Face Oil vs Face Cream: What is the difference?

Introduction

If you've ever stood in front of your bathroom mirror wondering whether to reach for face oil or face cream, you're not alone. This is one of the most common questions I hear as a clinical aromatherapist, and the answer might surprise you: you don't have to choose.

Understanding the difference between face oil and face cream—and how to use them together—can transform your skincare routine. In this guide, I'll explain the science behind each, debunk common myths, and show you exactly when and how to use face oils and creams for your best skin ever.

As a clinical aromatherapist making natural products for over 10 years, here are my thoughts.

What's the Difference Between Face Oil and Face Cream?

Face Oil: Pure Lipid Barrier Repair

Face oils are 100% lipid-based products made from plant oils and essential oils. They work by:

• Mimicking your skin's natural sebum – strengthening the lipid barrier
• Providing occlusive protection – sealing in moisture and preventing water loss
• Delivering concentrated nutrients – vitamins A, C, E, essential fatty acids
• Regulating oil production – balancing sebum when skin is properly hydrated

Face Cream: Water + Oil Emulsion

Face creams are emulsions of water and oil held together by emulsifiers. They work by providing water-based hydration, creating a protective barrier, carrying active ingredients (retinol, niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid), and offering a lighter texture often preferred for daytime use.

The Key Difference

Face oil = Lipids (fats) → Repairs and strengthens skin barrier
Face cream = Water + lipids → Hydrates and protects

Your skin needs both water (hydration) and oil (barrier protection). Face oil provides the oil; face cream provides both water and oil.

Face Oil Benefits: Why Your Skin Needs Lipids

1. Strengthens Your Skin Barrier

Your skin's barrier is made of lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids). Face oils replenish these essential lipids — especially important for dry or flaky skin, eczema, barrier damage from harsh products, or aging skin where lipid production decreases.

Clinical insight: Barrier-damaged skin loses moisture 75% faster than healthy skin. Face oils create an occlusive seal to prevent this.

2. Regulates Sebum Production

Myth: Face oil will make my oily skin worse.
Truth: When skin is dehydrated, it overproduces oil to compensate. Face oil signals your skin that it has enough lipids, reducing excess sebum. Our Face Oil No1 is specifically formulated for oily, acne-prone skin with non-comedogenic oils that won't clog pores.

3. Delivers Concentrated Nutrients

Face oils are nutrient-dense, providing Vitamin A (from rosehip), Vitamin C (from sea buckthorn), Vitamin E for antioxidant protection, Omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids for barrier repair, and therapeutic essential oils with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

4. Provides Anti-Aging Benefits

As we age, skin produces less natural oil, leading to fine lines, loss of elasticity, and compromised barrier function. Our Face Oil No2 (Bronze Award Winner) targets mature skin with anti-aging oils including frankincense, geranium, and rosehip.

5. Works for ALL Skin Types

• Dry skin: Rich oils like argan, rosehip, evening primrose
• Oily/acne-prone: Lightweight oils like jojoba, tea tree, lavender
• Sensitive: Gentle oils like chamomile, calendula
• Mature: Anti-aging oils like frankincense, geranium
• Combination: Customise application by zone

Common Misconceptions About Face Oil

Myth 1: Face Oil Will Make Me Break Out

Truth: Non-comedogenic face oils (like our Face Oil No1) actually help clear acne by balancing oil production, providing antibacterial essential oils, reducing inflammation, and not clogging pores.

Myth 2: Face Oil is Too Heavy for Daytime

Truth: Lightweight face oils absorb quickly and work beautifully under SPF. Apply 2–3 drops on damp skin, wait 1 minute, then apply SPF.

Myth 3: I Don't Need Moisturiser If I Use Face Oil

Truth: For most people, layering face oil and cream provides optimal results. Face oil provides lipids; face cream provides water-based hydration and actives.

Myth 4: All Face Oils Are the Same

Truth: Quality matters enormously. Our clinical aromatherapist formulations use therapeutic-grade essential oils, cold-pressed organic carrier oils, and small-batch production — backed by Bronze Award recognition.

When to Use Face Oil vs Face Cream

Morning Routine

1. Cleanse
2. Serum (if using)
3. 2–3 drops face oil on damp skin
4. Lightweight day cream (optional)
5. SPF (essential!)

