Do I put lotion or oil first?

Author: Dr. Garth Hettinger III  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Oils sit on top of the skin, rather than being absorbed into it, Siso adds. Layering these two products is going to deliver the best results. Siso suggests moisturizing first and adding oil right after to ensure your skin is getting the hydration it needs while locking it in.

What goes first, body oil or lotion?

Lotion is used first to hydrate the skin. Body oil is used second to seal and lock in the moisture from the lotion.

Do you put oil over or under lotion?

You should generally apply body oil after lotion. Here's why: Moisture Sealing: Lotion typically contains water and other hydrating ingredients. Applying oil afterward helps to seal in that moisture, preventing it from evaporating.

Can you put oil on top of lotion?

If you want to use one after the other, I'd recommend that you use lotion first and then oil. Oil typically works as a barrier for moisture in the skin by locking it in. Because lotion has more moisture (first ingredient is water), you can retain more of the moisture by putting oil on top.

Do I apply oil or moisturizer first?

Hi, you should use a facial oil after your moisturizer. Moisturizers are typically water-based and absorb quickly, providing hydration directly to the skin. Applying facial oil afterward helps to lock in this moisture, creating a protective barrier that prevents water loss.

My Science-Based Skincare Routine (easy & affordable)

What goes first dry oil or lotion?

Oils sit on top of the skin, rather than being absorbed into it, Siso adds. Layering these two products is going to deliver the best results. Siso suggests moisturizing first and adding oil right after to ensure your skin is getting the hydration it needs while locking it in.

Should you put oil or moisturizer on last?

Always apply your moisturizer first, as it contains water-based ingredients that are absorbed into the skin's surface. Then apply your facial oil for deep-down, long-lasting nourishment, and hydration.

How do you layer oils and lotions?

As all the skincare pros will tell you, layering your body care products helps you get the full benefits of the active ingredients. The trick is to layer the product with the least amount of oil first (Hyaluronic Body Serum) and work your way up to the one with the most (body oil).

In what order should you apply skincare?

  1. Step 1: Cleansing. Start with the basics: skin cleansing. ...
  2. Step 2: Exfoliation. Eliminate impurities and dead cells by carrying out an effective exfoliation. ...
  3. Step 3: Mask. Apply a mask specific for you. ...
  4. Step 4: Toner. ...
  5. Step 5: Serum or concentrate. ...
  6. Step 6: Eye contour. ...
  7. Step 7: Moisturising cream. ...
  8. Step 8: Sun protection!

Is it better to use oil or lotion for dry skin?

Body lotion is typically richer than an oil and quenches dry skin, providing necessary hydration in order to keep skin soft and moisturized, while often healing cracks and dry spots.

Can I just use face oil instead of moisturizer?

Your facial oil will help keep that hydration in and protect your skin from outside irritants. While face oils should not be used in place of moisturizers, they can help supplement them and improve the effectiveness of your skincare routine to boost skin hydration and give you healthy-looking skin.

Do you put lotion on wet or dry skin?

To get the most out of a body lotion, apply it after you get out of the shower or bath, when your skin is warm and damp (it shouldn't be sopping wet either). Warm, moist skin is the perfect canvas for how to use body lotion, allowing the skin to draw the maximum benefit from your chosen moisturiser.

Should I apply body oil and lotion?

Being the skincare saviours we are, our recommendation, should you choose to accept, is incorporating both a body oil and body lotion into your routine. Combat dry skin and dehydrated skin! Double down on the dewiness!

What order does oil go in skincare?

Apply your facial oil as the second to last step ahead of SPF in the day or as the grand finale to your skincare routine at night, after cleansing, toning, and treatment products like our retinol Skin-renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum and over your moisturiser of choice.

What goes first oil or moisturiser reddit?

The oil acts as a barrier to seal your skin, so you want to put the moisturizer then oil.

What is the 4 2 4 rule in skincare?

The 4-2-4 rule is a detailed cleansing routine that involves a four-minute oil massage, a two-minute cleanse with a water-based cleanser and a four-minute rinse with warm and cold water. Read ahead to know about the Japanese double cleanse routine, and what experts have to say about it.

When to apply face oil?

You can apply face oils at any time, but due to their texture, you may wish to start by implementing them into your nighttime regimen. Ensure they are applied after the use of any water-based serums and before the application of creams and heavier moisturizers.

Does oil go before lotion?

For moisturizing body oils, you want to apply them after your lotion to help lock in the moisture for extra hydration and glowing skin. Using a treatment or dry oil like the Skin Therapy Oil? You'll want to apply it after cleansing but before your lotion for maximum benefits.

In what order should I apply my skincare?

How to Layer Your Skincare Products in the Right Order
  1. Step 1: Cleanser.
  2. Step 2: Toner.
  3. Step 3: Spot Treatment.
  4. Step 4: Serums.
  5. Step 5: Retinol.
  6. Step 6: Eye Cream.
  7. Step 7: Moisturizer.
  8. Step 8: Face Oils.

What should go first, oil or moisturizer?

More recently – thanks to science-backed research – it is now widely accepted that a face oil should go on AFTER moisturizer. That's right: that oily essence that doesn't play well with water can actually penetrate moisturizers. The reasoning is in its makeup.

Do you put lotion all over your body?

Dermatologists recommend using moisturizers all over the body.

When to apply body oil?

Apply your oil after a sudsy shower or therapeutic bath soak. Pat your skin down, but keep it a bit damp to maximize the moisture gained from your bath. Another option is to apply your oil in-shower after using body wash and before drying down. This saves you the extra time of applying lotion after a bath.

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