Recently a friend asked to explain the difference between a face oil, and an oil serum. “Aren’t they the same?” she asked.

The answer is, no. 

The word ‘serum’ is widely used in skincare and means different things to different people. The confusion arises because serums can be gel based, water based, oil based, or an emulsion of both oil & water. 

For our purposes, we will focus on oil-based serums vs face oils as these are the two that are most commonly mixed up.

So what’s the difference? Let’s clarify the confusion.

Understanding face oils and oil serums

Both face oils and oil based serums are prevalent in today’s skincare. This is because botanical oils quickly and easily penetrate into the top layer of the dermis and help strengthen skin barrier function providing instant moisturization and comfort to skin.

But there is one key difference between the two, and that difference lies ultimately in visible results you get from using one versus the other. Let's dive in.

Face oils

Face oils are made of general purpose carrier oils that moisturize the skin by reinforcing its barrier. This makes them ideal for basic, daily hydration. Many face oils are single ingredient oils, like apricot kernel or jojoba oil, with no additional ingredients. While a few may include a modest percentage of high-performance oils, they generally lack the targeted botanical actives found in a facial serum. 

In a nutshell, face oils are:

• Made predominantly with carrier oils like almond, apricot, jojoba, or macerated oils (carrot, marigold, comfrey).
• Include few, if any, aromaceutical ingredients like essential oils.
• Contain no biologically active compounds aside from tocopherol (vitamin E) as an antioxidant.
• Provide basic daily skin moisturizing. 

Serums

Oil serums, on the other hand, are used as concentrated restorative and revitalizing treatments that deliver visible results. 

They contain high-performance biologically active compounds, precious oils, antioxidants, and aromaceuticals. These specialized ingredients not only moisturize and support skin barrier health, they also include restorative essential fatty acids and other phytonutrients that can be metabolized by the skin. 

High performance seed oils like sea buckthorn oil, rosehip seed oil, moringa, camellia seed oil, and dry oils like meadowfoam are prevalent in serums for their deep-penetrating and fast-absorbing qualities.

Unlike face oils, facial serums target specific concerns like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or enlarged pores by using active ingredients that offer visible benefits beyond hydration.

In summary, facial serums:

• Target specific concerns like; spots, fine lines, reactive skin, acne-prone skin, flaky skin, and more.
• Have marked effects on improving the appearance of skin.
• Absorb quickly and penetrate deeply into the skin.
• Are made with high performance botanical oils like sea buckthorn oil, rosehip seed oil, moringa oil, camellia seed oil, and dry oils like meadowfoam.
• Contain concentrated amounts of antioxidants (polyphenols) like flavanals, flavones, and resveratrol, to name a few.
• Contain biologically active compounds.
• Are rich in essential fatty acids, Omegas 3,6,7, and 9.
• Some even Iinclude mood-boosting aromaceuticals like precious essential oils from rose, neroli, and other rare flower essences.

Anatomy of an oil serum

A facial serum like our Alpine Phytonutrient Serum is crafted to smooth fine lines, restoring vibrancy and radiance to depleted skin. It also contains aromatic compounds that uplift mood and boost relaxation. Results are immediately visibible and long lasting.

Key ingredients and their benefits

The Alpine Phytonutrient Serum is a testament to the efficacy of meticulously selected ingredients. 

This serum features:

• Arnica Montana: Known These blooms target puffiness and dark spots.
• High Altitude Sea Buckthorn and Rosehip: These ingredients are rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids that help restore skin luminosity and tone.
• Nepalese Goji and Acai: promote hydrophilic skin plumping and minimize the appearance of fine lines.

How to use an oil serum

To integrate oil serums into your skincare regime, start with a clean base. For serums like The Alpine, apply one pump or 2-3 drops directly to the face and neck, massaging gently until absorbed. 

Serums can be layered under a moisturizer or sunscreen for daytime use or under a richer cream at night for enhanced benefits.

Why choose TellurideGlow serums?

