“If you're using a face oil for the first time, start slowly, as you should with any new product,” says Brown, who recommends applying a few drops once or twice a week, then observing how the skin responds for a good gauge of whether you've found the right oil for you.
The conclusion is that facial oils are best used daily when they're most easily absorbed: at night. There is, however, one exception: if you have dry skin, you may benefit from adding a few drops of facial oil to your morning routine to layer under your makeup.
Therefore, facial oil gives the best results when they are used daily in the nighttime skincare routine as the skin absorbs all the nutrients easily. Besides, prioritising application of sun protection over facial oils during day time can help to prevent the signs of aging and pigmentation.
Those with sensitive skin shouldn't leave it on for much longer than 15 minutes. If you're using the oil to treat dry skin, it can be left on overnight. Rinse the oil off with warm water and dry your face gently. If you've left the oil on overnight, you can simply do this during your morning shower.
The number one mistake I see people make with facial oils is using too much, so they are left feeling greasy. If you start out with too much oil in your hands, it won't absorb properly and you won't get the benefit of an effective massage. The great thing is that's a really easy one to fix!
Many people make the erroneous assumption that face oil can replace moisturizer because it's so rich and emollient. But because face oil adds nourishment and seals in moisture, using it alone is like eating food without drinking water. You'll get by, but your skin won't be adequately hydrated.
How to Layer Moisturizer and Oil. As a rule of thumb, all skincare should be applied thinnest to thickest, so, moisturizer first, facial oil second. The one exception to the rule is our Antioxidant Oil-Serum; because it has both oil and serum properties, it can be applied before, after, or in place of your moisturizer.
Apply oils on damp skin that is either freshly washed or misted. “Oils can be mixed with a bit of facial mist or with serums with a more water-like texture, such as a hyaluronic acid-based serum,” says Sanitas Skincare's Alexis Mayne.
Put simply, the purpose of a face oil is primarily to nourish, protect and moisturise the skin while a face serum targets specific skin concerns (such as wrinkles, fine lines, dullness, dryness, acne, irritation and redness). Due to the latter serving a particular purpose, serums tend to be more expensive than oils.
“In general, face oil should be applied as the last step in a skincare routine (after serum and/or moisturiser if they are being used), but before sunscreen and make-up in the morning, and as the last step at night.” However, when using an oil during the day, you do need to be careful about how it interferes with your ...
“Lightweight, non-comedogenic oils including marula, hemp seed, safflower, sunflower, grapeseed, argan, sweet almond, tea tree and jojoba may be good options for those with oily or acne-prone skin,” she explains.
Yes, they can be. “In theory, face oils reduce water loss from the skin, as they act as a barrier to prevent water content of the skin from evaporating,” explains Dr. Vij. “There is some oil content in the outermost layer of the skin, so face oils can make your skin seem a little more smooth or plump.”
You could develop more wrinkles.
That's right: Leaving moisturizer out of your routine today could lead to deeper wrinkles later on. "When the skin barrier is compromised, which is what we see when it becomes dry, there's actually a low-grade chronic inflammation that occurs in the skin," warns dermatologist Dr.
“Oil attracts oil, and will dissolve sebum, grease, and makeup.” Kim Hart, a licensed medical esthetician with Skin Wellness MD, agrees by adding that since oil attracts oil, it will dissolve the sebum, but the skin's natural moisture will remain, leaving the skin looking and feeling less greasy.
Oil your hair no more than 1 to 2 times a week. Leave it on for approximately an hour or two but you don't need to leave it on longer than that. When you leave oil on too long you run the risk of zits because oil will run down onto your skin and you also don't add any real benefit by leaving it on longer.
If you have dry, flaky, or sensitive skin, you might benefit from using face oil to help hydrate and nourish your skin. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you might benefit from using a face serum to help control oil production and keep your skin clear.
Facial oils can help reduce your wrinkles because they contain essential ingredients like antioxidants and pass through the skin quickly, preventing water loss while keeping skin plump. Antioxidants also boost collagen production and strengthen skin elasticity – another anti-aging perk!
Unlike serums, oils aren't formulated with water and are thicker in consistency, beneficial for keeping skin's barrier smooth and nourished. You can think of these as a replacement for (or an addition to) your moisturizer, depending on skin's needs.
You might be surprised to learn that unlike a serum, your face oil should go after your moisturizer. Meaning, it should be the very last step in your skincare routine.
You can always mix oils in with your moisturizer, but if you're going to give them their own spot of honor in your skin-care routine, derms say there are two ways you can do it, depending on the type of face oil you use.
The better quality a product is, the better (and faster) your skin will soak it up. When it comes to serums and oils (or moisturizers), we recommend waiting about a minute between each application. 60 seconds — give or take, gives each product a little time to delve into your skin.
“Around 30 secs to 1 min is a sufficient gap between layers in the skincare step. The exception is post serum / spot treatment and retinol. You should allow 3 – 5 mins before applying the next layer to allow surface skin penetration. Apply sunscreen only after there are no traces of moisturiser on the face.
You see, while some experts insist you should leave anywhere between 30 seconds and 15 minutes between layers, others argue it's far more important to just get the product on. “If you don't have the time, it won't harm the skin by applying products directly after each other.