How to use face oil
July 2026
Adding a face oil to your skincare routine can have many benefits for all skin types. We’re here to give you all the information about how to choose the right one and how to use it correctly, so you can enjoy a newly hydrated, glowing complexion.
How to apply face oil: Key takeaways
- Face oils are concentrated, oil-based skincare products that aim to lock moisture into skin, strengthen the skin barrier, and offer antioxidant protection to the skin.
- Most face oils are rich in fatty acids and nourishing active ingredients like vitamin C and seed oils, and use these ingredients to smooth and protect skin.
- How to use face oil? Simply apply a small amount to your palm and massage it into your cheeks, forehead, and chin.
- Use a face oil after your moisturiser and toner to help lock in the moisture provided by these products.
But first, let’s clear up one of the biggest misconceptions about facial oils is that they’re only for people with dry skin. But in fact, facial oils can work for all skin types, including sensitive skin and can even help calm oil production. You just need to find the right facial oil for you and your skin’s needs.
What is face oil?
Face oils are a bit like more intense, concentrated versions of moisturisers. Unlike moisturisers, though, face oils are oil-based and focus on sealing moisture into the skin.
Most skincare oils are rich in fatty acids and other nourishing ingredients, which work to brighten and smooth skin, calm irritation, and balance oily skin types. Of course, a face oil that benefits one person may not work for another—the key is to find a formula suited to your skin type.
Face oil benefits
There are a host of face oil benefits that make the product worth adding to your skincare routine. Some of the most common benefits of face oil include:
- Locking in moisture: While face oils don’t hydrate skin themselves, they do help to lock in moisturiser already applied to your skin through moisturisers or toners.
- Strengthening the skin barrier: Face oils are excellent at caring for the skin barrier function. Natural ceramides, fatty acids and lipids help to make up the top layer of the skin, and facial oils are similar enough to our own oils to really replenish the barrier function.
- Antioxidant protection: Many face oils contain antioxidants that help to protect your skin against environmental stresses and pollutants.
- Smoothing skin: Dry skin can be caused by a lack of lipids in the skin. Face oil can replenish this and help skin to feel smoother and more flexible.
- Anti-ageing effects: When formulated with active ingredients like vitamin C or retinol, face oils can help contribute to the visible reduction of signs of ageing.
How to use face oil
Knowing how to use face oil will help you to get the most out of the product and experience all it has to offer. Generally, we recommend layering your skincare products in order of weight. In other words, it’s better to use the thinner, lighter-weight products— like serums— first and apply heavier products—like oils—towards the end of your routine.
Face oils seal in all the beneficial ingredients you’ve already applied, so it’s a good idea to apply a face oil as the final step in your routine, meaning none of those expensive ingredients will go to waste.
How and when to use face oil in skincare routines
Start with a cleanse:
Like all skincare routines, it’s best to start with a cleanse. Use our Ultra Facial Cleanser to remove dirt, impurities, or debris picked up throughout the day. Cleansing allows the active ingredients in your moisturisers, toners, and face oil to properly absorb into the skin and work their magic.
Moisturise and tone:
Next, use your usual moisturiser and toner to hydrate and nourish your skin. If you’re in need of a good moisturiser and toner combo, we recommend using Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner and Ultra Facial Cream.
Our Ultra Facial Toner works to refine the skin’s texture, hydrating and comforting it, while our Ultra Facial Cream uses Squalene to leave skin softer and visibly healthier, hydrating up to 10 cell layers deep.
Apply your face oil:
Now, it’s finally time to apply your face oil. If you’re new to face oil, then we’d advise starting slowly. The key is to use it sparingly; both face oils for dry skin and face oils for blemish-prone skin can leave you feeling a bit oilier than you’d like if applied excessively.
Squeeze a few drops of Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturising Face Oil into your palm and use your fingertips to massage the oil into your cheeks, forehead, and chin. Infused with Passionflower, our facial oil helps visibly restore skin overnight to be smooth, radiant, and nourished looking by morning.
Finish with SPF
If you’re using a face oil designed for morning use, then finish with an SPF. Add a layer of Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA++++ to your face and neck, and regularly reapply throughout the day, regardless of the weather.
How to use face oil with makeup
If you have dry or mature skin, applying your face oil before foundation can help to boost hydration and seal in moisture for plump, smooth skin. If you have oily skin, we recommend saving your face oil for no makeup days, as the extra oil means makeup will simply slide off.
To apply dab a few drops of facial oil onto palms and smooth over your face and neck. It’s crucial to wait a while – at least 5 mins – before applying foundation, so the oil has time to absorb and hydrate dry areas. You can also mix a few drops of oil with your primer if you need a little extra hydration. If you’re looking for a dewy light base, then mix 1 drop of face oil with 2 pumps of foundation on the back of your hand for a bespoke base that lets your skin glow.
Face oil vs face serum
Unlike oils, serums are typically water-based and very lightweight; they are usually designed to help correct specific skin concerns such as uneven skin tone, sensitive skin or dullness and include key ingredients like vitamin C or retinol.
Generally, they’re best applied after cleansing and toning and before hydrating products. Face serums pair beautifully with face oils – we suggest applying serum, then following with a face oil to help seal all the beneficial serum ingredients into the skin, especially if you have any signs of a weakened skin barrier function.
Our best face oils
Support your skin throughout the night with our specially formulated Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturising Face Oil. Formulated with a Botanical Blend of seed, plant, and flower oils and infused with passionflower, our beloved nighttime facial oil helps visibly restore skin overnight to be smooth, radiant, and nourished-looking by morning.
A good choice for mature skin types, this comforting oil visibly reduces fine lines, refines skin’s texture and boosts radiance in just one night. Suitable for all skin types, including dry skin and sensitive skin, it absorbs easily to boost essential moisture.
