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.
"The thicker, heavier ingredients in creams form a barrier on your skin," Wilson says. "That's great for locking moisture in. But it can also lock active ingredients out. Without these hindrances, the active ingredients in a serum penetrate your skin faster and more effectively."
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.
Anti-aging serums and creams are very complementary to one another, and for most skin types and conditions, layering the two products is going to provide the best results.
We recommend applying a serum for face after removing your makeup and preparing your skin [with a toner or essence]. Facial serums should never be used alone; they need to be followed by a skincare product. Use a cream afterwards to add moisture and comfort to the skin.
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.
"Normally, I don't see people come in interested in it until their mid 40s to mid 50s, but anti-aging skin care should really start before that," says Annie Christenson, a medical aesthetician at Houston Methodist. "It's never too early or too late to help delay skin aging."
Anti-aging skin care products, such as moisturizers and serums, will never be able to stop aging. However, skin care with active ingredients, such as retinol and hyaluronic acid, may slow down the signs of aging and improve the skin's appearance.
Just like the rest of your skincare routine, anti-aging serum should be applied to your skin twice daily -- in the morning before you start your day and at night just before your head meets the pillow. Good Morning, Sunshine! Start your day fresh and renewed by first getting a good night's sleep.
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.
“After cleansing, you should put your facial serum on, then moisturizer, eye cream, and finish with sunscreen. For your nighttime routine, the order should be a cleanser, serum, retinol, then moisturizer.” This proves that crafting the best anti-aging skincare routine doesn't have to be overly complex.
With lightweight gel-like or liquid formulas that are beneficial for targeting all types of skin — including sensitive, oily, combination and dry — serums are an excellent addition to any skincare routine, especially if you're looking for an anti-aging product that will reduce lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and ...
If you're looking for an ingredient that can help to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone, retinol may be the better option. However, if you're looking for something that will keep your skin hydrated and plump, hyaluronic acid may be a better choice.
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.
Anti-aging creams, which promise to smooth away the fine lines of maturity, could lead to cancer by stripping the skin of its protective top layer, warn experts. A leading US professor has said that using these revolutionary creams could expose the skin to dangerous toxins and make it more prone to sun damage.
Typically, anti-aging creams should be applied twice a day – first thing in the morning and the last thing in the evening before bed. If you want to maximise the effect of an anti-wrinkle cream, you must give the product enough time to be absorbed into your skin before applying any other products.
If you talk to a dermatologist or any skin expert, they will tell you it is never too late to start a skincare routine. It does not matter how old you are because you will see benefits regardless of your age. The key is to ensure that you stick to your routine every day.
“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.