Face Oils 101: What They Are, How To Use Them, And How to Pick What’s Right For You

Pili Ani Self-care Night Recovery Oil and Ageless Concentrate

Face oils have become the buzzword of the beauty industry in the last few years. With the big push towards clean, sustainable, and natural products, it’s fairly obvious why these plant-based facial oils have taken over the vanity bureaus of many skincare enthusiasts. 

What are face oils exactly?

To the uninitiated, many skincare products sound the same—they all hydrate, moisturize, protect, and nourish to some extent. So, what makes facial oils different? 

From a purpose perspective, facial oils can be considered a moisturizer in the sense that they also moisturize and hydrate, but not in a way that a regular moisturizer does. Depending on the type of oil you use, facial oils can be both emollients and occlusives. This means that yes, they smoothen and protect your complexion, but no, they do not add moisture to the skin. Because facial oils work to complement your complexion’s natural oils, they are usually ideal for any skin type and context.

Oils are simply that—they’re oil. They guard the top layer of the skin by installing a barrier that stops the skin’s natural and artificial hydration from getting out and environmental pollutants from getting in. Moisturizers, on the other hand, can come as oils, serums, creams, gels, or lotions. The latter tends to have water in the formulation and can penetrate deep into the skin. While you can use either independently, both products work to complement each other, nourishing the skin from all directions.

How do you use face oils?

If you’re big on multi-step skincare regimens, facial oils should be one of the last things you apply after washing, cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. Since they lock in all the moisturizing benefits from your serums or lotions, it’s best to use your oil just before your sunscreen. 

Oils can be very potent so a little goes a long way. Put about two to three drops on your hand, rub your palms together to warm the product, then apply on your face and neck via a gentle patting technique or in careful upward motions. Make sure that your skin has completely absorbed your moisturizer before you layer in your oil. 

Facial oils are extremely lightweight products, so you can use them as needed. If you’re a stickler for routine, however, you can award your favorite facial oil a spot in your morning and evening skincare rituals. 

When applied correctly, not only do facial oils enhance the promises of your favorite moisturizer, but they also create that nice, dewy effect. 

What should you look for when searching for the best face oil?

The market is lined with so many types of facial oils these days. There’s the trusty coconut oil, the age-old favorite tea tree oil, the forever headlining argan oil, the luscious jojoba oil, and more. Each kind offers different advantages. When you’re looking for the best facial oil for you, these are the things you have to consider.

1. What is your skin type?

From oily to balanced to dry to combination, people's skin comes in different levels of oiliness. Some oils work better than others when addressing your skin type. If you’re a little shinier than usual, avoid oils that tend to clog the pores, such as coconut. If you’re predisposed to acne, check for anti-inflammatory oils. If your skin is a tad thirsty, opt for a variant that is a little heavier and more occlusive.

2. What is your skin goal?

Why are you using facial oil? Are you trying to push back against threatening fine lines? Are you hoping to relieve redness? Do you intend to calm angry acne? Are you looking for a multifunctional product? Do you want to strengthen your sensitive skin? Pro Tip: It may be helpful to have different types of oils handy just because your skin can be temperamental depending on the environment. 

3. Check the ingredients.

Always check the label! If you see nasty ingredients like parabens and such, then put that bottle back on the shelf. If that label has words like oleic and linoleic acid, then consider them a bonus. Oleic acid is naturally produced in the body; its primary role is to hydrate the skin. Linoleic acid, however, does not naturally occur in the body. It strengthens the skin barrier, making it healthier but also keeping your complexion looking as good as possible. The latter acid is lightweight and non-comedogenic, which makes it work for all kinds of skin, especially oily skin.

4. Do a patch test.

The most important metric that you need to consider is how your skin will react to facial oil. Facial oils can come off strong, so it’s important to dip a proverbial toe in the water first but diving headfirst. 

If you don’t know how to start looking for face oils, we’ll give you a headstart on your haul hunt. There’s a face oil that can address all your concerns.

Pili Ani has two facial oils that you can use independently or in tandem. The Ageless Concentrate, the brand’s flagship skincare product, will give you the beautifully hydrated, fresh-looking skin of your dreams. Despite its high concentration of pili and elemi oil, this product is a featherweight! Plus, it absorbs so fast that you might wonder if you’ve already put some on. And because it’s so light, it won’t make you feel greasy if you just add on another layer for insurance. Not only does it nourish and firm, but it also brightens your skin and gives you an innate glow. Pili Ani Ageless Concentrate works best during your daytime routine, just before your sunscreen. 

When you and your skin are ready to rest for the night, Pili Ani Night Recovery Oil will pull an all-nighter, coaxing out your skin’s restoration and regeneration processes. Apart from pili and elemi oils, it also has squalene (an incredibly light lipid that encourages the production of collagen), sampaguita and lavender (both of which known to soothe and calm), calendula (antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory promises), blue chamomile (antioxidant-rich and helps even skin tone), rosemary leaf (reduces puffiness and medicinal), and more. All of these ingredients do all the work so you won’t have to. 

When it comes to finding the ideal facial oil, you can go through all your options one by one, but you can also find just that one that does everything for you. Well, maybe two. Check out Pili Ani Ageless Concentrate and Night Recovery Oil available at piliani.com.ph.