How to Use a Serum on the Face

Loaded with powerful ingredients that go deep into your skin, skin serums are able to do what regular moisturizers aren’t capable of. Sure, the price tag isn’t something to put on the “pro” list as many goo skin serums come for a steep price. However, they impress with their ability to smooth out the fine lines, to tighten your skin, to improve the cell turnover and to even your skin complexion while brightening your skin tone.

Unfortunately for some, how you use your serum is fundamental and may be the reason for which you didn’t get results in the first place. Keeping some tips in mind and following some ground rules may lead to the dramatic changes that your serum is, in fact, meant to achieve.

Let’s start fresh – some useful tips on how to apply the serum

Going over these tips is going to help you get why you haven’t been able to actually notice the big results from using your serum. If this is your first, they’re just going to help you do it well right from the beginning:

  • Cleanse your skin thoroughly

If your skin isn’t clean enough, the active ingredients within the serum are going to stick to dirt and dead skin and not be able to go deep in skin, as planned. You need to make sure that the absorption is complete so cleaning and washing your skin before applying the serum is fundamental. It’s better to use tepid water as hot water may cause perspiration of your skin, blocking the absorption of the serum. Cold water, on the other hand, may close pores and block the serum altogether.

  • Go with damp skin

Some think that moist skin is in fact 10 times more absorbent than dry skin so we say it’s better to apply the serum on damp skin. Once your skin is cleansed and mist with some alcohol-free toner, continue with applying the serum. Some recommend using your open palms and not the fingertips, but as long as you’re gentle on skin, it may be just the same.

  • Less is always more

Remember that serums are highly concentrated so you only need a bit of it for each use. You do want to make it worth.

  • Don’t forget about your moisturizer

Even though a serum is powerful, it cannot replace a moisturizer. You need to follow your skin serum with a moisturizer, but only when the serum is fully absorbed into your skin.

You know you got yourself a good serum if it dries fast and it disappears nice and quickly into your skin. You don’t want any oily or sticky residue and you want your skin to feel nice and soft to touch.

  • Stay away from the colors and fragrances

You don’t want your skin serum to be colored prettily and you don’t want it to have a strong scent either. Most of the high-quality options out there don’t have a smell and are colorless as well.

The whole idea behind the efficiency of serums is that they’re loaded with powerful ingredients and they’re not supposed to look nice or to smell pretty. Added colors and fragrances are just going to lower their efficiency.

What are the rules to keep in mind when applying serums?

As confusing as they may be to some, skin serums are a great addition to anyone’s skin care regimen but applying it the right way can actually make the difference between the serum that works and the one that fails.

Here are some other and more important rules to remember when applying your face serum:

  • The rule of thumb – the serum comes first

If you’re using more than one serum and you don’t know which order to go, remember that you always need to go from the thinnest to the thickest. The thinner the consistency, the earlier you need to apply the serum.

This means that you should start with your serum, continue with the oils and finish with the gel and creams.  Sunscreens always go last.

Don’t forget to wait a few minutes between the skin care products, allowing them to fully absorb into your skin.

  • The right moisturizer to use with serums

Not all serums go great with all moisturizers and that’s the main reason for trying to use skin care products from the same brand. If that’s not possible (you may want to go with a high-end serum and a low-price moisturizer, for instance), it’s important to check if your serum may be included in your skin care regimen. In other words, you need to make sure that the ingredients in the serum don’t cause an allergic reaction when combined with the moisturizer.

  • Read the instructions, anyway

No matter how much you know or think you know about the serums, it’s always wise to give a good read to the instructions. You don’t want to use too much of it and end up struggling for the serum to sink into your skin.

A little goes a long way most of the time and it’s better to reapply than having to fight with the excess of the serum.

Are there any more tips to remember?

If this is the first time you’re thinking about using a serum, going over the last tips isn’t going to be a waste of time. It’s not a waste of time to go over them even if you do know about skin serums. Who knows, maybe you’ve always done something wrong when applying!

  • Pay attention to your skin

Since serums are made with fewer oils than moisturizers are, it’s important to pay attention to your skin’s type and reactions when you’re using a serum. An oily skin may not need a moisturizer anymore when using a serum but a dry skin may always need a good moisturizer after the serum.

  • What are your skin’s needs?

Most skin serums address specific skin issues so you need to know exactly what you’re getting it for. Go online and ask around in order to decide which serum works best for your specific skin problem.

  • Be ready to open your wallet

Formulated on powerful ingredients and far more concentrated than the moisturizers, it’s only natural for the serums to be more expensive. However, a little goes a long way so your serum is going to last for quite some time.

  • Use short and firm strokes

You need to be gentle on your skin, but using short and firm strokes is going to work the serum better on skin. Never stretch, pull or rub your skin. Always use the tapping action for helping the serum absorb faster into your skin.

  • Tingling is ok

Don’t worry if your serum causes a tingling sensation as it’s a sign that the active ingredients in the serum are going exactly where they’re supposed to go.