Here's Where A Face Oil Goes In Your Skincare Routine

Nowadays, there are simply so many skincare products to choose from. It seems like there's a skincare product for almost anything, and in every type of formula imaginable. When you have this many options, it can be overwhelming and stressful to know when to use your products. At the end of the day, you don't want to render your skincare products useless by applying them in the wrong order or at the wrong time of day.

While there are certain ways in which dermatologists recommend applying your skincare routine, face oil is one of those products you want to be extra careful with. After all, face oil products can make your face too shiny or simply not do anything if applied incorrectly. The application of face oils is important as their benefits can make a world of a difference to your skin's appearance. As Dr. Noelani González tells Today, "If you think of the skin as a brick wall, the skin cells are the bricks and the oils and lipids are the mortar, which holds the bricks together in place and prevents anything from seeping through. Face oils are considered a type of emollient, which means they help strengthen the outer layer of your skin — the stratum corneum — by softening and sealing it, preventing water loss." With these benefits, face oil is a must-have in your skincare routine, though its efficiency depends on whether or not you use it correctly.

As far as tradition goes, skincare lovers have always heard the rule of applying your skincare products from thinnest to thickest. While this is generally true, there are more factors you should be aware of before applying your products. According to L'Oréal, face oils go against tradition and require a different type of application. L'Oréal suggests applying face oils as the last part of your routine. If you're using it during the day, apply your face oil before your SPF. Meanwhile, for nighttime routines, apply it as your final step after moisturizer. Due to the density of oils, you want to apply them last, as anything applied over won't be able to penetrate your skin. While this can depend on the type of product and its consistency, oil can wind up ruining the efficiency of your skincare routine.

If you are concerned about how effective face oil can be on top of your moisturizer, no need to worry. According to 100% Pure, oils can penetrate your moisturizer and help retain water in your skin. Furthermore, because oils act as a sealant, they lock up all of the ingredients of your previously used products. This is why you want to ensure you leave oils as the last in your skincare routine — to trap the previous products in place and ensure hydrated skin.

Like any skincare product, there are certain ways you should use them to ensure that you get the glowing skin you want. According to Glowday, to get the best results, you need to restrict your usage. When it comes to oils, it is possible to get too much of a good thing. If you apply too much oil onto your face, you risk giving your skin too much sheen. As well, you want to make sure any product you used before has dried before applying oil. If you mix oil with wet skin, your products can start piling and creating specks of white balls, similar to what you would typically see on clothing. Once this happens, you need to start all over again.

If you want to ensure that face oils don't cause extra problems on your skin, you want to double-check that your skin is optimal for face oils. Dermstore assures that those who experience the most benefits from face oils are those with dehydration or aging skin. Those with oily or acne-prone skin can use face oils as long as they use oils that balance their natural oils. If you have sensitive or damaged skin, oils can be a great way to add much-needed nutrients back into the skin.

Ultimately, regardless of how many times or when you use your face oils, ensure to always proceed with caution. Any skincare product used incorrectly can cause further damage to the skin.