Yes, a ceramide-rich face oil can genuinely replace or boost a separate moisturiser for most skin types, because ceramides are one of the lipids your skin barrier already makes, and topping them up helps the barrier hold onto water rather than just sitting an oily film on top of it. All three Ametrine Face & Body Oils (Calming, Uplifting and Balancing) share the same ceramide NP, jojoba, rosehip and avocado base; what changes between them is the botanical blend layered on top, which is really a scent and mood choice rather than a "better or worse for your skin" choice. Here's how to pick between them.
In this article
- What do all three Ametrine Face & Body Oils have in common?
- Calming vs Uplifting vs Balancing: how do they actually differ?
- Can face oil replace my moisturiser?
- Which one should you choose?
- FAQ
What do all three Ametrine Face & Body Oils have in common?
Every bottle in the range is built on the same base: ceramide NP, jojoba, rosehip and avocado oil. Ceramide NP is a lab-made version of a lipid your skin already produces naturally as part of its barrier, the layer that keeps water in and irritants out. When that barrier is low on ceramides, skin tends to feel tight, flaky, or more reactive than usual, which is common with dry or sensitised skin and tends to get worse through a UK winter. Jojoba closely mimics skin's own sebum so it absorbs quickly rather than sitting on top, rosehip adds vitamin A and essential fatty acids, and avocado oil adds extra fatty acids for very dry patches.
So the skincare job, barrier support and fast-absorbing hydration, is identical across all three. The difference is entirely in the essential oil blend layered on top, which changes scent, mood, and in a couple of cases, which time of day it suits best.
Grapefruit, bergamot and ylang ylang. Our most reached-for everyday blend.
Calming vs Uplifting vs Balancing: how do they actually differ?
| Blend | Scent profile | Best time to use it | Mood it's built for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calming | Soft floral, lavender-led | Evening, before bed | Winding down, easing a busy mind |
| Uplifting | Citrus and herbal, bright | Morning, straight after cleansing | Waking up, mental clarity |
| Balancing | Citrus-floral, grapefruit and ylang ylang | Any time, our most versatile | Emotional reset, in-between days |
None of the three is "stronger" or more effective at hydrating than the others, the barrier-supporting base is identical. Choosing between them is genuinely closer to choosing a candle scent than choosing a serum, which is also why it's a perfectly fine idea to own more than one and switch depending on the day.
Can face oil replace my moisturiser?
For a lot of people, yes, particularly through autumn and winter when skin needs more lipid support and less water-based hydration. If your skin is very oily or acne-prone, you might prefer to use a thin layer over a lighter moisturiser rather than alone, since oils sit on the skin's surface rather than drawing in extra water the way a humectant cream does. For dry, sensitised, or "normal but tight in winter" skin, these oils work well as the only step: apply to slightly damp skin straight after cleansing or misting, while there's still some water on the surface for the oil to help lock in.
A few drops go further than people expect. Two to three drops is enough for a full face; using more just leaves a film rather than absorbing any faster.
Which one should you choose?
If you're not sure, start with Balancing. It's the blend most people end up repurchasing because it doesn't commit hard to "sleepy" or "energising," so it suits whatever the day throws at you. If you already know you reach for lavender at night, go Calming. If mornings are the struggle, go Uplifting.
Not ready to commit to a full 30ml bottle, especially with Calming and Uplifting currently in short supply? The Mini Face & Body Oil trio lets you try all three scent profiles in travel sizes before deciding which one earns a permanent spot on your shelf. If you want to dig deeper into one specific oil, our piece on what rosehip oil actually does for skin looks at the research behind one of this blend's key ingredients.
The same ceramide, jojoba, rosehip and avocado base, in a travel-friendly 10ml size.
Find your blend
Still torn between two? Balancing is the one most people reach for when they can't decide.
Shop Balancing Face & Body Oil →Handmade in small batches. Vegan, cruelty-free, sensitive-skin friendly.
Frequently asked questions
What is ceramide NP?
It's a lab-produced version of a lipid your skin barrier naturally contains. It helps the outer layer of skin hold moisture in and keep irritants out, which is why it's a common ingredient in barrier-repair products for dry or sensitised skin.
Can I use face oil as my only moisturiser?
Often yes, especially for dry or normal skin in colder months. Apply it to damp skin so there's water underneath for the oil to help seal in, rather than onto completely dry skin.
Is face oil better than a cream moisturiser for dry skin?
Neither is universally better, they do slightly different jobs. A cream typically combines water and oil to hydrate and seal; an oil alone only seals, so it works best when applied over damp skin or layered with something water-based first.
Which Ametrine oil should I pick if I can't decide?
Balancing. It's the most versatile scent and the one we hear back about most as a long-term repurchase, regardless of time of day.
Do the Calming, Uplifting and Balancing oils work differently on skin?
No, the barrier-supporting base (ceramide NP, jojoba, rosehip, avocado) is identical across all three. The only difference is the essential oil blend on top, which affects scent and mood, not how it hydrates skin.
Which mood are you usually shopping for, morning clarity, evening wind-down, or something more in-between? Let us know in the comments, it genuinely helps us decide what to formulate next.
