Oils, Serums and Moisturisers | What’s The Difference and Why Do We Need All Three?
Skincare can be confusing and while experts recommend you to keep it simple, trying to navigate the essential products and must-have beauty buys we’re continuously sold can get overwhelming. From the outset, oil, serums and moisturisers look like they do the same thing, so really, what’s the difference? And why if any, do we need all three, and how and in what order do you use them?
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The difference between oils, serums, and moisturisers
The main difference between oils, serums, and moisturisers is the texture and molecule size and although they each serve their own purpose, they’re not mutually exclusive. At the end of the day, it’s the ingredients and quality of ingredients that matter most.
Oils
Commonly made up of botanicals and natural ingredients, oils work wonders to nourish and hydrate the skin. Because our body naturally produces oils, using one in our skincare routine, particularly as we age, can complement the benefits those natural oils bring. Absorbing topically, oils provide many anti-aging and hydrating benefits as well, as they help plump out fine lines and wrinkles.
When using face oils, however, you should only be applying these at night. Regardless of if you’re using SPF or not, you don’t want to be putting any oil onto your skin only to then go out exposed under the sun. When applying at night, we’re also giving our skin the best possible chance to really absorb all the nutrients and deliver the most benefit as our body repairs itself in our sleep.
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Serums
Due to their smaller molecule size, serums can penetrate much further into the epidermis than either an oil or moisturiser can. This makes them great for targeting specific skin concerns like uneven skin tone, pigmentation, or dehydration, as they’re able to deliver active ingredients where they’re needed most, in order to truly transform the skin.
Best applied before your moisturiser and safe to use morning and night, serums are definitely some of our favourite recommended products for beautiful, glowing skin.
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Moisturisers
With a much thicker consistency, moisturisers are perfect for hydrating the skin and locking in all of our other wonderful products layered underneath. When our skin is dehydrated, that’s when we start to notice wrinkles and fine lines most, so ensuring we’re moisturising daily will help keep our skin nice and supple.
Because of the thicker consistency, moisturisers also act as a great barrier and protective layer against the elements like the wind or air conditioning, which can wreak havoc on the skin and leave you feeling quite dry.
While some people prefer a lighter formula in the morning and a thicker product at night, there’s no right or wrong way. As long as you’re diligent in its use, and always apply in an upward motion, and allow time for it to absorb, you will see results.
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Do we really need all three?
Yes and no. If you want to keep it simple, at a bare minimum a good quality moisturiser is your non-negotiable. However, when it comes to using all three, if you know how and when to use them, it can be a complete game-changer.
Which order should you be using them?
If you’re ever confused, a good rule of thumb is to work your way through from thinnest to thickest. This way our skin is able to absorb the most potent ingredients first and then all else can be layered and locked in underneath. Your moisturisers and SPF are usually the last to layer.
For example, a simple routine in the morning might start with your cleanser, eye creams, oils and serums, followed by a moisturiser and SPF, and in the evening, a double cleanse (to really get rid of all the dirt), eye cream, face oil, serums and finish with a high-quality moisturiser to lock it all in.
