As a longtime beauty editor, I’ve tested more serums, creams, and oils than I can count—yet only a handful ever graduate from the test pile to the “can’t live without” shelf. I used to be skeptical of face oils (who wants to feel greasy on already busy skin?), until Elemis Superfood Hydrating Nourishing Facial Oil—which promises to deeply replenish moisture and restore a healthy glow—completely changed my mind. A 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner, it’s proof that an oil can be lightweight, effective, and luxurious all at once.
Elemis
Superfood Hydrating Nourishing Facial Oil
As a mom of two, skin-care multitaskers aren’t a nice-to-have—they’re practically survival. This one melts onto the skin without a trace, leaving my skin refreshed and nourished. With its crisp botanical scent, even three stolen minutes of alone time feels restorative. Elemis, the London-born brand celebrated for blending, created its Superfood line as a nutrient-rich spin on skin care (basically, a green juice for your face). Keep reading to find out why this oil climbed to the top of my skin-care “menu.”
My Skin Goals
I have dry, sensitive, and reactive skin that tends to flare up easily, with an uneven tone that makes it challenging to maintain a smooth and balanced appearance. My biggest test is keeping moisture locked in, especially on my cheeks, where dryness sets in fast and no amount of lotion seems to stick. I truly need something that can effectively restore hydration and soothe those persistent dry patches, all while being gentle on the rest of my skin.
First Impressions
Let’s talk about the texture, because that’s usually the dealbreaker with facial oils. This Elemis Superfood Facial Oil manages to hit what I like to call the “Goldilocks zone.” It’s lightweight enough to sink in quickly, but rich enough to give my skin that immediate feeling of comfort. The consistency is silky, not heavy, and I’ll either apply a few drops straight from the dropper or warm them up between my palms before pressing into the skin. I’m pretty picky about fragrance, and this one keeps it simple and fresh. It’s herbal and subtle enough that I barely notice it once it’s on, which makes it easy to use every day.
The Formula
At Allure HQ, poring over ingredient lists is basically our sport, and this one had us geeking out in the best way. What sets this oil apart is its buffet of plant oils—like flaxseed, daikon radish, rice bran, and meadowfoam—all loaded with fatty acids that replenish moisture and strengthen the skin barrier (a key benefit for those dealing with dryness, dullness, or irritation). “Flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid, which helps strengthen the skin barrier and keep it hydrated,” says Omer Ibrahim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago.
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying Elemis’s Superfood Hydrating Nourishing Facial Oil
Christa Joanna Lee
On the texture side, daikon radish oil lends an airy, silky slip that makes the formula feel weightless while forming a soft, flexible layer that helps reduce water loss. “It locks in hydration without clogging pores, making it ideal for people who want barrier support without residue,” adds Dr. Ibrahim. For antioxidant power, rice bran oil is “rich in compounds like gamma oryzanol, tocopherols, and ferulic acid that brighten skin, fight inflammation, and slow visible signs of aging,” he notes. Meadowfoam seed oil raises the bar by mimicking your skin’s natural sebum to further seal in hydration. “The long carbon chains also make the product more stable and less likely to oxidize,” says Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami.
Rounding it out are rosehip for brightening and regeneration, plus sweet almond oil—a derm favorite for eczema-prone or sensitive skin thanks to its omega-9s and vitamin E that “protect cell membranes and support tissue repair,” says Dr. Chacon. Put it all together, and you’ve got a nutrient-packed recipe for radiant, healthy skin—making the name feel perfectly spot-on.
How I Use It
With my dry, sensitive skin, I love reaching for this oil at the end of the day as the last step of my routine, when my skin is parched, tired, and in need of something soothing. The oil absorbs almost instantly, leaving my skin plump, soothed, and balanced instead of heavy or greasy, and it plays well with the rest of my routine without pilling. On especially dry mornings, I’ll even sneak in a few drops under makeup for a subtle glow. And while I can’t mimic the fancy skin-care techniques estheticians do at a spa, the way I’ll massage it in—sometimes just with my fingers, other times with a jade roller—brings that same feeling home.
