The best facial oil for dry skin in your 40s — an Aussie skin therapist's guide

If you've started looking into facial oils but you're not sure where to start — or you've tried one before and it left your skin feeling greasy — this is for you.

As a skin therapist working in Noosa for over 16 years, facial oils are one of the most misunderstood products I see women dismiss. And it's almost always because they've tried the wrong one, or used it the wrong way.

Here's what I know after working with hundreds of women navigating changing skin in their 40s and beyond.

Why facial oils work so well for skin in your 40s

As oestrogen declines through perimenopause, your skin produces less of its own natural oil. Your barrier weakens. Hydration evaporates faster. A good moisturiser helps, but it often can't penetrate deeply enough to make a lasting difference.

A well-formulated facial oil works differently. It absorbs into the deeper layers of the skin, supports the barrier from within, and helps your skin hold onto moisture throughout the day. The result isn't greasy skin — it's skin that looks plump, calm and genuinely nourished.

What to look for in a facial oil

Not all facial oils are created equal. Here's what matters:

A lightweight formula that absorbs quickly — if it sits on the surface it's not penetrating. Barrier-supporting botanicals like rosehip, jojoba or squalane. No synthetic fragrances which can irritate sensitive or perimenopausal skin. And small batch formulation — fresher product means more potent actives.

Why I created the Rewind Elixir

After years of recommending various facial oils to my clients and finding nothing that ticked every box, I formulated the Rewind Elixir specifically for this. It's lightweight enough that even my clients who swore they'd never use an oil are now obsessed with it. It absorbs beautifully, leaves no greasiness, and over time visibly restores that healthy glow that perimenopause tends to steal.

One of my clients, Lisa S, replaced her medical grade products with it and told me her skin had never looked so nourished and hydrated. Another, Shea, said it surpassed her expectations — nourished skin, zero residue.

That's what a good facial oil should do.

How to use a facial oil correctly

Timing matters. Apply your facial oil after cleansing and any water-based serums, but before your moisturiser. Just one to two drops warmed between your palms, then pressed gently into the skin. Follow with Dew Drops to seal everything in.

Morning or night — or both.

Ready to try it?

If your skin has felt drier, duller or just different lately, a facial oil might be exactly what your routine is missing.

Shop the Rewind Elixir — $75 →

Kim is the founder of The Glowe Co and a skin therapist with 16 years of experience working with women in Noosa, Queensland. The Glowe Co is Australian-made, small batch, and salon-tested.