Don’t rely on facial oil alone in winter

Facial oil alone is not enough to keep your skin hydrated in winter — you need to layer it over a moisturizer.

Oils are occlusives, not humectants. They lock in moisture but don’t add any. If you apply oil to dry skin, you’re just sealing in dryness. In winter, indoor heating and cold air pull water from your skin, so you need something that draws hydration in before you seal it.

That’s where a real moisturizer (with ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides) comes in. Apply that first, then a few drops of oil on top. The oil traps the moisture from the moisturizer. If you skip the moisturizer, the oil just sits on top of thirsty skin.

Some people with very oily skin can get away with oil alone in summer. Not in winter. Layer it.

Your skin will thank you for the extra step.