Face Oils

A face oil does not hydrate. That sounds like a criticism and it is not — it is the whole point. Oils are occlusive and emollient: they slow the water leaving your skin and they make the surface feel smooth. Water has to come from somewhere else, which is why an oil works best over a damp face or over a humectant serum, and does very little on its own over dry skin.

How to choose between our three

• For skin that feels depleted and rough — the NUTRISSA™ Nourishing Facial Oil.
• For one oil that covers face, and doubles for hair ends and cuticles — the OMNIA™ All-in-One Facial Oil. Contains sweet almond oil, so not one to use if you avoid nuts.
• For skin that flushes or feels reactive — the SERAVIA™ Calming Facial Oil.

Where it goes in the routine

Last, or nearly last. An oil will pass through, but nothing water-based passes through an oil, so anything you apply after it is largely wasted. Serum, then cream, then oil — or serum, then oil, if you are not using a cream.

Two or three drops is a full face. If an oil feels greasy an hour later, you used too much rather than chose the wrong one.