Interested in elevating your skincare regimen but not sure how to start? Serums are a staple of any effective routine, boasting highly concentrated formulas packed with active ingredients to target skin concerns – from fine lines to dark spots.
However, to unlock their full potential, application is key. In this expert guide, we’ll explain how to apply face serum correctly and how it can fit into your skincare steps covering:
- Serum vs Moisturizer: What’s the Difference?
- Should You Apply Serum Before or After Moisturizer?
- Should You Apply Oil Before or After Serum?
- Should You Apply a Serum Before or After a Concentrate?
- How to Choose the Right Face Serum for Your Skin
- How to Apply Serum on the Face: Step-by-Step
- When to Use Face Serum
- How Many Serums Can You Use at Once?
Serum vs Moisturizer: What’s the Difference?
One of the most common skincare questions is ‘do I need both a serum and a moisturizer?’ We recommend you use both, but first you need to know what a facial serum does compared to a moisturizer.
Face Serums: These are lightweight, thin-viscosity liquids designed to penetrate deep into the skin’s surface. They deliver a high concentration of active ingredients, like peptides, vitamin C or hyaluronic acid, directly to where they are needed most.
Moisturizers: These are thicker formulas designed to hydrate the skin’s surface layers and create a protective barrier. They help to ‘lock in’ your serum and it’s benefits and prevent transepidermal water loss.
Should You Apply Serum Before or After Moisturizer?
Skincare should always be applied in order of formula thickness. As such, a serum should always be applied before a moisturizer, as this maximizes the contact it has with the skin, helping to achieve the desired effect. The heavier texture of the moisturizer then works to lock those ingredients in and provide additional benefits.
Should You Apply Oil Before or After Serum?
Like moisturizers, facial oils have larger molecules and act as an occlusive layer. Therefore, serum always comes first. As most serums are water-based, the oil should be the very last step in your routine (sometimes even after moisturizer) to seal everything in.
Should You Apply a Serum Before or After a Concentrate?
Concentrates are very similar to serums in that they help to target specific skin concerns. However, while serums often bring together multiple ingredients, concentrates usually consist of a single ingredient, like hyaluronic acid or retinol.
A concentrate should be applied first in your routine, waiting two minutes for absorption and then applying a facial serum. This allows the most potent, single ingredient to sink into the skin without dilution.
How to Choose the Right Face Serum for Your Skin
Before you apply, you must select the right formula. To decide what the best serum for your face is, it’s important to first identify your primary skin concern:
Damage Reversal and Anti-Aging: Look for formulas containing peptides and antioxidants. Our No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum is a breakthrough formula that supports the skin’s natural self-repair process. For Brightening: Opt for a vitamin C serum like our No7 Radiance +15% Vitamin C Serum to help even out skin tone and boost radiance for a healthy-looking glow. For Hydration: Look for Hyaluronic Acid to plump the skin and retain moisture. Found in our No7 HydraLuminous+ Serum, it helps to deliver instant and long-lasting hydration. For Firming: Choose serums specifically formulated with collagen-supporting ingredients like those found in our No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Face & Neck Serum which supports a noticeably firmer look and feel.
Once you’ve found your perfect match, the next step is adding it to your routine.
How to Apply Serum on the Face: Step-by-Step
To ensure your skin absorbs every drop of those potent ingredients, follow our four-step routine:
Step 1: Gently Cleanse Your Skin
The daily build-up of oil and makeup can act as a barrier that prevents absorption, so a serum should always be applied to fresh, clean skin.
Morning and night, wash your face with a gentle cleanser to help dissolve impurities, and leave skin feeling clean, and revitalized.
Step 2: Use a Balancing Toner
Often overlooked, facial toners play an important role in preparing the skin for serum application. Not only do they help to rebalance the skin after cleansing, but they also sweep away any remaining traces of dirt and makeup
Before applying your serum, use a toner, like our No7 Toning Water, using a cotton pad to sweep over the skin in an upward motion to help reduce the appearance of pores and support a more even-looking complexion.
Step 3: Apply Your Targeted Serum
Now for the most important step: applying your chosen serum. This is where you’ll address your specific skin concerns.
Start by dispensing a pea-sized amount of serum into your palms. Instead of rubbing, lightly press and pat the serum onto your skin using upwards motions until fully absorbed into the face and neck.
Step 4: Lock in Benefits with a Moisturizer
Finish your routine by applying a moisturizer to lock in the serum’s nutrients. Also known as emollients, moisturizers help to prevent moisture loss and boost overall hydration, for a more balanced, plumped complexion.
Once your serum has been absorbed and skin feels mostly dry to the touch (usually after 30 to 60 seconds), massage your moisturizer over the face and neck.
When to Use Face Serum
For best results, face serum should be used twice daily, as part of both your morning and evening skincare routines, after cleansing and toning.
- Morning: Opt for a serum with antioxidants, like vitamin C, to shield your skin from environmental stressors and pollution throughout the day.
Evening: As nighttime is when skin cell turnover peaks, it’s the best time to use more intensive treatments such as our No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Serum, which works to reverse the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven tone and texture while you sleep.
Expert Tip: If you have oily skin, we recommend keeping serum application in your evening routine. This will help to reduce excess oiliness throughout the day.
How Many Serums Can You Use at Once?
When it comes to how many serums you should use, the general rule is to limit yourself to two per routine. While it is tempting to layer multiple products, using more than two serums could prevent the active ingredients from absorbing effectively and may cause irritation or ‘pilling’.
If you have multiple skin concerns you wish to address, our recommendation is to:
- Layer by Consistency: Always apply the thinnest, most water-based serum first before following with the richer formula.
- Prioritize Your Concern: Apply the serum that targets your primary goals first to ensure maximum contact with the skin.
- Alternate Your Routine: Consider using your serums in tandem – alternating every other day so they no longer come into contact with each other.
- Separate Day and Night: Instead of using two serums in the morning, introduce one to your evening routine.
Ready to transform your skin? Adding a targeted serum is one of the fastest ways to see visible results, from firmer-looking skin to a more even, hydrated complexion. Elevate your daily regimen with our range of serums. Featuring clinically proven formulas and potent ingredients, find the perfect addition to your skincare routine.
