Are You Applying Facial Oil Wrong?

If you’ve been applying facial oil before your serums or in place of your moisturizer, this post is for you. It may seem logical: facial oil has a similar texture and viscosity to serums, right? But applying oil before your other skincare products might actually muck up the efficacy of your routine. Oils are occlusive ingredients, meaning that while they are excellent at keeping moisture in the skin, they don’t let much else penetrate the skin once they’re applied. Can’t get enough of your fave facial oil? Here are a few tips for using it correctly to get the most out of every drop.

APPLY AFTER WATER-BASED PRODUCTS

The purpose of most water-based serums and moisturizers is to deeply infuse the skin with water and active ingredients. Skin needs both oil and water to remain healthy: water to plump the skin with moisture, and oil to reinforce its natural lipid barrier and prevent moisture from evaporating out of the skin. Because oil molecules are so large, much of it remains on the surface of your skin. When you apply oil before water-based products, it acts as a seal, preventing your creams and serums from sinking in effectively. Apply your facial oil after your serums to lock in the moisture from your serums rather than keep it out.

DON’T NIX THE MOISTURIZER

Many oil-based skincare companies claim that oil is all your skin needs. The fact is that most skin types require products that infuse the skin with both oil and water. While the body naturally produces both water and oil, not drinking enough water, hormonal changes, and environmental factors can cause your skin to become dehydrated and crave moisture. Ensure your skin gets the two essential types of moisture it needs by using both a moisturizer and a facial oil. First, apply a moisturizer like our MICROBIOME DAILY RESCUE MOISTURIZER to add water into the skin. Then, follow with a lightweight oil like our SHIUNKO BLUSH FACIAL OIL, infused with fermented plant extracts that dramatically calm the look of dry, irritated skin.

BE MINDFUL OF SPF

Some sunscreens degrade when mixed with oil and may not fully protect your skin. With loads of mixed information out there about how to use facial oils with the different types of sunscreens available on the market, it’s better to play it safe. Stick with an SPF moisturizer during the day to ensure that your skin is protected from UV rays and save your facial oil for your nighttime routine.