by Alexandra Nicole Nuralam

Here’s Why You Need A Facial Oil in Your Skincare Routine

There’s a common misconception that facial oils do not belong in your skincare routine unless you have dry skin. As a teenager, I religiously avoided oil-based products for fear of them exacerbating my combination and acne-prone skin. Once I hit my 20s, however, the tide turned and suddenly oil products were in. The general consensus seemed to be that face oils can work wonders on any number of skin woes, and transform skin from dull to dazzling.

As you age, your skin begins to lose the ability to retain moisture effectively. Your holy-grail moisturisers are not quite doing the trick anymore and you’re spritzing a face mist more often. Since the skin needs oil to maintain a healthy balance (too-dry skin are more prone to breakouts, fine lines and wrinkles), using a facial oil can help keep moisture in the skin.

Plus, they work with every skin type (yes, even if you have oily or blemish-prone skin).

So, how do I use a facial oil?

According to science, it should always go last (but before SPF, of course). This is not a subject that is up for debate. Except that it’s guaranteed to cause contention amongst beauty editors, skin experts and product lovers alike. We’ve said before that the easiest way to go about your skincare is from the “thinnest to thickest” texture, which still holds true. However, it all comes down to molecular structure and your creamy moisturizer is in fact thinner, molecularly speaking, than that runny rosehip oil.

Oils thrive on the top layers of your skin, while water thrives inside your skin. So you need water-based products for hydration… but water evaporates. Which is why face oils come in last: they are the most occlusive ingredients in a regime, meaning they seal everything in to keep them from evaporating quickly. It will also strengthen your moisture barrier, an oil-infused barrier that reduces transepidermal water loss (basically the evaporation of moisture in the skin).

If you’re using it as the first step in your routine, you’re potentially preventing the moisture from other water-based products—your favourite niacinamide serum or hyaluronic acid moisturiser—that you’ve applied over the top from working their magic.

So repeat after me: oils will never be serums and oils should always be last.

BEAUBIT’s Face Oil Picks

For all skin types

A great all-rounder oil, this one uses cold-pressed superfood seed oils like blueberry, red raspberry and cranberry for healthy, luminous skin.

For dry skin

This lightweight facial oil from local brand Rooki Beauty is formulated with a delicate blend of camelina oil, Japanese yuzu and horse chestnut to banish visible signs of ageing and moisturise dehydrated skin. Compared to other oils, the Camelina Oil has an extremely balanced omega fatty acid profile of Omega 3, 6 and 9 to properly replenish skin without disrupting the natural balance of fatty acids in your skin.

For combination skin

Marula oil works great for combination skin since it’s super absorbable and non-greasy. Not to mention, it packs a punch with antioxidants, has anti-bacterial properties and rejuvenates the skin.

Tip: Use the oil sparingly along with a lightweight moisturiser. 

For oily skin

Jojoba, tea tree, squalane and marula oils are good for people with oily skin; they are light in texture and don’t leave the skin feeling greasy. This one from A for Apothecary has jojoba oil first on its ingredient list, so rest assured you’ll be reaping the full benefits of the ingredient.

Tip: A moisturiser with AHAs is a good choice to use along with a facial oil if you have oily skin.

For acne-prone skin

Breakouts happen due to overactive oil glands, causing an excess in sebum production which can clog pores, so using a healthy supplemental oil can help diminish this oil production. Opt for lighter oils like jojoba, squalane and tea tree oils. We’re a fan of SeaSun Society’s Blue Spell, which consists of 7 plant oils only, including jojoba and rosehip oil.

For ageing skin

Powered with ginseng and rose petals, this facial oil is a natural collagen booster that reduces fine lines and retains moisture in the skin. The sugars in rose petals are especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin. 

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