7 Face Oil Myths Debunked

Face oils are well-beloved in the skincare realm these days, but some people are still on the fence about them. Some of this hesitation is likely due to a handful of face oils myths that circulate the internet. Fortunately, there is very little truth to most of these myths. We’re going to list the most common myths we’ve seen out there and explain why they’re more fiction than fact.

Myth #1: All face oils clog pores and cause breakouts

Yes, there are some bad seeds out there on the market (e.g. face oils that contain synthetic oils, mineral oils and unnecessary fillers), but this is not the case for the majority of face oils on the market. In fact, the right kind of face oil can even prevent breakouts, soothe irritated skin and help brighten and fade the appearance of acne scars. For example, in our Serene Face Oil, argan oil is rich in linoleic acid, and pomegranate oil is full of punicic acid. Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid that’s naturally occurring in the skin’s lipid barrier and regulates your skin’s oil (sebum) production and strengthen’s the skin’s protective barrier. A linoleic acid deficiency can oftentimes cause acne, as low levels results in excess production of sebum. Punicic acid helps calm the skin and reduces the appearance of scars.

To ensure that you select the best face oil for your skin type, check the ingredients list carefully before you buy, and look for high quality natural oils that are free of artificial colorants, oils and fragrances. Note to the wise: If a website does not disclose its full ingredients on the product page, that’s a potential red flag, as it could mean that they’re hiding some unsavory (and unsafe) ingredients from the public eye.

Myth #2: I have oily skin, so face oils are my worst enemy

Myth #2 ties in with myth #1, as the reality is that great face oils can actually regulate your skin’s oil production, which leads to less oily skin, less clogged pores which means less breakouts. Triple win! Once again, we have to give a quick shoutout to Serene, as the lightweight and carefully crafted formula works beautifully on both oily and acne-prone skin.

Myth #3: There’s are no anti-aging benefits in face oils

This couldn’t be further from the truth. First off, just the hydration alone that face oils provide help smoothen and plump up the skin, as nothing makes skin look more dull and wrinkly than dryness. Face oils such as Illumine contain a potent blend of antioxidants and active ingredients that brightens/evens out skin tone, softens skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. How’s THAT for an anti-aging treatment oil?

Myth #4: You can’t use face oils daily

Yet another myth. The truth is you can absolutely use face oils daily. The key is picking the right oil for your skincare needs. For example, some oils have ingredients that are better suited for evening use, whereas other ones are more ideal for daytime use.

Myth #5: It makes no difference what order you layer the face oil

We’re planning to dedicate a separate blog article entirely to layering skincare products but for now, let’s just say that when you apply the face oil in your skincare regimen can definitely affect how well it works. For example, if you use a water-based moisturizer, you want to make sure that you use the face oil after the moisturizer, as oil can penetrate water but not vice versa. If you’re using a retinol, acid or serum, those products should go on before face oil, not after. We’ll leave it at that for the moment, but stay tuned and keep an eye on your inbox for the alert, as the skincare layering blog post will be up very soon!

Myth #6: Face oils together with makeup are a no-no

You don’t have to choose one or the other. Face oils and makeup can both exist harmoniously on your face. Simply choose a faster absorbing face oil and you’ll get all the moisturization + other added benefits without the greasiness. If love the dewy skin look like we do, consider adding more face oil (always do the gentle blot, no rubbing) either directly on the skin or mixed with foundation for a glowy almost-glazed-donut-but-not-quite-so-it-works-better-for-daytime look.

Myth #7: Face oils are just a fad

While face oils have become increasingly popular in recent years, they’ve been around for ages...no exaggeration. From aboriginal tribes down under dating back to approximately 40,000 years ago to Cleopatra and ancient Egypt to the Greeks and Romans at the start of the A.D., face oils have long been revered for their medicinal and topical benefits to the body and skin.




Face oils are becoming a staple in skincare regimens across the globe, and as the years progress and myths such as the ones above continue to get debunked, you’ll see face oils become even more widespread, as they should be! These safe and natural face oils are such important and effective additions to any skincare ritual and with consistent use, they can noticeably (and even dramatically) improve the look and feel of your skin.