Moisturizing is the most important part of your skincare routine. When regularly moisturized, your skin’s texture will be healthier, plumper, smoother, and more radiant.

Additionally, moisturizer helps to support the skin’s barrier function by providing a protective layer that locks in moisture and keeps out environmental stressors, like air pollution, UV rays, and free radicals that can damage your skin. And when you consistently moisturize, signs of aging are kept at bay, making it less prone to developing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Lotions and creams may first come to mind when you think about moisturizers, but oils have become a popular moisturizing addition to skincare routines. They provide hydration, nourishment, and improved texture by supporting the skin barrier by sealing moisture into the outermost layer of the skin. 

But you don’t have to consistently suffer from dryness to benefit from using oil. We’ll get into when to use oil as part of your skincare routine and how to apply it. 

Who Can Use Face Oil?

The good news is that all skin types—even those with oily or combination complexions—can use oil as part of your skincare routine. No matter your skin type, oils can also act as a highlighter substitute, imparting a healthy, youthful glow. (And if you’re unsure what skin type you have, we recommend reading our primer here, or a dermatologist can help.)

When you hear or read the phrase “face oil,” you are probably picturing oil that is packaged in a bottle and applied with a dropper. But there are other formulations too. For one, our Oil Stick comes in solid form, and smoothly glides on problem areas. 

It contains jojoba oil, which naturally helps to manage natural oil production. Plus, it’s lightweight and non-comedogenic, which means it will not clog your pores. While applying face oil to already oily skin may seem counterintuitive, there are benefits: skin recognizes jojoba oil as its own produced sebum so your skin will produce less sebum— helpful if your skin is overly oily or you deal with acne. 

Oils are also excellent for dry skin because they help trap moisture in and can penetrate deeper layers of the skin to provide extra hydration. Not only does this ease discomfort from dryness, but this will also improve your skin texture, making it appear smoother and more radiant. 

If your skin is more of a combination type, you can use face oil as a spot treatment for dry patches that remain even after you’ve applied moisturizer. Our Oil Stick can be applied all over the face but its solid form makes it easy to layer on to provide extra hydration. (Additionally, after you’ve applied your makeup and have used the Tinted Face Powder to set your products and take down shine, glide the Oil Stick over areas where you want to add back in a subtle glow.) 

Facial oils are also perfect for those who have sensitive skin. They’re gentle, and they can help calm any irritation or redness. The Oil Stick contains sunflower seed oil, which has the ability to soothe irritation. 

When Should I Use Face Oil?

Face oils can be used at any time of the day, but it depends on your skin type and its specific needs.

-In the Morning: Applying oil in the morning allows your skin to receive hydration and nourishment throughout the day. (Just make sure you’re allowing it to fully absorb after cleansing and moisturizing your skin, but before applying sunscreen and makeup. This will ensure that your products stay on your skin.)

-Before Bed: Using oil as part of your nighttime skin routine will let your skin soak up the hydration as you sleep. Just as you would in the morning, apply after using your cleanser and moisturizer.

-As Needed: If you are experiencing dry patches of skin, you can apply a small amount of oil and massage it into your skin whenever your skin calls for additional moisture. Or, if you want to highlight your cheeks or other areas, gently glide on the Oil Stick for a non-greasy glow. 

How Do I Apply Face Oil?

There are several ways to incorporate face oils into your skincare routine. But no matter how you proceed, using the right amount is important. Too much can leave your skin feeling greasy, while using too little may not provide enough hydration. 

A good starting place is to start with just a little and pat gently to distribute across your face; you can always add more if you think you need it. 

Choose the Right Oil

There are many different oils out there, like tea tree, vitamin C, marula oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and grapeseed oil, but choosing a face oil that works with your skin type is key. (Luckily, our Oil Stick suits all skin types, featuring jojoba oil as well as apricot, sunflower, and rosehip oils.) 

Apricot oil can help support the body’s natural collagen production, which supports skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you’re curious about incorporating more oils into your routine, we also recommend our Cleansing Stick. It is a solid oil cleanser packed with sunflower seed oil, which helps clear out acne-inducing bacteria. 

Use to Clean Skin

Start with a cleanser, like The Cleansing Stick, that will dissolve makeup and impurities without stripping your skin of its own natural oils. 

Once your face is clean, add your choice of moisturizer, and then gently pat on a small amount of oil directly to your face. The warmth from your fingertips will make it easier to spread. 

This will help to hydrate and nourish your skin while the vitamins and lipids also support your skin’s protective barrier, acting as an occlusive to help lock in moisture and combat water loss. 

Mix With Moisturizer

Another way to use face oil is to mix it with your moisturizer. This is an especially helpful tip if you’re experiencing extra dryness due to cold weather. And if you’re prone to breakouts, this is an effective way to see how your skin will react to facial oil. 

Simply mix the oil and moisturizer on the back of your hand, and apply to your skin as normal. Our Light Moisture Cream is a perfect, light base to start with. After you’ve moisturized and applied face oil, you can apply SPF and makeup as usual.

Treat Smaller Areas

Are your cheeks or skin a little dry? Use face oil as a soothing, hydrating spot treatment. Apply it directly to areas of dryness and flakiness and massage it gently. Our Oil Stick is formulated for easy, portable application that you can seamlessly concentrate on troubled areas. 

Should I Still Use a Moisturizer?

Adding oil to your lineup of skincare products doesn’t mean you can or should skip your regular moisturizer. While facial oils are excellent at soothing and smoothing skin, they really help to seal your skin’s barrier so they should be used in conjunction with a moisturizer. (And if you’re using oil simply as a highlighter, then definitely don’t skip out on all the hydration a good moisturizer can offer.)

Sealing your skin barrier prevents moisture from evaporating and helps to retain any added moisture from skincare products like lotions or creams. Moisturizers contain a combination of ingredients that help to hydrate the skin and are usually absorbed by the skin, and oils help to add extra hydration and soothe irritation. Using moisturizer and face oil together is best for optimal skin health and hydration. 

When it comes to your routine, it’s usually recommended to apply the moisturizer first and then follow up with skin oil. By applying moisturizer first, it can be fully absorbed by the skin and creates a hydrated base for the skin oil to be applied on top of. Depending on your skin needs, our Miracle Cream (drier skin types) or our Light Moisture Cream (normal to oily skin types) offer different doses of hydration. 

After cleansing your skin, apply your moisturizer and allow a few minutes for it to fully absorb into the skin. Then, apply a small amount of skin oil on top. Gently massage in, and enjoy the emollience. This will provide optimal absorption and effectiveness, and it ensures your skin gets the most benefits from both products. 

Oil: An Effective Addition to Your Skincare Routine

Adding face oils, whether as a frequent, all-over remedy or an occasional addition for times of extra dryness, to your daily routine is an easy step with plenty of healthy benefits. The best face oils supplement your skin’s hydration, leaving you with a smoother and more radiant texture. A nourished complexion is your skin at its best, which will only help your makeup enhance your natural beauty.