Review: Sephora Dare to Oil Set

It has been a snowy few days in New York City and several classes were cancelled as a result. I took advantage of my extra free time by watching a fair amount of TV though I also spent a fair bit of time on reading a novel (The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton, which I quite enjoy). 

Wintry weather tends to lead to dry, patchy skin, which makes this review of Sephora's Dare to Oil gift set somewhat timely. At $32.00 for four deluxe sample-sized items, I don't think I can fully recommend it. However, I am generally a fan of using oil as face moisturizer, and I did enjoy three out of four products. (The only problem is that I have tried cheaper argan oil and maracuja or passionfruit seed oil, and it is just as good as the Josie Maran or Tarte stuff.) I bought this in early December last year and each of the bottles I've used frequently are still going strong. Each bottle contains enough for at least three weeks or so of daily use. 

Last year, I spent a lot of time on developing a fairly extensive skincare routine. As I've gotten older, my skin went from mostly oily and acne prone to dry and acne prone. Although my skin's dryness is worse in the winter, I use an oil moisturizer at night (just prior to applying Vanicream moisturizer) throughout the year. I think this set is an alright way to experiment with face oils, but a more cost-effective way might be to buy a sampler pack of oils from, say, Garden of Wisdom. 

Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil 

Pros: The Ole Henriksen Youth Activating Oil is bright orange in color and smells a bit like orange juice. I like it and find it to be pleasant to use. I've used it every morning before a lotion moisturizer  and my sunscreen for about three weeks. 

Cons: It does leave a bit of an oily finish that sometimes remains visible after my other moisturizer and sunscreen. I did not notice any real benefits besides the effect of wearing an additional moisturizing product. I probably would not buy the Youth Activating Oil again. 

Tarte Maracuja Oil

Pros: I quite like the Tarte Maracuja Oil and other passionfruit seed oils. This product is noticeably more moisturizing than the Ole Henriksen one. However, I've also tried other, cheaper maracuja oil and find both the Tarte brand and other brands to perform similarly well as part of my nighttime skincare routine. 

Cons: None, except that the Tarte brand is far and away not the best value. That being said, I am fairly certain that a 1.7 oz bottle would probably last for six months or more of daily use, and the price is within the range I am personally willing to pay for a product that works. 

Algenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil 

Cons: This product broke me out pretty badly the first time I used it all over my face (and I did patch test it). Naturally, I did not continue to use it. 

Josie Maran Argan Oil Light

Pros: I really enjoyed using this and it is my favorite product in this set. Argan oil is generally my favorite face oil out of all the kinds I have tried (jojoba oil, passionfruit seed, rose hip seed, the Boscia Tsubaki Oil and some others). I find that it is both the most moisturizing, albeit by a slight margin, and that it does not leave any kind of visible sheen or oily finish. 

Cons: None, except that I find cheaper argan oil brands to perform the same, making the Josie Maran products not the best value.