Do you really need a facial oil?
Cleansers, treatments, toners, serums, moisturizers, face oils . . . man, skincare gets so confusing, doesn’t it?
So let me break this down for you:
No, you do not need facial oil, but they can make wonderful additions to your evening skincare routines, especially if you have dry skin or use strong actives like adapalene or tretinoin.
Face oil does wonderful things like locking in moisture, delivering active ingredients, and providing antioxidant protection.
By nature, they go above and beyond what a typical moisturizer can do with their fatty acid-heavy profiles.
On my end, I swear by True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil layered over Naturium Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm for people with dry skin.
In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about face oils, whether you should add one to your routine, and my favorites on the market.
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So, what is face oil?
Face oils are skin care products with fatty acids and antioxidants used to lock in moisture and leave you with healthy, hydrated skin.
Certain skin types, such as people with dry skin, do not produce as much natural oil as others due to genetics. This natural oil is called sebum.
Therefore, by applying face oil as the last step in your skincare routine, you can help seal off your skin barrier, prevent water loss, and maximize the efficacy of your other skincare products.
However, not all facial oils are created equal.
For example, Skin Library UK reports that coconut oil is comedogenic, so it's not suitable for people with oily or acne-prone skin (or, in my opinion, anyone).
On the other hand, rosehip oil is a fairly popular choice as it's lightweight and affordable.
Top 4 Face Oils
Best Overall:
Why: Applies like a dream, absorbs quickly and makes you shine like the sun, and it’s still there when you wake up and look in the mirror
Best for Acne Prone Skin:
What: Sunday Riley UFO
Why: A dry oil packed with milk thistle, black seed oil, and salicylic acid to decongest your pores, reduce inflammation, and clear up acne breakouts
Best for Mature Skin:
Why: Features hydroxypinacolone retinoate (which is a derivative way more brands should be formulating with, in my opinion), a gentle and non-irritating sister to retinol
Best Budget Oil:
What: FaceTheory Rosehip Oil
Why: It’s reasonably priced, lightweight, and doesn’t have any offensive smell - that’s all I can ask for!
Face Oil vs. Moisturizer
Both face oil and traditional moisturizer are great products to use in your skin care routine, but they serve different purposes.
The biggest difference is that . . .
. . . moisturizers contain water and use humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to treat dehydrated skin.
On the other hand, face oils do not contain water and are mainly used to seal off your skin to prevent transepidermal water loss.
Get it, because oil and water don't mix?
That being said, face oil and moisturizer both contain ingredients to nourish your skin barrier and soothe irritated skin like fatty acids and anti-oxidants.
Plus, they can both be used to deliver active ingredients like salicylic acid or retinol to treat excess oil or aging skin.
So, face oil before or after moisturizer?
You should always apply your face oil after moisturizing first.
Typically, your skincare routine order should go from "thinnest to thickest" or "wateriest to oiliest", with the exception of your main treatment - whether that be retinol, an acne treatment, or something else.
After washing your face, the order should look something like this:
Cleanser
Main treatment
Serum
Eye cream
Moisturizer
Face oil
That might seem like a lot, and it can be, but you don’t have to do all of those steps.
That said, I do all of those steps and spend less than 10 minutes on it, soooo . . .
How to Use Moisturizer and Face Oil Together
To use your moisturizer and face oil together, follow these steps:
First, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and allow it to air dry
Then, apply your main treatment, whether that be tretinoin, retinol, or an acne treatment
Wait a few minutes for your treatment to sink in, then apply your moisturizer
Finish off with a few drops of your favorite facial oil
That's it!
Do you need both a face oil and a moisturizer?
No, you don't need both a face oil and a moisturizer.
However, if you could only choose one, I'd suggest sticking to just a moisturizer as these products tend to be more versatile than face oil.
Moisturizers can provide hydration, active ingredients, and nourishment to your skin barrier.
Face oils can also provide active ingredients and nourishment, but by definition, they do not provide hydration.
And remember, your skin loves water!
Can people with oily skin use face oil?
Yes, people with oily skin can use face oil if they want to.
Oilier skin types naturally have greater sebum production, so they typically don't need face oil in their routine.
That said, some face oils like UFO by Sunday Riley are great acne treatments because they combine salicylic acid with nourishing oils your skin loves.
Also, everyone is different. If you prefer including a face oil after your moisturizer, go for it.
The Bottom Line: Tips for Using Facial Oils
Face oils can make great additions to your skincare routine, but you don’t need them.
If you do want to add one to your routine, pick up something like Murad Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil and apply a few drops of it after your moisturizer at night.
However, if your face oil contains active ingredients like salicylic acid or retinol, then you should apply it directly after washing your face.
Generally, facial oils are heavy formulas that can prevent your other products from getting into your skin if you apply them first.
Therefore, I always suggest making your face oil the last step of your evening skincare routine.
Cheers,