Serum x Moisturizer
Serums and moisturizers are relatively common skincare products. What exactly is the difference between them, however? Besides for the difference in the texture and feel of these products, as you’ll find that serums are generally lighter and thinner, It’s important to know that serums and moisturizers help the skin in unique, distinctive ways. Serums work from the depth of the skin, while moisturizers deal with the outer layer. Although they can be used separately for their specific purposes, when the skin or the environment is extra dry, it would be a good idea to use the serum and the moisturizer together, as you’ll find that their combination creates an even more powerful effect.
The main difference between serums and moisturizers, in actuality, is what the serum leaves out of it’s ingredient list. Serums don’t include occlusive ingredients within them, which are elements that trap moisture in the upper layer of the skin, not allowing evaporation to take place. Additionally they don’t contain as many thickening and lubricating ingredients as the moisturizer does. Being primarily water based and using less oil, while leaving out these moisturizing ingredients, the serum in turn has a greater ratio of active ingredients, making it more potent. With higher doses of ingredients like antioxidants and peptides, you’ll usually find that serums are more expensive than other skincare products. The fact that they’re light, thin, very absorbent and packed with active ingredients, though, makes every drop go a long way.
Moisturizers, on the other hand, use thickening agents to create a more condensed formula along with occlusives that locks hydration into the skin and prevents the skin from drying out. While serums are used to penetrate deeply into the skin with active ingredients, moisturizers help to reinforce the uppermost layer of the skin, binding skin cells together, and increasing the hydration at the surface level. Many moisturizers also include anti-aging ingredients within them, making it a multi-purpose product. Although a moisturizer might feel sufficient, if you want to truly tackle a challenging skincare problem, you will want to consider combining the moisturizer with the serum.
Now the question begs, can you even use serums and moisturizers at the same time? This is a question that many ask because there are certain skincare products that should NEVER be used together. We’re pleased to inform you that this is NOT the case for serums and moisturizers. Not only is the combination not detrimental, they even enhance each other’s effects! If your skin is especially dry, using both the serum and moisturizer will actually create a synergistic effect. The serum penetrates deep and restores the skin using their active ingredients, and the moisturizer keeps the skin hydrated while creating a protective layer, allowing the serums effects to be more long lasting. In regards to the application process, when skincare products are usually layered on the skin it’s best to go from thinnest to thickest, so the serum should be applied first, then the moisturizer.
