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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Benefits of a face serum
While serums are no doubt nourishing and weed out many skin problems at the root, they also come with visible benefits and perks. 1) Your skin texture will improve drastically thanks to the collagen and Vitamin C content, becoming firmer and smoother, leading to visibly younger looking skin.
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.
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.
When should I use a face serum? 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. But remember to read the directions on your serum's label for any additional information about the serum's usage.
Serums are thinner than moisturizers, are typically clear and have a consistency that's less than a gel but more than a liquid. When considering choosing a serum versus moisturizer, a facial serum is more concentrated with ingredients to address skin problems like acne and signs of aging.
This can be a double-edged sword: If you're looking for strong effects, you should be relying on your serum, but if you're looking for continuous hydration, that's your moisturizer's job. If your skin is oily, a serum may give you enough hydration that you won't need a moisturizer.
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.
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.
Serums are light, easily absorbed oil- or water-based liquids that you spread on your skin. They typically come in small bottles with a dropper, and you only need a few drops to treat your whole face. A skin serum is not a moisturizer, like a lotion or cream, says Dr.
Like lotion, a cream is a blend of oil and water, but with a higher oil concentration (a 50-50 ratio of water and oil). Creams are thicker in consistency than lotions and provide a barrier that keeps skin ultra-hydrated. Body cream is usually sold in a jar container or tub because of its thickness.
In cosmetics, skin toner or simply toner refers to a lotion, tonic or wash designed to cleanse the skin and shrink the appearance of pores, usually used on the face. It also moisturizes, protects and refreshes the skin. Toners can be applied to the skin in different ways: On a cotton round.
Lotion has a higher water content than moisturizer, and therefore does its work on top of the skin to cause some sort of effect, like preventing sunburn. 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.
Just like facial serums, body serums deliver active ingredients to target specific concerns such as dry skin or dull skin whereas traditional body lotions and creams are mainly used to provide moisture – the inclusion of active ingredients in your body serum is why it's likely to be more expensive than your usual body ...
Well, the quick answer is yes, you can mix serums with moisturisers. For this, you should follow the same guidelines as when you mix two serums together. Mix a couple of drops of serum in the palm of your hand with the moisturiser of your choice. Then just apply it to your face.
Face serums are necessary for a holistic skincare routine. Like other skincare items, serums also have their own benefits on the skin. While moisturizers simply hydrate the skin, serums are often packed with anti-aging, anti-acne, and similar ingredients meant to target specific skin issues.
Sephora customers often prefer the following products when searching for serums for teens. Serums are a great way to add moisture and nutrients to your hair or face without weighing it down. They're simple and easy to use and they are a great way to take care of yourself.
“For dry skin types, especially during winter months, a serum that contains ingredients that can bind water to the skin or create a protective layer that holds water in the skin can be a noticeably helpful addition to your skin care routine,” adds board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD.
Q: Should we wash the face after serum mask
then you can either complete your skin care routine with your desired moisturizer or even complete your look with your desired make up. No...after applying a sheet mask gently tap the serum and let it absorb into your skin after that apply your moisturiser.
Applying serums is a whole different ball game. For starters, rubbing it onto your face is not advised. Serums should be pressed and patted into the skin so that it can fully absorb all the benefits. Follow our simple steps to ensure you're getting the most out of your serums.