Should serum or moisturizer go first in a skin care routine? In most cases, it makes sense to apply serum before moisturizer. This is because serum is usually more lightweight, whereas moisturizer tends to be thicker. Applying serum first can also give the skin more opportunity to absorb the active ingredients.
Because a serum and moisturizer offer different benefits, they can each be used individually. There is no need to use them together. In fact, you can totally use a face serum without a moisturizer, and vice versa.
As a general rule, face nourishers like serums, moisturisers and oils should be applied starting with the lightest formulas. Serums are thin and full of active ingredients you want to drive deep into your pores, so start with them before you move on to fuller-bodied creams.
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.
In the morning apply your facial serum before your SPF moisturizer or sunscreen, at night time apply the serum before your night cream or moisturizer. After cleansing, your serum should be applied over the entire face, neck and décolletage.
An easy way to determine the correct order for your skin care products is to start with the products that are the most fluid or lightweight in texture and work up to the heaviest texture. With this philosophy in mind, eye cream should be applied after serum and before moisturizer (in most instances) and SPF.
Unlike other skincare products like thick face creams and moisturizers that you massage into your skin in an upward direction, serums are meant to be applied to your face in small tapping motions with your fingertips or your palms. Do not rub your skin excessively, let the serum absorb into your skin on its own.
"The thicker, heavier ingredients in creams form a barrier on your skin," Wilson says. "That's great for locking moisture in. But it can also lock active ingredients out. Without these hindrances, the active ingredients in a serum penetrate your skin faster and more effectively."
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.
There's not much of a difference between a night cream and a night serum per se. However, night serums are lighter in texture and weight as compared to night creams and they also absorb quickly. Nonetheless, they are equally beneficial when it comes to taking good care of your skin at night.
In terms of when to apply your serum in your skincare routine, it should be applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. “You want the serum to penetrate your skin as deeply and effectively as possible,” Davis notes.
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.
When to Rub vs. When to Pat: Almost your entire skincare regimen — toners, essences, serums, moisturizers, and eye creams included — should be patted into the skin, since liquids, creams, lotions, and gel-based offerings absorb best with this technique.
In fact, cell regeneration is supposed to be at its maximum during 10pm and 2am, so applying night cream before this is ideal. After cleansing, toning and applying a serum or essence, warm a dime-sized amount of the cream in your palms, and massage it on the face in upward, circular motions.
The general rule of thumb is to treat specific areas, like your eye area, after you've already used your face moisturiser. The eye cream should be one of the last products you use, the only thing that should follow it is sun protection if you apply your eye cream in the morning.
One easy rule to keep in mind is that you should apply products based on thickness or texture. If your eye cream is richer and heavier than your moisturizer, it should go on top. If it's lighter then it's fine to apply it underneath.
As for when to apply your eye cream: All of the derms Bustle spoke with agree that eye cream should be applied after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing. That's because moisturizers are designed to do just what their name suggests: moisturize.
The complete skin care routine order calls for your cleanser, toner (if you use one), serum, moisturizer, and your SPF, respectively. The general rule of thumb is that your products should be applied in order of thinnest to thickest in their consistency, says Dr.
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.
Apply serums when your skin is still damp
The skin is a lot more absorbent when it's damp (which is why Korean women slather on their skincare products within seconds after cleansing and rinsing).
If there's one skin-care ingredient that puts you in the fast lane to hydrated skin, it's hyaluronic acid. You'll find it as an active ingredient in seemingly every skin-care product category under the sun — serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and more.
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.
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.