What Does Serum Mean In Cosmetics?

What Does Serum Mean In Cosmetics
A serum is a concentrated liquid treatment that delivers topical ingredients to the skin in order to target concerns like wrinkles, discoloration and uneven texture. Serums are typically thinner than a moisturizer, but thicker than a toner or essence.

What is a serum in cosmetics?

Skin serum: What it can and can’t do – Harvard Health Many things improve with age; unfortunately, your skin is not one of them. Wrinkles, brown spots, and general dullness often start to creep in as the years tick by. To reverse these problems many women are turning to a skin serum.

Serums are light, easily absorbed oil- or water-based liquids that you spread on your skin. They typically come in small bottles with a dropper, and you only need a few drops to treat your whole face. A skin serum is not a moisturizer, like a lotion or cream, says Dr. Abigail Waldman, instructor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School.

Rather, they are highly concentrated formulations that are designed to sink into the skin quickly, delivering an intensive dose of ingredients that can address common skin complaints. “I definitely recommend serums for anyone who is concerned about aging.

Do I need both serum and moisturizer?

Conclusion – Ultimately, face serum and moisturizer are both necessary for a holistic skin care routine and to ensure that your skin doesn’t dry out during the day. Face serum can’t replace moisturizer, and moisturizer doesn’t give your skin the extra vitamins and nutrients it needs to succeed and look great for years to come.

What does serum do for your skin?

Serum benefits – “In general, serums contain topical antioxidants including vitamin A, C and E. They also contain topical retinols and ingredients that even out skin tone. When layered underneath moisturizers, serums act as targeted treatment for wrinkles, pigmentation and redness,” said Dr.

Angela J. Lamb, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s department of dermatology.
But what type of serums should you look for specifically? “The key is to look for serums that deliver a ton of botanicals, antioxidants and hydration ( water !) — they can deliver a concentrated dose of nutrients, and when applied on just-cleaned skin, the serum will penetrate more deeply,” said Dr.

Craig Kraffert, board-certified dermatologist. Since the ingredients in serums can be pretty potent, consider any potential skin sensitivity before trying a new product. “The active ingredient(s) in serums tend to be more concentrated and can occasionally cause irritation and dryness in those who have sensitive skin.

What’s better serum or moisturizer?

Facial Serum vs. Facial Moisturizer: What You Should Know From toners and cleansers to creams and essences, we’ll be the first to admit that the sheer number of skincare products available can be dizzying. Throw in skin type considerations and seasonal shifts, and we’re often left scratching our heads wondering what our skin actually needs.

Most people have serums and on constant rotation, but do you really need to be using them both? Should we be using a serum before or after moisturizer? What’s the difference between the two? To dive into these questions and more, we called on three board-certified dermatologists for some answers.
Ahead, they break down the differences between these two products along with how to integrate them into your routine.

Meet the Expert

, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of in Birmingham, Alabama.
, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Westport, Connecticut.
, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

Keep scrolling to learn all about moisturizer versus serum. “Serums are typically lightweight formulations that deliver actives,” explains Hartman. “They are usually thin and absorbent, leaving little, if anything, remaining on the surface of the skin.” And because they don’t have a strict definition, a serum may technically be a lotion, gel, or oil.

Serums also tend to address a variety of skin concerns, be it anti-aging, skin brightening, or acne prevention.
Though they tend to be more expensive than other skincare products, they’re full of potent ingredients and a little goes a long way.
With that said, Robinson advises to always ask your dermatologist which serums are best to apply at night and during the day.

“Moisturizers use a thicker formula to create a physical barrier that locks in hydration and prevents skin from drying out,” says Robinson. “Additionally, they can enhance the functioning of the stratum corneum (the uppermost layer of skin that’s made up of fat and oil skin cells) to help retain moisture.” Some moisturizers have added anti-aging ingredients, so they do double duty for your skin.

