I am a moisturizer connoisseur. From body butters to face creams to lip balms[1] , I make sure every inch of my skin is hydrated and nourished. This habit is especially important during the cold-weather months, when my complexion can turn ashy within minutes of walking outside.


Over the past year, there's been a lot of hype about face oils[2] . While dabbling here and there with these oily moisturizers, I've consistently stuck with my usual lotions. But when Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Face Oil[3] landed on my desk, I was certainly intrigued.


Like most African-American women, I grew up in a household where my mother kept cocoa butter lotion[4] stocked in our toiletries closet. She was adamant about me slathering on the buttery concoction before I even thought about slipping into my school uniform. (Clearly, this is why I am addicted to possessing skin with impeccable sheen.)


So if Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotion hadn't failed me after all these years, then there was no harm in trying out the brand's latest skincare product.


face oil


Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil FACE, $10, Available at food, drug and mass stores.

Formula Skin Therapy Face Oil is poured into a not-so-fancy brown bottle, but that's okay, because what's really enticing lies inside. It is blended with ten different oils, including coconut, almond and argan, as well as wrinkle-reducing and skin-brightening ingredients retinol[5] and vitamin C. Rosehip fragrance gives this face oil a floral aroma that brought the drugstore product to a luxurious level.


I must admit that I was a bit hesitant about putting my morning moisturizer to the side and relying on this oil. Yet, it only took one-half of the medicine dropper (compared to my usual dollop of lotion) to coat my entire face. The dryness and flakiness[6] around corners of my nose and beneath my eyebrows that often requires me to be heavy-handed with the lotion was no longer there. And I was pleasantly surprised by how soft and supple my complexion had become over three weeks. I guess this face oil has earned a permanent spot in my bathroom cabinet.


Rating: 4 out of 5. To put it simply, this is complexion perfection in a bottle. I just wish the medicine dropper wasn't finicky.



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  • If your skin is dry...


    Since your skin type can, in a word, soak up more moisture, you shouldn't be shy about where you apply. This blend contains 11 essential oils, including jasmine, apricot and jojoba, which will keep skin hydrated for hours. Rodin Olio Lusso Face Oil, $150.




  • If your skin is dry...


    Oils are excellent at wicking away makeup and and any other dirt and residue. This version contains gentle camellia oil and rice bran which instantly melts makeup (even of the waterproof variety). Skin will feel soft and supple as opposed to tight and dry. <a href="http://www.barneys.com/Tatcha-Pure%3A-One-Step-Camellia-Cleansing-Oil/00505017128155,default,pd.html?utm_source=GAN&utm_medium=Polyvore&utm_campaign=Primary" target="_hplink">Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil</a>, $48




  • If your skin is dry...


    In the winter, body oil can be a lifesaver, but it also works well in the summer, when a heavy body butter is just too much. The lightweight consistency sinks right in, calms irritated skin and gives legs a subtle, sexy sheen. <a href="https://store.drhauschka.com/b2c/ecom/ecomEnduser/items/itemDetail.aspx?&page&store&itemNum=RO&siteId=1&bulkexists=0" target="_hplink">Dr. Haushka Rose Body Oil</a>, $28.




  • If your skin is dry...


    Fantastic at soothing burns and diminishing the appearance of scars and stretch marks, vitamin E is an incredible all-over body hydrator. Apply at night then cover with pajamas you don't really care about (or can just machine wash) to save your sheets and wake up to soft, radiant skin. Nature Made Vitamin E Capsules, $21.




  • If your hair is dry...


    This is an excellent remedy for dry hair, but won't leave it feeling weighed down or greasy looking. The trick is to apply the product to dry ends so you won't end up with oily roots. <a href="http://www.shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com/styling/essence-absolue.htm" target="_hplink">Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil</a>, $68




  • If your skin is combination...


    This is a miracle product. Though originally a cooking item, it's also an incredible face moisturizer, body lotion and hair repair (apply to dry ends), plus the beachy scent is instantly transporting. You can pick up a jar of virgin coconut oil at your local healthy food store. Many of our <a href="http://www.stylelist.com/news/stylelist-facetime/" target="_hplink">beauty street style</a> subjects swear by it. <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/shop/" target="_hplink">Whole Foods Virgin Coconut Oil</a>, $7




  • If your face is combination...


    Packed with olive oil and vitamin E, this face wash is great for keeping unpredictable skin (sometimes oily, sometimes dry) in check. <a href="http://apothica.com/DHC-Deep-Cleansing-Oil.html?mr:trackingCode=C1E7F4A1-A407-E011-9C39-001517B1882B&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&gclid=COCehZnro7ACFUJo4Aod1yB2WQ" target="_hplink">DHC Oil Cleanser</a>, $26




  • If your skin is combination...


    The ideal summertime body moisturizer: Melts right in, won't leave you sticky and the barely-there scent is never overpowering.
    <a href="http://www.target.com/p/Neutrogena-Body-Oil-Light-Sesame-Formula-8-5-oz/-/A-11871435?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C11871435&CPNG=health beauty&ci_sku=11871435&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=" target="_hplink">Neutrogena Light Sesame Body Oil</a>, $8.




  • If your face is oily...


    Grape seed oil is best for oily skin types, since it absorbs quickly. Focus application around the eyes, avoiding the T-zone and existing breakouts. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Now-Foods-Grape-Seed-Ounce/dp/B000RZPVV6" target="_hplink">Now Foods Grape Seed Oil</a>, $10.




  • If your skin is oily...


    This Japanese beauty classic comes in a variety of forms, including a cleanser targeted towards oily skin. By removing dirt that clogs pores and helping regulate skin's natural oils, you'll see clearer skin with less mid-day oil slicks. <a href="http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/_us/_en/skincare/cleanser-makeup-remover/fresh-pore-clarifying-gentle-cleansing-oil.htm" target="_hplink">Shu Uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil</a>, $31




  • If your hair is oily...


    This oil-based shampoo gently removes dirt and debris, but leaves the scalp's natural oils, instead of stripping them away -- which is what forces oil glands into overdrive, causing increased oil production. <a href="http://www.beautysupply.com/prod_28214.html" target="_hplink">Heritage Store Olive Oil Shampoo</a>, $10.





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