Our serums are a blend of nature’s best ingredients tailored to nurture and revitalize your skin. They stand out due to their:

• High Concentration of Active Ingredients: Delivering targeted solutions to enhance your skin’s health.
• Rapid Absorption: Ensuring that potent ingredients penetrate deeply without leaving a greasy residue.
• Versatility: Suitable for use in any skincare routine, whether morning or night.

Choosing between a face oil and a serum doesn’t have to be an either/or decision. Depending on your skin’s needs, incorporating both into your skincare routine can provide comprehensive benefits. 

With TellurideGlow’s carefully formulated products, empower your skincare routine with the best of nature and science.

Let’s talk about plants, specifically alpine plants. From low oxygen levels, limited rainfall, windy peaks, and high elevations, alpine botanicals have had to adapt to extreme environments. They are also exposed to roughly 30% more UV rays than plants at lower elevations. 

These harsh conditions have led alpine botanicals to produce phytochemical defenses to protect themselves from these environmental stressors, including damaging UV rays. 

Powerful botanical constituents like polyphenols, pigment-rich carotenoids, flavonoids, and phytoceramides all work to help alpine extremophiles shield themselves from harmful UV rays.

Unlike alpine botanicals that have evolved to thrive in extreme conditions, too much sun exposure on our skin can cause a host of problems. From oxidative damage to increased inflammation, UV exposure can lead to premature skin aging and collagen breakdown or worse. You can read all about the effects of UV rays in our previous post, “5 Ways UV Rays Damage Your Skin.”

The good news is that the phytonutrients from alpine botanicals have been shown to help revitalize sun-stressed skin. They provide critical micronutrients that improve skin barrier health at the deepest level and help support the skin’s own defense mechanism against environmental assault.

To help fortify and restore your skin from the damaging effects of  UV rays, consider incorporating alpine adaptogens into your skincare routine. 

The following five alpine plants have been specifically selected to support skin barrier health, helping it to bounce back more quickly from environmental stressors like UV exposure.

Fortifying & Restorative Alpine Adptogens

Edelweiss Flower Extract

Edelweiss flower extract (Gnaphalium Leontopodium) is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help fortify the skin from UV-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. With 2X the free-radical scavenging power of vitamin C, Edelweiss is an alpine powerhouse that should be in every recovery skincare routine. You can find it in our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence.

Bearberry Leaf Extract 

Bearberry leaf extract (Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi) contains arbutin, a natural skin-lightening agent that can help reduce the appearance of UV-induced hyperpigmentation, combat photoaging, and age spots. 

Alpine Sea Buckthorn

High-altitude Sea Buckthorn oil (Hippophae rhamnoides) contains a wealth of nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E, as well as essential fatty acids. These nutrients can help promote skin recovery, soothe reddened angry skin, and fight photo-aging. You can find Sea Buckthorne in our Alpine Phytonutrient Serum.

Moringa

Highly nutritive Moringa seed oil (Moringa Oleifera) contains powerful antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help boost skin recovery, promote skin renewal, combat premature photoaging, and moisturize skin at the deepest level.

Rosehip Seed Oil

Rosehip seed oil (Rosa Canina) is non-comedogenic and is quickly absorbed by the skin. It is packed with antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamins A and C, which can help improve skin texture, reduce fine lines & wrinkles, and promote a healthy skin barrier. An excellent choice for acne sufferers.

Takeaway on alpine adaptogens

Incorporating these powerful alpine ingredients into your daily skincare routine can help fortify your skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation and assist in restoring healthy happy skin after you’ve been in the sun. You can find all of the above alpine botanicals in our Vibrant Skin Duo.

Please remember that these botanical actives should be used as a part of a comprehensive skincare routine that includes proper sun protection measures, such as applying a non-toxic mineral-based sunscreen with at least SPF 30+.

Always consult with a dermatologist for personalized skincare advice and recommendations tailored to your specific skin concerns and needs.

In the meantime, make sure to spread the word about Skin Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of sun protection to help others take care of their skin too.

What are your favorite sun protection tips and skincare ingredients? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don't forget to spread the word about the importance of sun protection!