My favourite face oil was sold out – so I tested 3 alternatives
7.5.2026
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Pictures: Coya Vallejo Hägi
A good face oil is one that makes your skin glow. Unfortunately, my holy grail product from Mádara is often sold out. In search of a worthy stand-in, I tested three natural options.
A glow reminiscent of the finest silk. A subtle sheen with zero greasiness. A radiance that says, «I’m well cared for.» That’s my idea of perfect skin. The product that’s most reliably given me this result is the Age Recovery Face Oil by Latvian natural cosmetics brand Mádara. The oil is made with jojoba and argan, enriched with antioxidants and omega fatty acids. It absorbs quickly, smells pleasant and cares for my normal skin exactly the way I want it to. Two to three drops mixed into my day cream is enough.
I’m not the only one who’s a fan. Despite the steep price, the product has often been sold out in recent weeks. And my bottle is almost empty. High time to find a worthy alternative – at least for the times when my favourite product is out of stock.
My selection
I limit my search to natural cosmetics on Galaxus. That’s what speaks most to me. The Age Recovery Oil is primarily designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; I want to test at least one oil that promises a similar effect. Three products make it onto my shortlist.
Farfalla «Weihrauch» (frankincense) oil
My first candidate comes from Swiss natural cosmetics brand Farfalla and contains frankincense oil. To me, that sounds more like something you’d find in a church than skincare. But according to Farfalla, this essential oil is supposed to regenerate the skin and prevent premature aging, which fits my needs.
It also contains jojoba, argan, rosehip, pomegranate seed oil and essential oils. According to Farfalla, these form «the heart» of its products. Essential oils are highly concentrated fragrance and plant substances, usually extracted from plant parts by distillation or pressing. Various properties are attributed to them – but the research so far is mixed. They can also irritate the skin, which is why people with allergies (article in German) or skin conditions should be careful.
Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Day Oil
My second candidate comes from German natural cosmetics brand Dr. Hauschka. This oil promises a clarifying effect. It’s made from a blend of nourishing base oils, including apricot kernel, almond, peanut, sunflower, jojoba, and wheat germ. This product is also enriched with essential oils and various plant extracts, including anthyllis extract. It’s supposed to have soothing and balancing properties – fitting for an oil designed to bring the skin back into balance.
MadHippie Antioxidant Facial Oil
Candidate number three comes from across the pond. The Antioxidant Face Oil is produced by MadHippie, an American company. Again, it contains argan oil. It also contains pomegranate and sunflower oil as well as a whole fruit basket of extracts: cranberry, blueberry, watermelon, acai, goji and more. This blend is designed to instantly moisturise the skin and provide lasting protection.
Aesthetics and packaging
All three oils come in glass bottles with a pipette cap. MadHippie and Dr. Hauschka package their products in a classic cardboard box, while Farfalla opts for a cardboard cylinder. While the latter looks nice, it has a plastic lid on the bottom. Especially when a brand places such a strong emphasis on being natural, I find plastic inserts like this unnecessary.
I like MadHippie’s product design the most: a simple brown bottle and a lovely label with a blue batik pattern. The white dropper tip on the Dr. Hauschka oil looks rather clinical, and I find the gold on the Farfalla dropper a bit tacky.
Shelf life and certifications
On the back of each bottle you can see how long the oil lasts after opening. As cosmetics can react to light, oxygen and heat over time, it’s worth keeping this in mind. At one year after opening, MadHippie oil lasts the longest. By contrast, you should use up the Dr. Hauschka (and Mádara) oil within six months and the Farfalla oil within just three.
The Farfalla and Dr. Hauschka oils both carry the Natrue seal, and Dr. Hauschka also carries PETA’s label. MadHippie is also certified cruelty-free and vegan by PETA and Leaping Bunny, though the brand doesn’t have a specific natural cosmetics label. It does, however, emphasise the use of natural ingredients on its website.
Price
Another reason I’m looking for a good fallback is the steep price of the Mádara oil. In Switzerland, the 30-millilitre bottle costs me about 55 francs. Measured by price per millilitre, my three test candidates are significantly cheaper. The MadHippie oil is the most affordable, followed by Dr. Hauschka, with Farfalla coming in as the most expensive.
How they perform
I tested all three oils for several weeks – mostly mixed into my day and night creams. I also tested them on their own a few times.
Farfalla
The three candidates already differ significantly in their scent. The Farfalla is the most striking with its intense, sweet and spicy aroma. At first, I found it a bit overpowering. It took several uses for me to get used to it.
On the plus side, the yellowish oil absorbs relatively quickly into the skin while still feeling pleasantly rich. When I apply it in the evening, my skin looks well rested and nourished the next morning. During the day, it gives me that perfect glow without feeling heavy or greasy. Based on my experience with everyday use, I can confirm that it delivers on its promise regenerating effect.
Dr. Hauschka
The oil from Dr. Hauschka is totally different, partly because it’s designed to have a clarifying effect. I find its scent much more pleasant than Farfalla’s – fresher and less intrusive. The oil is dark yellow, almost orange, and absorbs very quickly.
When I add two to three drops to my day cream, I don’t have to wait long for everything to absorb and can move straight on to sunscreen in my skincare routine. This is what I like most about it. This product also leaves a lovely glow on the skin. However, it’s not quite as rich as the Farfalla.
MadHippie
For me, MadHippie’s Antioxidant Facial Oil combines the best qualities of the other two oils into one product. Strangely enough, its scent reminds me of Fanta – in a good way. It smells like fresh oranges, which makes me especially keen to reach for it.
The oil is almost colourless and also absorbs very quickly. It gives me that glow I want without feeling heavy. Although it’s not quite as rich as the Farfalla oil, it leaves my skin feeling noticeably better cared for than the Dr. Hauschka oil.
Verdict
I’m most impressed by the MadHippie facial oil. It has a fresh, pleasant scent, absorbs quickly and gives the skin a natural glow. Visually, it’s also my favourite with its simple yet cohesive design. Add to that the fact that the oil keeps for twelve months after opening. That’s especially convenient if you only use one or two drops each time. It’s also the most affordable product out of the three I tested.
If you prefer something richer, don’t mind an intense, sweetish scent and can use up a 15 ml bottle in three months, Farfalla’s frankincense oil is the better choice. If you’re looking for a lighter, fast-absorbing option designed to regulate the skin, the Dr. Hauschka oil is a safe bet.
Header image: Coya Vallejo Hägi
Coya Vallejo Hägi
Freelance Editor
hallo@cvhtext.de«I want it all! The terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles!» – these words spoken by an iconic American TV celebrity could have been mine. It's a take on life I also apply to my job. What does this mean in concrete terms? That every story has its charm; no matter how small, large, exciting or trivial. The more eclectic the mix, the better.
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