The Do's and Don'ts of Using Face Oils
“Oh Henné face oils, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” - Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Also possibly altered by Laura Xiao ;)
As someone who’s used face oils for several years (and almost exclusively our own in recent years), I've got plenty of firsthand experience and know how effective face oils can be when it comes to nourishing and improving the appearance of skin. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked what the secret is to my glowing complexion, and I’m happy to share that face oils (aka Illumine and Serene) are one of the key reasons behind it.
There are a variety of ways in which you can add face oils to your skincare regimen, and while face oils in general are not difficult to use, there are some do’s and don’ts I want to share with you that will help you get the most out of those beautiful bottles of liquid goodness.
Let’s start with the application part.
By now, you’ve probably seen a plethora of photos and videos on social media of people applying face oils in different ways. So should you pat the oil or rub it into your skin? My personal preference is patting it onto the skin, as I feel like too much rubbing (including rubbing hands too much prior to application) results in more oil absorbing into the hands and less of it ending up on your face. When it comes to rubbing oil onto the face, a lot of experts say that it’s better to pat, but there’s no definitive proof that rubbing the oil would be damaging to your skin (unless you rub too hard). So the final answer: either one (as long as you do it gently)!
A few key points on how to use them together:
• Apply the face oil AFTER using a retinol/acid/treatment/etc.
• Wait a couple minutes (at the very least) before applying face oil, so the previous product has time to absorb.
• If you’re using a stronger retinol and you need to use extra, extra gentle products, I’d recommend an ultra soothing oil like Serene.
The face oil doesn’t have to be a standalone step in your morning routine. Add 1-3 drops of oil to your moisturizer or foundation, gently rub your hands together to blend it and then apply it to your face. Want a dewier look? Add some extra drops of face oil. When it comes to blending with foundation, I would recommend gently rubbing it in, so the foundation applies evenly onto your skin.
If you prefer not to mix face oil with your moisturizer or foundation, this is what I’d recommend:
• Moisturizer: If the moisturizer is water or aloe vera based, apply face oil after moisturizer. If the moisturizer is more of a face balm (oil or butter based), then I’d recommend using the oil before.
• Foundation: If the foundation is lightweight, apply face oil before the foundation. If the foundation is thicker, then use face oil after foundation.
Keep your face oils away from direct sunlight or too much heat. While our Henné face oils do have a bit more protection because of the dark bottles (way less light can penetrate and reduces chances of the oil oxidizing), it’s still a good idea to keep them away from direct sunlight. If you’re using a face oil with a clear bottle, then it’s extra important to keep away from light to avoid it becoming rancid.
Also, while I personally love the concept of a skincare fridge for certain products (face mist, skincare tools, etc), please don’t put your face oils in the fridge. The super cold temperatures can change the color and consistency. Room temperature is best.
It also goes without saying, but make sure that the bottle is closed tightly in between uses so the oil is not exposed to air constantly.
Whether it’s a Henné face oil or other products in your assortment, I hope those moments of daily skincare and self-care not only improve your skin but also give you some peace of mind. Even if it’s just a few minutes a day, it can still make a world of difference.
As someone who’s used face oils for several years (and almost exclusively our own in recent years), I've got plenty of firsthand experience and know how effective face oils can be when it comes to nourishing and improving the appearance of skin. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked what the secret is to my glowing complexion, and I’m happy to share that face oils (aka Illumine and Serene) are one of the key reasons behind it.
There are a variety of ways in which you can add face oils to your skincare regimen, and while face oils in general are not difficult to use, there are some do’s and don’ts I want to share with you that will help you get the most out of those beautiful bottles of liquid goodness.
Let’s start with the application part.
Do a patch test first
This is particularly important if your skin is sensitive and you’re using a face oil with more active ingredients. Try on a small patch of skin first and see how your skin reacts over the span of about 24 hours.To pat or to rub?
