If you have ever stood in front of your skincare shelf, holding a jar of moisturizer in one hand and a bottle of face oil in the other, wondering “Do I really need both?” trust me, you are not the only one. This is one of the most common skincare confusions people have.

Some skincare lovers swear by oils and believe they can completely replace moisturizers. Others say a moisturizer is a must-have, no matter what. And then there are those who are not sure at all, so they either skip one or keep layering without knowing if it is helping.

Here is the truth: face oils and moisturizers serve different purposes. They are like two teammates each with its own role and when you use them the right way, your skin gets the best of both worlds. Oils don’t always hydrate, and moisturizers do not always nourish deeply, but together they can transform your skin.

In this guide, we will break everything down in simple language:

• What a moisturizer really does for your skin
• How face oils work differently
• When a face oil can replace a moisturizer (and when it absolutely cannot)
• And the best way to combine them in your routine for glowing, healthy skin

Pro Tip: If you are looking for a product that feels like both a nourishing oil and a hydrating moisturizer, try Avry1 Pretty’s Purity Face Oil. It is made with a blend of 10 magical oils that work together to hydrate, protect, and repair your skin barrier.

What Does a Moisturizer Do?

Moisturizers are the backbone of any skincare routine. Their main role is to hydrate your skin and repair its natural barrier.

• They contain humectants (like glycerin, hyaluronic acid) that pull water into your skin.
• They also contain emollients (like shea butter, ceramides) that soften the skin.
• And sometimes occlusives (like petroleum jelly, beeswax) that lock the hydration in.

In simple words: moisturizers add water + soften your skin. Without one, your skin can feel tight, flaky, or even irritated.

What Does Face Oil Do?

Face oils are made from natural plant oils like jojoba, rosehip, grapeseed, or blends of multiple oils. They do not usually hydrate (add water) but instead lock in hydration and provide nutrients.

Benefits of face oils include:

• Locking in moisture (especially at night)
• Protecting the skin barrier
• Giving a natural glow
• Rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants
• Helping reduce fine lines, dryness, or irritation

Example: Purity Face Oil by Avry1 Pretty combines 10 oils to nourish, repair, and protect your skin.

Can Face Oil Replace Moisturizer?

This is one of the most common skincare questions! The truth is, the answer depends a lot on your skin type and the climate you live in. Oils and moisturizers aren’t exact substitutes but in some cases, oils can do the job of a moisturizer, while in other cases, they simply cannot. Let us break it down:

✅ Yes, Oils Can Replace Moisturizer If:

• You have normal to dry skin in humid or tropical weather:
  In humid climates, your skin naturally holds on to more water, so a nourishing oil may be enough to keep your skin balanced and glowing.
• You use a multi-oil blend with hydrating properties:
  Some advanced oil blends (like Purity Face Oil) are formulated to act like both a moisturizer and oil, giving you hydration + nourishment together.
• You want a minimalist routine and prefer natural skincare:
  If you like keeping your skincare simple with fewer products, oils can sometimes work as a 2-in-1 solution.
• At night, when skin needs repair:
  During sleep, your skin goes into “repair mode.” Using a good face oil at night can sometimes replace moisturizer because it seals in hydration and provides nutrients for healing.

❌ No, Oils Should Not Replace Moisturizer If:

• You have very dry or dehydrated skin:
  Oils don’t add water, they only lock it in. So, if your skin is already dry, skipping moisturizer will leave it feeling tight and uncomfortable. You will need both: moisturizer for hydration, and oil to seal it in.
• You live in a cold/dry climate (like winter):
  Cold air + heaters indoors strip skin of water. A moisturizer is essential in such weather, and oil alone will not be enough to prevent dryness.
• You have acne-prone or sensitive skin:
  Skipping moisturizer can irritate your skin barrier, making acne worse. A lightweight, oil-free moisturizer is still important. If you want to use oil, go for gentle, non-comedogenic options like jojoba or rosehip oil, and use them with a moisturizer instead of replacing it.

Bottom Line: Oils can replace moisturizer only in certain situations, but for most people, using both together gives the best results.

