drops onto clean skin at night. For a scent-free version for very sensitive skin, leave out the essential oils entirely.

Note: Store it in the fridge to keep the rosehip fresh.

Want to build your own? My custom facial oil guide walks you through it, and my full frankincense essential oil guide covers safe use on the face.

Tips for Choosing a Face Oil
• Try one new oil at a time for a couple of weeks so you can tell how your skin responds.
• Fresh oil matters. Rancid oil is more likely to irritate, so store carriers cool and dark and check the smell.
• Skip nut oils if you have a nut allergy.
• See a dermatologist for painful or persistent breakouts.

A Few Safety Basics
• Keep essential oils away from babies under 2, including diffusing in a room they're in.
• Always dilute oils before they touch skin, and patch test a new blend on your inner forearm for 24 to 48 hours. Here's how to do a patch test.
• Check the age on each recipe. Kids 2 to 4 use only six starter oils at 0.5%, after checking with your pediatrician. Kids 5 to 11 stay at 0.5 to 1%.
• If you're pregnant, check with your doctor or midwife first. For the first 16 weeks I use only six oils, and only in a diffuser or inhaler: lavender, sweet orange, lemon, ginger, cedarwood (Virginian), and frankincense. After that, skin blends stay at 0.5 to 1%.
• Never put oils on pets, and diffuse with a door open so they can leave. Cats are especially sensitive; see my essential oil pet safety guide.
• Never swallow essential oils. If someone does, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

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Keep Exploring

• List of carrier oils: 25 best carrier oils
• Carrier oil shelf life and storage
• Top 10 essential oils for skin care
• 5 essential oil combinations for skin
• Tea tree and lavender roller
• Fractionated coconut oil vs jojoba for rollers

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