By now, you’ve probably seen a plethora of photos and videos on social media of people applying face oils in different ways. So should you pat the oil or rub it into your skin? My personal preference is patting it onto the skin, as I feel like too much rubbing (including rubbing hands too much prior to application) results in more oil absorbing into the hands and less of it ending up on your face. When it comes to rubbing oil onto the face, a lot of experts say that it’s better to pat, but there’s no definitive proof that rubbing the oil would be damaging to your skin (unless you rub too hard). So the final answer: either one (as long as you do it gently)!
Don’t forget about the décolletage
Your neck and chest also need some face oil love! And no, you don’t need a separate cream or oil just for your neck and chest. The face oil will work just as well on your face as on the décolletage (I love that word so much).Using with retinols/acids/treatments
One of the biggest benefits of using natural face oils like Illumine and Serene is that you can easily use them together with other treatment products, such as retinol/retinoid, acids and acne treatments.A few key points on how to use them together:
• Apply the face oil AFTER using a retinol/acid/treatment/etc.
• Wait a couple minutes (at the very least) before applying face oil, so the previous product has time to absorb.
• If you’re using a stronger retinol and you need to use extra, extra gentle products, I’d recommend an ultra soothing oil like Serene.
Mixing face oil with other products in the AM
The face oil doesn’t have to be a standalone step in your morning routine. Add 1-3 drops of oil to your moisturizer or foundation, gently rub your hands together to blend it and then apply it to your face. Want a dewier look? Add some extra drops of face oil. When it comes to blending with foundation, I would recommend gently rubbing it in, so the foundation applies evenly onto your skin.
If you prefer not to mix face oil with your moisturizer or foundation, this is what I’d recommend:
• Moisturizer: If the moisturizer is water or aloe vera based, apply face oil after moisturizer. If the moisturizer is more of a face balm (oil or butter based), then I’d recommend using the oil before.
• Foundation: If the foundation is lightweight, apply face oil before the foundation. If the foundation is thicker, then use face oil after foundation.
What about mixing with sunscreen?
Traditionally speaking, face oil should go on before sunscreen, as sunscreen is usually the last step in an AM skincare routine. I personally do like to mix my face oil and sunscreen, but obviously everyone’s skin is different. Some dermatologists say mixing face oil with sunscreen is a no-no since it dilutes the sunscreen. In theory, adding a few drops would dilute the SPF, but adding more sunscreen would also in theory offset most of this due to the ratio balancing. There are no definitive studies that prove that oil cannot be mixed with sunscreen, and some sunscreens these days are oil based to begin with. So to sum it up, do it as long as you’re comfortable with it. If not, make sure that you use sunscreen last.Store those beautiful oils properly
Keep your face oils away from direct sunlight or too much heat. While our Henné face oils do have a bit more protection because of the dark bottles (way less light can penetrate and reduces chances of the oil oxidizing), it’s still a good idea to keep them away from direct sunlight. If you’re using a face oil with a clear bottle, then it’s extra important to keep away from light to avoid it becoming rancid.
Also, while I personally love the concept of a skincare fridge for certain products (face mist, skincare tools, etc), please don’t put your face oils in the fridge. The super cold temperatures can change the color and consistency. Room temperature is best.
It also goes without saying, but make sure that the bottle is closed tightly in between uses so the oil is not exposed to air constantly.
Create a skincare ritual you love
Last but not least, enjoy those precious moments. Turn your skincare routine into a skincare ritual that you look forward to each day. If you feel overwhelmed with all of the steps in your current routine, narrow it down to the essentials for weekdays/weeknights, and do longer ones when you have more time during the weekend. If you feel like some steps are missing, think about what your skincare needs are and then look for a product that fits the bill.Whether it’s a Henné face oil or other products in your assortment, I hope those moments of daily skincare and self-care not only improve your skin but also give you some peace of mind. Even if it’s just a few minutes a day, it can still make a world of difference.
