As a rule of thumb, we typically recommend applying products in order from lightest to heaviest. For oils and serums, that usually means applying serums (which are often water-based) first. After the serum absorbs into your skin, you can apply facial oil, and then moisturizer and sunscreen.
1. Serums go first. As a rule, serums should be the first products that touch your skin after cleansing and exfoliating in order to get the best results. Never apply them after your moisturizer as thicker creams and oils create a protective layer over your skin and hinder absorption.
It depends on your skin type as to whether you need to use both a face oil and serum. If you have a particular skin concern then yes, we recommend using both products. This will ensure the specific problem is being addressed, while also receiving all of the benefits of face oil.
The main difference between using a serum and a facial oil is that oil molecules are much larger and can only penetrate the outermost layers of the skin. In fact, an oil blend can contain hundreds of different sized molecules so this makes them more suitable as moisturizers rather than as serums.
Because oil is the heaviest — or most dense — product in your routine, it's able to penetrate your moisturizer, allowing it to reach your skin, but the reverse isn't true. If you want to really amp up the moisture, apply your oil after applying moisturizer onto damp skin.
A hyaluronic acid serum involves a slightly different routine. After cleansing, and while your skin is still damp, press a couple of drops into your face with the palms of your hands. Don't forget to apply a moisturizer immediately afterward to seal in all that hydration.
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.
Like with all skin care products, the order of application matters. When it comes to facial oils, they should be applied as the last step in your skin care routine at night, and right before SPF in the morning.
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.
Yes, oils will clog your pores.
But not all oils. Vargas warns that mineral oil is a chronic offender, and Dr. Tanzi adds that olive oil and the oil du jour, coconut, easily clog pores, too.
Moisturizers and face oils are not interchangeable. You cannot use oil in place of moisturizer because oils are too heavy for the skin. They will make your face oily and greasy, which is something you definitely want to avoid as it will make your skin look worse than ever.
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.
Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C Together? Not all powerful skincare ingredients can be mixed, but hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are two that become even stronger when paired with one another. These ingredients can provide both immediate and lasting results when used together in anti-aging formulations.
With the fact hyaluronic acid isn't oil soluble it is unable to penetrate any oil meaning it can't reach the area of the skin that it needs to treat. To prevent the hyaluronic acid from simply sitting on top of the oil its best to apply hyaluronic acid serum first followed by layering facial oils and moisturisers.
“Hyaluronic acid plays well with most ingredients, while caution must be taken when using retinol in combination with alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, and some types of vitamin C.” Linkner echoes the tip about avoiding vitamin C.
Generally we follow the cleanse, tone, and moisturize series of steps. When we add in a hyaluronic acid serum, it should come after a toner and before the moisturizer in order to optimize the absorption of weights of hyaluronic acid. Repeat after me: after a toner, before a moisturizer.
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.
Have no fear – we've done our share of research, and the answer is clear: post-shower is definitely the way to go. Sure, washing your face in the shower saves time but it can also do more harm than good – like, clogging pores with other products (gross) or drying out skin with hot water (ouch).
While it's all down to your skin (and no one knows your skin better than you), most prefer to apply vitamin C serums in the morning because of its antioxidant properties—which means that it helps to defend against pollutants and free radicals that could otherwise damage skin throughout the day.
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.
Serums go before your moisturizer because they're normally lighter than a face cream, balm, oil, or lotion. “Serums are formulated with small molecular weight actives so they penetrate into deeper skin layers,” says Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta skin care.
According to skin experts, facial oil can be applied after a water-based moisturiser. You can also use as your night cream and replace it with facial oil. If you have a dry skin and prefer heavy moisturisers, then apply oil and follow up with your moisturiser. This way you will optimise the facial oil's benefits.
Though face oils offer several skin-boosting properties, they're best used in combination with a moisturizer. Applying a moisturizer before a facial oil allows skin to soak up the nourishing ingredients in your cream. Your facial oil will help keep that hydration in and protect your skin from outside irritants.