The lowdown on oil-based serums
Oil-based serums are magical – like a healing, moisturising face oil combined with the skin-specific, concentrated benefits of a serum. Let’s talk about what they are, why you should use them and which one to try!
The facts
A conventional serum often has a water or glycerine base, which enables it to absorb into the skin quickly. But, containing water also means that these serums need to be formulated with chemical ingredients to preserve the quality of the product as water will cause the product to spoil; allowing mould and bacteria growth into the product.
An oil-based serum is exactly what it sounds like – it’s mainly made of carrier oils like argan, rosehip, prickly pear, or avocado oil. These oils tend to keep a long time without the need for any preservatives, and they are far more beneficial to the skin than plain water!
A facial oil is often made of only one or two carrier oils with the primary purpose to moisturise the skin. A serum is a little more complex as it often contains a unique blend of oils and essential oils. These ingredients are blended to heal a specific issue like redness, reactive skin, or maturing skin.
The benefits
An oil-based serum gives you the moisturising properties of a face oil with the concentrated benefits of a serum. Your skin will be soft, smooth, and moisturised whilst benefiting from the essential oils and gently infused plant botanicals which naturally help to heal problematic skin. Moisturising is incredibly important for healing skin. If your skin isn’t properly hydrated, it won’t be as protected from environmental factors such as the sun, wind, and pollution, nor will your skin have achieved its natural balance of sebum (oil) production. This means it will become more sensitised and irritated and you will likely experience more acne and reactions.
If you can moisturise your skin in every step of your skincare routine, your skin will be better off. If you can moisturise and treat at the same time with an oil-based serum, why wouldn’t you?
Whilst it is possible to use a face oil and a serum together if your skin is sensitive or reactive often fewer ingredients is key.
Why are oil-based serums so good for your skin and how do they differ to face oils?
A recipe for every skin type
Your skin is different to mine.
I understand that every person’s skin is different and certain oils may benefit my skin whilst the same oils can irritate yours, and vice versa. After decades of working in the skincare industry, I know my oils well and always opt to use ones that are non-comedogenic (pore blocking) and known to soothe skin irritation. I use a huge amount of nut oils in my products as they offer a myriad of benefits such as plumping up dull and lifeless skin, offering intense hydration, reducing acne and signs of ageing as well as protecting sensitive skin from harmful UV rays. Nuts oils greatly enhance overall skin health.
The use of essential oils in face serums
My products differ from others, in the fact that the essential oils and plant botanicals chosen for each product are chosen for their qualities and skin benefits as opposed to their smell.
Whilst many companies choose to use refined and deodorised plant butters and oils, I don’t and never will. Refining and deodorising is often done by chemical practice and removes much of the plant’s natural goodness.
Some oils naturally smell divine whilst others have stronger, more lingering aromas which simply cannot be masked by essential oils. Instead of shying away from such beneficial oils, I embrace them.
