It’s a common misconception that facial serums and oils are interchangeable. In reality, each serves a different, often very specific, purpose. It’s also the order in which these two products are applied, that can make a critical difference in how well they work.
In this article, I want to explain the difference between facial serums and oils, so you know when and how each of them should be used to get the best certified skincare can provide.
What are serums?
Serums are lightweight, fast-absorbing formulations packed with potent active ingredients. They are designed to address specific skin concerns, such as hydration, brightening, or anti-ageing. Serums usually have a watery or gel-like consistency. This helps deliver intensive nourishment and visible results to the skin.
Serums have a variety of benefits depending on the specific ingredients contained in the formula. There’s a significant variety of serums that feel and function differently, but they should be chosen based on skin concerns. They can be mixed and matched to create the best skincare routine for each complexion specifically.
- Hydrate the skin
- Deliver antioxidants
- Regulate skin’s pigment
Hydrating serums typically contain humectants, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and other hydrating ingredients, to draw water into the skin and increase the skin’s moisture. Antioxidant serums, such as niacinamide and vitamin C, provide antioxidant support to skin. Serums containing acids, like glycolic acid, help to normalise melanocyte activity and brighten the skin tone.
Face serums can often be packed with incredible moisturising ingredients to help the skin retain its moisture and complexion. However, they should not replace a traditional moisturiser. Serum formulas are not created to provide intense hydration, but rather they deliver strong and active ingredients to the skin.
In our shop, you can find a variety of different serums.
- Collagen Boost Serum: suitable for all skin types, helps with dehydrated skin, fine lines. Perfect addition for anti-ageing skincare routine.
- Botox-Like Peptide Serum: crafted with phytosterols, hyaluronic acid and ginkgo extract. Suitable for normal, dry and mature skin. Helps with dehydrated and dull skin. Perfect addition for anti-ageing skincare routine.
- Hydrating Serum: soothing bisabolol provides comfort, while cloudberry and peony extracts provide nutrients and vitamins for healthy looking skin. Suitable for normal, dry and mature skin. Helps with dehydrated skin. Perfect addition for anti-ageing skincare routine.
- Vitamin C Serum: a stabilised form of vitamin C, ferulic acid, and sea-buckthorn, protecting your skin against environmental stressors and promoting a youthful look. Suitable for all skin types, helps with dull skin and uneven skin tone. Perfect addition for anti-ageing skincare routine.
- Double Hydration Boost Gel: suitable for normal, dry and mature skin types, helps with dehydrated and dull skin. Prevents moisture loss and enhances the skin’s natural plumpness and elasticity.
What are oils?
Face oils are rich water-free formulations and are derived from natural plant-based ingredients. They are usually prized for their ability to lock in moisture, nourish the skin, and provide a protective barrier against environmental stressors. Face oils are particularly beneficial for those with dry or dehydrated skin, as they replenish lost moisture and restore the skin’s natural balance.
While the composition of face oils can vary, as a rule, they are designed to mimic and supplement the skin’s natural sebum production. This is because the oils need to support the skin barrier. Among popular facial oil ingredients are linoleic acid and squalane, because they mimic and support the skin barrier’s natural oil function.
Depending on the type of formula, the best face oils can have additional benefits:
- Helping to reduce signs of ageing: formulations including antioxidants, like argan oil, can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles, as well as keep the skin protected.
- Improving dry skin oils can help those with dry skin, and other defects in the skin barrier.
In our shop, you can find a variety of different facial oils.
- Calming Facial Oil: suitable for all skin types, including dry and oily skin. Helps to improve the appearance of dry and dull skin.
- All-in-One Facial Oil: suitable for normal, dry and mature skin. Helps with dehydrated skin by making it look more energised.
- Softening Beard Oil: suitable for all skin types, helps with dry ends. Absorbs quickly, leaving the beard smooth and softer to the touch.
- Nourishing Facial Oil: amazing blend with 11 organic certified oils and extracts that gives the nutrient and vitamin boost your skin needs. Suitable for normal, dry and mature skin types. Perfect addition to anti-ageing skincare routine.
- Natural Retinol-Alternative Oil Serum: specially formulated to address mature, uneven, dull, dry skin with the help of bakuchiol, jojoba oil, evening primrose oil and others. Unlike classic retinols, this offers less side effects, like irritation, making it safe to use also during the sunny season.
Serums vs oils: when and how to use?
For those with dry skin, face oils may be beneficial either seasonally or year-round. Since face oils are occlusive, they should be applied as the last step of the skincare routine, after moisturising. This will ensure that all the good stuff is locked in, and your skin is protected from all the external bad stuff.
In general, the way to layer your skincare products, according to dermatologists, is to start with the thinnest-consistency formulations and layering thicker ones on top. Therefore, water-based products should be applied before oils.
Serums, on the other hand, can be a great addition to any routine. The best serums for you will depend on your specific skincare needs and desires. Since serums are lightweight, they are designed to be used before moisturisers. You can also pair them with a face oil, if required.
When choosing serums and oils for your skincare routine, you should try to pick products formulated with natural and organic certified ingredients whenever possible. Natural skincare ingredients, such as botanical extracts, essential oils, and plant-based antioxidants, offer a host of benefits for the skin.
At the end of the day, it’s important to understand that both serums and oils play an integral role in a comprehensive skincare routine. Both products offer unique benefits for nourishing and enhancing the skin. Understanding the differences between them and selecting the best option for your skin type and concerns, you can embrace the full potential of natural and organic certified skincare ingredients and achieve a truly beautiful and healthy looking complexion.