But in order to really address a difficult skincare problem (think: sun damage), you may want to combine your with a quality serum. We’ve uncovered that serums are thinner and lighter, whereas moisturizers have a thicker, creamier consistency. But what about how they perform? “Serums are intended to penetrate deeply into the skin to deliver targeted active ingredients, whereas moisturizers help to fortify the surface of the skin, bind skin cells together more effectively, and work at the surface of the skin to increase hydration,” says Hartman.

Moisturizers also may have larger molecules than serums. This means that a moisturizer usually won’t penetrate the skin as deeply, or as quickly, as a serum will. This can be a double-edged sword: If you’re looking for strong effects, you should be relying on your serum, but if you’re looking for continuous hydration, that’s your moisturizer’s job.

If your skin is oily, a serum may give you enough hydration that you won’t need a moisturizer.
González says that layering the two is really all about the products themselves, their ingredients, and your skin type.
For example, layering a serum and moisturizer can be very helpful for those with very dry skin,” she explains.

“The serum will help deliver any active ingredients, and the moisturizer will help lock in moisture in the skin, seal in the serum, and help potentiate its active ingredients.” That said, if you have acne-prone skin, it may be best to avoid an oil-based serum.

When it comes to, order matters.
In general, skincare products are layered from thinnest to thickest with the thinnest products being applied to the skin first.
If you think about the intended goals, it makes sense.
Serums are intended to deliver active ingredients deep into the skin and the moisturizer forms a seal to make the serums more efficacious,” explains Hartman.

To effectively layer your serum and moisturizer, first rub the serum onto your face and neck. Then, wait 30 to 60 seconds before applying your moisturizer on top. “The reason for waiting is that you want the serum to settle in before you apply the moisturizer,” notes González.

While most serums and moisturizers are used both in the morning and evening, there are some serums or creams that should only be used at night depending on their ingredients.
Be sure to read the instructions on the products you are using to find out which you should use in the morning and which you should use at night.

And as always, consult with your dermatologist if you’re in any way unsure.” If you have a problem with your skin that you’d like to improve, such as dark spots or early signs of aging, adding a targeted serum product to your daily skincare routine can help improve the appearance of your skin.

At what age you should use face serum? Most experts recommend introducing a face serum into your routine once you hit your early-to-mid 20s. This is because as we age, our skin becomes drier, and a serum can help replenish lost moisture.
What’s better, serum or toner? Both do different things. While serums are meant to deliver actives to the skin, toners are meant to refresh the skin as well as balance the skin’s pH levels, which is typically done post-cleansing.
What are the disadvantages of face serum? This depends on skin type. For instance, if you have extremely sensitive skin, you should be mindful of serums with strong actives (think: vitamin C) as they can cause slight irritation.

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

Cleveland Clinic., Updated May 4, 2021.

: Facial Serum vs. Facial Moisturizer: What You Should Know

Do you put serum or moisturizer first?

The Face Moisturiser first then Face Serum debate – For as long as it seems, the general rule of thumb when applying skincare products is to apply the lightest products first and the heaviest last, which is typically serum first, then moisturiser. However, with new innovations in place and so many progressive products out there, it starts to get confusing as to which products are heaviest and which are the lightest.

Should I use face serum everyday?

Is it Okay to Use Face Serum Everyday? 0 Item | ₹0 Consistency is the key. No matter what you do in life, whether it’s studies, work, learning a new skill, or simply doing your skincare, everything is most beneficial when done with proper consistency.

That’s why most people say that skin care is something people need to do every day, without fail.
Serums are an integral part of any skincare routine.
It is a skincare product that is specially designed to penetrate deeply into the skin and deliver targeted benefits such as hydration, anti-ageing and brightening effects, fighting acne and acne marks, and more.

Serums usually contain a higher concentration of active ingredients compared to moisturisers. However, if you’re wondering, “should I use face serum every day?”, well, yes, they’re extremely safe to use every day. In fact, it is recommended by experts that you use a serum every day to get optimal results.

What are the disadvantages of face serums?

