What Does Moisturizer Do?
Your skin naturally produces AHAs(Alpha Hydroxy Acids) that draw water up to the surface of your skin and use its natural oils to lock that water in. In essence, your skin needs moisture and hydration. Hydration refers to water, while moisture refers to oil. A good moisturizer will be able to moisturize and hydrate your skin.
Moisturizers are water-based and typically have ingredients in them to help draw more water from your skin; known as humectants. Moisturizers also contain occlusives that trap the water close to your skin as your natural oils would, giving your skin cells a chance to absorb the water instead of letting it evaporate. In this way, your moisturizer will actually hydrate your skin.
What Does Facial Oil Do?
Oils are the ultimate moisturizer and will directly trap any water you have on your face and any other active ingredients you’ve applied. This is why applying your facial oil should always be the last step of your skincare routine. Sunscreen should be applied before your facial oil to allow penetration to the skin. Face oils are superfoods for your skin, giving it a direct source of oil to derive benefits.
What Are the Differences Between Them?
The main difference between a face oil and a moisturizer lies in its formulation. A moisturizer can act as a humectant ( softener) and an occlusive(hold moisture in), while a facial oil will seal in moisture (occlusive). Facial oils also contain essential fatty acids for your skin cells to absorb. Without these nutrients, your skin will struggle to regenerate healthy skin cells. Plus you will experience a tight, dry feeling.
Do You Need Both in Your Skincare Routine?
In truth, the answer to whether you need both products is more complicated than a simple yes or no. Using both a moisturizer and facial oil can be beneficial for people who struggle with dry skin. Even if you don’t experience dry skin all the time, you can use facial oil seasonally, which many people choose to do during winter. If you struggle with oily skin, you may not want to add oil and so a good quality moisturizer will do.
All bodies are different, and you should do what suits your skin type rather than follow skincare trends from people who don’t have the same skin type as you. Please refer to Skin Type blog for more details.
