Face serum and moisturizer are the two most important products for your face, so it is necessary for you to use them properly.
These products are your first line of defense against aging, wrinkles, sagging skin, and other signs of facial damage. They will help you not only keep your face looking younger but also glowing.
This article will go over how to properly use a face serum with moisturizer (and sunscreen) in your daily skin-care routine. Let’s go.
How to Use Face Serum With Moisturizer
To get the best results from your face serum, you’ll want to make sure that you’re using it with a good moisturizer.
Not only will this ensure that your skin is getting enough moisture but also it will help to improve the penetration of your serum into the top layers of your skin.
Follow these easy steps to ensure that you get the most out of your treatment.
1. Cleanse Your Face Thoroughly
Cleansing is essential to remove all makeup and impurities from your skin and prepare it for the following steps in your skin-care routine.
Your cleanser should be mild. If it hurts when you apply it to your face, then it’s too strong for your face and you should use something else. Also, make sure that you rinse thoroughly after cleansing so that no traces of cleanser remain on your face.
2. Apply a Toner or Astringent
If you are not familiar with toner or astringent, it is a liquid that removes excess dirt and oil from your face. It does not strip your face of its natural oils or moisture but helps tone and tighten your skin. It also helps reduce blemishes, especially blackheads.
3. Exfoliate Once or Twice a Week
Once or twice a week, use a scrub or a chemical exfoliant to remove dead skin cells from your face and prevent blackheads and acne. If you have sensitive skin, choose a non-abrasive scrub designed for sensitive skin.
4. Apply Your Face Serum
You might find that some face serums come in dropper bottles while others come in pumps. It doesn’t matter which one you use; squeeze out 2-3 drops or pumps on your fingers, then massage the product into your face and neck.
Furthermore, keep in mind that thinner serums absorb faster into the skin than thicker ones do. So if you have oily skin, a water-based serum may work better for you than one that contains oils or other moisturizing agents.
5. Apply Your Moisturizer
Wait for 10 minutes and then take a small amount of moisturizer into your hands. Gently massage the moisturizer into your skin in small circles until the product is completely absorbed.
Be sure to rub your neck too. You should use no more than a pea-sized amount or else you may end up wasting product or irritating your skin.
6. Use a Sunscreen
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of at least 15. Apply the sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside and reapply it after two hours of outdoor activity.
What Is the Difference Between Face Serum and Moisturizer?
The biggest difference between face serums and moisturizers is their concentration. Serums generally have a higher concentration of active ingredients than moisturizers.
For that reason, they tend to be more expensive and they may not be appropriate for daytime use. Also, because of the higher concentration of active ingredients, you need less serum than you would need a cream or lotion.
So what’s in a serum that makes it so special? Serums are often formulated with pure ingredients, such as vitamins, hyaluronic acid, and retinol, which are known for their anti-aging properties.
These ingredients can penetrate the skin better than other formulations because there’s less filler added to give the product some texture (like thickening agents).
Moreover, these ingredients also target specific signs of aging on the skin such as wrinkles or fine lines by promoting collagen production. This increased production helps your skin appear firmer and plumper over time.
Why Should You Add Face Serums To Your Skincare Routine?
Face serums are a great addition to your daily routine; here are just a few reasons why you need them:
Light-weight
Face serums are light but infused with concentrated active ingredients that penetrate deeply into the skin for maximum effectiveness, which is why they’re a great addition to any beauty regimen.
Acne treatment
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, a serum with salicylic acid can help remove pimples and blackheads and prevent future breakouts. It exfoliates the top layer of skin, which allows your pores to breathe.
Skin-brightening effects
Look for a serum that contains kojic acid or arbutin to lighten dark spots on your face. When applied daily over time, these ingredients can help fade freckles and melasma by speeding up cell turnover and revealing lighter skin underneath.
Anti-ager
Face serums are like a potent cocktail of ingredients that work together to firm, tighten, and rejuvenate your skin. The small amount of product you apply each day goes into your skin’s layers and helps rebuild collagen, which is essential for keeping your skin smooth and youthful.
Antioxidant protection
If you spend time outside, look for an antioxidant face serum with ingredients like vitamin C to help minimize the damage from UV radiation from the sun and pollution.
Face serums work well with other products
Face serums work in tandem with the rest of your skincare products and can be used alongside other serums, making them a great tool for layering products. This allows you to customize your skincare routine based on your specific needs and sensitivities.
How to Choose a Face Serum
Know your skin needs
There are different types of serums available, such as anti-aging, antioxidant, and hydrating serums. You need to choose which type is best suited for your skin.