The Truth About Facial Serums Reviewed by Mohiba Tareen, MD on October 12, 2012 Faster and lighter are the qualities many of us look for in a car, a laptop, and our bodies when we’re running a marathon. They’re also the prized attributes of care serums – light, fast-absorbing liquids used as an alternative or in addition to creams or lotions.

The biggest difference between a serum and a cream or lotion is what the formulation doesn’t include. Serums leave out occlusive, or airtight, moisturizing ingredients such as or that keep water from evaporating. They also contain fewer lubricating and thickening agents, like nut or seed oils. Most serums are water-based, eliminating oils altogether.

Serums are a top pick of many skin care pros, including Ni’Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist and vice president of research and innovation at Englewood Lab. Wilson chooses a serum instead of a cream for her own at-home regimen: “It works better for my oily skin, and it has every ingredient I need.” Esthetician Veronica Barton-Schwartz, owner of Veronica Skin and Body Care Center in Malibu, Calif., who counts celebrities Olivia Newton-John, Suzanne Somers, and Cher among her clients, is also a fan.

“I think everyone is doing their skin a disservice if they don’t have a great serum.” “The beauty of a serum is that most of the fluid is eliminated,” Wilson says, “so what you’re left with is a high concentration of active ingredients.” Serums contain the most potent dose of anti-aging ingredients -, peptides, and skin brighteners such as kojic acid – you can find in nonprescription products.

“They’re the true workhorses of any product line,” Wilson says. Because active ingredients are more expensive than thickeners, serums are also the costliest product in many skin care lines. But when applied properly, a 1-ounce container of serum should last months.

Many brands come in pump bottles or have medicine-dropper applicators to dispense just the tiny amount you need.
Those few concentrated drops are super-efficient.
Serums are made of very small molecules, so the skin absorbs them quickly and deeply.
The thicker, heavier ingredients in creams form a barrier on your skin,” Wilson says.

“That’s great for locking moisture in. But it can also lock active ingredients out. Without these hindrances, the active ingredients in a serum penetrate your skin faster and more effectively.” Jessica Wu, MD, a Santa Monica, Calif., dermatologist, and author of Feed Your Face: Younger, Smoother Skin and a Beautiful Body in 28 Delicious Days, recommends serums to many of her patients.

They’re great for people with oily skin,” she says, “or those who prefer a weightless feel to their skin care products.
Serums have a non-greasy finish and they don’t leave behind a sticky residue.” Still, serums aren’t for everyone.
Wu says the liquid or gel-like texture of a serum can be a poor match for people with chronic skin conditions like or, which weaken the skin barrier.

For these people, serums may penetrate too quickly, causing irritation. Others need the hydration that a rich day or night cream provides. “If you have mature or dry skin, you can’t get away with using just a serum,” says Wilson. Instead, she recommends a serum as an add-on to your skin care regimen, layered under your moisturizer.

There’s a lot of benefit to serums, from smoothing fine lines to reducing age spots, that you can’t reproduce in any other formulation,” she says. Adding a serum to your daily beauty routine? Here’s how to apply these lightweight elixirs for maximum effect.1. After cleansing your face, apply a pea-sized amount of serum, patting it evenly over skin with your finger.2.

If you have sensitive skin, wait 10 to 15 minutes after washing your face before using serum. “When your skin is damp, applying a water-based product is more likely to lead to irritation,” says dermatologist Wu. “Allowing your skin to dry completely slows down penetration.” 3.

You don’t need to skip the moisturizer you love.
Just pat on your serum first, so it isn’t blocked from penetrating your skin.4.
Is your serum too pricey for twice-a-day use? Borrow this trick from cosmetic chemist Wilson.
Use the serum as a booster either a.m.
Or p.m., adding a couple of drops to your moisturizer.

How often do you apply serum?

1. When should I use a face serum? – Most face serums are safe to be applied twice daily – once in the morning on a cleansed face, before the rest of your makeup, and once at night before bed. But remember to read the directions on your serum’s label for any additional information about the serum’s usage.

How long should you wait between serum and moisturizer?

