Skincare Routine With a Moisturizer or Serum First ?

Many girls find it hard to decide whether they should use moisturizer or serum first. That’s why we decided to create this post and help you all out.

Occasionally skincare can be intimidating with all the products and making sure that you are using them the right way.
But fortunately, there are simple rules that are going to help you to use most of every product. It is all about the order and time of layering your skincare products.
As requested in the comment section of my previous post ,here is the next step of the skincare routine.

First of all skincare routine starts with skin cleansing, which will prepare the skin and have a huge impact on the health of our skin. Now after completing the first step we can think about question moisturizer or serum first.

Most of the time, it makes sense to use the serum first and then moisturizer. This is because serum often feels lighter than a moisturizer, which is typically heavier.

Also, another answer to the question of whether moisturizer or serum first is given in knowing of ingredients.
The serum has more active ingredients so the skin will have more time to absorb the active components if the serum is applied first. Moisturizer is frequently the final step in skin care regimens.

Sometimes choosing products for a skincare routine and the order of applying them can be overwhelming and questions like what it should be moisturizer or serum first are pretty normal.

Everything a person needs to know about selecting a serum and moisturizer is covered here, including what they do, the many available types, when to apply them, and ingredient combinations to stay away from.

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WHAT GOES FIRST MOST OF THE TIME: MOISTURIZER OR SERUM

WHAT GOES FIRST MOST OF THE TIME: MOISTURIZER OR SERUM

It is frequently preferable to use the serum first, then moisturizer. This is accurate for several reasons. The first is that many serums have water-based compositions and are thin fluids or gels. As a result, they are lightweight and do not contain any oil. Serums are thinner than moisturizers, which frequently contain oil. Applying an oil-based moisturizer before a water-based serum may prevent the skin from absorbing the serum’s components since oil repels water. Another factor is the generally smaller molecular structure of serums compared to moisturizers. Serums can penetrate the skin more deeply. Another benefits of using serum are: • minimize the appearance of aging and sun damage • cure blemishes and clogged pores • reduce sensitivity or discomfort • hydrate flaky, dry skin • diminish hyperpigmentation By using a serum before other products, the active components may make the most contact with the skin. Since those active components are what is beneficial for our skin let’s talk about them. It is also important to stress that this dilemma, moisturizer or serum first should go after the first step of your skincare routine, after skin cleansing with an appropriate skin cleanser. Your face should be clean which will allow active components to do their job. More about this step of the skincare routine you can find on this link.

Well, doing your skincare routine in this order is common sense, but there is the word of professional to prove this.
Applying your skin care products in the right sequence will guarantee that your skin receives the maximum advantages of each one, says dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon Dr. Heather Rogers.

According to Dr. Rogers, “the order of application is crucial.” The skin’s function is to protect us from the outside world, but many of the skincare products we use contain elements we desire inside. Even when correctly made and administered, only a very little amount of these essential substances may permeate the skin.

You won’t get the optimum effects from your skincare routine if you don’t use the products in the right order.
Some experts agree that it’s crucial to take into account the time it takes for your skin to absorb products in addition to the order of application. Dr. Rogers is aware that this isn’t always possible because most of us are frequently short on time and need to get somewhere as quickly as possible. she offered? Keep your skincare routine straightforward.

Another word of advice? Check in with your skin, play with products, and carefully test what works for you. Keep in mind that no one else has your skin and that you are unique.

Regardless of what specialists recommend, it’s crucial to identify what works for you and always treat your skin gently.

Active Components in Serums

A serum is a specific treatment you use as part of your regimen and is credited with conducting the majority of your skin’s transformational work. Star ingredients including vitamin C, retinol, bakuchiol, and chemical exfoliants will be used in them to address hyper-specific skin issues, such as balancing texture, erasing dark spots, minimizing the appearance of fine wrinkles, and controlling breakouts.

While moisturizers work to keep your skin moisturized more generally.
You can choose from two main serum categories: those that are oil-based and those that are water-based. “Most serums are water-based,” says Dr. Diane Madfes, M.D., FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist.

She notes these formulas usually contain active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, and tend to be lighter in texture, which makes them better for acne-prone skin.
While additional MVP actives may be included in the recipe, Madfes notes that oil-based serums are often employed for retinol.

The benefit of these is that the oil functions as a buffer to help the powerful ingredient—like retinol—release gradually into your skin while offering moisture to prevent potential irritation.

