Should face serum or moisturizer go first in a skin care routine?
Before trying to figure out what kind of face serum you ought to use for your skin, you have to understand what this product truly is and what it does. Once you do, you will have a better understanding of how serums work and how you can take advantage of this product for your own regimen in the future.
The Face Serum Defined
This particular skincare product should be applied to the skin after your cleansing ritual and before moisturizing (1). It is designed to deliver powerful ingredients for skin directly into the pores. This product is highly effective because of the smaller particles that it has. Because of the size of the particles, it can easily seep into the skin and do its magic. Good face serums have a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, There is good literature that shows that vitamin C in particular can prevent brown spots, reverse damage from ultraviolet rays, and stimulate the growth of new collagen.
Serum delivers powerful ingredients directly into the skin. That’s because it’s made up of smaller molecules with high penetration power that sinks deep into the skin unlike heavy creams and delivers a high concentration of active ingredients. Due to the higher concentration, you may see visible results in a shorter period.
Is serum a moisturizer?
Yes and no. Serums can be chock-full of moisturizing ingredients (hyaluronic acid, ceramides) to help skin retain moisture. But, that doesn’t make them moisturizers in the traditional sense. Face lotions and creams are richer and create a barrier on top of the skin to keep all that good stuff in.
What You Ought to Look For
1.All-Natural Ingredients
You should look for a product that has organic ingredients as much as possible. Because of the chemical content of these facial creams, it can be extremely difficult to find a facial cream that will be safe to use on the face. You should focus on looking for serums with organic or natural ingredients. The Environmental Working Group provides a resource concerning ingredients to avoid (2). This way, you will have a product that will be safe for your face and body.
2. Doctors’ Recommendations
Secondly, you have to choose a product that is doctor recommended. Consult your dermatologist as soon as possible to get an idea as to what kind of skin care products you should get for your own skin type.
By doing this, you will more likely be able to avoid any kind of allergic reaction that might happen because of the specific skin care products and will be able to cut right to what helps your skin most.
3. Your Needs
You should also consider what you need exactly. Are you looking for products that can solve your dry skin? Are you looking for anti-aging creams or serums? The products that you use should be depended upon what you need to happen to your skin. This way, you will see results happen much faster.
4. The Basic Serum Components
Look into the ingredients of the product that you are going to use. Aside from being all-natural, it should have vitamins and minerals that can help your skin heal faster and maintain its youthful appearance much longer.
How often should I use a Serum?
You can apply serum twice daily – once in the morning after cleansing your face and once at night before moisturizing. Take a thin layer of serum of your choice (about a pea-sized amount) into your palm. If your serum comes with a dropper, then nothing like it! You can control the quantity you use and add a drop or two more if need be. Spread it evenly between your palms gently and dab the serum all over your neck and face using small, gentle motions. Wait for a few minutes. Let the serum penetrate your skin. When finished you can move on to your normal skincare routine. Remember not to apply too much serum as they contain potent ingredients. Applying excess quantities can irritate the skin.
Serums contain powerful ingredients that can have an impact on the metabolism of cells. Face serums can turn out to be way too active for younger skin. 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. You can continue using face serums till the age of 50+. Including a face serum in your skincare regimen will not only enhance your skin but also protect it. After all, you want to protect the largest organ of your body – the skin.
The Final Words
Once you find the right products for your needs, you will get to enjoy the long-lasting effects of these skin serums much more regularly. It will definitely help you maintain a healthy and youthful look for years to come.
(1) Should serum or moisturizer go first in a skin care routine?
(2) EWG Personal Care Products
by Cara Lucas
