In recent years, pure oils have gained a reputation as must-have essentials in skincare and haircare routines. With that popularity have come a lot of confident claims in both directions — some overselling what oils do, some writing them off entirely. Here are ten of the most common things people believe about facial and hair oils, and what the evidence actually supports.
A note before we start: we make two products that use oils — Exfoljenate for skin and Long and Strong for hair. Most of the oils named below are ones you can buy anywhere, and we are describing them as ingredients, not selling them.
Myth #1: Oils Will Make My Skin Greasier
What's actually true: it depends entirely on the oil
One of the most common misconceptions about oils, especially for people with oily skin, is that applying them will only make skin greasier. In practice the result depends on which oil and how much. When skin is stripped by harsh cleansers it often feels tight and produces more surface oil in response — and a light oil over a moisturiser can leave it feeling more comfortable rather than greasier.
Jojoba oil is the usual example here: its composition is close to skin's own sebum, which is why many people with oily skin find it sits well. Start with two or three drops and judge from there.
Myth #2: Oils Will Clog My Pores
What's actually true: some do, many don't
It's a common belief that oils are thick and will inevitably clog pores, but this isn't necessarily true. Oils are rated on a comedogenic scale, which measures their likelihood of clogging pores. Several — including argan oil and hemp seed oil — sit at the low end of that scale.
Coconut oil sits at the other end and is a poor choice on the face for most people, which is worth saying plainly given how often it gets recommended as a cure-all. On hair it behaves very differently, which is why we use it there and not on skin.
Myth #3: Oils Are Only for Dry Skin
What's actually true: the oil matters more than the skin type
Another misconception is that oils are suitable only for those with dry skin. While oils are hydrating and nourishing for dry or sensitive skin, they can also suit other skin types. The key is selecting an oil that matches your concern. Rosehip oil, for instance, is light, absorbs quickly, and is high in essential fatty acids, which is why it suits combination skin better than a heavier oil does.
Rosehip and argan are both in Exfoljenate, for exactly that reason.
Myth #4: Oils Can Replace Your Moisturiser
What's actually true: they do different jobs
Oils and moisturisers serve different roles, so it's not a case of one replacing the other. Oils are good at sealing moisture into the skin, but most don't supply the water-binding humectants a moisturiser does.
For the best results, layer them: apply a water-based moisturiser first, then seal it with an oil. That order matters — an oil applied to dry skin has less to seal in.
Myth #5: Oils Cause Acne Breakouts
What's actually true: not every oil blocks pores
Many people avoid oils due to the belief that they will worsen acne. However, not all oils are created equal. Several, including rosehip oil, are rated non-comedogenic, meaning they are unlikely to block pores.
So the relevant question for oily or breakout-prone skin is which oil, not whether oil. If breakouts are persistent or painful, see a GP or dermatologist — a cosmetic oil is not the answer there.
Myth #6: Oils Don't Work Well for Hair Care
What's actually true: the right oil, used lightly, sits well on hair
Some people think oils are too heavy or greasy for hair, but applied correctly they improve shine and manageability. This is the one area where coconut genuinely outperforms most alternatives: its lauric acid content and low molecular weight let it penetrate the hair shaft rather than sitting on top of it, which measurably reduces the protein lost during washing.
That research is the reason Long and Strong is built on coconut milk and aloe rather than on silicones, which mimic the same smoothness without the same behaviour.
Myth #7: Natural Oils Don't Work as Well as Synthetics
What's actually true: they work differently, and "natural" isn't the useful distinction
Synthetic ingredients often deliver a faster visible result — silicones in particular make hair feel smooth immediately. Plant oils tend to work more slowly and are rich in fatty acids and antioxidants.
Neither category is automatically better. "Natural" is a marketing word, not a safety rating. What we can say about ours is narrower and checkable: simple formulations, and an ingredient list short enough to read.
Myth #8: Oils Are Too Expensive for Everyday Use
What's actually true: cost per use is the number that matters
Pure oils often look expensive per bottle, but they're used a few drops at a time, so the cost per application is usually lower than the shelf price suggests. Work out how many applications a bottle gives you before deciding it's dear.
Myth #9: Oils Are Ineffective as Anti-Ageing Solutions
What's actually true: they work on appearance, not structure
Rich in antioxidants, oils like rosehip are commonly used for the appearance of fine lines and for a smoother-looking finish.
Worth being clear about what that means: cosmetic oils work on the appearance and feel of skin, not on its underlying structure. That is a smaller claim than most of this category makes, and it is the accurate one.
Myth #10: Oils Can't Be Used Under Makeup
What's actually true: a thin layer, fully absorbed, works fine
Many people assume that using oil under makeup will make it slide off, but with the right application a thin layer creates a smooth, hydrated base. Start with a tiny amount and let it absorb fully before applying foundation — most of the complaints about this come from not waiting.
What We Make
Tasic Pure Oils makes ten products, not a wall of single oils. For skin that's Exfoljenate — a plant-based ritual set with rosehip oil, a gel moisturiser, argan oil and SPF50+. For hair it's Long and Strong — a three-step shampoo, conditioner and leave-in mist built on aloe vera and coconut, for softer, shinier, stronger-looking hair with less breakage.
Both are Australian-made in small batches, with no sulphates, silicones, parabens or palm oil. Have a look at the range here.