L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Night Serum with Pure Retinol – Serum and Moisturizer: 1 minute Goldenberg’s go-to recommendation for timing between serums and moisturizers is about one minute. This wait has the same reasoning: Sixty seconds — give or take — gives each product a moment to delve into your pores.

Sunscreen: 1 minute The second exception is sunscreen, which needs some time to itself to be as powerful as possible, according to Sejal Shah, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
When sunscreen is mixed with other products, it becomes diluted and less effective,” she says.
For this very reason, SPF should be the last layer of your morning skin-care routine.

The professionals advise waiting a minute between your moisturizer and sunscreen steps to allow each to penetrate and dry down. ( Allure ‘s digital beauty editor likes to get dressed before putting on her face sunscreen.) Then, hold tight for a couple of minutes to ensure that your sunscreen has fully sunken in before moving onto your makeup routine.

How long should I leave serum on my face?

MyGlamm 10% Niacinamide Clarifying Serum Enriched With Moringa & Tiger Grass – A must-have for anyone with acne-prone skin that tends to look like it’s been to hell and back, this serum holds 10% niacinamide –– the ultimate ingredient for pretty much all skincare woes.

It not only helps control the production of oil, but also helps fade away dark spots and pigmentation, redness, and irritation. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, rose water and zinc PCA too, you’ll find that this serum helps soothe inflamed skin, while hydrating instantly. MyGlamm 1% Retinol Age-Defying Serum Enriched With Caffeine And Aloe Leaf Extract Turn back time with a serum that’ll make your skin look young and plump.

The highly concentrated formula is lightweight and absorbs quickly into your skin. It is formulated with pure 1% retinol, caffeine, and aloe leaf extracts, all of which reduces fine lines and wrinkles, while brightening and enhancing your skin tone and your skin’s texture.

What is the best face serum?

Our top picks: –

Best Acne Serum: Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum, $42 Best Brightening Serum: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, $183 Best Exfoliating Serum: OleHenriksen Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment, $60 Best Retinol: CeraVe Anti Aging Retinol Serum, $27 Best Retinoid for Sensitive Skin: Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum, $85 Best Hydrating Serum: Lancer Ultra Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Complex-7, $95

At what age we should use face serum?

The right age to use hyaluronic acid serum is 20 and above! Your skin starts to lose some of its elasticity in your 20s. However, the signs of aging appear in your late 20s or early 30s.

Can I mix serum with moisturizer?

Can I Mix My Serum With My Moisturiser? – Well, the quick answer is yes, you can mix serums with moisturisers. For this, you should follow the same guidelines as when you mix two serums together. Mix a couple of drops of serum in the palm of your hand with the moisturiser of your choice.

Then just apply it to your face. This will save you some time on layering the different skin products in your skincare routine. However, it might be best to apply the serum onto your clean face then wait a couple of minutes before layering the moisturiser onto the serum. This will allow the serum’s potent solution to absorb into your skin in the correct concentration.

While it is perfectly fine to mix serums with moisturiser, it might reduce some of the serum’s effects as it can reduce its potency. Nevertheless, both ways of application will produce considerable health benefits to your skin and it is purely up to you which approach to take.

Do you need night cream after serum?

Serum or Moisturizer? Which skincare is more effective? My great aunt to this day swears by her Oil of Olay cream but as it is with everything in life, the passage of time brings new ideas and technology. The undisputed fact is that we all need to take care of our skin in order to be and look healthy.

Moisturizers are primarily designed to hydrate the skin by adding to and sealing in the natural moisture of the body. Although moisturizers often contain ingredients to target specific issues like ageing or sun damage, their main role is to get hydration to the skin and keep it there. Serums, on the other hand, are formulated to penetrate deeply into the skin and address or even reverse the causes of ageing and skin damage at the cellular level.

Serums are likely to contain more antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins that work to repair the structure of skin cells, increasing skin radiance, smoothness and suppleness. So let’s break down the difference between serum and moisturizer. A big difference between serums and moisturizers is what serums don’t include. Serums leave out the ‘sealing’ ingredients such as petrolatum and mineral oils that moisturizers often use to keep water from evaporating from the skin. Serums also contain fewer fillers, thickeners and lubricating agents.

