Facial Oils & Serums FAQs
Face oils and serums are packed with active ingredients and can help to improve the skin. Read our FAQs and find the right face oil or serum for you from our oil and serum collection.
What is a facial oil?
Facial oils are often formulated with botanical and herbal ingredients. At Kiehl's, our facial oils are infused with distilled botanicals and herbal concentrates. These efficacious oils provide benefits to skin's appearance while helping to seal in moisture. Look for the best facial oil for you to revitalise, restore or calm skin.
When should you apply a facial oil?
Apply a facial oil morning and night. During the day, apply a facial oil after cleansing, and a serum if you use one. After your oil, smooth on a moisturiser and sunscreen. At night, apply a facial oil after a facial serum and before a moisturiser. If you are using a facial serum and a facial oil, apply the serum first.
How to use face oil?
After cleansing and toning skin and applying a facial serum, apply 2-3 drops of facial oil into hands. Gently press fingertips to cheeks, forehead and chin to evenly distribute before massaging into skin. Facial oils can be worn alone or under a moisturiser.
What is the difference between a facial oil and a serum?
Serums are often lightweight formulas that penetrate skin easily while facial oils tend to leave more residue on skin. Kiehl's facial oils are formulated with botanical and herbal oils. Our formulas help improve skin's appearance while helping to retain hydration. If you are using both a serum and a facial oil, apply the serum first before pressing on the facial oil.
How do I use a facial serum?
Facial serums typically target specific issues like our Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution which renews skin's texture and the appearance of discolourations. Choose a serum that will target your skin's particular issues, whether that's dehydration, fine lines or blemishes. Apply your serum twice a day after cleansing, smooth evenly over your skin without rubbing, and follow with moisturiser.
How to apply facial serum?
Pump or dropper out around a pea sized amount onto fingertips then gently apply the facial serum to the centre of the face before smoothing and patting it outwards to cover the whole face and neck. Avoid rubbing or massaging and let the serum sink into skin for a few minutes before applying further skincare.
Can I use Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate at the same time as a retinol product?
Our bestselling night time facial oil, Midnight Recovery Concentrate is 99.4% natural origin ingredients and works to visibly restore skin while you sleep. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate replaces the moisturiser step in your evening routine and can be safely used with retinol products. For those looking to use retinol as well, after cleansing in the evening we recommend applying Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum and following with Midnight Recovery Concentrate.
What does serum do for your face?
Face serums contain a high concentration of active ingredients and are very effective at targeting specific skin issues. For example, a serum, such as our Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate will boost skin's hydration with powerful ingredients that plump skin. Choose a serum that will target any skin concerns you may have and apply twice a day, after cleansing and before moisturiser. For a personalised recommendation, speak to one of our knowledgeable advisors with a virtual consultation.