Dawn Siler

Should I apply moisturizer or facial oil first?

Oils take ages to absorb. I don’t want to wait 30 min before putting on moisturiser, so maybe I should start with that.

But then my fave blogger uses moisturizer after facial oil and her skin looks amazing. Ok, she’s in her 20s, but still…

What the heck goes first – and does it even matter?!

What’s The Difference Between A Moisturizer And A Facial Oil?

First things first. Before you go crazy trying to figure out what goes first, are you sure you need both a moisturizer AND a facial oil?

I know that facial oils are all the rage now and you’re feeling like you’re missing out if you don’t use one. But what if I told you that a moisturizer and a facial oil do the same job?

Both moisturizers and facial oils moisturize skin. The main difference is that oils are always occlusive. They create a barrier on the skin that locks water in.

Moisturizers come in different forms. Oil-free moisturisers, for example, work thanks to humectants, i.e. clever little molecules that attract water from the air into the skin. For oily skin, they’re the bomb.

But most moisturizers out there do contain a mix of humectants and occlusive oils, so they can attract water into the skin and keep it there. If your moisturizer already has them, do you really need a separate facial oil?

Related: The Complete Guide To Facial Oil: What They Are, What They Do And How To Use Them

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Do You Really Need A Moisturiser And A Facial Oil?

That depends on your skin type. 80% of people need only a moisturizer.

Oily skin? An oil-free moisturiser is all you need. Thanks to your workaholic sebaceous glands that insist on pumping out more oil than you need, your skin’s protective barrier is intact.

You know what that means? You can just add moisture to your skin, and your natural barrier will keep it there. No need for oils.

I’d go as far as to say that oily skin should stay away from oils. Sure, there are oils that are suitable for your skin type. But oils tend to close pores, so be careful when adding them to your skincare routine. If you don’t need them, don’t risk it.

Dry and sensitive skin? You need either a moisturiser or a facial oil. Your skin’s protective barrier is damaged. Moisture keeps evaporating through the cracks, turning your skin into a dull, flaky red mess. Ouch.

Both a moisturiser and a facial oil can patch up your skin’s protective barrier. One isn’t better than the other. It just depends on personal preference.

Oils take longer to absorb and they don’t always layer well under makeup. That makes them a better choice for night time. In the morning, a lightweight moisturizer is the best option.

Keep in mind that if you use a facial oil, you need to slather on a hyaluronic acid serum first. You need to add moisture into your skin if you want oils to trap it in. Hyaluronic acid is great at this. It can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.

(FYI, you can use a hyaluronic acid serum even with a moisturizer. But a lot of moisturizers have it built-in so depending on how dry your skin is, a separate serum may not be necessary. Listen to your skin here.)

Only when your skin’s so dry, a moisturizer alone can’t do the job, you need to add a facial oil to the mix. But when is it the right time to apply it?

Related: Why Oil-Free Moisturizers Are The Best For Oily Skin

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Should You Apply Moisturizer Or Facial Oil First?

Moisturizer always goes before facial oil.

Oils are sealants. They lock in everything you’ve just applied onto your skin. So it makes sense to use them last.

Plus, they take ages to absorb. Who wants to wait 20 minutes for the oils to sink in before slathering on moisturizer? Heck, if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably forget to apply moisturizer at all!

Related: How Long Do You Need To Wait Before Applying The Next Skincare Product?

Shop Moisturizers For Dry Skin

The Exception To The Rule

Have you noticed those new hybrids between a facial oil and a serum? The Ordinary Retinol 1% In Squalane is the perfect example.

Retinol is an active that needs to be applied as close to clean skin as possible. The more layers are in the way, the harder it is for it to get through. And if it can’t penetrate your skin, how can it work?

Yet, the base is an occlusive oil. It’s there to counteract the drying effects of retinol and moisturise skin. So, where does it go, before or after moisturizer?

Before. If you’re using an oil with active ingredients that need to penetrate skin, apply it as close to the skin as possible.

Then, apply moisturizer on top. It’s not ideal, but you’ll still get some extra hydration. It’s not like moisturizers completely stop working if you use them on top of facial oils…

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The Bottom Line

Most people DON’T need both a moisturizer and a facial oil. If you do, apply the facial oil last. The only exceptions are serums disguised as oils. They need to be as close to the skin as possible.

