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It’s one of the most common questions we hear in our consultations and live events:: “Where does my facial oil actually go in my routine?” With so many steps and products, it’s easy to feel a little lost.
At Annmarie Skin Care, we see facial oils as our preferred moisturizers. They deliver deep, biocompatible nourishment while supporting your skin’s delicate balance. But the secret to unlocking that healthy, natural glow isn’t just in the oil itself—it’s in how you apply it. The key is to apply your oil as the final step in your routine, unless you’re finishing with sunscreen, which must always be your very last layer.
This guide is here to demystify the process for good. We’ll walk you through a definitive step-by-step routine and explain the simple “golden rule” of layering that makes everything finally click into place.
When to Apply Facial Oil: The Golden Rule and Your Daily Routines
The secret to perfect skincare layering—and knowing when to apply your facial oil—comes down to one thing: texture.
The Golden Rule of Layering: Why Oil Always Goes Last
The golden rule of layering is to always apply your skin care products in order from the thinnest, most watery texture to the thickest, most oily texture.
The science behind this is simple. Your routine is a ritual of nourishment. Start with your water-based products—your toning mist, your serum—the ones that quench your skin’s thirst. Then finish with your facial oil, the rich, protective layer that seals everything in and adds its own nutrients. If used too early, it can block that essential hydration from reaching your skin.The oil’s primary purpose is to lock in all the hydration you’ve just applied, while delivering its own concentrated nutrients.
Your Step-by-Step Morning (AM) Routine
Your morning routine is all about achieving a protected, radiant glow that works beautifully under makeup or on its own.
- Cleanse: Start with a gentle cleanser to refresh your skin.
- Tone/Mist: Spritz a toning mist to add a layer of hydration.
- Serum: Apply any targeted serums while skin is still slightly damp.
- Facial Oil: Press 1-2 drops into your skin to seal in moisture and create a smooth canvas.
- SPF: This is your non-negotiable final step to protect your skin from the sun. Remember, this is a year round step, not just for the Summer!
For an instant luminous look that awakens your complexion, our Anti-Aging Facial Oil is crafted to give you that perfect morning glow.
Your Step-by-Step Evening (PM) Routine
In the evening, your routine shifts to support deep nourishment and the skin’s natural repair processes while you sleep.
- Double Cleanse: Melt away makeup and impurities first with an oil cleanser, then follow with a cream or gel cleanser.
- Tone/Mist: Apply your toning mist to rehydrate and balance the skin.
- Actives/Serum: This is the time for any potent “active” ingredients or your favorite hydrating serum.
- Facial Oil / Cream: Press the oil into your skin as your final, nourishing step.
You can be more generous with your oil at night. Using 3-4 drops is perfect for a restorative facial massage. This is the ideal time to use a potent formula like our Rejuvenating Facial Oil to deeply nourish and support your skin’s overnight renewal cycle.
Understanding the “Why”: Facial Oil vs. Serum
Now that you know the when, let’s explore the why. Understanding the unique role each product plays in your routine is the key to building a truly effective ritual. People often ask about the difference between a serum and a facial oil, and the answer is simple: they have two very different, but equally important, jobs.
Serums: The Deep-Dive Treatment
Think of serums as your targeted specialists. They are typically water-based and formulated with very small molecules designed to travel deeper into the skin’s layers. Their mission is to deliver a highly concentrated dose of active ingredients to address specific concerns, like brightening or added hydration. They do their best work on damp skin, which is why they go on right after your toning mist.
Facial Oil: The Nourishing Seal
This is where we see facial oils shine—as your primary moisturizer. Unlike serums that dive deep, facial oils work closer to the surface. They are rich in nourishing oils and essential fatty acids that are incredibly compatible with your skin’s own protective barrier. Their main role is to act as a final, loving seal, locking in all the water-based hydration from your previous steps and providing a protective layer that leaves your complexion soft, balanced, and glowing.
Pro-Tips: Creative Ways to Use Your Facial Oil
Once you’ve got the basics down, your facial oil becomes so much more than just your final moisturizing step. It’s a versatile little ally in your routine—one you can start to experiment with in all kinds of beautiful ways.
For a Dewy Makeup Finish
If you love a radiant, dewy makeup look, try this simple makeup artist trick. Simply mix 1 drop of your facial oil with your liquid foundation on the back of your hand before applying. It helps to sheer out the coverage slightly and imparts a beautiful, natural-looking luminosity to your finish, making your skin look like it’s glowing from within.
As a Ritualistic Facial Massage
One of the most beautiful ways to connect with your skin is through the ritual of facial massage. A facial oil provides the perfect “slip,” allowing your fingers or a Gua Sha tool to glide across the skin without pulling. Our Rejuvenating Facial Oil is a wonderful, balancing choice for this practice, helping to release facial tension and encourage a healthy glow.
And what if you prefer a cream moisturizer as your final step? You can still enjoy this practice by incorporating your massage during your oil cleanse or double cleanse, when the oil is already on your skin.
Finding Your Perfect Skin Care Partners
A beautiful facial oil can feel like the star of your routine, but every star needs a strong supporting cast. Because an oil’s primary job is to seal and nourish, the products you layer underneath it are what make the ritual truly effective.
The Foundation of Your Routine
As we learned with the golden rule of layering, your oil needs hydration to lock in. This is why a high-quality, water-based hydrator is non-negotiable. Your toning mist and serum provide the initial layers, but a great moisturizer can offer that foundational ‘drink of water’ for your skin. If you’re looking to build that perfect base, we invite you to explore our collection of natural moisturizers.
The Right Oil for You
Every skin has its own unique needs and personality, and finding the right oil is a beautiful part of that journey. From balancing to deeply restorative formulas, each oil in our collection offers a different story. We invite you to discover your perfect match within our full collection of organic facial oils.
Embrace Oil as an Act of Final Nourishment
We invite you to see the application of your facial oil as more than just a step in your routine. View it as the final, loving act of your skin care ritual. This is the moment you lock in all the goodness you’ve just applied, take a deep breath of the beautiful botanical aromas, and consciously care for your skin’s protective barrier.
So, here is our challenge to you: try this method consistently for one week. Pay attention to how your skin feels when you wake up in the morning. We think you’ll be amazed to discover a complexion that feels softer, looks plumper, and is beautifully resilient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can oily skin types use facial oils? Or will it make me break out?
The right oil can actually help. Many people with oily skin are surprised to learn this. By providing your skin with healthy, non-comedogenic oils, you can help balance your own sebum production. This signals to your skin that it is moisturized and doesn’t need to overcompensate, often leading to less oiliness over time.
Why do you like facial oils as a moisturizer?
We prefer facial oils as the primary moisturizer because they work in harmony with your skin’s natural lipid barrier. They provide deep nourishment and seal in hydration without relying on fillers or heavy water-based formulas. Oils deliver concentrated botanical nutrients directly to the skin, supporting balance, softness, and a radiant glow—making them a simple yet powerful choice for everyday moisturizing.
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