Let’s be real—if you’ve ever stared at your skincare shelf and wondered, “Wait, where does facial oil even fit in here?” you’re not alone. I used to just slap oil on whenever I remembered, which usually meant either too late in my routine or right after my moisturizer and ended up looking like a greaseball by lunch. Turns out there’s a real order to using facial oil that actually works with your skin, not against it. Let’s break this down properly, no fancy jargon, just the real tea.
What Is Facial Oil, Anyway?
First off, let’s clear up the biggest myth: facial oil isn’t just for dry skin! And no, it won’t make your oily skin break out more—promise. Traditionally, people think of oil as a thick, heavy moisturizer, but modern facial oils are way more versatile than that. Shrankhla Holecek, founder of Uma Oils (a brand with an 800-year-old family business in northern India that used to supply royal families and now partners with tons of luxury skincare lines), says facial oils do way more than just hydrate.
“Most quality facial oils are packed with vitamin A, C, D, E, and K, plus pomegranate fatty acids that boost collagen production, anti-inflammatory compounds, and powerful antioxidants,” she explains. I’ve been using facial oils for years now, and my favorite part is how they leave your skin feeling plump, soft, and bouncy—none of that sticky, greasy leftover feeling if you use the right amount and apply it the right way. Speaking of which: if you do end up with a greasy face after using oil, you either used way too many drops (stick to 2 or 3, max!) or picked an oil that’s just too heavy for your skin type. Pro tip: lighter, paler oils usually absorb faster, though there are always exceptions!
The Proper Facial Oil Skincare Routine Order
Alright, the big question: what order do you use facial oil in? The golden rule here is always lightest to heaviest products. Your skin absorbs thinner, water-based products first, then moves on to thicker, oil-based ones at the end. Let’s walk through the full routine step by step so you don’t mess this up.
Basic Standard Routine
Most people follow a basic morning and night skincare routine, and facial oil fits right in the middle here. Here’s the exact order:
- Cleanser (first thing in the morning, or double cleanse at night)
- Toner (or facial mist, if you use one)
- Serum (water-based, like vitamin C or hyaluronic acid serum)
- Facial oil
- Moisturizer (wait, yes, even if you use oil! Oil and moisturizer are different things—oil seals in moisture, while moisturizer adds hydration)
- Sunscreen (non-negotiable in the morning, even if it’s cloudy!)
Wait, hold on—some people swear by putting moisturizer before oil, right? Don’t stress, that’s a common mix-up. If you use oil after moisturizer, the oil will just sit on top of the moisturizer and not actually sink into your skin. The goal is to apply oil right after your serum, so it locks in all that hydration from your toner and serum before you layer on your moisturizer to seal everything in. That way, none of your good ingredients go to waste.
What If You Skip Serum?
Totally normal! If you don’t use a separate serum, you can just apply facial oil right after your toner. Some people even skip moisturizer on days when their skin is feeling extra hydrated, but I still always follow up with a thin layer of moisturizer at night just to lock everything in. If you have really oily skin, you might even be able to skip moisturizer and just use facial oil—just make sure you pick an oil that’s labeled as non-comedogenic so it doesn’t clog your pores.
Using Facial Oil As A Standalone Product
Here’s a little secret: if your skin is in pretty good shape and you don’t have any special needs, you don’t even need a full skincare routine! A lot of people just use facial oil on its own after cleansing and toning, and it works perfectly fine. It gives your skin enough hydration and all the good nutrients from the plant-based oils, so you don’t need to pile on five other products. I do this on lazy Sundays sometimes, and my skin still looks glowing by the end of the day.
Using Facial Oil For Body Massage
Facial oil isn’t just for your face! You can use the same blend (or a different one, if you want) on other parts of your body too. If you’re using it as a massage oil for your back, legs, or even your scalp, here’s how to do it right:
- Drop 5 to 10 drops of facial oil into your palms, then rub your hands together to warm it up
- Apply it directly to the area you want to massage, and rub it in gently until it starts to sink in
- If you’re doing a more intense massage like a back massage, you can use a little extra oil to make the glide smoother—you don’t have to worry about it absorbing right away here!
