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.
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.
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. In many skin care routines, moisturizer is the last step.
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.
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.
As such, a serum should always be applied before a moisturizer to allow the key ingredients to deeply hydrate and nourish. The moisturizer then works to lock those ingredients in.
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.
The derm recommends starting off by using the product at night a few times a week and increasing the frequency as your skin gets used to it. "Serums are best used after cleansing and prior to moisturizing," she added.
Serum and Moisturizer: 1 minute
Goldenberg's go-to recommendation for timing between serums and moisturizers is about one minute. This wait has the same reasoning: Sixty seconds — give or take — gives each product a moment to delve into your pores.
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.
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.
While some people might experience a slight burning or tingling sensation when using the serum, it should not last long. If a person experiences continued burning or signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling or hives, they should immediately wash their skin to remove the serum.
Use your fingertips to gently apply the serum to your face and neck and then lightly tap, pat, and smooth the serum out. Avoid tugging the skin and rubbing too hard, let the product absorb on its own once you've smoothed it out. The second method is to use your palms. Apply 2 pumps or 3-4 drops of serum into your palm.
Yes, you read that correctly. “Oils can easily penetrate moisturizers, serums, and treatments, but no products can penetrate an oil, which means they need to be applied last,” says Dr. Gohara.
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.
All of this wears at your skin cells and your skin's collagen." The answer: You need to cleanse and moisturize properly every morning with products that will protect your skin from these harmful external factors. Then at bedtime, the focus shifts. "At night, your skin repairs and recuperates.
How often can you use it? It's always best to follow specific product instructions and to start off slowly. Generally, though, you can safely use hyaluronic acid both morning and night.
While some skincare ingredients, like retinol, are best used at night and others, like vitamin C, work their magic in the daytime, hyaluronic acid can be used both morning and night. “I recommend use of an HA serum up to twice daily, depending on your skin's needs,” says Abdulla.
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.
After you've rubbed the serum into your skin, place your fingers on your cheeks and press your skin in small, circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds until the serum is fully absorbed. Follow up with a dime-sized amount of moisturizer to your face, which will seal in the serum's nourishing properties.
Yes, face serum is safe and gentle enough to use daily. In fact, skincare experts strongly recommend that you include it in your daily routine.