How to Use a Face Oil in Your Spring Skincare Routine

Using a face oil in your spring skincare routine can help support your skin barrier, maintain hydration and restore balance as your skin adjusts to seasonal change. Lightweight, fragrance-free oils work gently alongside SPF and help keep sensitive skin comfortable throughout the day.

As the weather shifts, your skin often becomes more reactive or unpredictable. Rather than adding more steps, spring skincare is about adjusting your routine with care, supporting your skin in a way that feels simple, consistent and restorative.

Are face oils only for dry or winter skin?
How does skin change in spring?
How should you use face oil in spring?
Can you use face oil before SPF?
Why is evening the best time to use a face oil in spring?
What should you look for in a spring-friendly face oil?
How should you store face oils in warmer weather?
Quick Summary
FAQs

Are face oils only for dry or winter skin?

Face oils are often thought of as winter-only products, but the skin needs lipids all year round to maintain a healthy barrier. Even in warmer months, oils help reduce moisture loss, support repair and keep the skin balanced.

The skin barrier relies on a combination of water and lipids to function effectively. When lipid levels are low, skin can feel tight, reactive or dehydrated, regardless of the season. Using a face oil consistently helps maintain this balance, supporting long-term skin comfort rather than short-term fixes.

These oils also contain lipids that closely mimic the skin’s natural structure, helping to reinforce and maintain a healthy barrier.

How does skin change in spring?

In spring, skin often becomes more reactive due to increased UV exposure, temperature shifts and environmental stress. This can show up as dehydration, sensitivity or skin that flares more easily than usual.

With longer days and more time spent outdoors, the skin is exposed to more UV and pollution, even when it doesn’t feel noticeably dry. At the same time, daily SPF use increases, which can sometimes leave the skin feeling slightly unsettled.

This is why spring skincare benefits from a barrier-first approach, focusing on maintaining balance rather than introducing too many active ingredients.

How should you use face oil in spring?

In spring, it’s best to adjust how you use face oil by applying smaller amounts and choosing lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas. The aim is to support the skin barrier without creating heaviness.

Apply 1–2 drops to damp skin after cleansing or after a hydrating mist. This helps seal in moisture while allowing the oil to absorb evenly. You may find your skin needs less than in winter, but still benefits from daily lipid support.

A lightweight oil such as Hero Facial Oil, with sweet almond, apricot, pumpkin seed and argan oils, helps gently nourish sensitive skin and maintain comfort. For skin that feels more reactive or blemish-prone, Ally Recovery Blemish Facial Oil offers a more balancing approach, with hemp seed, jojoba and vitamin E to help soothe and rebalance.

Can you use face oil before SPF?

Yes, a small amount of face oil can be used before SPF and can help sunscreen apply more evenly and comfortably when used in a small amount. When used in moderation, it supports hydration and creates a more even base for SPF application.

Apply 1–2 drops to damp skin and allow it to absorb fully before applying sunscreen. This can help reduce dryness and improve how SPF sits on the skin, particularly if your skin feels tight or slightly dehydrated.

For morning use, Vitamin C+E Facial Oil is a gentle option. It uses slow-release vitamin C to brighten the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation, while vitamin E, squalane, jojoba and grapeseed oil help nourish and support sensitive skin.

Why is evening the best time to use a face oil in spring?

Evening is an ideal time to use a face oil in spring, as it helps replenish the skin barrier after daily exposure to UV, pollution and environmental stress.

Throughout the day, even with SPF, the skin experiences subtle stress that can lead to dryness or sensitivity. Applying a face oil in the evening helps restore lipids, reduce moisture loss and support overnight repair.

For evening routines, Bakuchiol Natural Retinol Facial Oil provides a gentle alternative to retinol. Bakuchiol helps promote collagen, smooth the appearance of fine lines and support overall skin health, without the dryness or irritation often associated with traditional retinoids. Vitamin E, chia, marula, squalane and grapeseed oil help soothe and restore sensitive skin.

What should you look for in a spring-friendly face oil?

A spring-friendly face oil should feel lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog pores or overwhelm sensitive skin or triggering sensitivity.

When checking an ingredient list, look for cold-pressed plant oils, no added fragrance (parfum), no essential oils and a minimal ingredient list overall.

Fragrance is particularly important to avoid in spring and summer, as it can increase photosensitivity when combined with sun exposure. Choosing a fragrance-free formula helps reduce irritation and supports long-term skin balance.

How should you store face oils in warmer weather?

Face oils should be stored away from direct sunlight and heat to maintain their stability and effectiveness. Exposure to light and heat can lead to oxidation, which may reduce the quality of the oil over time.

Keeping your face oil in a cool, shaded space helps preserve the integrity of the ingredients, ensuring the formula remains gentle and effective for sensitive skin.

Quick Summary

Face oils support the skin barrier all year round, not just in winter
Spring skin can feel more reactive due to UV and environmental changes
Use smaller amounts of lightweight oils in warmer weather
Face oil can be applied before SPF to improve comfort and application
Evening use helps restore the skin after daily exposure
Choose fragrance-free, essential oil-free formulas to reduce irritation
Store face oils away from heat and sunlight to prevent oxidation

FAQs

Can I use a face oil in warmer weather?
Yes. Lightweight, fast-absorbing oils used in small amounts can help maintain hydration and support the skin barrier without feeling heavy.

Will face oil make my skin oily in spring?
Not when used correctly. The right oil can help balance the skin and reduce dehydration, which may otherwise lead to excess oil production.

Should I use face oil before or after moisturiser?
Face oil is typically applied after moisturiser to help seal in hydration and support the skin barrier. You can also apply a small amount to damp skin earlier in your routine, depending on what feels most comfortable for your skin.

Can face oil be used with SPF?
Yes. Applying a small amount before SPF can help improve how sunscreen sits on the skin without affecting protection.

Is fragrance-free important in spring skincare?
Yes. Fragrance can increase sensitivity, especially when combined with sun exposure, making fragrance-free formulas a safer choice for sensitive skin.

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A small moment for your skin

As your routine shifts with the seasons, it can help to keep things simple and responsive to what your skin needs day to day.

If you’d like personalised guidance, you can take our 3-minute Skin Quiz or message to us at care@bysarahlondon.com or via @bysarahlondon. We’re always here to support you.

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