How To Use Facial Oil: 5 Hacks for Women Over 50 That Help You Look Youthful and Radiant

Adding a facial oil to your skin care routine is a great way to boost hydration, strengthen skin's barrier, smooth wrinkles and more. But you might be curious how to use facial oil and what else this product can be used for. That's why we turned to TikTok for the best uses and hacks for getting the most out of facial oils. Keep reading to see all the ways for how to use facial oil on your skin, nails and even hair.

How to use facial oil

1. Apply it toward the end of your skin care routine

Of course the most popular way to use a facial oil is on the face. When should facial oil be applied though? Dermatologists and estheticians like @kendrathemom_ on TikTok say to use it after moisturizer but before sunscreen. That's right, you'll want to use cleanser, toner, apply eye cream, serum and moisturizer all before using facial oil. Another option is to add the oil in with your moisturizer before applying it to the face. This will boost the hydrating benefits of your moisturizer even more. (P.S. You can also add it to body lotion as well to soften any dry patches)

And as the @perlcosmetics TikTok account mentions in the video below, it's best to not press the dropper directly onto the face and squeeze to disperse. That's because the applicator can pick up bacteria on skin's surface that can then contaminate the product. Instead, squirt out 1-2 drop of oil onto hands and apply to skin.

2. Use it to exfoliate

TikTok-trending oil gritting is a technique where a facial oil or cleansing oil is applied to areas where skin is prone to breakouts and/or blackheads and is massaged on skin for 5-15 minutes. It works by helping the oil penetrate into pores to help pull out dead, dry skin cells that can clog pores, make skin look dull and much more. Dermatologist Jenny Liu, MD, talks about the process and benefits of oil gritting in her video below.

3. Rub it on before doing a facial massage or dermaplaning

Besides adding a facial oil to your skin care routine, you can also use it in your self-care rituals like gua sha, jade rolling and dermaplaning (which is called oilplaning when an oil is added). It's a great idea because in the case of gua sha and jade rolling it gives skin some slip to help the tools glide across the face better. And for oilplaning, the oil creates a barrier to prevent nicks. See the TikTok below from @anew.acu for the best facial oils to use for these techniques.

4. Mix it with makeup

Is your makeup going on cakey or clinging to dry skin? Facial oil can help with that! As TikToker @gabxxrielle shows in her video below. Combining facial oil with foundation, concealer, bronzer and blush makes these formulas ultra hydrating and gives skin an immediate glow. And the added hydration also prevents makeup from looking cakey or settling into fine lines or wrinkles.

5. Sub it in for cuticle, lip or hair oil

While facial oils are mainly intended for the face, you can also use them for other beauty bothers and some that aren't on the face. These oils also work well for a cuticle oil, lip oil and/or hair oil. And this great news if you want to pack less products when traveling! Essentially, all of the same hydrating benefits for the face or using a facial oil can also translate to these areas — repairing dry cuticles, softening chapped lips and taming frizz (plus, preventing split ends too).

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