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What to Apply First, Serum or Moisturizer?

Everyone dreams of flawless skin and makes efforts to make their skin look healthy and spotless. With so much information available on the internet regarding the skincare routine, how do you decide what to follow and what will suit your skin the best? Serums and moisturizers are an integral part of any skincare routine and are used widely. With tons of products available in the market, it's challenging to decide on which serum and moisturizer to buy that will suit your skin and lifestyle. 

 

The debate on what to apply first- serum or a moisturizer has been going on for years, and today we are going to break it down in this blog, proving the science behind it. Know everything you need to know about following the right skincare order and the right products that will not only suit your skin and lifestyle but are also chemical-free and natural.

What to Apply First, Serum or Moisturizer?

Definition and Purpose of Serum and Moisturizer

Before getting into serum or moisturizer first, let's understand what serums and moisturizers are and how they help your skin. 

In simple terms, serums are concentrated formulas packed with active ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides, depending on your skin's needs. Serums are composed of smaller molecules that allow them to be absorbed in the deep layers of the skin to ensure they reach where they are needed the most. 

 

Now let's talk about moisturizers. The primary goal of any moisturizer, as the name suggests, is to moisturize your skin. This is done by creating a moisture-locking shield on the skin that not only keeps your skin soft and smooth but also defends it against environmental aggressors. Moisturizers are just designed for the following functions in a skincare routine:

● Hydrates skin to restore the lost moisture

● Locks in the benefits of the serums

● Forms a thin protective barrier on the skin that protects from environmental aggressors

Why the Order Matters

Skincare products work best when applied in the right order. Typically, they are to be applied from the thinnest to the thickest consistency. Following this approach ensures that each product penetrates effectively without interference. Starting from toners and ending with sunscreens ensures the skin is hydrated and, at the end, shields your skin from the harmful UV rays. Not following the right order may dilute their benefits and leave your skin vulnerable.

What to Apply First: Serum or Moisturizer?

Coming to the answer you have been waiting for! While following any skincare routine, always remember that serums always come first to maximize absorption. Serums are lightweight and have small molecules that are designed to penetrate deeply into the skin. 


However, moisturizers are thicker and act as a skin barrier to seal in the moisture. Applying moisturizer before serum can prevent the serum from penetrating effectively, reducing its effect. Simply put, what to apply first, serum or moisturizer, the answer is serum.

Considerations for Different Skin Types

There are several types of serums depending on the needs and type of skin.

● Hydrating Serums: Helps in maximizing skin hydration and promotes soft and smooth skin. If you have sensitive and dry skin, serums with hyaluronic acid, hydrosensitive complex, and vitamin C help with the much-needed hydration. With Cetaphil’s Optimal Hydration Serum, get 48-hour hydration, which smoothes the skin's sensitivity and improves appearance from the first use. Best suited to dry skin.

● Brightening Serums: Brightening serums contain infused multivitamins to provide youthful, glowing skin, strengthen the skin barrier, and provide moisturizer. To protect your skin from spot formation, blue light, and pollution, try Cetaphil’s Bright Healthy Radiance, the perfect blend of sea daffodil, niacinamide, antioxidant C, and advanced peptide. It delivers 7x power for brighter, more radiant skin. Suitable for all skin types.

● Comforting Serums: If you have skin sensitivity or a broken skin barrier, comforting serums such as Cetaphil Soothing & Comforting Restoring Serum are just the product you are looking for. It is an ultra-soothing serum that rapidly calms sensitive skin and restores the skin barrier faster. Suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin.

 

Tips for an Effective Skincare Routine

An effective skincare routine involves the following steps:

● Daily Cleansing

● Moisturising

● Protecting with Sunscreen

● Consistent use of appropriate products

 

Basic Routine Steps

● Basic routine steps for an effective skincare routine involve:

● Cleanse: Wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and pollution.

● Products: Start with a toner, followed by serum, moisturizer, and facial oil to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.

● Protect: Protect your skin with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every morning, regardless of the weather, to prevent premature aging and sun damage.

 

Lifestyle & Prevention

● Protect yourself from the sun: Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent the harmful UV rays from damaging your skin.

● Avoid Smoking: Smoking accelerates wrinkles and takes a huge toll on your skin health.

● Manage Stress: Stress causes fine lines to appear on the skin and can also cause conditions like acne and eczema.

● Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and fluid during the day to keep your skin hydrated and plump.

● Follow a healthy diet: Eat a healthy diet and avoid processed foods and foods high in sugar, as they can lead to skin breakouts.

Conclusion

The answer to what to apply first, serum or moisturizer, is clear: serum! Serum, being lightweight and small in molecules, helps moisturizer to be absorbed in the deep layers of the skin to keep your skin hydrated and plump. Serums and moisturizers go hand in hand. You should skip any. 

When to apply serum: Serums are to be applied after toner on a cleansed face. Serums help in better absorption of the products that follow and help lock in hydration to keep skin healthy.

 

When to use moisturizer: Moisturizers are to be applied after applying serums, and they help in better penetration of the moisturizer in the deep layers of the skin. Moisturizers should be used in the morning as well as in the night skincareroutine to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.

FAQs

What happens if you apply moisturizer before serum?

Applying moisturizer before a serum can prevent the serum from being absorbed effectively by the skin, because the thicker moisturizer creates a barrier that blocks the serum's active ingredients from penetrating. 

 

Can you skip serum if you use a moisturizer?

You can technically skip serum and just use a moisturizer, but it's not recommended, as serums target specific skin concerns with potent ingredients, and a moisturizer alone won't provide the same concentrated benefits. 

 

How long should I wait between applying serum and moisturizer?

You should wait approximately one to two minutes between applying serum and moisturizer to allow the serum to fully absorb into your skin, maximizing its benefits before applying the thicker moisturizer. 

 


Are there any serums that should be applied after moisturizer?

No, it is generally not recommended to apply most serums after moisturizer because the thicker, occlusive texture of moisturizer can prevent the lighter serum from penetrating the skin and delivering its concentrated active ingredients effectively.

 

Do all serums need a moisturizer on top?

Yes, all serums should generally be followed by a moisturizer to lock in the serum's benefits and provide essential hydration, protecting the skin barrier..

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