Face Oil vs Moisturizer – Simple Comparison

The Simple Truth:

• Moisturizer = adds water.
• Face Oil = locks it in.

So, using both together is often the best approach.

How to Use Face Oil & Moisturizer Together

For best results, layer them correctly.

Morning Routine:

1. Cleanser
2. Serum (like Vitamin C)
3. Moisturizer
4. Face Oil (last step, before sunscreen)
5. Sunscreen (always final step in AM)

Night Routine:

1. Cleanser
2. Serum (hydrating or treatment serum)
3. Moisturizer
4. Face Oil (seals everything in)

This way, you get hydration from the moisturizer and nourishment from the oil.

Best Oils That Work Like a Moisturizer

If you want oils that can sometimes replace moisturizer, here are some great options:

• Jojoba Oil: Closest to skin’s natural sebum, balances oil production.
• Rosehip Oil: Boosts glow, fades scars, hydrates deeply.
• Grapeseed Oil: Lightweight, good for oily skin.
• Multi-Oil Blends (like Purity Face Oil): Work like moisturizer + oil together, providing both hydration and nourishment.

FAQs

1. Can I skip moisturizer if I use face oil?
Sometimes, yes but it depends on your skin and environment. If you have normal to slightly dry skin and you live in a humid or tropical climate, a good quality face oil might be enough to keep your skin nourished. However, in most cases, a moisturizer provides hydration (water) that oils cannot. So, for long-term healthy skin, it is better to use both: moisturizer to hydrate, and oil to lock it in.

2. Should I apply oil before or after moisturizer?
Always apply face oil after moisturizer. Think of it like this: moisturizer is like giving your skin a glass of water, and face oil is like putting a lid on that glass so the water does not evaporate. If you apply oil first, your moisturizer will not absorb properly. The correct order is: cleanser → serum → moisturizer → oil → sunscreen (in the daytime).

3. Which is better for acne-prone skin – oil or moisturizer?
For acne-prone skin, a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer is essential. Dehydrated skin can trigger more breakouts, so skipping moisturizer is not a good idea. Oils can still help if you choose wisely options like jojoba oil, rosehip oil, or grapeseed oil are light and safe for acne-prone skin. Heavy oils like coconut oil, however, can clog pores and make acne worse. So, the best routine is a mix of both: a gentle moisturizer + a non-comedogenic oil.

4. Can I use face oil daily?
Yes, you can use face oil every day in fact, your skin might love the consistency. The key is to choose the right oil for your skin type:

• Oily skin: Grapeseed oil, jojoba oil (lightweight, non-greasy)
• Dry skin: Rosehip oil, avocado oil, argan oil (deep nourishment)
• Combination skin: A balanced multi-oil blend like Purity Face Oil that adapts to different skin needs.
  Apply once daily at night for repair, or twice daily if your skin tolerates it well.

5. Is face oil enough in winter?
Not really. Winter air is cold and dry, which means your skin loses water faster. Face oil alone will not replace that lost hydration. A good moisturizer is needed to add water back into your skin, while the oil helps seal it in. The best winter routine is to layer a hydrating moisturizer first, then apply a nourishing oil on top to lock everything in. This combo prevents dryness, flakiness, and irritation.

Conclusion

Face oils and moisturizers are both powerful skincare heroes, but they are not the same thing. Oils are like the shield, they nourish, repair, and lock in everything your skin already has. Moisturizers are like the water source they hydrate and keep your skin barrier healthy.

That is why they are not always interchangeable. If you only rely on oil, your skin might miss out on essential hydration. And if you only rely on moisturizer, you might not get the deep nourishment and glow that oils provide.

The smartest approach? Use them together. Layering a moisturizer first and sealing it with a face oil gives you the best of both world’s hydration + nourishment. This balance helps your skin stay soft, radiant, and healthy all year round.

But if you are someone who prefers a shortcut (less steps, more benefits), try Avry1 Pretty’s Purity Face Oil. With a blend of 10 carefully chosen oils, it is designed to hydrate, protect, and repair working like a moisturizer and oil in one. Perfect for busy skincare lovers who want maximum results with minimum effort.