The Bottom Line. Although they sometimes share the same ingredients, serums and moisturizers aren't the same thing. Serums target specific skin concerns, while moisturizers strengthens your skin's protective barrier. Unless your skin is oily or in perfect condition, it needs both.
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.
The biggest difference between a serum and a cream or lotion is what the formulation doesn't include. Serums leave out occlusive, or airtight, moisturizing ingredients such as petrolatum or mineral oil that keep water from evaporating. They also contain fewer lubricating and thickening agents, like nut or seed oils.
Moisturizers, on the other hand, are meant to hydrate the skin. However, because of the larger molecules of the product, they do not penetrate the skin as deeply as a serum will. This is why it is better to use a serum to get the most benefit of the added nutrients.
In general, it is best to apply serum before moisturizer. This gives the active ingredients in the serum the best chance of working. Otherwise, the best order and time of day for a skin care routine depends on the products' ingredients and the person's goals.
It is not necessary to have a serum in your skincare regimen. "Serums are simply an added step for those that have the right skin type and are looking to go the extra mile in their daily routines," explains Dr.
Though you can skip it on your laziest days, using a serum in the morning gives your skin extra protection for the day to come. Reminder: If and when you do use a serum, it should come after cleansing and before moisturizing.
So, a lotion can actually be a moisturizer. Moisturizers use a mixture of oil and water soluble components (emulsion) to restore the outermost layer of the skin to its natural condition. You'll find common emollients such as petroleum jelly and mineral oil, plus waxes used to thicken the creams and seal in moisture.
Serums are often concentrated with active ingredients that penetrate into the top layers of skin to renew lipids – the layers in and around skin cells which form a barrier to keep moisture locked in. Serums can maximize the skin's natural renewal cycle overtime, so that soft, hydrated skin isn't just temporary.
Even though it's liquid like a toner, a lotion does not contain alcohol and generously hydrates your skin. It's a more gentle cleanser and can be soothing for sensitive skin. A tonique (or tonic) contains a small amount of alcohol, offers a deep cleanse, and includes humectants to lock in skin's moisture.
A good rule of thumb is that skincare products should be applied lightest to heaviest (with the exception of SPF, which always comes last). Because of its water-like consistency, toner is meant to be applied immediately after cleanser and before serums, moisturizers, and oils.
Lotions certainly can carry vitamins and minerals, but ones that have a topical use; they're doing something on the surface on the skin, rather than penetrating it. Moisturizer, on the other hand, is a cream that's designed to bring moisture or vitamins or minerals into the skin, not just on top of it.
Originally toners were used to pH balance the skin after using a cleanser. Since you can easily get pH-balanced cleansers these days, toners are no longer necessary in a skincare regimen, says Dr.
If all your products (serum, moisturiser, sunscreen etc) already have their fair share of antioxidants, you don't need an extra toner too. Dry skin: If your skin feels tight and dry during the day, you skin needs more moisture. You can either opt for a hydrating toner or a richer moisturiser. It's up to you.
So, if your skin is extremely oily and if you feel your toner provides enough moisture, you can definitely skip the moisturizer. 2. But if you still want added protective layer or barrier to your skin then there is no harm in going for a moisturizer that is a perfect fit for your oily skin.
If you really need to moisturize your face, body lotion can work, in a pinch. Still, some types will probably offer a little more benefit — not to mention a lower risk of side effects. Moran recommends a lighter lotion, especially if you have more oily facial skin.
It would be nice to just slather on one lotion and be done with it, but body lotions should NEVER be applied to your face because they're usually a lot thicker and typically contain fragrances that might irritate your facial skin.
So you use more lotion, and your skin gets drier, and the cycle just continues. Not only does that expose you to dozens of unregulated and untested chemicals that are ingredients in lotions, but it's costing you money, too. The cure? Look no further than your kitchen cabinet.
"Toners are most helpful and necessary for people with oily or acne-prone skin, or for people who want extra cleansing after wearing makeup or other heavy skin products such as sunscreen," she said. If you're wondering what else face toner does for your skin, King outlined some additional benefits: It shrinks pores.
Oily skin needs hydration too and serum is best for oily skin as it is made up of smaller molecules that penetrate deeper into the skin and nourish the skin than an average cream or moisturizer. The serum is one and maybe only beauty product that can eliminate the need for skincare products like creams or moisturizers.
Bottom Line: With few exceptions, you can feel free to mix your serum and moisturizer (and most other skin care products) together and apply without concern. The exception is your daytime moisturizer with SPF, as mixing other skin care products with your sunscreen will dilute your UV protection.
“You should start an anti-aging eye serum in your 20s,” Dr. Russak says.
While toners prep the skin and help balance its pH levels, serums have more active ingredients that [are designed to] penetrate the [surface layers of] skin and provide targeted skincare.”
The cosmetic industry is full of serums that promise to make your skin glow. Of the many serums available, vitamin C serum is proven. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that works to stimulate collagen production in your skin. It also fights fine lines, brightens your complexion, and provides a host of other benefits.
Rose water is, indeed, a natural toner. It comes from the Rosa damascena flower, commonly known as the Damask rose, and is created by distilling rose petals with steam. While it's become more popular in recent years, rose water has actually been used for centuries.