If lathering on a glow-inducing face oil is a non-negotiable part of your morning skin care routine, well, us too. Until now.
As with most things we know and love – from our favourite TV shows to the greatest pizza toppings of all time – there is always an opposing opinion challenging everything we hold as gospel. The same goes for the time of day we should be applying our face oil. Annnnnnnd it makes a lot of sense.
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Just as we call upon an oil cleanser to dissolve the most stubborn of mascara and break down any residual makeup and SPF for a deep clean before bed, our morning application of facial oils may be having the same effect. Only this time, it’s completely unwarranted.
Speaking to The Zoe Report, celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau advised that just like our favourite bottle of wine, facial oils shouldn’t be cracked open until the evening. “Skin oils in their pure form may dissolve your sunscreen throughout the day”.
For this reason, “face oils are not ideal to use in the morning [because they may interfere] with the daytime protection you need from your sunscreen,” explained Renee.
Weighing in on the topic is board-certified dermatologist Dr. Christine Choi Kim.
Speaking to Into The Gloss, Dr. Kim said, “if you want to be very conservative, use your facial oil at a time of day you’re not also using sunscreen” AKA, nighttime.
“In the morning prioritise sunscreen over oils,” she added, going on to warn that although “oil might make you look glowy right now, UV damage is the cause of [90 per cent of visible ageing] and SPF protects against that”.
Plus, as the majority of facial oils are packed full of antioxidants boasting powerful regenerative properties, they will do their best wrinkle-zapping, skin-plumping, glow-enhancing work at night.
Here’s some of the facial oils we’re loving right now for some nighttime nourishment: Ipsum Best Skin Nourishing Face Oil, Biologi Br Organic Rosehip Oil, Jurlique Skin Balancing Face Oil, L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Extraordinary Facial Oil
Main image credit: @honeynsilk
Do you have a favourite face oil? If so, which one?
This is good to know. I’m going to start using facial oil only at night now :).
Good information
Not much into oils at all. My skin does not benefit from them.
Yeah I too was cleansing too much. Got to let the natural oils work on my skin.
I agree. Only use oils at night before bed or if you are not going out on the day or wearing makeup. Facial oil can affect SPF peerformance in your sunscreen and it can ruin the finish and wear of your makeup. A good water based serum or primer under your makeup (but on top of the SPF product) in the morning is a good substitute.
I still need to incorporate face oil in my routine
My skin can’t absorb too many products, so I have to choose between facial oil OR moisturiser OR sunscreen – & I always choose sunscreen if I’m leaving the house, year-round.
My blemish-prone skin does love facial oil, though: rosehip oil is my fave.
I have oily skin so I have only ever used oils on my face at night.
Rosehip is my favourite , I have dry skin but would never use oil in the morning.
Ive always only used facial oils at night time.
I only use oils at night, they tend to make my moisturiser & sunscreen/and or makeup ‘pill’ if I use them during the day.
I used a Thursday Plantation brightening oil a while ago and it seemed to agree with my skin. I received lots of compliments when I was using it.
Cool bananas. I tend to only use facial oils at night.
I actually stopped cleansing in the morning which means I only apply on facial oil at night, and in the morning just a top up of moisturiser.
I didn’t know it impacted the sunscreen!
It’s so good to get the science behind the issue and to make sure we’re using products effectively
I’ve heard facial oils can be used on oily skin types too.
Is a sunscreen enough moisturise for your skin for the entire day?
I have never used an oil on my face, it scares me.
Yes, it’s fine for me: I drink buckets of water every day & I have very well-hydrated skin.
I should check this out.
I mainly use them in the winter time.
I don’t use face oils. I do like body oils though, straight after a bath.
Good information
I use serum at night only
Didn’t realise that thanks for the info
I didn’t realise this!
That’s big!!!! A little luxury to make your day better.
100ml
Is it a big bottle at least?
Only something I use at night occasionally. Was using face hero from go to for a while, but started to give my skin a warm sensation.
It was an impulse purchase. I had always wanted to try it because 1. It’s Miranda Kerr’s brand and 2. It’s made from natural ingredients but to be honest I haven’t really noticed it’s done/does anything. It cost me $42 eek!
Good to know!
Same same except I’ve never used Kora before. How is it? I think it is really exy?
I have not used a facial oil yet.
I only use oil occasionally and rarely on my face. Problem with plant based oil (apart from Jojoba) oil is that most of it doesn’t have a good shelf life.
Me too or I’ll spray my Kora energizing mist and then moisturise.
I’m pretty bad with my facial sunscreens tbh, its just getting worse. Like I don’t think to apply it anymore which is definitely not a good thing
I’m not big on oils but I’m running out of serum (on my RR Wishlist) so I’m using some I’ve got, but only at night so seems I’m doing the right thing!
Yes. Apparently sunscreen and some oils don’t mix and dilution of the SPF occurs making it less effective. Learnt this at makeup school from film makeup artist who does a lot of outdoor shoots.
That’s good to know then! I should make a mental note of that.
I’ve only ever used an oil at night, yay I’m doing it right!
Interesting…
Oh that one sounds nice!
Interesting read I don’t current use a face oil
I only use a face oil if my skin is dry which usually only happens in Winter.
My Skincare Routine I only use Facial Oils a couple of times a week, but only at night time having a shower I make sure there’s no residue at all. Always use a Sunscreen before I put on the Primer.
I’m not a fan of facial oils anyway. I’ll use it if I’ve been given it (I don’t throw anything out).
BTW what the heck is an esthetician….googling it now. Ok a skin specialist but not a dermatologist. So, can anyone just call themselves an esthetician or do they have to do formal training?
I keep my facial oils for my night time skincare routine.
If I’m going to use a face oil then I mix it with my night time moisturiser otherwise I break out.