Moisturizers vs. Facial Oils: This Is What They're Doing To Your Skin
By Marj O.
September 18, 2019
They’re both touted as must-haves in your skincare regime for glowing complexion.
The wide array of moisturizers and face oils on the market can be quite confusing, but that doesn’t mean they have to be complicated. Two of the most seemingly overlapping products in skincare are face oil and facial moisturizer. Though believed to be designed with the same purpose, these items are indeed not identical.
Here’s a little rundown for you on the differences:
Difference #1: Hydration vs. moisture
Water makes up 64% of your skin and dehydrated skin will look dull and feel tight. Your face is exposed to external pollutants every day and the exposure to dirt and harsh weather strips you off of its natural moisture. Cleansing and toning may help you get all the gunk out but it might not be enough to rehydrate your skin. The standard moisturizer is mostly made of water (notice the first ingredient listed is ‘aqua’) and sometimes, oil is added. Applying a moisturizer to your face after cleansing helps relieve it of the water it’s lost by going deep into the layers of your skin making it softer and more supple.
Facial oils, on the other hand, offer a different benefit and helps to relieve dry patches and improve the skin’s texture. Using face oil helps nourish the outer layers, conditioning them so that you can resist all the harmful substances that your skin is exposed to each day. If these layers are left too dry, you’d be saying hello to wrinkles, fine lines, or worse—acne! If you're worried about using oils on breakout-prone skin, choose oils that help to rebalance your skin's natural production and are also anti-bacterial. Face oils keep the moisture locked in so your face can be healthy and in tip-top shape.
Difference #2: Aim and Consistency
Moisturizers come in different forms; gel, creams, lotions, ointments—diverse just like skin types and conditions. Moisturizers are also incredibly versatile to help address different skin concerns. Active ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide are water-soluble and are best included in moisturizers that contain water.
Facial oils supplement the oils that your skin is already producing. Depending on what facial oil you use, this skincare product is often rich in vitamins naturally occurring in the raw ingredient. Prickly pear seed oil, jojoba oil, argan oil and rosehip oil, to name a few, not only help moisturize the skin but are rich in nutrients that are anti-inflammatory and may help ease redness and puffiness. This will help you battle dryness and keep breakouts and blemishes at bay.
The Verdict
To help address dehydration, moisturizers can help to deliver water to your skin and replenish it of the moisture it’s lost. It may come in various formulas and texture and may intend to offer other benefits.
For skin that’s dry, facial oils trap the water in the skin for deep hydration, nourish it with essential nutrients and protect it from harsh environmental elements. Oils also have advantageous properties that focus on different skin concerns other than serving moisture such as evening out the skin tone.
Knowing what your skin truly needs is the only way to find out if your moisturizer or facial oil is scoring points or missing the shots. Are they one and the same? Nope, definitely not but they both support the skin, focusing on moisturizing and protecting in different ways and actually complementing each other. Can you use both products in your beauty and skincare routine? Sure, they’re equally important.
It’s good to remember that your skin is made up of both water and oil and that these particulars should not be compromised. Know what your skin type is and be acquainted with the right products for you. Find the right balance of the two in your routine and your skin will be forever grateful.
