Water vs. Oil-Based Skincare: Striking the Right Balance
Did you know that our skin is made up of roughly 70% water? To keep skin healthy, hydrated, and balanced, it’s essential to understand the roles of water-based and oil-based skincare products—and how to use them together for maximum benefit. Let's dive in.
Why Your Skin Needs Water
Water-based products and humectants are vital for feeding the skin and keeping moisture levels balanced. They replenish hydration deep within the skin’s layers, ensuring that skin cells remain plump, vibrant, and healthy. Without enough water, skin can become dehydrated, leading to dullness, fine lines, and an overall lack of vitality. Read our blog on dry vs. dehydrated skin to learn more.
The Role of Oils in Skincare
Oils, on the other hand, are our skin’s protectors. They work by creating a barrier on the surface of the skin, preventing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL)—the process where moisture evaporates from the skin into the air. Even oily skin requires proper hydration and balance. When not well hydrated, the skin will overproduce oil to compensate.
The Right Balance
Using oil as the only form of moisturizer can actually leave your skin dehydrated over time. While oils are fantastic for sealing in hydration, they cannot provide the water our skin needs to stay properly hydrated. The key is to find the right balance. Lay the foundation with a water-based product like a hydrating serum or lightweight moisturizer to replenish your skin, and then layer on an oil-based product to lock in that hydration and prevent moisture loss.
When you incorporate both water and oil into your skincare routine, you create the perfect harmony—keeping your skin hydrated, nourished, and glowing.
Our Favorite Hydrating Combos
Sorella Apothecary Main Squeeze Hydrating Serum + Sorella Apothecary Facial Nectar
Using humectants such as hyaluronic acid and snow mushroom in Sorella’s Main Squeeze pulls water hydration into the skin, leaving it plump and balanced. By applying a lightweight facial oil such as Sorella’s Facial Nectar, you seal in vital moisture and support the skin barrier.
Michele Corley Rejuvenating Peptide & Stem Cell Facial Serum + Hale & Hush Remedy Rehab Oil
Michele Corley’s Peptide & Stem Cell Serum utilizes three different weights of hyaluronic acid, along with glycerin and panthenol, to restore moisture levels in the skin while firming with peptides. Pairing it with a restorative blend of seed oils such as Hale & Hush’s Remedy Rehab Oil not only helps strengthen dehydrated or damaged skin, but also reduces inflammation to reduce barrier damage and soothe sensitized skin.
Dr esthé Hyal-Moisture Solution Ampoule + Rhonda Allison Pure Grape Seed Elixir
With a base of 89% rose water, Dr. esthé’s Hyal-Moisture Solution Ampoule is a super-concentrated hydrating serum to increase moisture retention in the skin. Layering on Rhonda Allison’s Pure Grape Seed Elixir provides antioxidant protection to keep the skin barrier healthy and protects collagen and elastin to restore vitality in the skin.
