In the ever-evolving world of skincare, face serums and oils have quickly become must-have products for many beauty aficionados—and for good reason. These concentrated goal-orientated formulas fall slightly outside of the traditional ‘core’ skincare products and offer a wide range of skin benefits, from tackling dryness and fine lines to evening out skin tone and boosting radiance.
Maybe it’s due to their unique consistency or perhaps because they’re outside the realm of a basic skincare routine but serums and facial oils do still seem to frequently cause confusion in the skincare world so what is the difference between these two skin treatments and do you actually need both?
The fundamental difference between a facial oil and serum lays in the composition of their formulas. Think of serums as daily supplements for your skin. Lightweight, fast-absorbing, they tend to be water-based and contain a higher concentration of active ingredients than your standard moisturiser. Because these water-based serums are formulated with smaller molecules, they can deposit these powerful actives deeper into the skin and are the ultimate skin problem solvers and the fast track way to deliver unrivalled results. Serums come in a variety of formulations, each addressing different skin needs so whether you're looking for anti-aging benefits, extra hydration, brightening, or acne-fighting properties, there’s a serum out there for you.
Facial oils are richly emollient and typically heavier than serums. Featuring larger molecules, they can only penetrate the outermost layers of the skin and are usually composed of one or more botanical oils and natural actives that nourish and protect the skin and prevent transepidermal water loss. Facial oils have been a skincare essential for thousands of years and the Ancient Egyptians like Cleopatra used oils extracted from seeds, nuts or flowers to feed their skin with essential fatty acids and preserve their skin’s youthful appearance. Whilst many are still hesitant to use a facial oil believing them to be sticky or greasy the magic of face oils is their ability mimic the sebum in the natural skin barrier, making them especially beneficial for moisturising, smoothing and strengthening that skin barrier which gets worn down with age and exposure to everyday life.
Both serums and facial oils can serve a purpose in your routine and the truth is there is no one-size-fits-all- answer as to the best one as it depends on your skin type and skin concerns. One rule of thumb to guide you is to apply skincare products in order of their consistency the thinnest first (essences and serums) finishing with the thickest (oils and moisturisers).
Fine lines and wrinkles
Many of us are still keen to delay the advancement of wrinkles and Collagene Expert Smoothing Serum will really stamp your skincare routine with a collagen-powered seal of approval. Blending a trio of high performing ‘Collagen Actives’ this little beauty of a serum will really kick your skin cells into gear to produce more of that important ‘stuffing’ on its own. These collagen stimulating ingredients, are small enough in size that they can actually penetrate the skin working at different levels, activating your ‘collagen factory cells’ to produce NEW collagen, age-rewinding your fine lines and wrinkles AND cloaking the complexion with a veil of ‘dew-good’ moisture so that it feels soft and supple! In short, its bomb.com!
Dull skin
Dull skin can affect everyone at some point in their skincare journey. Hard to define, it tends to look flat, uneven, tired, grey, and well quite frankly a bit deflated. If you want to look lit-from-within but your skin has another agenda, then Radiance Enhancing Vitamin C Serum will inspire your skin to see ‘brighter days’! Powered by a potent blend of Vitamin C this dew-drenching serum boasts a plush iridescent texture and packs a punch of antioxidant protection whilst a hefty dose of Watercress Extract promotes Collagen 111 otherwise known as ‘baby collagen’ and higher levels of this type of collagen improves the elasticity of the skin giving it a firmer and smoother appearance. If radiance is on your radar this serum is for you.
Dry, Crepy complexion
Defi Lift Firming Facial Oil is exactly what your skin needs if its lacking resilience, nourishment and radiance. This non-comedogenic face oil is a must for dry, lacklustre complexions that are craving that youthful glow. The luxurious nutritive formula delivers instant hydration whilst strengthening your moisture barrier and restores resilience to thinning skin leaving it smooth and supple. In these colder months don’t be surprised if it becomes your new nighttime hero.
Skin slackening
On the hunt for a face firming solution? Defi Lift Active Firming Serum is a featherweight fluid with a staggering impact on tone to leave skin looking firmer and smoother. Utilising a ground-breaking cocktail of revolutionary peptides to tighten and fortify skin that is betraying the passage of time, this stellar secret weapon serum also boasts a Deep Ocean Bacillus Ferment collected during an expedition at Reunion Island, which I like to think of as a push-up bra for skin that’s lost its youthful elasticity – think lifted, tighter, perkier!
Uneven skin tone
Dark spots uneven skin tone are a form of pigmentation that require more than your everyday serum to get rid of. Thanks to the concentrated cocktail of Liquorice, Marshmallow Root, Rice Bran and Vitamin C, Age Benefit Hyper Pigmentation Repair is a high-performing hero that works to minimise signs of past, present and future pigmentation. Remaining gentle enough to avoid irritation caused by certain types of Vitamin C this superlative saviour doubles as a pigmentation-fader and an age-defying hero.
Sensitivity and Inflammation
If you have rosacea or you're susceptible to facial redness, consider your sensitive skin, covered with Age Benefit Revitalising Oil-Serum. An exclusive bi-phase formula, which combines two distinct ‘powerhouse’ compositions – a serum and an oil - into just one bottle and once you've shaken the bottle to activate the bi-phase formulation it really gets to work soothing discomfort and redness. Starring Centella Asiatica and Niacinamide to help lessen the appearance of inflammation, irritation and tightness and a moisturising medley of Meadowfoam, Rosehip and Camelia Oil to instantly coat the skin in a cushiony veil of deep nourishment you can expect calmer, peaceful days ahead.
Lucy x
