What is the difference between a Facial Serum and Oil?

I remember when I was so confused about the difference between the two if I needed to have both, which goes first, should I spend more on one over the other.

As the seasons start to shift, I thought now would be a great time to spill the tea on the difference.

Jumping into what is the Difference between a facial serum and oil?

What Is A Serum

Serums have been top-rated in the skincare game recently; it seems like every brand has a serum. The one thing you need to remember about serums is they are used to target a specific concern you’re having.

The texture of serums ranges from a fluid to gel. Most serums are water-based, which makes them more lightweight and able to penetrate the skin’s surface.

Since serums penetrate the surface of the skin, these can be more pricy, and this is where you may want to splurge.

Why You Should Wear A Serum

As I mentioned above, serums are more on the pricey side, so is it something you need to have in your skincare routine?

Absolutely! With serums having the ability to penetrate the skin more in-depth, you will be able to see better results.

I always say it doesn’t make sense to spend a ton of money on makeup and skincare if you’re not going to use a serum.

But choose wisely; not every serum is made to help every skincare concern.

How To Choose A Serum

Choosing a serum can be daunting since there are so many of them out there.

Don’t get overwhelmed; target what your skincare concerns are. Luckily most basic serums contain a combination of antioxidants, which brighten the skin.

If you have dry skin, look for a serum that has Hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid keeps skin plump and will give you a healthy glow, and allows your skin to repair itself easier.

If you’re more concerned with aging, look for a serum that has retinol.Retinol’s speed up skin cell turnover, and contain glycolic acid, and Vitamin C.

If you have oily skin serums are going to become you’re new best friend.

Since they’re so lightweight and easy to layer, many serums are water-based rather than oil-based, which helps to hydrate oily skin but also cut back on the oil production.

Look for serums that are mattifying during the day and have more botanical ingredients like ginger root or willow bark extracts, these work to decrease oil buildup activity.

What Is Facial Oil?

Facial oils are just as luxurious as a serum and can cost less. The main target of facial oil is to moisturize your skin.

Since facial oils are not as lightweight as a serum, the oil sits on top of the skin to protect it.

Facial oils come in handy in many situations like if you over-exfoliate and strip your skin moisture, after dermaplaning, and just daily pollutions.

Even though oils and creams can get confused (since both target moisturizing), oils are more effective because they mimic our skin’s natural oil production.

Should You Use A Facial Oil?

The short answer is, yes! Facial oil is not one of those skincare products that will be beneficial only for dry skin; facial oil can be a valuable part of their skincare routine. Not only does Facial oil lock in moisture, but it also helps our skin to recover from natural occurrences like being outside. 

If you have seen my post about how to care for stressed skin, I mentioned stress could cause your skin to look dull. Anxiety, as well as aging skin, are factors for dry skin. 

As we age, our oil production begins to slow down, which is why facial oil can be a savior for your skin. 

If you’re not good at drinking water, your skin may look dull if your body is dehydrated or you haven’t had enough sleep. 

The Secret to Picking out an Oil Good Your Skin Type

Picking the right oil is essential; if you had tried facial oils before and didn’t like it, you may have used the wrong oil for your skin type. When shopping for a facial oil, this is what you want to memorize those with oily skin should look for a dry oil like rosehip or jojoba. 

If you have dry skin, you’re better off looking for a more hydrating, like marula oil.

If you have sensitive or inflamed skin, tamanu is an oil you want to look into. However, tamanu oil is a rich hydrating oil that would do better as a night treatment. 

One Last Thing 

Serums and oils are both beneficial for maintaining healthy glowing skin. It takes time to find what your skin likes, so it’s essential to take note of how your skin reacts when you add a new product like a serum or oil. 

If you’re nervous about adding something new to your skincare routine, take small steps, and add one at a time. 

I hope this was helpful about what the difference between a facial serum and oil, here are some of my favorites below!