Who doesn’t want their skin to look glowy and dewy? And to achieve just that, you stock up on a bunch of different products that claim to give you your best skin yet. However, in your quest to achieve flawless and clear skin, you often end up layering your face with unnecessary products that do more harm than good.

Take for example serums and face oils — both of them give you supple and nourished skin — but does that mean you need them both? Well, to put your doubts to rest, we’ve listed down the differences between a face oil and face serum — so you can make a more informed decision.

difference between face oil and face serum

difference between face oil and face serum

What is facial oil?

Oils have been used on the face since ancient times. Centuries ago, ancient Egyptians used plant-based oils to tackle many skin concerns and achieve youthful skin. Extracted from fruits, seeds and nuts, these oils are loaded with antioxidants and fatty acids that hydrate and protect the skin. Adding a facial oil to your skincare routine will give you supple, soft and moisturised skin but you should also know that certain oils can clog the pores. Those with oily and acne-prone skin should opt for something lightweight such as argan oil. Face oils can be mixed with moisturisers or applied as the last step to lock moisture and give skin a healthy glow.

Can you use both?

The molecular structure of oil is larger than that of a serum; this means it can only reach the epidermis of the skin. However, these oils mimic the body’s natural sebum production and work wonders in building a strong barrier. Face oils and serums can work very well together when layered correctly. Each can work to address a specific skin concern and thus give you the skin of your dreams.