Oil or serum: these two treatments are often confused, even though they meet different needs and work very well together.
Hair Oil: Nourish and Protect
Rich in fatty acids and plant-based active ingredients, oil mainly acts on the surface and deep within the hair shaft: it nourishes the lengths, reduces breakage, adds shine, and, depending on its composition, can stimulate scalp microcirculation when used as a massage. It's a deep-treatment product, best used as a course or a pre-shampoo oil bath, or in small amounts on dry ends.
Hair Serum: Target and Treat
Lighter and often formulated with concentrated active ingredients (vitamins, antioxidants, stimulating agents), serum is usually applied to the scalp or in a thin layer on the lengths, with no rinsing needed. It's designed for targeted action: density, shine, and daily protection against external aggressors.
Which One to Choose First
- Dry, brittle, or colour-damaged hair: a nourishing oil treatment should come first.
- A scalp that needs stimulating, or fine hair: a daily serum is often better suited.
- A complete routine: a weekly oil treatment (oil bath or mask) combined with a daily serum covers both needs without one ruling out the other.
How to Combine Them Without Overloading Your Hair
Oil is generally reserved for an occasional treatment (pre-shampoo or on the ends), while serum fits easily into a daily routine, on a clean scalp. Used together but at different times, they don't cancel each other out and cover complementary needs: deep nourishment on one side, targeted daily action on the other.
Discover our Activ Hair Oil for deep nourishment, our Sublim Hair Serum for targeted daily action, or go straight for the Activ Hair & Sublim Serum Duo, which brings the two together.