- After 15 minutes, wipe off any excess oil with a warm, damp cloth so you don’t end up staining your sheets or clothes
I love using facial oil on my elbows and knees before bed—they get so dry in the winter, and a few drops of oil overnight makes them feel so soft the next morning.
Step-by-Step Facial Massage With Facial Oil
Using facial oil while massaging your face is such a nice self-care ritual, and it helps the oil absorb better too. You don’t need any fancy tools—just your clean fingertips! Here’s my go-to routine for a 5-minute at-home facial massage:
Step 1: Prep The Oil And Your Face
Start with clean, damp skin—either right after cleansing or after spritzing with a little toner. Drop 2 to 3 drops of facial oil into your palms, rub your hands together to warm the oil, then press your palms gently into your cheeks and forehead to warm up your skin first.
Step 2: Smooth The Oil Over Your Face
Using your fingertips, spread the oil evenly over your entire face, working from the bottom up. Yeah, I know that feels backwards at first, but massaging upwards helps fight gravity and keeps your skin lifted over time. Don’t forget your neck! Smooth the oil down your neck too, using the same upward motion.
Step 3: Massage Your Forehead
Take your index and middle fingers, and start at the center of your forehead. Move outwards towards your temples, using small, gentle spiral motions. This helps relieve tension from furrowing your brows all day, and it gets the oil absorbed into your forehead skin really well.
Step 4: Target Your Eye Area
The skin around your eyes is super thin, so you have to be extra gentle here. Use your ring fingers (they’re the weakest, so they won’t pull on your skin too hard) and tap lightly around your eye sockets, starting at the inner corner and moving outwards to your temples. Don’t rub—just tap, tap, tap! This helps reduce puffiness too, which is perfect if you pulled an all-nighter watching TV.
Step 5: Massage Your Cheeks
Again, use your index and middle fingers, and start at the center of your cheeks. Move upwards and outwards towards your hairline, using small circular motions. This helps boost blood flow to your cheeks, which gives you a natural, healthy glow.
Step 6: Work On Your Jawline And Chin
Place your fingertips under your chin, and move them outwards towards your ears, following the line of your jawline. This helps tighten the skin under your chin and reduces the appearance of double chins over time. You can also use your knuckles to gently press along your jawline if you want a little extra pressure.
Step 7: Finish Up
Wrap your hands around your entire face for a few seconds, pressing gently to help the oil fully absorb into your skin. You don’t need to rinse this off—just let the rest of your skincare routine sink in, or go straight to moisturizer if you’re using it.
Common Mistakes People Make With Facial Oil
I’ve made all of these mistakes, so you don’t have to! Let’s run through the most common faux pas:
- Using too much oil: 2 to 3 drops is enough for most people, even if you have dry skin. More than that will just sit on top of your skin and make you look greasy, and it can even clog your pores.
- Applying oil too early in your routine: If you put oil before your toner or serum, it will block the other products from absorbing into your skin. Always put oil after your water-based products!
- Using the wrong oil for your skin type: If you have oily skin, pick a lightweight oil like jojoba, grapeseed, or argan oil. If you have dry skin, go for a heavier oil like rosehip, marula, or evening primrose oil.
- Not warming the oil up first: Warming the oil between your palms helps it spread more evenly and absorb faster into your skin. It also feels way nicer than cold oil slathered all over your face!
Final Thoughts On Facial Oil Order
At the end of the day, the best routine is the one that works for you. If you don’t have time for a full 10-step skincare routine, just stick to cleanser, toner, facial oil, and sunscreen—and that’s more than enough to keep your skin happy and healthy. I used to overcomplicate skincare so much, but once I figured out the right order for my facial oil, my skin started clearing up and looking way more hydrated than ever before.
Remember: there’s no “perfect” way to use facial oil, and you can tweak the routine to fit your schedule and your skin’s needs. If you try a new oil and it doesn’t work for you, don’t stress—just try a different one! Everyone’s skin is different, and what works for your best friend might not work for you. But once you find the right oil and the right order, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Quote source: Uma Oils founder Shrankhla Holecek, with an 800-year-old family heritage in northern Indian natural skincare, previously supplying royal families and partnering with global luxury beauty brands.
