How to Use a Facial Oil: Complete Guide

A facial oil is a concentrated botanical blend that nourishes and supports your skin's natural barrier. Unlike water-based moisturisers, these oils deliver lipid-soluble nutrients directly into your skin's outer layers. You'll apply them after cleansing—either alone or layered with moisturiser, depending on what your skin needs that day.

We craft four organic facial oils, each anchored by hand-harvested Cornish seaweed and tailored to different skin needs. Our Sky Organic Facial Oil combines Ulva Lactuca seaweed with blue tansy and frankincense for calm, balanced skin. The Sea Organic Facial Oil pairs Fucus Serratus seaweed with citrus oils for brightness, whilst Sand Organic Facial Oil offers sea buckthorn and chamomile for sensitive complexions.

Benefits of Using Facial Oil

Facial oils deliver concentrated plant compounds that support your skin's lipid barrier—the protective layer that holds moisture and helps shield against environmental stress. When this barrier functions well, skin feels comfortable and looks balanced.

At night, oils work particularly well because they sit undisturbed while your skin goes through its natural repair cycle. The occlusive nature of oils helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss during sleep, when skin can feel more dehydrated. Our Organic Super-Nutrient Facial Oil contains tamanu oil and sea buckthorn alongside Fucus Serratus seaweed, offering fatty acids that suit an evening routine.

Before makeup? A light facial oil can create a smoother canvas. Apply sparingly, wait a couple of minutes for absorption, then continue with foundation. This helps reduce pilling and can help makeup sit more evenly.

If you're using gua sha, the oil provides slip so the stone glides without tugging. Apply 4–5 drops across your face and neck, then use the tool with light pressure, working from the centre outwards.

How to Choose Your Facial Oil

Match the oil to your skin's current behaviour. If it feels tight after cleansing, look for richer carrier oils such as jojoba or coconut. If it feels congested, lighter oils with quicker absorption may suit you better.

Consider base ingredients first. Our Sand Organic Facial Oil uses virgin coconut oil and sea buckthorn for gentle support, whilst Sea Organic Facial Oil contains tamanu oil. The seaweed species matters, too: Ulva Lactuca in Sky brings a different mineral profile to Fucus Serratus in our other blends.

Essential oils shape the sensory experience. Blue tansy and frankincense in Sky offer a calming ritual, whilst citrus notes in Sea provide an uplifting morning application. I've found that matching the scent to the time of day makes it feel more intentional.

Step-by-Step Application

Cleanse thoroughly, then pat skin until slightly damp. Dispense 2–4 drops of facial oil into your palm and warm between your hands. Press gently into your face, starting at the centre and moving outwards. Avoid rubbing, which can tug at the skin.

Face oil before or after moisturiser? It depends on your skin type and how your skin feels that day. For drier skin, apply moisturiser first, then finish with facial oil to seal it in. If your skin feels balanced or oily, you may prefer the oil alone. Try both approaches for a week each and see which feels most comfortable.

When using face oil before makeup, apply sparingly and wait two minutes for absorption. This helps prevent pilling and allows foundation to sit more smoothly. If you're incorporating a cleansing oil into your routine, massage the oil onto dry skin first, then add water to emulsify before rinsing.

For gua sha work, apply oil generously to create slip. This helps the stone glide without tugging at the skin. Use light pressure, working from the centre of your face outwards and upwards. Our Sky Organic Facial Oil works particularly well for this—the blue tansy and frankincense make it feel like a calming ritual.

Choosing Your Approach

Your skin's needs shift with seasons, stress, and age. What works in summer may feel insufficient in winter. Pay attention to how your skin behaves after cleansing: if it feels tight within minutes, use a little more oil or choose a richer blend. If it feels comfortable for hours, your current routine likely suits you.

When learning how to use a facial oil, start with a single application at night. Observe how your skin responds over one week before adjusting frequency or layering. This steady approach helps you understand what your skin actually needs, rather than what someone else's skin might prefer.

Night application offers the most noticeable benefits because oils support your skin's natural repair processes during sleep. Our Organic Super-Nutrient Facial Oil contains sea buckthorn, tamanu, and Fucus Serratus seaweed—a fatty-acid-rich finish to your evening routine. For more on the benefits and unique properties of seaweed in skincare, see this detailed study.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I put face oil before or after moisturizer?

It truly depends on your skin's unique needs each day. For drier skin, applying your moisturiser first, then following with facial oil, helps to seal in that hydration. If your skin feels more balanced or even a little oily, you might find the oil alone provides just the right amount of comfort. Try both approaches to see what feels most comfortable for your skin.

How to apply face oil correctly?

Begin by cleansing thoroughly, then gently pat your skin until it's slightly damp. Dispense 2–4 drops of your chosen facial oil into your palm and warm it between your hands. Then, gently press the oil into your face, moving from the centre outwards, avoiding any harsh rubbing.

Can I use facial oil every day?

Yes, facial oils are designed for regular use, both morning and evening. Applying a facial oil daily supports your skin's natural barrier and delivers concentrated plant compounds. At night, it can help reduce moisture loss while your skin repairs itself, and in the morning, a light application can create a smoother base for makeup.

Should I wash my face after using facial oil?

No, facial oil is typically a leave-on treatment designed to nourish your skin throughout the day or night. You apply it after cleansing and toning, allowing it to absorb and work its gentle magic. There's no need to rinse it off afterwards.

Are facial oils good for mature skin?

Absolutely, facial oils can be wonderfully supportive for mature skin. They help to nourish the skin's natural lipid barrier, which can become more delicate with age, and deliver concentrated plant compounds. Using an oil, especially at night, can also help reduce moisture loss, leaving skin feeling more comfortable and balanced.