What is the difference between serums and oils?
Well, the spelling, for starters. But on the off chance you skipped here expecting a slightly more helpful answer, let’s elaborate on that. This article will tell you how to tell the difference between the two, how to decide which you need in your routine, and how to use them effectively to ensure you have the happy healthy skin you so clearly deserve.
Let’s get into it.
Serums Are..
Targeted skincare products that treat very specific skin concerns.
Serums contain highly concentrated ingredients and smaller molecules which allow them to sink deep within your skin. Serums are most often water-based and should always be applied on fresh clean skin. Slot them into your routine after your cleanser, exfoliant, and before your face oils, face creams and SPF.
Face Oils Can Be..
Brilliant all rounders. A face oil can nourish, protect, and restore your skin overall.
Face oils are typically rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants which allows them to act as the skin’s lipid barrier. Think of them like cling wrap. They’ll seal all that moisture in, and ensure your skin stays protected against dryness, super high or super low temps, and dry air. Generally speaking face oils are wonderful for nourishing, replenishing, and giving your skin a quick boost of glow. So while they are able to offer some similar benefits to a serum, they are not the same.
But they can also be brilliant treatment products. A dry face oil can clear, clarify, and balance the skin.
Dry face oils are typically formulated with ultra lightweight lipids and emollients, which are handpicked for their ability to replenish the skin but leave little residue. In other words, they're created with oily, combo, and acne-prone skin types in mind; skin types that still need skin barrier support but may not tolerate (or like!) rich textures. They also offer similar benefits to a serum, as they’re ‘treatment’ products, designed to tackle the common skin concerns associated with these skin types (congestion, hyperpigmentation, oil imbalance), but they are not the same.
If you’re using a nourishing face oil (such as Face Hero, The Original) it should go after cleansing, exfoliating, serum-ing, and before moisturiser.
If you’re using a treatment face oil (such as Clarifying Face Hero) it should always be applied directly after cleansing. Unless exfoliating. Then it goes cleansing, exfoliating, dry oil-ing, and so on.
If you’re using a heavier face oil, it goes on last to lock everything in.
(If you’re unsure what kind of face oil you’ve got, head here.)
So! Which should you pick?
Depends! Whether you use a serum, a face oil, or both, will come down to your skin type, your skin concerns, your budget, your preferences, and your tendency to snooze your alarm and only have two minutes to slap on your skincare.
Some things to keep in mind to help you make your decision:
If your skin is typically well-behaved and there are no major skin concerns you’re looking to treat, you should have no issues skipping the serum step and keeping it simple with a nourishing face oil.
If your skin is all too familiar with congestion and leans a little more oily, you will benefit from introducing a dry, balancing face oil like Clarifying Face Hero into your routine to reduce pimples and improve the appearance of breakouts.
If you’re dealing with even more specific skin concerns such as dullness, pigmentation, dehydration, redness, premature ageing and the like, you could absolutely benefit from using a serum.
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