As a general rule of the thumb, about 2 pumps or a pea-sized amount of the face serum is sufficient. If your serum comes with a dropper, even better! With a dropper, you can control the number of drops of serum you use, and can always add a drop or two more if needed.
The standard application is 2 pumps or a pea-sized amount. If you have a dropper formula, use 3-4 drops of serum. You want just enough to lightly cover (not coat) your entire face and neck. Remember, face serums are VERY potent with high concentrations of ingredients.
The key is to use fewer products, 3 max, and use less of each. Three drops of any serum is enough for the whole face.
Facial serums contain high concentrations of active ingredients, so it's important to be mindful of how much you're applying. A pea-sized amount of serum should suffice, which, depending on the product consistency, may equate to two to three drops.
Serum. A pea-sized amount of serum gives your skin a concentrated boost of ingredients that help with hydration, exfoliation, acne, or dull skin. If you use too much: Using too much of any product leaves active ingredients sitting on your skin. Some, such as exfoliating serum, can lead to stinging or peeling.
While there is no limit to how many serums you can add to your regimen, esthetician Enrique Ramirez, founder of Face to Face NYC, suggests stopping at three. Piling on more products than that is not only time-consuming, it also reduces the chances of each ingredient getting properly absorbed by your skin.
You can use face serum twice a day—before your moisturizer—but reserve products with retinol for nighttime. “Generally, most people should be using a treatment serum twice day,” says Hirsch.
Limit to Two Serums Per Routine
We recommend you use no more than two face serums per routine. Again, alternating skin care items is a strategy here. If you have many serums that you like, use one or two in your morning routine and two different serums in the evening.
Since serums contain the active ingredients that you want to penetrate as deeply as possible into your skin, you should always apply a serum directly to your skin after cleansing or toning and before your moisturizer and sunscreen. Don't put your serum on after you moisturize.
The reason why people suggest a maximum of two or three serums comes down to layering and penetration. Heaps of brands, salons and experts recommend leaving time between applying your serums and moisturisers, and doing it in a specific order so as to allow all of the ingredients to actually sink into your epidermis.
Applying 3 or 4 drops is enough for an excellent result, you will not need more. And the most important thing is: is this serum effective? In my case it is VERY effective.
It's safe to use all over (including in the under-eye area) and there are no rules about how to apply it although the same ethos stands as with all skincare. Use your thinnest, most fluid products first and your thicker creams or oils after. Dr Bunting advises applying seven drops of most serums.
Four to five drops a vitamin C serum is enough to protect the skin. As vitamin C serum is a potent antioxidant and its high quantity may cause adverse effects, so always use in a small amount.
To allow serums to fully absorb, apply and wait 5 minutes before moisturizing. Take note: Well-formulated serums absorb quickly and disappear into your skin. If they leave an oily or sticky residue, they're not doing their job well.
Most face serums are safe to be applied twice daily – once in the morning on a cleansed face, before the rest of your makeup, and once at night before bed.
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.
Always make sure to apply your serum on ahead of your moisturiser. If you swap the steps, the ingredients in your serum won't be able to penetrate the layer of your moisturiser — and then there's no use in using it! Give your serum about five minutes to soak into the skin before moving on.
Serums are applied after cleansing and before moisturizing, and the latter works to seal it in as it goes to work on your complexion. Generally, if you're going to use more than one serum at a time, your best bet is to stick with two to three max, says Dr. Marisa Garshick, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist.
Apply the thinnest facial serum first, or, if serums are the same consistency, start by addressing your primary skin concern. Massage a few drops into the skin, then wait until absorbed before applying your secondary serum.
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 you have the best serum for your skin issues, use it properly with moisturizer, apply the right amount twice a day, you should see results. “In terms of clinical research and targeted concerns, these are the things that are really clinically proven,” says Bell.
Yes, serums, creams and other products can be used around the eyes, but it's important to ensure that whatever you use is safe for that area. Some items have ingredients that may be too harsh to use around the eyes, especially for those with sensitive skin or certain conditions.