Last Updated on May 4, 2026 by Fadra Nally
This post is sponsored by Besque and contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links. All opinions are my own.
Should your relationship with oil-based skincare change as you get older? I put a few Besque skincare products to the test and the results might surprise you!
=> Get 15% off of all Besque skincare products!
As a teenager, oil was considered a bad word, especially when it came to skincare. We wanted to eliminate as much oil as possible. Oil clogged our pores. Oil gave us breakouts. So we stripped as much moisture as possible out of our skin.
Things have changed and we now know that moisture, and dare I say oil, is not the enemy. It’s really about balance.
As youngsters, we likely stripped our skin of so much oil that we actually caused our skin to compensate by overproducing oil. Also, OMG, remember Stridex pads?
But here’s the thing that not enough people talk about. Your oily skin/oily scalp/combination skin of your youth starts to disappear as you head into middle age and face the constant flux of hormone imbalance.
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Why mature skin needs a different approach
If you’re in the perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause stage of your life, you might be noticing the changes in your skin. Yes, there are night sweats and hot flashes but I personally was surprised to find that my combination skin suddenly needed more moisture.
In fact, the drop in estrogen contributes to the decline in production of collagen and natural oils AND the ability for your skin to retain moisture.
You can restore some of that moisture through natural means like eating more essential fatty acids from foods like salmon, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds, as well as supplementing your estrogen.
But it might also be time to change up your skincare routine, including adding oils to your face and body.
Besque offers an oil-based solution
Besque is a London-based skincare company focusing on the Eastern heritage of including oils in beauty care. Their ingredients focus on oil-based, plant-forward skincare inspired by traditional beauty rituals, with products for the body, face, and hair.
If the idea of oil scares you, remember that your body naturally produces oils on your skin and it’s the imbalance of oils that gives your skin problems.
When in balance, oils provide hydration and can lock in moisture. In fact, many oils can provide important components like antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins that protect your skin barrier.
And, regular use can increase your skin elasticity (something all my middle-aged readers can understand!).
Besque sent me two of their popular products for face and body to put to the test.
Product review: DIVINE9 Facial Serum
What It Is
DIVINE9 is a facial oil/serum made with nine botanical oils and designed to help with hydration, glow, redness, fine lines, and general menopausal skin concerns.
I’m an ingredients reader so I like to know what exactly I’m putting on my skin. Here are the primary ingredients as described by Besque:
- Frankincense: reduces fine lines & imperfections
- Black Cumin: protects against environmental stressors
- Broccoli Seed: deeply hydrates giving a glow & plump
- Vitamin E: maintains skin elasticity & offers protection from sunlight
- Evening Primrose: nourishes & smoothens
- Manuka: gives skin more vibrant & clear complexion
- Apricot Kernel: softens & hydrates
- Avocado Oil: penetrates deep into the skin, revitalises & nourishes
- Olive Calendula: reduces sensitivity & soothes irritation
Besque describes DIVINE9 Facial Serum as lightweight and non-comedogenic, and recommends applying 4 to 5 drops after cleansing.
=> Get 15% off of DIVINE9 Facial Serum
What I Noticed
Let me start by saying that Besque recommends that you use this at night, which is what I did. Although it is a lightweight oil, it does take some time for it to fully absorb into your skin. It’s a perfect addition to your nighttime routine as it’s best to do your heavier hydration while sleeping.
As for absorption, DIVINE9 Facial Serum absorbed rather quickly into the drier parts of my face (cheeks) and tended to sit more superficially in areas that are typically in my T-zone (around the nose and forehead).
By morning, most of the oil has been absorbed and my skin felt soft and glowing. Typically, I’d give my face a splash of cold water or a full wash and use my regular daytime routine.
