‘Go-To finally made a face oil for oily skin. Here’s my honest review.’

Mamamia's Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellbeing. You won't find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's Em Vernem tries Go-To's Clarifying Face Hero. 

This is a safe space, right? Okay good. I'm about to get real honest about one of the most beloved beauty brands in the country… Go-To.

As someone with oily, acne-prone skin (*sigh*), I've always been sceptical about face oils. The idea of adding more oil to my already greasy face seemed counter-intuitive (and slightly terrifying).When Go-To first launched their cult-favourite Face Hero oil, I desperately wanted to love it. But my oily skin just wasn't having it. It felt too heavy, made my face greasy throughout the day, and I tried EVERYTHING to stop it from pilling under my makeup. Not cool.

So when Go-To announced they were launching a Clarifying Face Hero specifically for oily, blemish-prone skin, I was intrigued. Could this be the face oil I'd been waiting for? Is it finally my time to join my fellow Go-To girlies?

Watch: Foundation whisking. Post continues below.

What is Go-To's Clarifying Face Hero oil?

Unlike its oily predecessor, Clarifying Face Hero (that you can buy right now for $56) is a lightweight, non-greasy dry oil that's been specifically formulated for those of us blessed with overactive sebum production (AKA oily girls). It's like they took everything that didn't work for oily skin in the original and completely re-did it.

The science behind it is actually pretty amazing. The ingredient that was a big tick for me is bakuchiol (a natural alternative to retinol) as I'm a bit of a nervous skincare user when it comes to active ingredients. It also has vitamin F for barrier protection and tea tree oil for its antifungal properties.

What really caught my attention was that it's been clinically proven to help with everything from breakouts to blackheads (which are the bane of my existence). Plus, it's completely free from all the yucky stuff — there's no silicones, parabens, PEGs, sulfates, GMOs, mineral oils, or synthetic colours.

Image: Supplied. 

How did you go?

I've been using this oil every night for a few weeks now, and I have to say— I'm very into it. My post-acne marks are noticeably less red, my skin looks clearer and brighter, and I wake up with plump, moisturised skin that doesn't feel like an oil slick.

The clinical results back this up too. According to Go-To's 8-week consumer study, 82 per cent of users noticed reduced breakouts and pimples, whilst 81% saw reduced redness. But what really sold me was that 78 per cent noticed reduced skin oiliness —which, if you're anything like me, is the holy grail for oily girls looking for face oils.

What I particularly love is how versatile it is. You can use it morning or night (I stick to nights because I'm a creature of habit), and it plays nice with other active ingredients.

However… And please don't @ me for this.

I do have one gripe with the product— the smell. It's giving Zooper Dooper lemonade ice-block meets fresh plastic. It's... specific. And not in a good way.

I love the product so much that I've found a workaround — I apply it BEFORE my night moisturiser (I know, I know, skincare purists are screaming). I'm sorry, but it's the only way I can actually get to sleep without the smell haunting my dreams.

The verdict.

If you're an oily-skinned person who's always wanted to get on the Face Hero train but found it too heavy, I'd highly recommend you give this new face oil a go.

The fact that it can tackle all these issues whilst still being gentle enough for sensitive skin is pretty impressive. It plays nice with other active ingredients, and actually delivers on its promises to help with breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks.

Just maybe don't sniff it too closely.

And look, whilst everyone's skin is different (what works for me might not work for you), I genuinely think this is worth trying if you've been hesitant about face oils in the past. It's completely changed my mind about oil-based products and has made me less scared of them (slightly).

Go-To's Clarifying Face Hero is available from Go-To Skincare, Mecca and Adore Beauty.

If you want more from Emily Vernem, you can follow her on Instagram @emilyvernem.

Feature image: Supplied.