Evening Routine

1. Double cleanse
2. Treatment serum (vitamin C, etc.)
3. 3–5 drops face oil on damp skin
4. Rich night cream (optional)

Winter Skincare

Cold, dry air and indoor heating strip your skin's lipid barrier. Layer face oil for barrier repair with a rich cream for extra hydration. We recommend Face Oil No3 for maximum winter hydration.

Acne-Prone Skin

Choose a non-comedogenic face oil like our Face Oil No1 (Bronze Award Winner) — with antibacterial tea tree and lavender, and non-comedogenic jojoba oil to balance oil production without clogging pores.

Mature Skin

Layer our Face Oil No2 (Bronze Award Winner) — with frankincense, geranium, and rosehip — with a peptide cream for comprehensive anti-aging results.

How to Layer Face Oil and Face Cream

The Correct Order

1. Cleanse – remove all makeup and impurities
2. Tone (optional) – balance pH
3. Serum – apply water-based actives
4. Face Oil – apply 2–5 drops to damp skin
5. Face Cream – seal everything in
6. SPF (morning only) – always the final step

Why Apply Face Oil on Damp Skin?

When skin is slightly damp, oil molecules penetrate more easily, you create an emulsion on your skin (oil + water), and hydration is locked in more effectively. After cleansing or applying serum, pat skin with damp hands, then apply face oil immediately.

How Much to Use

• Morning: 2–3 drops
• Evening: 3–5 drops
• Very dry skin: Up to 6–8 drops

Our Award-Winning Face Oils

Face Oil No1: For Acne and Blemishes (Bronze Award Winner)

Best for: Oily, acne-prone, blemish-prone skin. Contains tea tree (antibacterial), lavender (anti-inflammatory), and jojoba (non-comedogenic, sebum-balancing). Clears breakouts without drying and won't clog pores.

Face Oil No2: Rebalance and Rejuvenate (Bronze Award Winner)

Best for: Mature, aging, dry skin. Contains frankincense (collagen support), geranium (firming), and rosehip (vitamin A). Reduces fine lines, improves elasticity, and evens skin tone.

Face Oil No3: Soothe, Hydrate and Moisturise

Best for: Dry, sensitive, dehydrated skin. Contains chamomile (calming) and Camellia (soothing). Provides intense hydration and repairs barrier damage — perfect for winter skincare.

Not Sure Which Oil? Try Our Discovery Set

5 blended oils including both Bronze Award winners — perfect for testing which formula works best for your skin, seasonal rotation, or gifting to skincare lovers.

The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

For most people, layering face oil and face cream provides optimal results. Face oil repairs your lipid barrier and delivers concentrated nutrients. Face cream provides water-based hydration and carries active ingredients. Together they create a comprehensive barrier protection system.

Clinical Aromatherapist Recommendations

• Acne-prone skin: Face Oil No1 (morning and night) + lightweight oil-free cream (optional)
• Mature skin: Face Oil No2 (morning and night) + peptide or retinol cream (evening)
• Dry skin: Face Oil No3 (morning and night) + rich hydrating cream
• Combination skin: Face Oil No2 or No3 on dry areas, Face Oil No1 on oily zones + lightweight cream
• Sensitive skin: Face Oil No3 (gentle, calming) + fragrance-free cream

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use face oil and face cream together?
A: Absolutely! Layering provides the best results. Apply face oil first on damp skin, then seal with face cream.

Q: Should I use face oil before or after moisturiser?
A: Before. Apply face oil to damp skin, then apply moisturiser on top to seal everything in.

Q: Will face oil make my oily skin worse?
A: No! Non-comedogenic face oils (like our Face Oil No1) actually balance oil production and can reduce breakouts.

Q: Can I use face oil under makeup?
A: Yes! Use 2–3 drops on damp skin, wait 1 minute for absorption, then apply makeup. It creates a smooth, glowing base.

Q: Which is better for anti-aging: face oil or face cream?
A: Both! Face oil delivers concentrated anti-aging nutrients; face cream carries actives like retinol and peptides. Layer for best results.

Q: How long until I see results?
A: Hydration improves within days. For acne or anti-aging benefits, allow 4–6 weeks of consistent use.

Why Choose Soap Matters Face Oils?

• Clinical aromatherapist-formulated – expert knowledge, not mass production
• Bronze Award winners – Face Oil No1 and No2 recognised for excellence
• Handmade in Scottish Borders – small-batch quality control
• Natural, therapeutic-grade ingredients – no synthetic fragrances
• Sustainable and ethical – Ecologi partnership, eco-friendly packaging

Give us a try and get to know our natural skincare.

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