What is the difference between facial oil and serum? Oils and serums for the face have become a standard part of many people's skincare routines. But what exactly is the difference between these two types of products – and do you really need both?
Oils are probably the oldest form of skincare. A facial oil is a pure oil or a blend of oils designed to nourish, cleanse, and regulate the skin. An effective, high-quality facial oil is made 100% from plant-based ingredients and naturally contains no mineral oil components. Oils have a composition similar to the skin’s natural sebum, allowing them to penetrate the upper layers of the skin very well. There, they provide moisture and strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier – which helps the skin retain moisture. Active ingredients that may also be included in facial oils are vitamins (natural or added), essential oils (such as lavender or rosemary oil), or plant extracts.
In contrast to oils, facial serums are water-based and therefore have a more gel-like texture. The molecular structure of serums is generally smaller than that of facial oils. This allows serums to penetrate deeper layers of the skin. Serums are thus very suitable for deep-acting treatments, delivering active ingredients deep into the skin. While oils excel at moisturizing, serums score with targeted deep effects.