I've Tested Tons Of Face Oils: This One Moisturizes Without Ever Clogging Pores

I officially know autumn has arrived, not when the leaves bleed amber or when the entire city smells faintly of pumpkin spice, but when I wake up with a dry, raspy throat. My beloved AC unit keeps me cool throughout the night, providing the optimal temperature for sleep, but when the weather turns crisper, it effectively sucks all the moisture in the room, dehydrating my vocal cords and creating a hoarseness I now associate with drier seasons. (For those who are concerned: It ebbs quickly with a few spritzes of throat spray and some warm water.) 

This lovely anecdote also affects my complexion: I have the most textbook combination skin, which means in the summer, my T-zone is oily—like, really oily—to the point where I need a face scrub to effectively wipe away sweat and grime. But when fall approaches and the humidity subsides, the tables quickly turn—my skin turns perennially dehydrated; dullness and rough texture becoming my main concerns. 

So, yes, a good face oil can actually help stabilize oil production and keep your skin balanced—it's just about selecting the right type of noncomedogenic oil to help retain moisture and feed your skin barrier without clogging your pores. That way, your complexion appears supple and dewy, never greasy or congested. 

Now, "noncomedogenic" falls on a spectrum (i.e., everyone's skin reacts differently to certain ingredients), but black cumin seed oil is generally considered a safe bet—and it's one of Carbon Star's main players. The amber-hued oil has been used for thousands of years (it's even rumored as the star of Cleopatra's skin care routine), and one 2015 review study in the Journal of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery found that applying a lotion of 10% black seed oil positively affected acne after two months1, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

The charcoal powder also helps absorb excess oil—and it's responsible for the product's inky hue. This may sound counterintuitive, given how face oils are meant to keep precious moisture inside the skin, but think of the charcoal as paving the way for a supple complexion: It effectively draws out the thicker, waxier sebum associated with oil overproduction, but because the face oil simultaneously feeds your skin with healthy fatty acids, it'll leave a lightweight veil of moisture. 

When I use Carbon Star, my skin looks and feels effervescent. Instead of dry and dull, my complexion has a fresh, glass-like layer—where the oil itself appears clear and healthy, reminiscent of a dewy glow. I've been sticking to a three-times-a-week regimen or whenever I feel my skin is especially parched, and I use it as the last step of my skin care routine: post cleanser, niacinamide serum, and moisturizer.