Face serums are lighter and more absorbent and contain more active ingredients. Face creams tend to be thicker and oilier. Applying the serum first gives your skin the chance to absorb the active ingredients and the moisturizer to lock in the moisture.
Firstly, because serums have smaller particles they penetrate the skin on a deeper cellular level. Also, because serums don't contain the thick airtight 'sealing' particles present in moisturizers, the active ingredients in a serum penetrate your skin faster and can work more effectively.
Harvard Medical School recommends using a serum to reduce skin concerns related to aging rather than a moisturizer or cream. This is because serums are highly concentrated and absorb more quickly into the skin.
Do serums really work? Yes, face serums are designed to deliver key skin care ingredients more quickly and deeper in your skin in order to get specific results long-term. They're lightweight and contain concentrated ingredients like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, peptides, retinol, etc.
Answer: You can but you don't have to. Serums and moisturizers help the skin in different ways. For some, particularly those who do not have dry skin, a serum alone will be enough. At other times, when your skin is dry or the environment is drying, you will find that you need both a serum and a moisturizer.
Still, serums aren't for everyone. Wu says the liquid or gel-like texture of a serum can be a poor match for people with chronic skin conditions like eczema or rosacea, which weaken the skin barrier. For these people, serums may penetrate too quickly, causing irritation.
Yep, some serums ARE hydrating. But, more often than not, they can only draw water into your skin. They can't seal it in. You need a moisturizer for that, especially if your skin is dry or sensitive.
The ideal age to start using face serums would be late 20s and early 30s. This is the age at which the first signs of aging appears. You can continue using face serums till the age of 50+. Including a face serum in your skincare regimen will not only enhance your skin but also protect it.
Serums usually contain a higher concentration of active ingredients compared to moisturisers. However, if you're wondering, “should I use face serum every day?”, well, yes, they're extremely safe to use every day. In fact, it is recommended by experts that you use a serum every day to get optimal results.
Ultimately, face serum and moisturizer are both necessary for a holistic skin care routine and to ensure that your skin doesn't dry out during the day. Face serum can't replace moisturizer, and moisturizer doesn't give your skin the extra vitamins and nutrients it needs to succeed and look great for years to come.
Serums are the most sought-after since they tend to give faster results thanks to their ability to send actives deeper into the skin. However, serums might not be the best for everyone. Retinol creams are more gentle as the retinol does its work mainly on the outermost skin layer.
Hyaluronic acid is most often found as a serum or a cream. While water-based serums typically have a higher concentration of the active ingredient and are therefore a better option, creams can be great for those who don't have time to wait for their skin to absorb a serum, experts told us.
Well, the quick answer is yes, you can mix serums with moisturisers. For this, you should follow the same guidelines as when you mix two serums together. Mix a couple of drops of serum in the palm of your hand with the moisturiser of your choice. Then just apply it to your face.
That said, all three dermatologists agree that the best type of vitamin C skin-care product to use is serum, because "serums are more effective than creams or toners," says Dr. Wexler.
Using too much serum can create a wedge. Our skin may not absorb the beneficial ingredients of the product and can leave active ingredients to sit on the surface of our face. If you have dry skin and believe lumping your face with an oil-free moisturiser is the answer, you may be aggravating your skin.
Serum and Moisturizer: 1 minute
Goldenberg's go-to recommendation for timing between serums and moisturizers is about one minute. This wait has the same reasoning: Sixty seconds — give or take — gives each product a moment to delve into your pores.
In a skin care routine, it makes sense to apply serum before moisturizer. This is because serum is usually more lightweight, whereas moisturizer tends to be thicker. Applying serum first can also give the skin more opportunity to absorb the active ingredients. In many skin care routines, moisturizer is the last step.
"Serums are a great way to instantly improve the signs of aging in mature skin as they are formulated with concentrations of active ingredients that hydrate, soothe, defend, repair, and boost radiance for a more dewy complexion," says Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, a Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist.
Highly effective. Serums reduce the appearance of various effects of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and sun spots. No prescription needed. Serums are the most potent skin care products you can use without needing a prescription or seeing a dermatologist.
“Using a vitamin C serum helps to brighten the skin, even skin tone and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Garshick. Retinol or retinoids, a science-backed vitamin A derivative, are critical in boosting collagen production and improving signs of aging, like wrinkles and brown spots.
You lose a layer of protection.
"Many of the most effective skin care ingredients like retinoids, salicyclic acid, and benzoyl peroxide tend to be very drying," says Dr. Bowe. So when you don't follow them up with moisturizer, you risk uncomfortable side effects like red, peeling skin.
Using 2-3 drops is best for any skin type. You can also use 3-4 drops at maximum. Too much serum could make your skin look oily.
Let the serum properly settle into your skin before going in with a moisturiser. The recommended time is usually 4-5 minutes. You know your serum is doing a good job when it is seamless –– this means no oily residue or tackiness post application.