Do you apply moisturizer or facial oil first? Share your routine in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Erborian CC Creme keeps flying off the shelves. No matter how many tubes Sephora stocks, they always sell out in no time – every time.

Must be freaking awesome. I had to get a tube and see for myself what the hype is about (hint: the awesomeness is real):

Key Ingredients In Erborian CC Creme

UV Filters

First things first: CC Cremes are NOT a substitute for sunscreen. To get the SPF stated on the bottle, you need to apply 1/4 of a teaspoon. Are you doing it?

If you do, kudos to you. You’re more dedicated than me. You CAN use it as sun protection. Everyone else, use it over sunscreen.

So, how good is the protection of Erborian CC Creme – if you use it properly? Here are its UV filters:

• Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate: a.ka.a Octyl Methoxycinnamate. It protects skin from UVB rays and helps other UV filters last longer, too.
• Titanium Dioxide (nano): a mineral filter that protects from all UVB and some UVA rays. It’s in nano size to neutralise its greasy texture and the white cast it leaves behind.
• Ethylhexyl Salicylate: a.k.a Octyl Salicylate, a UVB filter with a slightly oily consistency and a mild floral scent.
• Zinc Oxide (nano): a gentle mineral UV filter that protects from ALL UV rays. It’s in nano size to neutralise its greasy texture and the white cast it leaves behind.

In case you’re wondering, no, nano particles in sunscreens aren’t dangerous. They make the texture more pleasant to use and that’s the whole point. If you don’t like using it, you won’t.

Related: Is Nanotechnology In Sunscreen Dangerous?

Silicones

Erborian CC Creme is loaded with silicones – and it’s a good thing:

• Silicones fill in all nooks and crevices: that’s how they blur away large pores, make fine lines and wrinkles look smaller and give skin that airbrushed look.
• Silicones reflect light: They create an even layer on the skin that better reflects light. When it hits your skin, your complexion glows.
• Silicones give slip: Silicones give textures their velvety feel and slip, so they glide on the skin oh-so-smoothly.

So why do silicones get such a bad rep? Two myths:

Related: Are Silicones Good Or Bad For Skin?

Centella Asiatica

Centella Asiatica is super popular in Korean skincare – for a good reason. It’s loaded with soothing substances – like Madecassoside – that calms down redness, irritation and more. Here’s the proof:

In Erborian CC Creme, Centella Asiatica is used together with honey, another soothing ingredient. Double goodness.

Let’s Put It To The Test: Personal Use & Opinion

The first time I used Erborian CC Creme, I totally freaked out. This stuff is a translucent white with little beige dots in it. I know I’m pale, but this is too Caspar The Ghost even for me. I wasn’t sure this was gonna work…

I sighed with relief when the white paste magically transformed into a beige colour that almost matched my skin tone. I say almost because Clair, the lightest of the 2 shades available – is a little too dark for me.

Erborian claims the colour-matching capabilities of the 2 shades are enough to match most skin tones – and I have no reason to doubt it. But it’s ladies on the far ends of the spectrum like me who are gonna be left out. Shame, cos I love this CC Creme a lot.

The creamy texture glides smoothly on my skin, providing a sheer coverage that’s enough to even out the skin tone, blur away fine lines and large pores and neutralise redness.

And the glow! The CC Creme is loaded with encapsulated pigments that brighten the complexion, giving it a healthy, radiant look that never veers into shiny territory.

Quite the opposite. It kept the shine at bay on my t-zone for the whole morning. The CC Creme herself held up pretty well, too. I applied it in the morning and it was still good at 4pm.

It’s not the most hydrating, but I use it over a moisturising sunscreen, so that’s not a biggie for me. I like it that it has SPF too. It may not be enough on its own but hey, every little bit helps.

One more thing: Erborian CC Creme has a light floral scent. I usually don’t like to wear scented products on my face but I have to say, this scent is lovely. And it doesn’t linger around too long.

