If you are one of those, who often wonder, which one to put on your face, facial oils or serums, wait here! Some of you may even wonder, whether you should apply facial oil first, or facial serum first, so you are also at the right place. Be rest assured, both are good for your skin for sure.
This is your zero-confusion guide, which aims to make you understand what each one is, and which one you should put on, first.
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Facial Oils Or Serums – What Is The Difference?
Facial oils are oily in texture and full of fatty acids. They are soothing and lock in moisture. Secondly, they also calm irritated skin. And there is more to them, wait. Facial oils help to reduce dryness and flakiness.
Now, let us come to facial serums. For those looking for a clear-cut answer on whether to use facial oils or serums, here is the final blow. Serums are power shots of active ingredients. They may include hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, retinol, bakuchiol or niacinamide.
You will be able to find a serum for every specific skin problem. They address skin issues like pigmentation, acne, dullness, loose skin, or fine lines. And serums are water-based, non-oily in texture.
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This will be helpful for you, when you have to differentiate between the two. Now, you know the difference between facial oil and serum.
Now, the question arises, when? Do you apply facial oils first, or facial serums first? Let us find out.
How To Apply Facial Oils And Serums?
There is a rule of the thumb here. Apply the lighter one first, and the heavy one later. So, cleanse your skin, apply toner, serum, and moisturizer. And lock in all these, with facial oils. Now, there is again a different facial oil for every skin type. For acne-prone skin, there are oils like rose hip oil and squalene, and for dry skin, there is Avocado oil and Olive oil.
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Given the tropical climate of India, you must aim at using lighter oils. The climate is laden with moisture, which is why, heavier oils tend to attract dirt and grime. So, even if you have very dry skin, use less oil, and massage well.
Best Serums For Your Skin Type
- Acne Prone Skin – Salicylic acid serum
- Dry Skin – Hyaluronic acid serum
- Aged Skin – Vitamin C serum and Retinol serum
Best Facial oils For Your Skin Type
- Dry Skin – Avocado Oil, Olive Oil
- Oily Skin – Rose Hip Oil, Jojoba Oil
- Acne Prone Skin – Grapeseed Oil
- Combination Skin – Marula Oil
Want glow? Go for facial oils. And if you want to address skin problems, go for serums. So, now you have a fair idea of facial oils and serums. Make life easy for yourself. Share with others as well.
Featured Image Credit: AI-generated image created with ChatGPT, December 28, 2025
