A moisturizer, however, affects the surface layer of the skin, creating a protective barrier. As such, a serum should always be applied before a moisturizer to allow the key ingredients to deeply hydrate and nourish. The moisturizer then works to lock those ingredients in.
Both serums and moisturizers can contain active ingredients, and some do not mix well. This can lead to interactions and side effects. Or, the products may just be less effective together. To avoid these issues, dermatologists generally do not recommend using too many active ingredients at once.
For as long as it seems, the general rule of thumb when applying skincare products is to apply the lightest products first and the heaviest last, which is typically serum first, then moisturiser.
Oil and water don't mix, which is why the order in which you apply your products is important. If you were to apply your moisturizer first, your serum would sit on the top of your skin without ever getting absorbed. It can't penetrate through the oils in your moisturizers, and it may cause your moisturizer to separate.
For most people, the answer is yes. You should use both face serum and moisturizer as part of your total skincare routine, especially to get the most effective results if you're working to improve your complexion. Keep in mind that skincare products work over time.
If your skin's happy with serum alone, you can skip moisturizer. But only a lucky few with normal and super oily skin can get away with this, in my experience. So, don't be too disappointed if your skin needs both.
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.
Yes, face serum is safe and gentle enough to use daily. In fact, skincare experts strongly recommend that you include it in your daily routine. We get it, with a busy lifestyle you're probably wondering how you could possibly add another component to your beauty regime.
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.
A good rule of thumb is to apply products from thinnest to thickest—toner, serum, moisturizer, oil.
If already using a gentle serum, it is also perfect for the skin around the eyes as long as it is the same skin type as of the face. Retionol serums, Vitamin C serums are effective serums which work for under eyes.
Generally speaking, applying a serum is okay at any time of day, be it day or night. But some serums contain ingredients that can increase your skin's sensitivity to UV radiation, so your skin may be more likely to burn when exposed to sunlight.
Dr. Zein Obagi, a Beverly Hills-based dermatologist and founder of ZO Skin Health, says that using moisturizer could actually be detrimental to skin. “When you use moisturizer every day, you run the risk of making your skin older, not younger,” he said to Refinery29.
Moisturising prevents the skin's natural exfoliation by smoothing the skin cells and stopping them from sloughing off. So by stopping moisturising, this actually stimulates cell turnover and encourages natural desquamation (that's the shedding of the outer layers of the skin).
You should start using face serum at the age of about 20 years, ideally! You may begin to notice some sort of skin damage at about your mid-twenties. So, 20-25 years is the right age to start using face serums. Follow along to explore all about choosing face serums; according to your age in the best way!
Here's a quick recap on how to properly use face serum. First, cleanse and exfoliate your skin and follow it up with a toner or facial mist. Next, gently apply a small amount of serum to your face and neck with either your fingertips or palms. Then, wait 5 minutes for your face serum to fully absorb into your skin.
A good rule of thumb with serums is that less is more – the amount will vary, but the standard is around 3–4 drops or pea-sized amounts. There should be enough to lightly cover (not coat) your entire face and neck, but resist the urge to slather on your serum as it's super-potent.
You see, while some experts insist you should leave anywhere between 30 seconds and 15 minutes between layers, others argue it's far more important to just get the product on.
"Skin's oil production peaks at midday, and there is less oil production at night. Therefore, when you lose that protective layer of natural oils, your skin loses more water, so it's important to replenish the water loss with a moisturizer overnight," says Sobel. "While you are asleep the skin goes into renewal mode.