The second important difference is that serums are actually able to work more effectively in your skin for two reasons. Firstly, because serums have smaller particles they penetrate the skin on a deeper cellular level. Also, because serums don’t contain the thick airtight ‘sealing’ particles present in moisturizers, the active ingredients in a serum penetrate your skin faster and can work more effectively.

So, t he beauty of a serum is that they provide a high concentration of active ingredients, and penetrate further, effectively delivering beneficial nutrients and hydration actives to the deepest layers of the skin where moisturizers won’t penetrate.

How does a serum work? Serums are lightweight, formulated to penetrate deeply, allowing their active ingredients to combat free radical damage, skin pigmentation, ageing, acne and scarring by delivering nutrients and vitamins right into the skin cells.
Serums providing antioxidants, peptides, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C can have dramatic and swift effects on the radiance of skin by brightening, exfoliating and hydrating the skin.

Serums are designed to repair the skin at a cellular level and act on a wide range of skin health factors at the same time. If you have aged, damaged, scarred or sun damaged skin, a serum is your best choice to reduce the visible impacts on your skin.

Serums act to improve skin firmness, smoothness and luminosity while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
How does a moisturizer work? A moisturizer is a lotion or cream which contains skin hydrating emollients and forms a physical barrier to help skin stay hydrated.
Moisturizers have larger molecules than serums, so they don’t penetrate into the epidermis or surface layer of the skin.

Their main benefit is that they seal the skin, locking in moisture and nutrients. The thicker, heavier ingredients in moisturizing creams form a barrier on your skin designed to lock in moisture in. But it can also lock active ingredients in the moisturizer out of the skin, reducing their efficacy.

Does your skin need a serum or a moisturizer? This is where the layering effect comes into play – while an antioxidant serum works to repair skin cells and combat free radicals, a moisturizer acts to prevent the evaporation of moisture and provides a physical barrier to protect the skin from environmental irritants and makeup particles.

Serums can be used both morning and night to address specific skin issues more effectively than a moisturizer alone, and will also boost the hydrating effects of your moisturizer. Ensure your serum contains antioxidants to provide protection from environmental damage.

Serums can be used alone by people with naturally oilier skin, or under a moisturizer to help protect the hydration levels in normal to dry skin. During the winter months, it’s a good idea to use a moisturizer over your serum for extra hydration, to help your skin cope with changing temperature and drying winds. Specific reasons to use facial serums in your skincare regime include:

repairing sun damage and reducing wrinkles deeper skin hydration skin firming and improved texture exfoliation for smoother more radiant skin calming redness and sensitivity clearing and preventing blemishes to fade brown spots and pigmentation.

How should you apply your serum and moisturizer? Moist skin is ten times more permeable than dry skin, so we recommend that you always apply your serum twice daily, directly to your skin after cleansing and toning. In the morning apply your before your SPF moisturizer or sunscreen, at night time apply the serum before your night cream or moisturizer.

After cleansing, your serum should be applied over the entire face, neck and décolletage. Gently press on with your fingertips and allow it to absorb into the skin for a few minutes before applying a moisturizer. Apply about a dime size of with two fingers and massage thoroughly into the skin. More serum does not equal more benefit.

Your skin can only absorb a certain amount, and when a serum is packed with great actives, you don’t need large amounts. Using a serum often is better than simply applying more. Using moisturizer over your serum will help lock in the actives and nutrients.

Which is better anti aging cream or serum?

– Skin serums are oil- or water-based liquids. A serum usually comes in a small bottle with a dropper, and a person spreads a few drops over their skin. Harvard Medical School recommends using a serum to reduce skin concerns related to aging rather than a moisturizer or cream.

This is because serums are highly concentrated and absorb more quickly into the skin.
Learn more about anti-aging moisturizers and creams.
A person using a serum typically applies it after cleansing and drying their skin, but before using a moisturizer.
It is important to keep in mind that no skin care product can fully prevent or reverse the visible signs of aging.

