How long do I leave serum on my face?

Author: Bobby McLaughlin  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Serum: Apply a few drops of serum to your skin and gently massage it in. Wait: It's best to give your skin a few minutes to absorb the benefits of your serum. Set a timer while you drink some water or relax. Moisturize: Apply moisturizer all over your face and neck, making sure it's completely absorbed.

Does face serum need to be washed off?

No, you don't need to wash your face after using a serum. It is important to follow a CTM routine before applying serum. Serums deliver a highly concentrated blast of nutrients directly to your skin. To use, apply a few drops after you wash your face but before you apply moisturizer.

How long should you wait for serum to absorb?

  • Serums and Treatments: Wait about 1-2 minutes after applying a serum or treatment to allow it to absorb before applying the next product.
  • Moisturizers: After applying a moisturizer, wait about 1-3 minutes for it to settle into the skin before moving on to sunscreen or makeup.

How long should face serums be kept on during the day?

Let It Absorb: Allow the serum to absorb into your skin thoroughly. This usually takes about 5 minutes. During this time, the active ingredients penetrate deeply to work their magic. Follow with Moisturizer: Apply your Facial Cream once the serum has been absorbed.

How long does it take for serum to dry on face?

You want the serum to go on first, and to be absorbed by the skin. Wait for your serum to dry for a few seconds (no more than one minute) and then apply your favorite moisturizer.

How long should you wait between applying skincare products?

How long should serum stay on skin?

How long should I leave serum on my face? Serums need time to absorb into your skin so washing them off straight away is counterproductive. Let the product melt into your skin for about 90 seconds before finishing your routine with moisturiser – locking everything in place.

What not to do after applying serum?

What not to do after applying serum? After applying face serums you should never use any other skincare product immediately. Wait for a few minutes to allow it to get absorbed in your skin before you follow up with a moisturizer and sunscreen.

Is it okay to leave serum overnight?

Applying serum at night is recommended because the skin undergoes repair while you sleep. Nighttime application enhances absorption, allowing serums to work effectively on specific concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, and hydration, promoting a healthier complexion by morning.

Are serums better at night or morning?

The serum stage of your AM or PM skincare regime is the ideal moment to add an additional layer of hydration. In the morning, this can give your skin a naturally plumped, fresh appearance, while at night hydrating ingredients can work to target dry skin while you sleep.

How many drops of serum should I use?

Step 1: Take a pea-sized amount (about 3-4 drops) of a face serum from the dropper onto your palms. Step 2: Spread it between your palms without rubbing the product too much. Step 3: Dab the serum all over your face and neck using small and gentle tapping motions.

How long does serum take to show results?

Serums are composed of smaller molecules and thus penetrate deeper into the skin. They are a great product for targeting specific skin concerns such as dullness, dryness, acne, large pores etc. With serums, it can take 6 to 8 weeks before you start seeing results.

How long do you leave serum on before moisturizer?

Moisturiser: One Minute After Serum

A minute is plenty of time for your serum to settle into your pores and work its magic. After this time, you can apply your favourite moisturiser.

Is it good to use face serum daily?

Reasons Why You Should Be Using A Face Serum Daily

Using them regularly helps reduce the occurrence of unwanted skin concerns. 2. Enhanced skin health: Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, POND'S serums help enhance the overall skin's health and texture.

Can I leave serum without moisturizer?

Well, it depends. If you don't have dry skin and aren't in a dry environment or climate, it's easily possible to use just serum without moisturizer. However, using both may harness the most benefits for your skin. When you use a serum, it delivers active ingredients deep into the skin.

How long to leave hyaluronic acid serum on face?

As hyaluronic acid is a serum, it will be absorbed into the skin and need not be washed off. You can leave it on overnight.

How many minutes should serum stay on face?

Vitamin C serum (leave to absorb for 1-2 minutes)

Dr Khan explains: “With vitamin C, you want to get the most out of the product by not diluting it. A couple of minutes should be an adequate time for the product to dry down before you go in with your next step.”

What are the disadvantages of face serum?

Drawbacks Of Using Face Serum Every Day
  • Face serums can be more expensive than other skincare products.
  • People with sensitive skin may face irritation, redness or breakouts if the serum's formulation doesn't suit them. ...
  • Even when used daily, you should only use a small amount of serum.

What serums should not be refrigerated?

These skincare products should never be refrigerated:
  • Exosome serums.
  • Growth factor serums.
  • Peptide serums. Extreme cold temperatures can potentially affect the stability and efficacy of growth factors and peptides in skincare products, including skin serums.

Is it better to pat or rub serum?

In contrast to rubbing in your skincare products, patting is supposedly more gentle and it helps skin care products penetrate the skin better.

Do face serums really work?

The lightweight consistency of serums enables these active ingredients to penetrate the skin's deeper layers for targeted treatment. For this reason, we consider serums to be a crucial step in an effective skincare routine.

Do you put serum on wet or dry skin?

According to Women's Health, wet skin is 10 times more permeable than dry skin. This means that applying serum especially one with hyaluronic acid with its water-binding properties to wet skin can help quicken or enhance absorption of vitamins and nutrients in the formula.

Do you leave serum on your face or wash it off?

No, you typically don't need to wash off serum. Allow it to absorb for a few minutes before applying other products. If it's a leave-on serum, leaving it overnight may enhance its benefits. Always check product instructions for specific guidance based on the serum's formulation.

What is the best face serum?

The top-rated face serums of 2025:
  • Best Face Serum for Breakouts. Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Acid Exfoliating & Clearing Serum. Read more.
  • Best Retinol Face Serum. La Roche Posay Retinol Face Serum with Vitamin B3. Read more.
  • Best Firming Face Serum. Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum. Read more.

How long does it take for serum to absorb in skin?

It typically depends on whether it's oil- or gel-based, but most serums start absorbing immediately. Some skincare formulas can take up to 30 minutes to fully absorb — but that doesn't mean you have to wait that long between skincare steps. Most skincare products are designed to begin absorbing right away.

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