Face Oil vs Moisturiser: Do You Need Both?
If you already use a moisturiser, do you really need a face oil too? They're not interchangeable — here's what each one actually does, and how to tell when your skin wants both.
It's one of the most common questions I'm asked, and one of the most muddled. The short version: a moisturiser and a face oil aren't doing the same job. Once you see the difference, the "do I need both?" question mostly answers itself.
They Do Very Different Things
This is the key thing most people miss. A moisturiser and a face oil aren't interchangeable, they work in fundamentally different ways, and each addresses a different part of the hydration puzzle.
Moisturisers are water-based. Their primary job is to deliver hydration, water, into the skin. Most contain humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin that attract and bind water to skin cells, along with emollients and occlusives for softness and some moisture retention. But because they're largely water, they can't deeply reinforce the skin's lipid barrier on their own.
Face oils are lipid-based. They don't deliver water, they work with the skin's own lipid structure to support the barrier, help lock in existing moisture, and carry oil-soluble nutrients (like vitamin E, beta-carotene and antioxidants) that a water-based product simply can't carry effectively.
Think of your moisturiser as a drink of water for your skin, and your face oil as the seal that helps keep that water from evaporating away.
A Side-by-Side Look
| Function | Moisturiser | Face Oil |
|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Delivers water/hydration into skin cells | Supports the skin's lipid barrier |
| Base type | Water-based (with emollients) | Lipid / oil-based |
| Key ingredients | Humectants (hyaluronic acid, glycerin) | Fatty acids, antioxidants, plant sterols |
| Moisture retention | Moderate, can evaporate over time | Helps reduce moisture loss |
| Best for | Delivering hydration | Sealing it in & nourishing the barrier |
| Application order | After toner/serum | Last step (after moisturiser) |
| Works alone? | Yes, but moisture may not last | Yes, especially for very dry skin |
So Do You Need Both?
For most people, especially those with dry, sensitive, or barrier-compromised skin, using both will usually give you better results than either alone. If you apply moisturiser and skip the oil, the water can evaporate off your skin within hours, particularly in dry or cold climates like Melbourne in winter. The face oil acts as a breathable seal that slows that evaporation, helping your skin stay comfortable for longer.
That said, there are times when a face oil alone may be enough, particularly for very dry skin that finds water-based moisturisers irritating or insufficient, or for anyone keeping their routine simple. The key is understanding what your skin actually needs, rather than following a rule.
Let's Clear a Few Things Up
✗ Myth
"Face oils make your skin oily and break you out."
✓ Truth
The right face oil, particularly one high in linoleic acid, like prickly pear or rosehip, can actually help balance skin. Breakouts are more often linked to oils high in oleic acid (like coconut oil) or oils with added fragrance and essential oils that trigger sensitivity. Formulation matters enormously.
✗ Myth
"Face oils are just for dry skin types."
✓ Truth
All skin types have a lipid barrier that benefits from support. Combination and even oily skin can do well with a well-chosen, lightweight face oil, especially to help comfort sensitivity.
✗ Myth
"A face oil replaces moisturiser."
✓ Truth
For most skin types, they work best together. But if your moisturiser already contains nourishing oils and your skin feels balanced, you may find one product covers both needs. Listen to your skin, not a formula.
How to Layer Them Correctly
If you use both (which I'd suggest for dry and sensitive skin, particularly in the cooler months), the order matters. The general rule: thinnest to thickest, water before oil.
- Cleanser, Start with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser. Avoid harsh surfactants or fragrance, which disrupt the skin barrier before your routine has even begun.
- Toner or essence (optional), If you use one, apply to damp skin. A hydrating toner with hyaluronic acid or aloe can boost the hydration your moisturiser delivers.
- Serum (if using), Water-based serums go before moisturiser. If your serum is oil-based, move it to after.
- Moisturiser, Apply to slightly damp skin to help lock in surface moisture. This is where your skin gets its drink of water.
- Face oil, last, A few drops, warmed between your palms and gently pressed in, is the final seal. It helps your previous layers do their job, and brings its own nourishing benefits.
An Ayurvedic Perspective
In Ayurvedic tradition, oiling the skin isn't a modern skincare step, it's a foundational daily ritual called abhyanga, practised for thousands of years across the subcontinent. The philosophy is simple: skin thrives when nourished with the right oils, applied with intention and warmth.
Growing up connected to Himalayan traditions, I learned early that oil isn't something you add only when skin is in crisis. It's something you maintain, a gentle, preventative practice that supports the skin's resilience over time, not just its appearance on any given day.
The modern question of "oil or moisturiser?" would have seemed strange to my grandmother. To her, oil was skincare. Today, the wisest approach combines the best of both, the hydration modern formulations deliver so efficiently, and the barrier nourishment botanical oils have always provided.
The Short Answer
Use both if you can, especially if your skin is dry, sensitive or reactive. Apply your moisturiser first and your face oil last. If you want to simplify, a high-quality cold-pressed face oil can go a long way on its own for dry skin.
What matters most is choosing products without irritating ingredients, fragrance, essential oils and harsh preservatives are the most common culprits for sensitised skin. Keep it clean, keep it intentional, and your skin will thank you.
Built on the ideas in this essay.
Cold-pressed, plant-honest, handmade in Melbourne. The same care that goes into how we write goes into how we formulate.
Shop Seed Glow Face Oil →
5 Best Oils for Dry & Sensitive Skin - and Why They Work
Why Cold-Press Matters
Ayurvedic Self-Care for the Modern Pace
Join the community
Slow beauty, in your inbox
Ritual guides, ingredient stories and 10% off your first order, for those who believe the best skincare comes from nature.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Let nature show its magic to you. Botanical skincare rooted in Ayurveda, handmade in small batches in Melbourne for sensitive, dry and ageing skin.