Oil or Water Based: What's the Right Product for You?

Oil has made a major comeback in skincare. In ancient times it was considered an exclusive indulgence fit for queens like Cleopatra, and in more modern times it was shunned for fear it would clog pores and exacerbate acne. But now that science has a better understanding of how healthy skin functions as a system, oil is once again considered an essential part of a balanced skincare routine, for everything from cleansing with oil to moisturizing.

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The benefits of adding oils to your skincare regimen

Oil-based products play a vital role in supporting your skin’s natural protective barrier — a crucial defense against environmental stressors like pollution, dry air, and UV exposure. By reinforcing this lipid layer, oils help maintain your skin’s resilience and prevent moisture loss, keeping your complexion soft, supple, and hydrated.

Beyond function, oils offer a sensory experience — silky textures that glide effortlessly, soothing irritation and calming sensitive skin while leaving behind a healthy, nourished glow. It’s skincare that feels as good as it is effective.

DID YOU KNOW?

Some actives only work with oil

Many beneficial active ingredients are only compatible with oil, so if you want to get your daily dose, you'll need an oil-based product. For example:

  • Bisabolol (chamomile extract), which minimizes sun spots and hyperpigmentation, plus provides natural antibacterial benefits.
  • Coenzyme Q10, which fights the visible signs of aging by stimulating skin’s natural healing processes.
  • Essential fatty acids, which strengthen the skin’s natural barrier against dehydration and dryness, maintain an optimal pH and balance excessive oil production.

You can find all of these in Precious Oils Active Infusion, our moisturizing face oil suitable for all skin types.

Water-based products will always be a necessity

Oils are amazing, but a skincare routine that only includes oil will result in declining skin health. Skin will begin to feel dry or tight over time, especially in dry climates and as you age, due to the lack of hydration. Water will always be the absolute best source of hydration for dehydrated skin.

You're also likely to end up with a nutrient imbalance, as certain actives (like vitamin C, peptides and hyaluronic acid) that can't dissolve in oil will be missing. Without these actives, your goals for anti-aging, brightening, or barrier repair will suffer.

The bottom line: you need both oil-based and water-based products for a complete and balanced skincare regimen.

How to layer water-based and oil-based products

Water-based serums contain smaller, water-soluble molecules (like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide) that are designed to penetrate deeply before an oil-containing layer is applied. Serums absorb best on clean, slightly damp skin.

Facial oils contain lipophilic (oil-soluble) compounds that primarily nourish the skin’s surface and seal in moisture. Applying oil last creates a breathable barrier that slows transepidermal water loss and locks in actives.

Order matters: For best results, apply water-based serums first to deliver active ingredients deep into the skin, then follow with our facial oil to lock in hydration and nutrients. This layering method maximizes absorption and leaves skin nourished, balanced, and glowing.

An example routine incorporating both oil-based and water-based products

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    1. Cleanse with oils

    Start out with an oil-based cleanser, the best way to remove impurities like makeup, sunscreen and excess oil without irritating your skin. You'll be amazed how easily all the day's grime slides off your face when you use oil compared to using a conventional foaming face wash.

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    2. Hydrate with water

    Follow your cleanser with a hydrating toning mist. A light layer of moisture helps water-based treatments absorb most efficiently, getting those active ingredients down deep into the upper layers of your skin.

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    3. Treat with water-soluble actives

    Select a water-based serum formula that includes the right active ingredients for your skin concerns. Active Hydration Vitamin C+ Antioxidant Serum is packed with vitamin C, amino acids and powerful hydrators to firm and brighten the complexion, while Calming Force Clear Skin Serum uses niacinamide, salicylic acid, and other inflammation-reducing ingredients to sooth red, irritated skin and breakouts.

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    4. Moisturize with oils

    The ideal finishing touch is a facial oil like Precious Oils Active Infusion to deliver additional active ingredients that can only found in an oil-based formula, and seal in all of that juicy hydration you've added in steps 2-3 so it doesn't evaporate.

Shop our hydrating water-based serums and moisturizing face oil

  • Active Hydration Vitamin C+ Antioxidant Serum

    Hydrates while brightening, plumping, firming and evening tone

    From $57.00
    From $57.00
    Active Hydration Vitamin C+ Antioxidant Serum

  • Calming Force Clear Skin Serum

    Hydrates while reducing irritation, breakouts, redness and sensitivity

    From $57.00
    From $57.00
    Anti-acne serum for blemish prone skin, pimples, clogged pores, redness and inflammation in low waste / zero waste refillable bottles from Activist Skincare

  • Precious Oils Active Infusion

    Moisturizes for soft, glowy skin + UV/pollution antioxidant defense

    From $57.00
    From $57.00
    Precious Oils Active Infusion

Using oil-based products on oily skin

Adding oil to your daily regimen in the form of an oil-based cleanser and a finishing facial oil at the end of your routine (go big at night) are ideal ways to remove excess oil and slow down the skin's overproduction of it. Oils also help soothe skin that has been made sensitive from anti-acne or astringent products.

If you have extra-oily skin, you will probably want to use a minimal application of oil-based products during the day to avoid a shiny look, but here's the key — be generous with your facial oil at night.