Because oil is the heaviest — or most dense — product in your routine, it's able to penetrate your moisturizer, allowing it to reach your skin, but the reverse isn't true. If you want to really amp up the moisture, apply your oil after applying moisturizer onto damp skin.
The correct way to use your face oils is to use the moisturizer first then pat on your oil. It'll let the water melt into your skin and not evaporate. The other reason why oil goes last is that it will eventually sink into your skin, reinforcing your moisture barrier.
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.
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.
“It typically takes around 30 minutes for products to be absorbed, meaning, that if something is washed off before 30 minutes, it would need to be reapplied,” she says.
Moisturize
So, in addition to hydrating your skin by drinking plenty of water after your facial, you should also use a gentle moisturizer to replenish and lock in that moisture.
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.
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.
A hyaluronic acid serum involves a slightly different routine. After cleansing, and while your skin is still damp, press a couple of drops into your face with the palms of your hands. Don't forget to apply a moisturizer immediately afterward to seal in all that hydration.
"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.
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.
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.
Use face oil twice daily, or as needed
Facial oils can take pride of place in your skincare routine in the morning or the evening (or both!), but they can also be used as and when they're needed.
You want your moisturiser's ingredients to absorb into the skin first to avoid any potential blocking or clogging of the pores. After you've moisturised as you normally would, you can add a protective layer of oil (sparingly) over your moisturiser to prevent water loss.
Why do some people break out directly following a facial? During a facial, skin is well stimulated and much of what's below the surface is encouraged to come up and out. If extractions are not done well then pores and pimples may have left over debris that come to a head in the following days.
Myth #2: Facial oils clog pores.
Let's cut to the chase right away – facial oils will not clog your pores. Oil (or sebum) occurs naturally in your skin and your sebaceous glands are constantly working to pump it out. Acne is a result of hair follicles that become clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it can clog pores. Consequently, it may actually make acne worse for some people (22). When applied to the skin, coconut oil may clog pores and make acne worse. It is not recommended for those with very oily skin.
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.
"Oils are part of the moisturizing process," says cosmetic chemist Vince Spinatto. "So while oils can condition the skin and hair, they only retain water content — not add it — which means they are moisturizing but not hydrating."
A cream drives moisture into the skin, while fatty oils and ingredients like vegetable-derived Glycerin prevent the water from evaporating. This hydration boost means that skin cells retain moisture, leaving skin supple, healthy and glowing. Additional actives are also able to target specific skin needs.
It takes between 2-8 weeks for the skin to become acclimated to new skincare products, and only then can you start to see results. Initially you may notice a negative effect on your skin, such as dryness, redness and spots. This is part of the skin's natural purging process, and is completely normal.
Be consistent with using the product
No skincare product is magic, so results are never overnight, according to dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm. "It usually takes 3 to 4 months to evaluate whether a skin-care change is working to improve the overall appearance of the skin," Palm told Well and Good.