The way many cosmetics companies promote their products, you would think oil is evil. Creams are often labeled "oil-free," cleansers aim to banish all traces of oil from your skin, and even makeup is made to stop the shine caused by—you guessed it—excess oil. And all of that marketing has worked so well that we bet even the thought of applying an oil-rich serum or lotion makes your skin start to feel greasy, slick, and shiny.

Slathering your skin with oil, though, is actually amazingly beneficial and could—surprisingly—be the key to a less greasy complexion. You just have to know which types of oil to use. "Natural oils will not clog the pores," according to Ole Henriksen, founder of the OleHenriksen Spa and skincare line. Unlike oils derived from petrochemical sources, such as mineral oil and petrolatum, plant-derived oils closely resemble the chemical makeup our bodies' natural lipids. This allows them to be more easily absorbed by the skin.

Many skincare experts also believe that moisturizing your complexion with oils stops an oiliness cycle that's promoted by all of those oil-free and oil-absorbing products. Basically, the claim is that those products strip skin of its natural and necessary supply of oils. To overcompensate for this loss, our skin produces more and more oil and thus looks even greasier. Hydrating with natural oils, though, appears to prevent dehydration and help balance out sebum production. This helps explain why using cleansers that contain oil can be a boon for all skin types—even, ironically, oily and pimple-prone complexions.

Plus, as Henriksen points out, "fruit and vegetable oils are extremely effective at removing all kinds of makeup, including mascara," in a very gentle, non-irritating way. Keep in mind that not all plant-based oils are created equal. Essential oils are extracted from all sorts of botanicals, including flowers and herbs, and usually have more of a liquid consistency than oil, despite the name. Many of these "oils" have aromatherapeutic properties, though some offer antiseptic, purifying, toning and calming benefits for the skin. Straight plant oils—such as jojoba, avocado, sunflower, almond, olive, and coconut—are usually added to products or applied directly to the skin to provide healthy, skin-suitable moisturization.

Interested in putting oily products to the test on your complexion? Check out our list of oil-infused picks for every complexion.

Ole Henriksen Black Currant Complexion Oil ($32, olehenriksen.com): Shield your skin from cold and dry weather this winter with a blend of apricot kernel oil, black currant oil, and vitamin E.

Josie Maran Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick ($22, josiemarancosmetics.com): All of the benefits of oil in a go-anywhere, apply-anytime stick. Spot treat dry spots or smooth onto lips whenever you need a dose of skin repairing argan oil, which is extracted from the kernel of the argan tree.

Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil ($21, bosciaskincare.com): Refresh your face with this chilling cleanser—it contains cooling ingredients like peppermint and eucalyptus—that relies on jojoba seed and palm oils to dissolve and clear away dirt and makeup.

Nude Skincare Replenishing Night Oil ($68, nudeskincare.com): This anti-aging wonder is packed with essential fatty acids from natural sources like jojoba, raspberry, kukui, and cranberry seed oils.

Jurlique Skin Balancing Face Oil ($50, jurlique.com): An oil that's quickly absorbed into skin so it's perfect for all complexions and even under makeup. It keeps skin soft and supple thanks to a blend of avocado, macadamia, and rose hip oils.

Megan O'Neill is Beauty Editor at EndlessBeauty.com