Fine lines, wrinkles, and skin color changes are natural changes that everyone experiences.

Can I apply sunscreen after serum?

SUNSCREEN BEFORE OR AFTER SERUM – Serums contain potent ingredients like antioxidants and acids and must be fully absorbed into skin to do their best work. Chemical sunscreens have a similar compound structure to serums and should be used in conjunction with them.

Do you apply moisturiser straight after serum?

In a skin care routine, it makes sense to apply serum before moisturizer. This is because serum is usually more lightweight, whereas moisturizer tends to be thicker. Applying serum first can also give the skin more opportunity to absorb the active ingredients.

What do you do after applying serum on face?

Step #5 – Moisturize – While face serums contain moisturizing agents, they aren’t intended to replace your daily moisturizer or night cream. Rather, serums supplement your moisturizer and each product greatly benefits the other. After you’ve waited 5 minutes for the serum to absorb, apply your moisturizer to your face and neck.

Can I use face serum under eyes?

Can serum be used around the eyes? – Yes, serums, creams and other products can be used around the eyes, but it’s important to ensure that whatever you use is safe for that area. Some items have ingredients that may be too harsh to use around the eyes, especially for those with sensitive skin or certain conditions.

Wash your hands before and after application. Avoid getting product in your eyes. If you do get product in your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with lukewarm water and contact your doctor if you experience problems afterward. Don’t use products after they expire. Stop using serums that cause irritation or allergic reactions.

When in doubt, always consult your eye doctor or dermatologist for advice about using products around the eyes.

How many drops of serum should I use?

Minimalist 3% Sepicalm + Oats Moisturizer for Face – This moisturizer contains oats and shea butter that can be used on normal to oily skins. Polyglutamic acid of the moisturizer makes it a great hydrating agent. The moisturiser is enriched Sepicalm that combines amino acids and nutrients to soothe skin irritation and redness.

When should I use a face serum? You can use face serums twice a day. It is best to use them at night and in the morning. How much face serum should I use? Using 2-3 drops is best for any skin type. You can also use 3-4 drops at maximum. Too much serum could make your skin look oily. Can I use serum without toner as well? Yes, you can use serum without toner as well. Serums have their fair share of nutrients and hydrating properties.

DISCLAIMER: The Times of India’s journalists were not involved in the production of this article.

How do I choose a face serum?

How should I choose a serum? – Now, this can be a problem because there are numerous options available in the market, and all of them promise beautiful and healthy skin. Take the following two factors into consideration if you want to buy the best one for you: 1.

Do you want to get rid of fine lines and dark patches around the mouth? Or reduce the random dark spots on your face? Find a serum that resolves just what you need.2. Consider your skin type. If you have acne-prone and oily skin, pick a face serum that has salicylic acid and retinol. For dry skin, try something with Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.

And if you have sensitive skin, try a serum that has natural ingredients as natural ingredients always show the best result.

When should I use face serum?

At what age we should use face serum?

The right age to use hyaluronic acid serum is 20 and above! Your skin starts to lose some of its elasticity in your 20s. However, the signs of aging appear in your late 20s or early 30s.

Is serum a retinol?

Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is an ingredient added to skin creams, lotions and serums. It has anti-aging effects and can help clear acne. Products containing retinol are widely available over-the-counter, and stronger concentrations of retinoids are available by prescription.

What is the difference between a serum and a toner?

What Is The Difference Between Toner & Serum? – The telltale visual difference between toner and serum is consistency. Toner is a liquid, while serum is a thicker, gel or oil-like consistency. Here are a few more differences between a toner and serum:

Toner balances the skin’s pH, while serums help support specific skin concerns, such as dry patches or fine lines. Serums contain highly concentrated active ingredients, while toners are exfoliants and contain skin-balancing ingredients. Toners are sold in larger bottles, while serums are available in small bottles.

So, while each comes with its own unique benefits, what are their differences?