How to Use Facial Oil in Your Skincare Routine

By the VitalResin Team, Skincare & doTERRA enthusiasts

You have bought a beautiful botanical face oil, and now it sits on your shelf because you are not quite sure where it fits between your serum and your moisturizer. The direct answer is simple: apply facial oil as the last step of your evening routine, or before sunscreen in the morning, using 2-3 drops pressed gently into damp skin. Facial oils are not moisturizers themselves. They are concentrated botanical blends that sit on the surface to help skin feel softer and look more radiant. Knowing the right order, the right amount, and the right technique turns a confusing extra step into a luxurious two-minute ritual.

Why the Order Matters

Facial oils are occlusive by nature, meaning they create a soft seal over whatever is underneath. That makes them ideal finishers. If you apply oil first, your water-based serums and moisturizers cannot absorb properly. The golden rule we recommend most often is simple: lightest texture first, richest last.

A typical evening order looks like this:

1. Cleanse to remove the day.
2. Tone or mist lightly.
3. Apply a water-based serum.
4. Add your moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp.
5. Press in 2-3 drops of facial oil as the final layer.

In the morning, follow the same pattern but finish with sunscreen. Most facial oils layer beautifully under a mineral sunscreen once they have had a minute to settle.

Choosing the Right Oil for Your Routine

Not all facial oils feel the same on the skin. Some are light and quick to absorb, ideal for daytime or oilier complexions. Others are richer and better suited to a slow evening ritual. The table below compares a few doTERRA favorites we reach for in different moments.

Product	Texture Feel	Best Moment
Frankincense	Rich, resinous	Evening, mature skin
Lavender Touch	Soft, pre-diluted roll-on	Relaxing wind-down
Yarrow Pom	Silky, botanical blend	Post-cleanse nourishment
Immortelle	Concentrated, smoothing	Targeted areas
Geranium	Balancing, floral	Uneven-looking texture

For a first facial oil, we often suggest Frankincense Touch. It arrives already diluted in a convenient roller, so you learn proper technique without measuring anything. Frankincense has a devoted following in botanical skincare for helping soften the look of fine lines. A hydrating facial oil routine built around it can become a lovely weekly ritual.

Your Step-by-Step Application Technique

Technique matters as much as the oil itself. Rubbing oil aggressively over the face does nothing but waste product. We use this sequence with nearly every client who asks for guidance.

1. Warm 2-3 drops between your fingertips for five seconds.
2. Press the oil into your cheeks first, using flat palms.
3. Smooth upward from jaw to ears with light strokes.
4. Press remaining oil across the forehead and down the nose.
5. Let it sit for one minute before applying sunscreen or pillowcase.

Always perform a patch test before trying a new oil. Place one diluted drop in the crook of your elbow and wait 24 hours. If you plan daytime use, remember that citrus oils like Bergamot and Wild Orange are photosensitive. Avoid direct sun for roughly 12 hours after topical application, or save them for evening use.

Dilution and Carrier Oils

Essential oils are not facial oils in the traditional sense. They are highly concentrated botanical extracts that should always be diluted in a carrier before touching the face. The correct dilution for facial application is 1 percent, which equals roughly one drop of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier. Good carrier choices include jojoba, which mimics the skin's natural sebum without clogging pores, and sweet almond oil for drier complexions. Products like Lavender Oil or Roman Chamomile blend beautifully into jojoba for a calming evening oil.

For a richer, more targeted evening blend, many of our readers start with Helichrysum diluted into jojoba. Helichrysum has a lovely honeyed scent and is prized in botanical skincare for its smoothing feel. Sandalwood offers a grounding, woodsy alternative when you want something a little warmer.

FAQ

Can I use facial oil every day?

Yes, many people use a facial oil daily, especially in the evening. Start with every other day to see how your skin responds, then adjust.

Do I still need moisturizer if I use facial oil?

Yes. Facial oils seal in hydration but do not provide it themselves. Keep your moisturizer, apply it first, then press oil over the top.

Will facial oil make oily skin worse?

Not necessarily. Lightweight oils like jojoba and Tea Tree diluted properly can help oily skin feel balanced. Start with one drop and patch test first.

Can I mix facial oil into my moisturizer?

Yes, a drop of oil mixed into moisturizer works well for beginners. Mix in your palm, not in the bottle, to avoid contamination.

Should I apply facial oil before or after sunscreen?

After your moisturizer and before sunscreen in the morning. Let the oil absorb for one minute first so the sunscreen layers evenly.

Facial oil is a simple addition that rewards consistency. Find one texture you love, learn the order, and keep the amount small. Over time it becomes the most enjoyable step of your frankincense face oil routine or any evening wind-down.

This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease; consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.

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