Can someone tell me once and for all the difference between a face oil and a serum, and if can only afford one, which is best?

[NoveltySlippers]

I have searched for this but I can't seem to find a definitive answer. I just want to do the usual thing (slow the March of time, maintain moisture).

Thanks!

Those of you who use both, can you please tell us when and in what order you use them? It it serum then moisturiser in morning, and cleansing then facial oil in evening?
Also despite having super dry skin, I am prone to blackheads and whiteheads - will oil not make me break out?

Yes toptrumps - really hoping there's an answer out there!

And shouty I'd like to know about order too!

Cleanse then tone then hydrate then eye cream then Serum then oil then balm then moisturiser then SPF

I can't tell whether you're being serious or not Nigella!

Nor can I, floisme!

seriously that is the order - minus SPF if it's night time routine...

I must admit I was being a bit tongue in cheek because I'm aware it looks utterly utterly ridiculous when all written down but i do this twice a day every day I kid you not

Serums are generally water-based, and, well, oils are not. There is a lot of marketing hype about serums being better able to penetrate the skin but that sounds pretty suspicious. Skin is a pretty complex system. There is no easy way in.

If you have a strong preference for either ingredient, go for it. Don't go for both: layering serum and oil can cause pilling - although emulsifiers are added to skincare to allow oil and water to mix.

I just bought the superdrug vit e oil but I'm not sure how to use it, as in how much, after or instead of moisturiser & in the morning or night or both?

Aha - frugal - thanks! A stab at an answer!

It's all very confusing.
Some serums can be oils, even though mostly they aren't, but when you buy an oil it's always, well, oily.

I"m not sure there's a definitive answer.

I use both - facial oils and serums.
I pick and mix depending what I need. I use REN Retinoid Serum - which is an oil alternating with Clarins Oil, which is well, an oil. Funnily enough.

In the morning a La Roche Posay serum - proper serum, clear and viscous or Clarins SOS serum, which is oily.

I think what the difference is not so much between a serum and an oil - they both can do the same thing. It depends which one you like.

Serums are a ripoff. Use an oil suited to your skin-type and a moisturizer on top. Enjoy your best skin EVER . My nightime routine (slightly oily, 38 year-old complexion) is grapeseed oil (cheapo stuff from the grocery store) followed by moisturizer. I've been doing this for months and my skin has never been this good. Jojoba is lovely too but very expensive and not as readily available. My thirteen year-old daughter has just started doing this too and her skin has improved dramatically (mild acne) in just a few weeks.

Oh and I use one on top of the other.
As long as you start with the thinnest consistency and work up to the thickest you'll be fine.

Ottilia sounds encouraging, but (and I'm no scientist, so happy to stand corrected) can moisturiser (water based) penetrate a facial oil?

i.e. if you put it on top of an oil, how does it get to the skin? Should it not perhaps go on first, then oil?

Oops, sorry, last message meant for Oscar!

I use an oil for hydration and I use a serum for ingredients with a bit more ooomph, hyaluronic acid, retinol etc.

In the evening I use cleanser, oil, serum, moisturiser. Might sound a lot but it's the most relaxing part of my day. A quick rub with a facial wipe wouldn't cut the mustard for me.

I'm a bit lazier in the morning.

I used to think a good moisturiser was the key to good skin, now for me it's the thing that matters least. Cleansing is the most important thing for clear, glowing skin and a couple of drops of oil massaged in leaves my skin far more moisturised than the huge gloops of moisturiser I use to slap on ever did.

I hope it does because I've been doing it for years. It would be quite sad to find out otherwise....

I do look at least 10years younger than I actually am.
Honest!

Well then it works.

I get ID'd when buying booze so I'm going to carry on with what I'm doing!

(not sure how much of this I can thank oil and serum for)

That's the point, isn't it.
Whatever works, keeps doing it.

Yep. I think of my face as being like wooden garden furniture. Keep it well lubed and it will last summer after summer!

I'm too but you gotta have a a few vices. I'd rather have a bit of fun than leave a perfectly unwrinkled 90 year old corpse.

skin smooth and hydrated is anti ageing

Drink some water! And save your money - any moisturiser and a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and parsley for Vit E - really all these creams and serums are a con!

I drink lots of water and scoff plenty of veg too thanks.

Obviously use whatever works for you but the op is asking whether serums do anything different from ordinary oils or creams and I've not read anything to change my view that they don't.
You've only got to read the advertising for serums; once you get past the cod science all they actually claim to do is 'improve the appearance of lines' - which is exactly what moisturiser is meant to do. If they did anything more than that then I think it's safe to assume they'd be telling us.

So yes to finding something that makes your skin feel nice but why do we need both?

You don't need both. You may choose to use both if you find the combination of oil and serum improves the texture and appearance of your skin.

I use decleor neroli oil. It transformed my skin years ago and if I run out it really shows