How To Use A Facial Oil The Right Way — And With Makeup

You know that using a nourishing moisturizer is a crucial step in your morning and evening skin care routine. But moisturizing your skin can be done with more than just a cream. If you haven’t incorporated face oils into your routine yet, you’re missing out. Oils sometimes get a bad rap from the longtime assumption that using one will leave your face looking overly shiny, clog your pores, or cause you to break out — but that’s not always the case. If applied correctly, face oils can be extremely beneficial for the skin. Here, we’re giving you the lowdown on how to apply face oil as part of your skin routine, plus, how to use facial oil with makeup so that you can have glowing skin whether you’re bare faced or sporting a full face of glam. 

What Are Facial Oils? 

As the name suggests, facial oils are skin care products that work to provide your skin with moisture in an oily consistency similar to that of olive oil 一 although the consistency can vary. Typically made with a mixture of plant oils, facial oils offer your skin various benefits ranging from locking in moisture to softening and balancing skin. Depending on the facial oil it can also offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. 

How To Use Face Oil In Your Skin Care Routine 

Ahead, we’re sharing how to correctly use face oils in your skin care routine to reap the most benefits. 

Understand The Order Of Application 

Like with all skin care products, the order of application matters. When it comes to facial oils, they should be applied as the last step in your skin care routine at night, and right before SPF in the morning. It’s been debated whether oil should be applied before or after moisturizer 一 and while it can vary from product to product, in general, facial oil should be used on top of creams and lotions. This is because once you apply an oil it's tricky for other products to penetrate the skin due to the oil’s high density. 

How To Apply Face Oil On The Skin

Once you’ve applied moisturizer, it’s time for the oil. It’s always best to follow the directions on the product, but as a rule of thumb, apply four to five drops of oil into your palms and pat it into the skin. Smoothly press the oil onto your face and neck, using the whole surface of your hands. 

Editor’s tip: Don’t hesitate to customize your application. For example, if you have an oily T-zone but dry cheeks, concentrate the oil on the dry areas and avoid the oily sections. 

How To Use Facial Oil With Makeup 

Now that we’ve handled skin care, it’s time to switch gears to your makeup routine. Below, we’re sharing tips on how you can incorporate facial oil into your makeup routine for more radiant-looking skin. 

1. Apply Face Oil Before Foundation 

Applying facial oil before your foundation can help boost your skin’s hydration and leave you with bright and healthy-looking skin. If you have oily skin, this could make you look greasy rather than glowy, but for dry skin types, it works wonders. Simply dab a few drops of facial oil onto your skin and smooth over your face and neck. Give it two to three minutes to absorb before following up with foundation. If you apply foundation on skin that’s ultra-oily, it may slip and slide around. 

2. Mix Face Oil With Your Primer 

Applying a glowy face primer before foundation is a great way to boost the skin’s luminosity. And if you have very dry skin or simply cannot get enough glow, mixing in a few drops of oil with primer, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer, will provide maximum radiance. It’s best to mix oil with a liquid primer as they will mesh better than if you were to mix oil with a silicone based option. 

3. Mix Face Oil With Foundation 

Mixing a face oil with your foundation is a great way to provide your skin with extra moisture, and it also works wonders to give your skin a natural glow. Plus, if you’re looking to sheer out your foundation or create a more dewy finish, adding in a few drops of oil is an easy way to do it. Apply a few drops of your foundation and the oil on the back of your hand and mix them together with a clean finger or brush before applying the mixture to your skin. 

Next: How To Get Dolphin Skin In 8 Easy Steps

Edited by: Alyssa Kaplan, Photography: Chaunte Vaughn, Associate Creative Director: Melissa San Vicente-Landestoy, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Associate Content Director: Shalwah Evans, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Alexis Badiyi, Digital Tech: Erik Dalzen, Photo Assistant: Sam Kang, Model: London Knight