Is oil or cream better for your face?

Author: Reba Crona  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Each one plays a unique role in achieving healthy, radiant skin. While facial oils offer a natural and nourishing way to hydrate the skin, moisturizers work well to lock-in moisture and creams provide more intense hydration.

Are oils better for your face than creams?

Oils are the ideal antidote to dry, flaky skin and rough, rosy cheeks and they can be much more effective at moisturizing than your standard over-the-counter lotions and creams. Don't rub oil into your skin like you would with a moisturizer. Instead, pat or dab it by pushing it into your pores so it absorbs.

Is oil or cream better for aging skin?

Oils are generally better for adding hydration and creating a protective barrier, making them suitable for dry or mature skin. Creams are typically more balanced and can offer hydration while being less greasy, making them ideal for combination or oily skin.

What are the disadvantages of applying oil on face?

And many types of face oil are considered comedogenic, meaning they can cause blackheads by blocking your pores. In addition, Dr. Kassouf says, “You want to avoid strong fragranced oils like lavender or tea tree, as they can be irritating or even potential allergens.”

Which is better, face oil or moisturizer?

Facial oils are much more beneficial for keeping the skin moisturised and supple throughout the day. While moisturising, it also prevents dehydration and even helps with improving the look of the skin. Facial oils also work best for facial massages either with hands, Kansa wands, Gua sha, or any other massage tool!

Is it better to use OIL VS CREAM for THE FACE?| Dr Dray

Should I oil my face every day?

For maximum hydration, mix your face oil into your moisturizer or apply it directly afterward to lock in its water content. While you can use face oil every day, consider reserving it for nighttime; face oil can make sunscreen less effective, and you should be applying sunscreen every morning—including in winter!

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.

Does oily skin age slower?

Our data suggest that skin type may be associated with the skin aging to some extent, and the results reveal a relatively delayed tendency of facial aging in the oily skin subgroup than in the dry skin subgroup.

What oils are not good for the face?

18 Worst Face Oils and Why
  • Coconut oil has a comedogenic rating of 4, meaning it is highly likely to clog pores. ...
  • Marula oil is rich in oleic acid (70-78%) and palmitic acid (up to 12%), making it too heavy for acne-prone skin. ...
  • Palm oil has 44% palmitic acid, making it highly pore-clogging.

Which oil is best for the face?

However, as a baseline, opt for jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil, and argan oil if you're prone to breakouts. Marula oil, coconut oil, and olive oil, on the other hand, are pretty high on the comedogenicity scale, so they can potentially clog your pores.

Should I use cream or oil?

Which one you should use therefore depends on your skin type. As many creams also contain oil, a moisturizing cream can be sufficient for most skin types, but if your skin is on the dry or dehydrated side, it can be highly beneficial to seal your cream with a facial oil for an extra moisture boost.

What oil is best for old skin?

Vegetable oils are great for a variety of skin types but if you have dry and mature skin, certain oils will soon become your best friends.
  • Almond oil will soothe irritated dry skin promptly and efficiently. ...
  • Wild rose fruit oil is most beneficial when it comes to dry and mature skin.

Does skin absorb oil or cream better?

Lotion is lighter than oil, so it spreads and absorbs easily into the skin.

Is oil or cream better for mature skin?

Oils are often recommended for dry or mature skin, but they can be used by all skin types, depending on the type of oil and the individual's skin needs.

Do you put face oil on before or after moisturizer?

Do you put facial oil on before or after moisturiser? Always after! Let your moisturiser sink in, then apply two to three drops of facial oil. remember to put your SPF on over the top during the day.

What is the best face moisturizer?

Some of the best brands include:
  • CeraVe: Known for their gentle, dermatologist recommended moisturizers.
  • La Roche-Posay: Offers a wide range of affordable skincare products, including non-comedogenic moisturizers.
  • Kiehl's: Known for their effective, high end skincare products.

Do dermatologists recommend face oil?

“Face oils definitely have a place with all different types of skin because they have a lot of different benefits,” says Dr. Navin Arora, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Borealis Dermatology in New York, including treating acne and redness.

Which oil clogs pores?

If you have oily skin, avoid oils that tend to clog pores on your face, like coconut oil, wheat germ oil, and others that are high in oleic fatty acids.

Why do dermatologists not like essential oils?

Some common reactions to essential oils include contact dermatitis, dryness, redness, and itchiness. Common irritants found in these oils include fragrance ingredients like limonene, citronellol, eugenol, and linalool, all present in many fragrant plant oils. The positives just don't outweigh the negatives.

What ages skin the most?

Skin changes are related to environmental factors, genetic makeup, nutrition, and other factors. The greatest single factor, though, is sun exposure. You can see this by comparing areas of your body that have regular sun exposure with areas that are protected from sunlight.

Do people with oily skin need moisturizer?

It may seem counterintuitive, but oily skin needs plenty of moisture, too. I usually advise my patients with oily skin to apply moisturizer twice per day (in the morning and at night) to their face and neck. For all-day shine control, I recommend looking for moisturizers that are designed to help absorb excess oil.

What ethnicity has oily skin?

The most prevalent fatty acid in sebum, sapienic acid (16:1, n10), is significantly higher in African Americans and correlated with the higher sebum output in that ethnic group.

Can I use vaseline on my face?

But hold on, can you put Vaseline® products on your face? The frequently asked question has a simple answer: Yes! Vaseline® products, including Vaseline® Original Healing Jelly, are absolutely safe for your skin. The Vaseline® Jelly is non-comedogenic, which means it does not block or clog your pores.

What is the best oil to use as a moisturizer?

Coconut oil is one of the best oils for your skin. Its vitamin E and medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs) help nourish and support the skin. Plus, coconut oil's cleansing properties are essential for a clear-looking, moisturized complexion.

How to rehydrate face?

How to Hydrate Skin
  1. Use a humidifier. Low-humidity environments often lead to dry skin. ...
  2. Hydrate skin with lotion, ointments, or face creams. ...
  3. Try moisturizing serums. ...
  4. Use a vitamin C serum for brighter skin. ...
  5. Apply a facial toner. ...
  6. Drink plenty of water. ...
  7. Exfoliate a couple of times a week at most. ...
  8. Use sunscreen.

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