Available at: $44.00/£38.00 at Feel Unique, Sephora, Soko Glam and SpaceNK

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Ingredients: Aqua, Cyclomethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide (nano), Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Zinc Oxide (nano), Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsequioxane Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Honey Extract, Talc, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trihydroxystearin, Butylene Glycol, Mica, Aluminum Hydroxyde, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Polyester-1, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methicone, Tocopherol, Fragrance, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Eugenol, Limonene, CI 77492/Iron Oxides, CI 77491/Iron Oxides, CI 77499/Iron Oxides

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Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Who said you need to spend a fortune to achieve great skin?

Stroll through the aisles of Target or Boots and you’ll find plenty of retinol serums, acid exfoliants and non-greasy sunscreens – all the actives you had to pay a fortune for in the past.

Drugstore skincare has caught up with the times, so why not take advantage of it? Here are the best drugstore skincare products under $10 to keep wrinkles away, combat excess shine, heal chapped lips and more:

Best For Antiaging: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane ($9.80)

I picked The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane because 0.5% is an intermediate dose most people can use. Lower, it’s for beginners. Higher for pros with resistant skin who have built tolerance to it overtime. So what does retinol do? It’s a form of vitamin A proven to reduce wrinkles. It works in three ways: it boosts collagen production, fights free radicals and speeds up cellular turnover (the skin’s natural exfoliating process). It takes a few weeks to see results, but it’s totally worth it. The moisturising squalane base helps counteracts the drying effects of retinol, too.

Available at:  Adore Beauty, Asos and Cult Beauty

Related: What Strength Of Retinol Do YOU Need?

Best For Sun Protection: Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($9.49)

Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30 is a chemical sunscreen. Yep, it uses synthetic filters to block UV rays from reaching your skin and wreaking their destruction. They’re safe too, unless you’re pregnant or have very sensitive skin. Everyone else will love the texture of this sunscreen. It’s so lightweight it sinks into the skin quickly, leaves no cast behind and makes a great base for makeup.

Available at: Walmart

Related: Chemical VS Physical Sunscreen: Which One Should You Use?

Best For Oily Skin: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($5.90)

I don’t use the word “need” lightly, you know that. But if you have oily skin, you NEED The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% in your life. Niacinamide tackles oily skin in 4 ways: it helps treat acne, soothes the redness that always comes along with pimples, fades away the dark spots they leave behind and shrinks your pores. While it’s at it, it also hydrates skin and strengthens your protective barrier. I know, hard to believe niacinamide can do it all – but we have the science to prove it. What about zinc? This mineral helps regulate oil production, keeping your skin matte for longer.

Available at: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Feel Unique and Sephora

Dupe: Revolution Skincare Blemish And Pore Refining Serum 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc ($7.00)

Related: Can Zinc Help Treat Acne?

Best For Chapped Lips: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Lips (£6.00)

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Lips is my fave lip balm ever. Last winter, it healed my cracked lips in just a few days when NOTHING else did. Its secret? Shea butter. It creates a barrier on the skin that protects it from cold weather, germs and all the other enemies that dry out your lips + it deeply moisturises too. Panthenol (B5) soothes chapped lips and helps them heal faster, too. If only it had SPF, it’d be perfect. But if you can still use it when the sun ain’t shining. There truly is nothing better for chapped lips.

Available at: available at Feel Unique

Related: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Lips Full Review

Best Drugstore Exfoliator: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution ($5.30)

Gone are the days when harsh scrubs were all you could find at the drugstore. Exfoliating acids have now invaded the shelves – and I couldn’t be happier about it. I settled onto The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution because everyone can use salicylic acid, including sensitive skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe redness and irritation. But it truly shines (in a good way!) when dealing with oily skin. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so it’s able to penetrate deep into the pores and remove all the crap that’s clogging them up and giving you blackheads and pimples.

Available at: Adore Beauty, Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Feel Unique and Sephora

Related: How To Pick The Right Exfoliant For Your Skin Type

Best Acne Treatment: Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 ($4.97)

Need to get rid of a pimple quickly? It’s a job for Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10. It contains benzoyl peroxide, an anti-bacterial that kills P. Acnes, the bacteria that’s giving you acne. This baby is one of the most powerful weapons against acne – and one of the harshest. It’s very drying, so use it only as a last resort – and ONLY on pimples.

Available at: Walmart

Related: Benzoyl Peroxide: Friend Or For For Your Skin?

What do you think are the best drugstore skincare products under $10? Share your picks in the comments below.

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Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.