Skincare for Mature Skin: When to Use Facial Oils and Serums Instead of Moisturizers

We can get easily confused by all the skin care products out there. When do we use which? What is better for aging skin? Join us in discussion with makeup artist Ariane Poole, who is here to give us some advice about facial oils and serums. Enjoy the show!

Margaret Manning:

Today we have a wonderful guest. Her name is Ariane Poole, and she’s been a good friend of Sixty and Me, talking about makeup, beauty products and skincare for about three years now. I love to welcome you back, Ariane.

Ariane Poole:

It’s nice to be back, Margaret.

Margaret:

The women in our community always look forward to our interviews, and we always get interesting questions. Our discussion today will circle around facial oils. There has been an abundance of conversation about them these days.

They were very hard to get at one point, and now they are available everywhere. With skincare in mind, how are facial oils different from moisturizers? What are some good ones that you know about and would recommend?

Ariane:

I am a big fan of facial oils, and I know that you are as well. What I’ve discovered is that the normal connotation when someone says “I’m going to put an oil on my face,” was, “Oh my gosh, I’m going to have this greasy face, and it’s going to bring me out in spots that I shouldn’t have at this age.”

That’s not actually the case. Facial oils are done in a completely different way. They are much more refined and absorb pretty well into the skin. Their molecular makeup is much smaller than a moisturizer’s which is why women are really embracing them.

There are lots of different ones with various nutrient value to the skin so it depends on your personal needs. I know there is carrot oil which is really great. My daughter—who is only in her late 20’s—uses a carrot oil every night.

She says it brightens and makes her complexion great. It doesn’t give her spots, and it’s really good. I like a rose oil or a Neroli oil or frankincense. Frankincense is fabulous for aging women. The scent makes you feel good.

Margaret:

My exploration of facial oils started with coconut oil which is very different. Coconut oil is a cleansing oil or an oil that you might use for moisturizing, but you really have to wash it off. I understand a serum is a facial oil which has got other ingredients in it.

Ariane:

A serum’s got a lot of extras whereas an oil is much purer—though you can get oil blends. Also, a serum is slightly more viscous and an oil is much more liquid.

Margaret:

How do you use oils? I’m asking because I get puffy around the eyes in the spring season. It feels like my skin is tightening in that area, and it’s really uncomfortable. When I was in Bali, a woman gave me a tester of her homemade oil called Ageing Younger Gracefully.

I’ve used almost all of it up, but I just took a tiny bit and dabbed it on my eyes. It really feels like it’s helping. I don’t know if it changed my appearance somehow though.

Ariane:

The reason why you are getting puffy around the eyes is most likely connected to some kind of allergen in the air. It’s springtime in the northern hemisphere, so we’re getting pollens and other allergens, and everybody reacts to different irritants in a different way.

Depending on the nature of the oil, it could help dissipate that puffiness you are experiencing so that it is relieved. The oil can get absorbed through the skin and also through your nostrils. Taking in the smell of the oil is very helpful.

Also, we absorb vapors through the eyes. For instance, some people can’t wear certain types of mascara because of the vapors. So, with the use of a facial oil you could help decongest that puffiness. Therefore, what you’re doing makes sense.

Margaret:

It’s intuitively right.

Ariane:

I think we do tend to do things intuitively, and that is what you’ve done.

Margaret:

Also, I put my facial oil on before a primer. I’d just dab the oil and wait five minutes, and then I put my primer on. If I’m using your foundation, I don’t usually put a primer because it’s got a primer in it. It’s very easy to apply, and it’s called the Ultimate Face Tint.

Ariane:

Using the facial oil underneath the primer or foundation is a brilliant idea. You’ll get a great even coverage, and it will make your skin retain that gorgeous glow.

Margaret:

What’s your experience with facial oils? Which ones have you tried?

Ariane:

I’ve tried a couple of facial oils. I have used Rose Octo which is what I get at my local health store. It smells like rose, and I’ve used that a few times.

I like to mix it up and try different things. I find that in the winter months the frankincense works really well. I don’t know why, maybe it’s because the smell reminds me of winter months.

I got a Bodyshop facial oil, and it’s really nice. I was really surprised because it isn’t hugely expensive and it works. At other times I will use one by Algenist. It comes with a little dropper for easy application. It’s a nice light-weight oil with a really fantastic scent.

When you’ve got that around your face, you’re indulging all of your senses. It’s quite a luxurious feeling. The other one that I like using is a Sarah Chapman oil with overnight facial rejuvenation effect.

Margaret:

That is really good.

Ariane:

I use a little implement when I’m applying the oil to the skin because I’ve read that massaging it into the skin and stimulating the skin helps it absorb better. Long before I bought the Sarah Chapman facial oil I bought a massaging gadget she made.

I bought it from Space NK. It’s got a massaging section, and it’s also got a little patting spatula. When you are putting the oil around your eyes, you pat the area with the spatula, which is similar to how I pat the skin with my fingers.

Margaret:

Do you know of Lisa Eldridge, the makeup artist?

Ariane:

Yes, she’s great.

Margaret:

She does a lot of YouTube videos. She actually has a video about face massage, and it seems your gadget sort of imitates the movements she shows.

Ariane:

When you use the gadget, you’ll do it without makeup on. You go up and down on the sides of your face, side to side around your nose and lips, and on your forehead.

You can do it also on your neck area. Using the facial oils in the neck area is very good. A lot of people stop when they finish doing their face, but I suggest you bring it right down into the décolletage. I’ve got these fine lines in that area and the oils really help.

You can also do acupressure. There are some really good books on the topic that can tell you where to do acupressure when you use oils. There are quite a few different things and techniques to try.

Margaret:

That would be really great for collagen production too. While we’re on the topic, what devices do you recommend to stimulate collagen?

Ariane:

I have a collagen stimulator with pins and a red light.

Margaret:

How do you use it?

Ariane:

I roll it on my face, but without makeup on. I use it across my forehead every single night because I don’t do botox. My forehead isn’t too bad, and I would actually put it down to this gadget with the little pins—it really does make a difference.

You don’t notice the difference the first time you use it though. At first I thought it was a waste of time and money. After the second time I wasn’t impressed either, but I persevered for four days. On day five I saw a difference, and I thought that was really amazing. I would tell you lots of people like it.

Margaret:

Do you use that on clean dry skin, or do you put some oil on first?

Ariane:

I cleanse my face with whatever cleanser I have at the time. Then I roll the pins on a clean dry face, and then I put my oils on. I think that sequence actually helps the oils go in better. I’m not a big fan of chemical intervention, and this gadget helps your body produce its own collagen. It’s really good.

Margaret:

I think that makeup and beauty products should stimulate all of your senses; they should make you feel good about yourself and the world.

Ariane:

If it doesn’t make you feel good, then don’t do it. Find something else that will make you happy and vibrant. For me, it’s important to like what I see in the mirror.

Margaret:

I agree with you one thousand percent, and I would encourage women in our audience to share their issues and questions. You are always so helpful, Ariane. We all appreciate that, thank you.

Ariane:

I love sharing with your community. I’ve met quite a few of the ladies, and they are sensational. I’ve really felt part of a group.

Margaret:

That’s what we do at Sixty and Me. Thank you again, Ariane. Take care.

What are your thoughts and experiences with facial oils? What’s your favorite fragrance? Please join the conversation!