I’ll admit that I was surprised by how well my skin responded to the oil! Here are the quick results I noticed:
- Immediate absorption into drier parts of the face (I went a little heavier on my cheeks and neck)
- Further absorption occurred overnight
- Skin was always softer in the morning with a healthy glow
- Easy to apply, very mild nutty scent
The biggest surprise for me was that it didn’t feel like slathering cooking oil on my face. A few drops with gentle massage were enough to give you a morning glow makes you look a little more alive, especially when you’re not wearing much makeup (me!).
Product review: Besque Shower Oil
Here, Besque takes a totally different approach. The Besque Shower Oil is an all-in-one step that both cleanses and soothes the skin.
It seems counterintuitive to use in the shower (hello – oil and water don’t mix!) but most soaps will strip your skin of natural oils and dry you out. And if you’re lazy like me, you don’t always use lotion after the shower to recoup some of that moisture loss.
Besque Shower Oil is a great way to get a leg up on total body moisture.
=> Get 15% off of Besque Shower Oil
What It Is
Besque Shower Oil is a shower cleanser that starts as an oil and turns milky with water. Besque describes it as a product that cleanses while helping skin feel softer, smoother, and nourished.
As with the DIVINE9 Facial Serum, the ingredients matter. Here’s what they list for the Besque Shower Oil ingredients:
- Sweet Almond Oil: softens & deeply hydrates
- Evening Primrose Oil: firms & increases elasticity
- Rosehip Oil: regenerates & plumps skin
- Vitamin E: protects the skin from sun light
- Geranium Leaf Oil: tightens & revitalizes
- Patchouli Leaf Oil: boosts natural collagen production & smooths skin
- Lavender Oil: calms inflammation while promoting healing
What Makes It Different From Body Wash
Most soaps and body washes (even the “all natural” variety) leave me feeling clean, but sometimes too clean. We often equate that feeling of dryness with cleanliness. And that’s where our skin suffers.
Besque Shower Oil felt more like cleansing and conditioning my skin at the same time.
After a gentle shake, take one to two pumps of the Besque Shower Oil into your hands. You can then apply directly to the skin or lather it in your hands and apply. It quickly turns from oil to a milky texture, nourishing your skin as you apply it.
It rinses quickly and cleanly leaving your skin feeling clean and moisturized.
Here are my quick observations using Besque Shower Oil:
- Gentle shake before pumping in the shower
- One to two pumps is effective for the entire body
- Lather in hands or on body
- Use as a shaving cream, if needed
- Rinse as usual
- Apply any aftercare, as desired (but helpful for my fellow lazy girls who always forget!)
Overall Thoughts on Besque
It’s actually not the first time I’ve used oils on my skin but it has been many years (I’m sure there’s something in the archives). And honestly, I hadn’t thought much about a return to oils until I started seeing so many ads on Instagram and Facebook for Besque.
Like you, those ads draw me in and I was pretty excited to try the products when Besque reached out the me.
The product that I hear the most about is the Besque Magic Luxury Body Oil, which I’ve yet to try but it’s on my list!
Pro tip
Besque offers one time purchase or subscription purchases for all their products. When you use my link, you can get 15% off of anything you purchase.
Get 15% off all Besque productsOf the two Besque products I tried, if I had to pick between the two products I’d say that the Besque Shower Oil was my personal favorite. But it all depends on what your personal needs are.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what I tried.
| Product | Best For | How I’d Use It | Who Should Try It First |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIVINE9 Facial Serum | Face, neck, glow, dryness, mature skin | 4–5 drops at night after cleansing | Someone wanting a facial oil that feels more like a treatment |
| Besque Shower Oil | Dry body skin, post-shower tightness, shaving | In the shower on damp skin, then rinse | Someone who hates that stripped feeling after body wash |
Who I’d Recommend This For
I’d recommend Besque products for anyone who is struggling with all of the common skin symptoms of middle-aged skin – dryness, loss of elasticity, sallowness, sagging. Especially women, like me, in the throes of perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
While it’s not a miracle cure (our skin is a sign of a life well-lived!), it is a line of nourishing products using plant-based, natural ingredients to work with your skin.
