The world of skincare and beauty is fascinating but sometimes it can be really confusing. Many products, many functions, many questions. The most frequent skincare questions have to do with serums. What is a serum? What are the differences between a serum and a face cream? Can I skip the face cream after the serum? In this article you will find everything you need to know about serums and face creams.
What is a serum
Serums are face care products that offer solutions for various skin care concerns. They can be a light cream, oil or gel.
They are very lightweight formulations and extremely absorbent. Their main characteristic is the high concentration of active ingredients. Serums penetrate the skin deeper, deliver their active ingredients and offer targeted solutions.
Depending on the active ingredients they contain, serums target different skin issues. There are hydrating serums, anti-aging serums, anti-spot serums, etc. Due to their high concentration of active ingredients, serums are very effective in treating wrinkles, scars, and other skin care concerns.
How do you use a serum
You should apply your serum on clean and dry skin. Cleanse your face thoroughly using a cleansing gel, lotion or face soap to remove impurities, pollutants and make up and then apply your serum.
The ideal amount depends on the type of your serum, but usually 3-4 drops are enough. Using too less of the product won’t make any significant difference on your skin. Using too much of it, may cause irritations, especially if your serum contains retinol or vitamin C.
Serums must be applied twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. If you are using a serum with retinol, it’s best to apply it only at night, as retinol is sensitive to sunlight.
Our favorite serums:
What is a face cream
A face cream is one of the most important skin care products of your beauty routine (along with cleanser and sunscreen) and you should start using it early in your life (in your teenage years).
A face cream can be a simple moisturizing cream, a day cream, a night cream, an anti-aging cream etc. Its main purpose though, is to moisturize your skin and prevent water loss and dehydration. When your skin lacks moisture, it is more vulnerable and prone to signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. Face creams protect your skin and keep it hydrated.
How do you use a face cream
You should apply a face cream on clean and dry skin. If you are using a serum, the serum must come before the cream. It’s important to wait 1 minute and let the serum seep into your pores before applying your moisturizer on top.
Read this article from our blog to learn more about the right steps of a beauty routine:
What is the right order to apply your skincare products?
Use a 20 cent-sized amount to cover your face and another half of it, to apply on your neck. If you apply less, you may end up with dehydrated skin, fine lines and other signs of premature aging. If you apply too much, you may cause oiliness and clogged pores.
Face creams should be applied twice daily. It is very important not to use daily cream during the night and night cream during the day, as they have completely different functions. The main function of a daily face cream, apart from moisturizing, is to protect your skin from harmful environmental factors. That’s why most day creams contain antioxidants and provide basic UV protection. The basic function of a night cream, on the other hand, is to repair your skin, provide anti-aging treatment, and offer deep hydration. That’s why most night creams contain active ingredients, such as retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C.
Our favorite moisturizers:
Bioselect - 24hour Cream Anti-ageing/moisturizing
Herbellis - Intensive Moisturising Cream SPF15
What are the differences between a serum and a cream?
- Serums are lightweight, easily absorbent and non-greasy skincare products. Face creams contain heavier ingredients and are products of thicker consistency.
- There are different serums that aim different skin concerns depending on their active ingredients. The main purpose of a face cream, is to moisturize your skin.
- Serums are more concentrated than creams, and even if a cream contains the same active ingredients as a serum, the serum will work more effectively.
- Serums penetrate deeper into the skin and deliver their active ingredients. Face creams remain on the top layer of the skin, seal in moisture and offer protection.
- Serums offer targeted solutions to specific skin care concerns. Face creams are essential skin care products that every skincare routine should involve.
- Serums can be light creams, gels or oils. Moisturizers are cream-based.
- You should use far less amount of a serum than of a moisturizer to cover your skin’s needs.
Can you skip moisturizer after serum?
The answer is no. Serums address a variety of skin care issues and their main function is to deliver active ingredients into the skin, and be nutritious, not hydrating. They have fewer lubricating agents than face creams, and that’s why they don’t moisturize the skin as efficiently as a face cream would. Moisturizers protect your skin by providing the necessary moisture. They stay on the surface, locking in moisture, preventing water loss and sealing in the serum.