Both inactive and active ingredients are found in skin care products. The consistency or texture of the mixture is aided by inactive components. It accomplishes a goal, like curing acne, with the use of active substances.

Active chemicals may be found in both serums and moisturizers, but some of them do not combine well. Interactions and negative consequences may result from this. Or, the ingredients could just work less well when combined.

Dermatologists typically advise against taking too many active substances at once to prevent these problems. Instead, concentrate on one or two main components. If at all possible, introduce them one at a time to see how well the skin will accept them.

Learn about some of the serums’ active components and what they can do for your skin by clicking the read more button.

Incompatible Components in Serum and Moisturizer

Sometimes it is not just about the order of products or items like moisturizer or serum first in a skincare routine.
When choosing your skin care products you should have in mind that some ingeredients shoud not be mixed.

Certain skin care components might cause skin irritation when combined, even in different kinds of products. Avoid the following combinations at all costs:
Exfoliants and retinoids
Retinoids are strong medications that have a risk of negative side effects. For some people, using acid exfoliants simultaneously may be too much for their skin.

Combining the two may render the skin more vulnerable to harm since both drugs make the skin more sensitive to the sun. Try rotating between the two products for extended lengths of time or using them on various days as opposed to every day.

Benzoyl peroxide and retinoids
Benzoyl peroxide and retinoids together may result in severe dryness and irritability. Some people think that retinoids make benzoyl peroxide inactive, however, a lab test in 2010 found no evidence to support this.

The researchers used a 5 percent benzoyl peroxide mixture with 0.05 percent tretinoin gel. 100% of the tretinoin was still active after 7 hours.

When to Apply Serum or Moisturizer First?

Certain components in serums and moisturizers are more appropriate for usage solely in the morning or evening.

Vitamin C: Since many individuals take this product in the morning to brighten their complexion, it could be preferable.

Retinoids: These might irritate the skin and make it more sensitive to the sun. It is preferable to take retinoid treatments as part of nightime routine for this reason. If the item is a serum, employing a calming moisturizer afterward might help to avoid or lessen any negative effects.

Exfoliants: Since these products might make a person more sensitive to light, some people prefer to use them before going to sleep. This could also imply that the product stays on the skin longer.

How to Use Serums for Face

Using serum as your second step in your skincare routine is simple. You should keep in mind that the dilemma- moisturizer or serum first, comes after a thoroughly cleansed face.

I like to apply the serum on damp skin to lock moisture in. And after a few minutes, I apply my moisturizer. As you can see it is not that hard but this method gives amazing results.

If you need more active ingredients you can add essence to your skincare routine, it is packed with actives. However, since the essence is more viscous (it has the viscosity of water), you should use it first.

I don’t use toner, but I would recommend using one with active ingredients, otherwise, it is a waste of money.

What Have We Learned?

In general, using serum before moisturizer is ideal. This increases the serum’s active components’ potential for effectiveness. Otherwise, the components of the products and the person’s objectives will determine the optimal sequence and time of day for a skin care program. Based on a person’s requirements and concerns, a dermatologist can explain the best course of action.

Additionally, if you have any recurring skin conditions including dryness, acne, scars, or hyperpigmentation, see a dermatologist. The serum-before-moisturizer rule has an exception, though: According to Madfes, you may skip your moisturizer entirely if you’re using an oil-based serum. Just be sure to wait at least 15 minutes after using an oil-based serum before using anything else, including sunscreen, she advises Bustle.

One more item to consider In the summer, “many individuals don’t require a moisturizer over their serum,” Madfes continues. Simply dispense with the face cream and allow your serum to perform double duty if your skin is oily or if you are breaking out.

But according to Madfes, you should always use moisturizer over water-based serums throughout the winter. There you have it, then.
Complete skincare calls for your cleanser, toner (if you use one), serum, moisturizer, and SPF, respectively.

The general rule is that your products should be applied in order of thinnest to thickest in their consistency, says Dr. Lian Mack, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and rep for Catrice Cosmetics.
Regardless of moisturizer or serum first you should not give up if you don’t see results first week or two. Many of these ingredients need time.

But it is very important to stress that you should keep an eye on warning signs: dryness, irritation, peeling or flaking, tingling, itching, increased sensitivity to UV light, irritation, a mild tingling or burning sensitivity, contact dermatitis, and if you have any of those that means that some of the active ingredients are not for your skin type. So you have to stop using that product.