Face Oil or Moisturizer First? (Yes, There’s a Right Answer)

If you’ve ever stood in front of your mirror holding a tiny bottle of face oil like it’s a potion and thought, “Do I put this on… before… after… or just chug it and hope for the best?” hi. Same.

And honestly? The reason a lot of routines feel like they “aren’t working” isn’t because your products are bad. It’s because you’re stacking them in an order that makes them trip over each other like toddlers in soccer cleats.

So let’s settle it.

The golden rule (that saves your skin and your sanity)

Moisturizer first. Face oil second.
That’s the default. That’s the “don’t overthink it” answer. That’s the one I’d write on a sticky note and slap on your bathroom mirror.

When would you put oil on before moisturizer?

Rarely, but it can happen if:

• The oil is super lightweight (think squalane, grapeseed, hemp seed)
• You’re using the oil like a treatment step (some vitamin C oil formulas, etc.)
• Your skin actually likes it (no stinging, redness, congestion, or “why do I suddenly have forehead bumps?”)

My low effort “hand test”

Put 1-2 drops on the back of your hand.

• If it soaks in pretty fast (within about a minute) and doesn’t leave you looking like you just buttered toast: it might play nicely before moisturizer.
• If it sits there like a shiny little slip n slide: it goes last.

And for the record: heavy oils (coconut, castor) are basically the winter coats of the oil world. They’re not going under anything. They’re the final layer, period.

Why order matters (aka: oil isn’t “hydration,” sorry)

Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: face oil doesn’t hydrate.
Oil is more like a seal.

Moisturizers are usually packed with hydrators (humectants) like glycerin and hyaluronic acid that help pull water into your skin. Oils mainly help slow water loss by sitting closer to the surface.

So if you put oil on bare skin, you’re basically… sealing in nothing. It’s like putting the lid on an empty pot and being shocked there’s no soup.

And since I’m a home blogger at heart, here’s the house analogy:
Moisturizer is your primer. Oil is your top coat. You wouldn’t polyurethane raw drywall and then try to paint it. (If you would, I say this lovingly: please don’t.)

How I actually layer it (two methods depending on my mood)

Method 1: The “do it properly” way

1. Moisturizer first. Slightly damp skin is great here—like you just cleansed and patted your face so you’re not dripping, but you’re not Sahara dry either.
2. Wait a minute or two. I’m not asking you to meditate. Just let it settle.
3. Oil last. Warm 2-3 drops between your palms and press it in (don’t rub like you’re trying to start a fire).

I focus on cheeks and anywhere that feels tight. Forehead gets less, because she does not need extra encouragement.

Method 2: The “I’m late and my hair is wet” way (mixing)

If you cannot be bothered with multiple steps (no judgment, I’ve lived entire weeks like this):

• Mix 2 drops of oil into your moisturizer in your palm
• Apply together

Is it the exact same as layering? No. Is it a very decent shortcut that can also help prevent pilling? Yep.

Tiny but important note: more oil is not more glow. More oil is often just… more oil. For most faces, 3 drops is plenty (4 if you’re doing face + neck and you’re feeling luxurious).

Morning vs. night (aka: when oil behaves and when it ruins your life)

Nighttime is oil’s moment.
No sunscreen, no makeup, no rushing out the door while trying to remember if you fed the dog. Your skin in a morning vs night oil routine gets hours to marinate peacefully.

Morning can work, but be picky:

• Use a light oil
• Keep it to 1-2 drops
• Give it 10-15 minutes before sunscreen (otherwise sunscreen can pill, slide, or just feel gross)

If mornings are chaos (same), just save face oil for night. Your future self will thank you.

If you use retinol

My simple order:

Cleanse → (optional hydrating serum) → retinol → moisturizer → oil

If you’re easily irritated, you can wait 15-20 minutes after retinol before moisturizing. (Retinol is a little spicy sometimes. Respect it.)

Picking an oil that won’t betray you

Here’s my “don’t make it weird” cheat sheet:

• Dry skin: rosehip, argan, marula (richer, fatty acid goodness)
• Oily skin: jojoba, squalane (lighter, usually less greasy)
• Combination skin: jojoba is a safe middle ground. Use oil mostly on cheeks/dry patches
• Acne prone: grapeseed is often a good starter. Begin with 1 drop at night and watch your skin for a couple weeks
• Sensitive skin: plain squalane or chamomile infused oils (and avoid fragrance fragrance is the drama you didn’t ask for)
• Mature skin: rosehip seed and argan are classic favorites. They layer beautifully over a good moisturizer

If you’re multiple things at once (aren’t we all), choose based on your driest areas and your most breakout prone areas when choosing rosehip oils for facial care. You don’t have to oil your whole face evenly like you’re buttering a baking sheet.

Also: patch test if you’re sensitive—behind the ear or along the jaw for 24-48 hours. Boring? Yes. Helpful? Also yes.

Troubleshooting (because skincare loves to humble us)

If your products pill:
You’re layering too fast or using too much. Wait 3 minutes between steps, or use the mixing method.

If you’re greasy 30 minutes later:
Too many drops. Cut it in half.

If you’re breaking out:
That oil might not be your oil. Switch to a lighter/less clog prone option (grapeseed, squalane, jojoba) and simplify your routine while you test.

If you still feel dry:
Oil is not the missing hydration. Add a hydrating serum under moisturizer, or apply moisturizer to slightly damp skin before you seal with oil.

If makeup/sunscreen slides around:
Your oil didn’t have time to settle—or it’s too heavy for daytime. Use less, use lighter, or keep oil at night.

The easiest “reset” if you’re overwhelmed

For three nights, do this:

1. Cleanse
2. Moisturizer
3. 1-2 drops oil on top

That’s it. No twelve step routine. No chemistry degree required.

Once your skin feels comfortable (not tight, not slick), you can tweak one thing at a time oil type, drop count, wait time until it’s dialed in.

And if you try moisturizer first + oil last tonight and wake up feeling like your face finally got a decent night’s sleep? Welcome to the club. It’s a very glowy club.