The Right Way to Apply a Facial Oil

You know that moisturizing should be a super-important step in your morning and evening skin care routine. But who says you have to use a cream to get the job done? If you haven’t tried a facial oil yet, you’re missing out. Oils sometimes get a bad rap, as you might assume that using one will leave your face looking overly shiny and cause you to break out—but it’s all about finding the right one for your skin type. Here, we’ve identified the right facial oil based on your skin needs and provide tips on exactly how to apply it.

The Best Facial Oil Options from L’Oréal Paris

Before you get to incorporating a facial oil into your skin care regimen, it’s important to find one that’s right for you.

If you have mature skin…try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil. As women mature, their skin is gradually depleted of essential nutrients and oils. Skin becomes dry and dull and loses its inner glow. This facial oil is formulated for mature skin with a blend of eight essential oils to help replenish skin and restore that glow. What’s more, its ultra-fast absorption leaves skin feeling deeply nourished yet lightweight with no greasy residue.

If you have oily or combination skin…try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Facial Oil Light. Yep, you heard us right—you can use a facial oil even if you have an oily complexion! This facial oil is formulated with a purifying blend of eight essential oils (like argan seed, chamomile flower, and lavender). The formula aids in fortifying skin’s moisture barrier while promoting smoother-looking skin. Plus, the weightless finish leaves skin looking dewy and vibrant—not greasy. Instantly, skin will feel hydrated and look clearer, while skin will feel more balanced with continued use over time.

How to Apply a Facial Oil

Found the right facial oil for your skin type? Great! Now it’s time to get to work.

Step 1: Cleanse your skin. The first step in your A.M. and P.M. routines should be cleansing. Try a daily exfoliating scrub cleanser to help slough off dead skin cells that have built up on the surface of your skin. The L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Scrub Cleanser is formulated with gentle micro-pearls and glycolic acid to help exfoliate dullness and impurities to improve skin tone, texture, and clarity. (Since alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, be sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher in the morning before heading out the door.)

Step 2: Apply your oil. Once you’re done cleansing, get your facial oil ready. Morning and night, apply 4-5 drops of oil onto the palm of your hand. With your finger, dab the oil in small dots onto cleansed skin, avoiding your eye area. Then, gently smooth and press the oil onto your face and neck, using the whole surface of your hands. Smooth the oil from nose to ears, eyebrows to hairline, and neck to jawline. When it comes to facial oil, less is definitely more—so no need to go overboard!

Step 3: Layer on your moisturizer. What came first: the chicken or the egg? The debate over whether to apply facial oil before or after moisturizer is almost as discussed as that age-old question. Well, we have the answer. No, not about the egg—the other one. While it can vary from product to product, in general, facial oil should be used on top of creams and lotions. The L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Dry Skin, L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin, and L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Extra Dry Skin are formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe water to help provide long-lasting hydration. Of course, in the morning, broad-spectrum sunscreen is a must. So, apply one over your moisturizer or use a moisturizer formulated with SPF instead, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Day Lotion SPF 30.