Skincare oils and serums can provide a targeted response to all manner of skincare questions no matter what your skin type.
But do you need both facial oils and serums?
And what exactly is the difference between these two skin treatments?
What is a Serum?
Serums are essentially supplements for your skin. With their lightweight texture and smaller molecular structure they are able to deeply penetrate the skin.
This allows them to deposit powerful active ingredients in the deeper layers of your skin for more targeted results.
A serum is the product in your skincare routine that penetrates the deepest in your skin and it contains the highest concentration of active ingredients.
In order to maximise the benefits of a serum, you need to combine it with a moisturiser: It can either be mixed directly into your moisturiser or applied first with the fingertips, followed by your moisturising cream.
Serums work great for specific skin concerns like acne and imperfections, dry and dehydrated skin and signs of aging.
What is a Facial Oil?
Rich in fatty acids, oils can be used as a serum or can work as a barrier for all skin types.
With a rich, emollient texture - typically heavier than water-based serums – they provide a boost of nutrition and hydration.
Thanks to the essential oils and plant extracts they contain, facial oils provide the skin with lipids which fortify the skin barrier. Depending on the type of formula, facial oils may have additional benefits besides nourishing and strengthening the skin barrier, such as anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties.
And what is the difference between these two skin treatments?
The main difference between using a serum and a facial oil is that oil molecules are much larger and can only penetrate the outermost layers of the skin.
Both serums and facial oils can serve a purpose in your routine, but ultimately it’s all about choosing one that will work for your skin type and skin goals.
If you want brighter, more even skin, you could use the ASI Vitamin C Serum or if you want to deeply hydrate your skin while smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, you can reach for a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid like the ASI Pure Hydration Concentrate!