"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
Still, serums aren't for everyone. Wu says the liquid or gel-like texture of a serum can be a poor match for people with chronic skin conditions like eczema or rosacea, which weaken the skin barrier. For these people, serums may penetrate too quickly, causing irritation.
It is not necessary to have a serum in your skincare regimen. "Serums are simply an added step for those that have the right skin type and are looking to go the extra mile in their daily routines," explains Dr.
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.
The ideal age to start using face serums would be late 20s and early 30s. This is the age at which the first signs of aging appears.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No, you can start using Vitamin C serum once you are 20.
A vitamin C serum is a skin-care product packed with vitamin C. It has the consistency of a liquid or gel, and is applied topically to the skin. You'll find these serums wherever you normally purchase skin-care products — at department stores, beauty stores, and some drugstores, too.
You are too young to be starting to use toner/exfoliator. In fact, you don't really need to start washing your face until you are 11. For now, if you're really that keen, just wash your face with mild Cetaphil cleanser and then applying lotion.
Moms of teens will remember that back in their day, a toner was usually a high alcohol content, tingly, burning affair that was used in the hopes of sopping up excess oil. Not only is that completely not what you're looking for here, it's actually very harmful to teenage skin.
When it comes to a skincare routine, there is no particular age. However, if we had a put a number on when to start, we would suggest that you start with the basics such as a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen around the age of 13 to 15, when you hit puberty and your skin undergoes multiple changes.
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.
But finding the right serum can help absorb oil, which mattifies the skin and can reduce pimples and whiteheads, says Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. In general, look for acne serums with glycolic acid or salicylic acid to help unclog pores and accelerate cell turnover.