For instance, if you have wrinkles, you will need a serum that targets the signs of aging in order to reduce wrinkles. If you have acne, you will need a serum that helps control acne breakouts and prevent further breakouts from happening.
Since every person has different problems with their skin, it is important that you know what your main skin concerns are before choosing a serum to achieve the best results.
Look into the ingredients
Ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and peptides are commonly found in most face serums because they work best to hydrate and nourish your skin.
Ceramides help tighten your skin while also improving its appearance, while peptides help with collagen production and can improve your skin’s radiance by making it appear smoother and softer.
Hyaluronic acid helps with moisture retention to keep your skin plump and hydrated; it also helps in increasing the firmness of your skin.
Check the color
The color of the serum is important too. If you are buying a face serum, you want to make sure that it is clear in color. A dark or brown-colored serum may have been stored for a long period and will irritate your skin when you apply it.
Always check the price tag
The price is another thing to consider before choosing a serum. The cost can vary greatly between different products, so do some investigation into what type of product you want to buy before spending the money on it.
You want to know if there are similar products out there that are less expensive but still effective.
How to Choose a Moisturizer
Look into your skin type
Before buying a moisturizer, you need to know your skin type. There are a few different types of skin types: normal, oily, dry, and sensitive. An ideal moisturizer should be able to work effectively on your skin type without causing any adverse reactions in your skin.
For example, if you have oily skin, look for an oil-controlling moisturizer with mattifying agents; if you have dry skin, an oil-based moisturizer would be more beneficial.
Know the ingredients
It is crucial to read the ingredients label before buying a moisturizer because some of them contain chemicals that might have adverse reactions to other products or cause an allergic reaction to your skin.
Also, check if the product contains emollient and humectant ingredients that make your skin soft and hydrated.
Select a non-comedogenic product
Some moisturizers contain ingredients that can clog pores. If you want to save yourself from acne breakouts in the future, go for products labeled as “non-comedogenic”
Read reviews
Read reviews of the product online before choosing one for yourself. It’s always good to check what people think about a particular moisturizer before deciding whether or not to buy it for yourself.
Things to Keep In Mind While Using Face Serum With Moisturizer
- Do not apply too much face serum and moisturizer at once—using too much of it can cause an allergic reaction or redness on your face.
- You can use your face serum with moisturizer twice a day: morning and afternoon. Make sure that you cleanse and tone your face first before applying the serum.
- To get the best results from this duo, use them with sunscreen. This will ensure that your skin stays fully protected from the sun while getting all the nutrients and moisture it needs to stay healthy.
- Choose the right ingredients. Some products in the market contain harmful ingredients like parabens.
- Look for ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid, and peptides. These ingredients are best for keeping your skin healthy and young-looking.
Tips to Keep Your Face Healthy
- Keep your face clean. Wash your face every day with mild soap and water.
- Don’t forget to remove makeup before you go to bed. It’s the easiest way to prevent acne and other skin problems.
- Use sunscreen when you’re outdoors to protect your skin from sun damage.
- Eat healthy foods, like vegetables and fruits. They’re great for your face and body too.
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin from drying out.
- Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night so your body can repair itself.
- Don’t smoke or stay in smoky environments for long periods of time.
FAQs
Should you apply face serum before or after moisturizer?
Apply face serum before moisturizers. Moisturizer sits on top of the skin after application, while a serum is absorbed into your skin and works from within. Applying serum first allows it to work longer on your skin.
You can also use moisturizers as sunscreen. If you’re using a moisturizer with an SPF factor, use that as your primary sunscreen and apply your regular sunscreen for extra protection.
Can you apply face serum at night?
Yes, you can. Applying face serum at night is also a good idea because the skin is slightly more receptive to its effects while you sleep.
Serums are rich in active ingredients that penetrate deep into the skin, moisturize and help it stay hydrated for a long time. Ensure to apply your favorite serum before going to bed. Your skin will thank you in the morning.
Is serum the same thing as a moisturizer?
No, it is not. Serums are more concentrated than moisturizers, and they also penetrate deeper into the skin to treat specific skin conditions such as acne, wrinkles, and sun damage.
In contrast, moisturizers are designed to help ensure moisture remains on the surface of the skin. They generally have fewer ingredients than serums, and their formula tends to be less complex.
Conclusion
Using face serum with a moisturizer is an excellent way to achieve healthy glowing skin. It can help you get rid of dark spots and prevent future damage while giving your skin a much-needed boost of hydration.
When applying moisturizer after serum, it’s important not to use too much at once, as this can cause clogged pores or breakouts. Also, ensure to wait 10 minutes before applying your moisturizer so that the serum has enough time to absorb into your skin.
Thanks for reading.
To learn more about serums and moisturizers, visit Serum101 today.
