The Difference Between Face Serums And Face Oils

Face serum and face oil, how do they differ? While they may seem comparable, they have their own advantages and can be used individually or can be layered to work together. The primary difference between a face oil and face serum goes down to the composition of their formulas.

Face Serum

Serums are usually produced with high concentrations of water-soluble actives in a water base to penetrate deep within the skin. The ingredients in serums are formulated to be smaller in size to increase the ability to reach the furthest layers of the epidermis. Serums are usually made of a combination of water plus actives, like peptides, antioxidant-rich vitamins, or resurfacing ones like glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids. Therefore, serums are made to reach the concealed skin layers that are difficult to reach with moisturisers.

When should I use a face serum?

Once a day will seemingly cover your skin. With serums, less is more, so a small amount of serum will be enough for your skin. For better results, be careful of when you use them. Always apply them on dry, cool skin to improve absorption and avoid any issues. They should be applied after cleansing and toning your face. Lightly tap the serum into your skin and wait until it is absorbed to continue with the application of a moisturiser.

Face Oil

Face oils are made of a single oil or a blend of oils and oil-soluble actives. They are typically heavier than water-based serums and take more time to absorb. Oils provide nutrition and hydration to the skin. Facial oils normally contain plant extracts and essential oils which provide the skin with waxes. These waxes help to strengthen the moisture barrier and keep your skin balanced. They also help to preserve it from environmental damage which can lead to acne and premature ageing. In most cases, the main difference between serums and oils is that oil molecules are much larger and assist to penetrate only the outermost layers of the skin. An oil blend can contain hundreds of different sized molecules, and therefore makes them more suitable as moisturisers instead of serums.

Is facial oil good for you?

Facial oils are applied to moisturise, balance, and protect your skin. Whilst they can certainly be blended with or layered on top of serums to target specific skin concerns, their main purpose is to provide intense hydration. Unlike cream moisturisers, oils are effective because they stimulate our skin’s natural sebum production. If you’ve done any kind of damage to your lipid barrier, then face oils are a must.