Should You Use Face Oil Before or After Moisturizer?

Face Oil Before or After Moisturizer? We answer once and for all!

Face oil goes on after moisturizer - this is the definitive answer to the age-old skincare debate. Applying moisturizer first and face oil second creates the optimal environment for both products to work effectively on your skin. This layering technique ensures maximum absorption and benefits from both products, helping you achieve that coveted healthy, radiant complexion.

Face Oil Before Or After Moisturizer: Why the Debate?

The question of "face oil before or after moisturizer" has puzzled skincare enthusiasts for years. Traditional skincare wisdom often suggested applying products from thinnest to thickest consistency, which would place face oils before heavier moisturizers. This is where the confusion stems from.
Many skincare professionals previously followed this rule religiously, recommending that face oil goes on before moisturizer. However, modern dermatological research has revealed that this approach doesn't align with how these products actually interact with the skin. Understanding the science behind product absorption makes it clear why the order matters so much.

Why Water-Based Products Should Come First

When deciding between applying oil before or after moisturizer, it's crucial to understand how these products work at a molecular level. Most moisturizers are water-based formulations containing humectants that draw moisture into the skin. These water-loving ingredients need direct contact with your skin to properly deliver their active ingredients and hydration benefits.

Water-based products like toners, serums, and moisturizers should be applied first because they can penetrate the skin effectively. They prepare your skin by providing essential hydration and nutrients that set the stage for your face oil. The water content in these products actually helps improve how well your subsequent face oil will be absorbed.

If you were to apply face oil before moisturizer, you'd be creating a barrier that prevents the water-based moisturizer from penetrating properly. This is because oil and water don't mix - the oil would essentially block the moisturizer from reaching your skin cells.

Why Face Oil Comes After Moisturizer

Does face oil go on after moisturizer? Absolutely yes. Face oils are occlusive by nature, meaning they create a protective seal on the skin's surface. When applied last in your skincare routine, they lock in all the beneficial ingredients from your previously applied products, including your moisturizer.

The science is clear: oils can penetrate moisturizers, but moisturizers cannot penetrate oils. When you apply a face oil after moisturizer, you're allowing the moisturizer to hydrate your skin first, then sealing that hydration in with the oil. This creates a double-action effect - the moisturizer provides hydration while the oil prevents that hydration from evaporating.

Using an oil before moisturizer would prevent your moisturizer from delivering its full benefits. Additionally, applying face oil last helps prevent water loss throughout the day or night, keeping your skin plump and hydrated for longer periods. So, in the face oil before or after moisturizer debate, science firmly supports applying your oil last.

Remember: Always apply SPF as the very last step of your morning skincare routine, even after face oil. Applying oil before SPF can dilute sun protection and compromise its effectiveness.

The Best Face Oil and Moisturizer Duos

Now that we've settled the "oil before or after moisturizer" question, let's explore some exceptional product pairings that work synergistically to transform your skin.Our Anti-Aging Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid pairs perfectly with the Royal MB Pure Anti-Aging Oil Serum for a comprehensive anti-aging regimen.

Start with the moisturizer to deliver deep hydration and support collagen production with its Mediterranean Red Seaweed extract and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients work to plump skin from within, immediately reducing the appearance of fine lines.

Follow with the Royal MB Oil Serum, which contains 28 luxury botanicals including Evening Primrose Oil rich in skin-plumping GLA. This powerful oil serum creates a protective barrier that locks in all the benefits of your moisturizer while adding its own anti-aging properties. Just one pearl-sized drop helps improve your skin overnight, enhancing facial contours and restoring elasticity to sagging skin.

Women particularly love this combination because the moisturizer wakes up tired skin cells while the oil serum provides 24-hour deep hydration. Together, they create a powerhouse routine that addresses multiple signs of aging simultaneously.

Conclusion

Scientific evidence clearly shows that moisturizer should be applied first, followed by face oil. This sequence ensures that your skin receives maximum hydration from your moisturizer before the oil creates a protective seal.

By following this proper order - applying water-based products first and oil-based products last - you'll maximize the benefits of each product in your skincare routine. Our Anti-Aging Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid, followed by the Royal MB Pure Anti-Aging Oil Serum, provides the perfect example of this winning combination, delivering powerful anti-aging benefits while keeping your skin deeply hydrated and protected.