A facial oil serum like Al Iksir works best when it's used correctly within a broader routine, not applied haphazardly on top of whatever else you happen to be using that night. Here's exactly how to build an evening routine around it for the best possible results.
Step 1: Cleanse Properly
Start with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser, ideally one that doesn't rely on harsh surfactants that leave skin feeling tight afterward. If you're already using our tallow soap on your face, this is the natural first step. The goal is to remove the day's buildup, sunscreen, sweat, and dust, without stripping the skin barrier you're about to support with the rest of your routine.
Step 2: Apply Any Water-Based Treatments First
If your routine includes any water-based serums or treatments (like a hyaluronic acid serum or a niacinamide treatment), these should go on before Al Iksir, while skin is still slightly damp from cleansing. Oil-based products are generally applied after water-based ones, since oil can create a barrier that prevents water-based ingredients from properly absorbing if applied first.
If your routine is simple and doesn't include additional treatments, you can skip straight to Al Iksir after cleansing.
Step 3: Apply Al Iksir to Slightly Damp Skin
This is the most important detail for getting the most out of the serum. Skin should still be slightly damp, not dripping wet, but not fully dry either, when you apply Al Iksir. This allows the oil to help seal in the residual moisture from cleansing (and any water-based treatments applied beforehand) rather than simply sitting on top of completely dry skin.
Warm two to three drops between your palms first, then press (rather than rub) the oil into your skin, starting from the center of your face and working outward. Pay particular attention to areas that tend to run drier, often the cheeks and around the eyes, while using a lighter touch on naturally oilier areas like the T-zone.
Step 4: Give It a Few Minutes to Absorb
Before applying anything else, particularly a heavier night cream if you use one, give Al Iksir a few minutes to properly absorb into the skin. Applying additional products too quickly can dilute the serum's effectiveness or create a heavy, uncomfortable layering feel.
Step 5: Follow with a Night Cream If Your Skin Needs It
For most people, Al Iksir alone provides sufficient moisture for the overnight period, especially once your skin adjusts to consistent use over a few weeks. If you have particularly dry skin or are dealing with an especially harsh stretch of AC exposure, a light night cream on top can provide additional occlusion, though many people find this step unnecessary once Al Iksir has had a few weeks to build up its barrier-supporting effects.
A Note on Neck and Décolletage
Don't limit Al Iksir to just your face. The neck and upper chest area show environmental aging just as readily, often more so since they're frequently neglected in skincare routines. Extending your application down through the neck takes only a few extra seconds and helps ensure this often-overlooked area gets the same barrier support as your face.
What Not to Do
Avoid applying Al Iksir to fully dry skin, since this reduces how effectively it can seal in moisture. Avoid using it as your only step if you're also using active ingredients like retinol or strong exfoliating acids without proper spacing, since layering oils immediately over strong actives can sometimes reduce their effectiveness or increase irritation. If your routine includes stronger actives, apply those first, wait the recommended time for your specific product, then follow with Al Iksir.
Consistency Is the Real Key
More than any specific layering trick, the biggest factor in how well Al Iksir works is simple consistency. Using it most nights, applied to damp skin, as the final or near-final step in your routine, is what produces the cumulative barrier improvements this kind of facial oil is designed to deliver over time.