If you are using squalane oil and a thick occlusive moisturizer definitely apply squalane oil first. Because of the molecular structure of the ingredient, you would want it to penetrate the skin with minimal obstruction. Then add your moisturizer over top, only do this if you have really dry and dehydrated skin.
The Ordinary Squalane can be used in the morning and or evening on its own or after your water-based products but before heavy creams. Some people apply their oils last, but Deciem says to apply before heavy creams. Squalane is amazing for any dry areas on the body and fabulous for dry lips.
Squalene would be found in fresh extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil which is rancid or has unacceptable flavors is deodorized using distillation. The resultant oil is called "Pure" or "Refined" olive oil. Squalene is removed during the refining process and is concentrated in the distillate.
How do I add 100% Plant-Derived Squalane to my skin care routine? Apply it to cleansed skin after toners, serums, and other water-based treatments. You can apply another moisturizer on top if desired.
When it comes to facial oils, they should be applied as the last step in your skin care routine at night, and right before SPF in the morning.
As a general rule, “you should always apply products from thinnest to thickest,” Kherata explains. That means liquids first and oils last (with the exception of sunscreen, which should always be applied last).
Serum and Moisturizer: 1 minute
Goldenberg's go-to recommendation for timing between serums and moisturizers is about one minute. This wait has the same reasoning: Sixty seconds — give or take — gives each product a moment to delve into your pores.
As a rule of thumb, we typically recommend applying products in order from lightest to heaviest. For oils and serums, that usually means applying serums (which are often water-based) first. After the serum absorbs into your skin, you can apply facial oil, and then moisturizer and sunscreen.
One moisturizer worth taking note of is squalane. It mimics your skin's natural oils, making it an excellent emollient. It's also a natural antioxidant and has antitumor properties, protecting your skin from carcinogens.
Always make sure to apply your serum on ahead of your moisturiser. If you swap the steps, the ingredients in your serum won't be able to penetrate the layer of your moisturiser — and then there's no use in using it! Give your serum about five minutes to soak into the skin before moving on.
Alex Roher, MD of San Diego Botox Inc recommends using face oils both in the morning and at night. He advises applying oil as the last step of your nighttime skin care routine and before your sunscreen and makeup in the morning.
Wait, then Moisturize Serums are not moisturizers.
To allow serums to fully absorb, apply and wait 5 minutes before moisturizing. Take note: Well-formulated serums absorb quickly and disappear into your skin. If they leave an oily or sticky residue, they're not doing their job well.
Moisturizers and face oils are not interchangeable. You cannot use oil in place of moisturizer because oils are too heavy for the skin. They will make your face oily and greasy, which is something you definitely want to avoid as it will make your skin look worse than ever.
You can also use almond oil as a moisturizing oil. To do so, wash and dry your skin as usual. Then, gently pat a small amount of almond oil — about half the size of a dime — onto your face with your fingertips, and let it absorb into your skin. If you're using it as a moisturizer, you don't need to rinse it off.
How do you use face oils? You can always mix oils in with your moisturizer, but if you're going to give them their own spot of honor in your skin-care routine, derms say there are two ways you can do it, depending on the type of face oil you use.
In most cases, it makes sense to apply serum before moisturizer. This is because serum is usually more lightweight, whereas moisturizer tends to be thicker. Applying serum first can also give the skin more opportunity to absorb the active ingredients. In many skin care routines, moisturizer is the last step.
When to Rub vs. When to Pat: Almost your entire skincare regimen — toners, essences, serums, moisturizers, and eye creams included — should be patted into the skin, since liquids, creams, lotions, and gel-based offerings absorb best with this technique.
First, introduce one product at a time. This way, you'll be able to see what each product is doing for skin. Isolate each new addition by waiting a month between introducing anything else. Also, before you use a product all over your face or body, make sure to patch test it first to identify if your skin is compatible.
"Ideally the skin is smooth, supple, and uniform in color," Waldorf said. If your skin feels less bumpy, the size of your pores has been reduced, and you're noticing less marks, acne, and discoloration, your products are likely working.
Both are naturally occuring, and present in the human body, but they both do slightly different jobs. While Hyaluronic Acid increases skin's water content, Squalane acts as a barrier, keeping moisture locked in and hydrating at a cellular level.
Squalane is a lighter oil so I would use it before applying a cream/moisturizer. Squalane absorbs pretty fast and layers well with water based products *and* other moisturizing products, so IMHO it's best when used after your serums and before heavier moisturizers.