Serum or Moisturizer First? The Order That Works – Plum

What is a face serum and how does it work on your skin?

A serum is a concentrated oil or water-based formula, infused with one or more active ingredients that nourish and repair your skin while protecting it from external aggressors.

Interestingly, a hydrating serum is also a moisturizer, just like face creams.

Serums are the most potent treatment for skin concerns, infused with active ingredients in regulated concentration. Moreover, due to their small molecular size, they ensure faster and deeper penetration into your skin.

Moisturizers: how do they work?

A moisturizer is meant to hydrate your skin deeply.

Unless you opt for a gel or water-based formula, moisturizers or face creams are richer and creamier in texture than the other skincare products.

This is because moisturizers are curated for the following functions in a skincare routine:

Hydrate your skin to replenish its lost moisture.
Lock in the benefits of the serum.
Form a thin protective barrier on your skin, to protect it from external aggressors.

Naturally, your moisturizer is thicker in texture than your serum, which allows it to seal the benefits of serum into your skin.

Additionally, a moisturizer due to its milder concentration of actives, will not be as targeted a treatment as a serum.

What should you apply first? Serum or moisturizer?

Always apply products in order of texture— from the thinnest to the thickest. This ensures optimal absorption of the product in your skin.

Additionally, water-based products should always come before oil-based products, in order of application. This is because water cannot penetrate through oil. Thus if you are layering an oil-based product before the water-based one, you’re rendering the former completely ineffective.

So, to finally answer the most awaited question, what to apply first, serum or moisturizer?

Always apply your serum before your moisturizer, especially if it is water-based.

Here are a few more reasons why you apply serum before moisturizer:

Serums are usually water-based while moisturizers may contain different f oils. Thus serums won’t be able to penetrate your skin over a layer of moisturizer.
Serums are stronger formulas of active ingredients that target skin concerns by penetrating the deeper layers of the skin. However, moisturizers may contain active ingredients in buffered concentration as they are primarily formulated to work on the surface of your skin.
Moisturizers, unlike serums, also contain occlusives to form a thin layer of protection on the surface of your skin and lock in the moisture. As a layer of protection, a moisturizer also restricts the permeability of the skin. Thus, a moisturizer will not allow the serum to penetrate your skin.

However, there are always exceptions to every rule. Some active ingredients like retinol, on rare occasions, tend to be slightly harsher on sensitive skin in the earlier days of use.

But again, it might be essential to use them through a serum for the most effective treatment.

For best results, you can use the ‘retinol sandwich’ technique when you add a retinol serum to your routine. In this method, a moisturizer is layered both before and after the serum to lock in and buffer its potency.

If you are unsure about how your skin might react to a potent active ingredient in a serum, use this technique to minimize the risks of ‘purging’ in the early days of use.

Once your skin adjusts to the new ingredients, reset the order of layering- serum, followed by the moisturizer.

What’s the right skincare order?

When in confusion about the order of your skincare routine, remember this short form- ‘CTSMS’, where each letter stands for a routine skin. Let’s elaborate on the initials:

Step 1: Cleanser

Every day, your face is exposed to pollution, dirt, sun, and even oil. So, washing your skin, at least twice a day, is non-negotiable.

Both in the day and night, begin your skincare by washing your face with a gentle cleanser.

Step 2: Toner

Toners balance the pH of your skin, minimize pores, and prepare your skin for the upcoming steps in the skincare routine.

Yet many people still consider it as an optional step in skincare. Including a toner in your skincare acts as a catalyst to the whole process of repair, hydration, and nourishment.

After washing your face, spritz a generous amount of toner all over your face and neck, and allow it to get absorbed by your skin. Opt for active ingredients like green tea, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to ensure hydration and soothe your skin.

Step 3: Serum

Serums are ideal for targeted treatment. They are infused with active ingredients and penetrate deep into your skin to nourish and repair it while fighting various skin issues. If you have oily skin, a salicylic acid serum or a serum with niacinamide & salicylic acid will ensure efficient oil regulation on your face.

Take 3-4 drops of your serum, gently pat it on your skin, and wait for a couple of minutes for it to get absorbed into your skin.

Face essences are also effective moisturizers that hydrate and nourish your skin. You can use Plum’s Cica & Hya-Betaine Vegan Mucin Face Essence With Azuki Bean Extracts & ATP that ensures 5-layer deep hydration and locks moisture upto 72 hours. It is also quick absorbing and absolutely oil-free, making it ideal for all skin types.

Step 4: Moisturizer

Moisturizers form a protective barrier on your skin and lock in nourishment and the benefits of the serum.

Take a pea-sized amount and gently massage it all over your face and neck, until it is nicely absorbed by your skin.

Step 5: Sunscreen in the day/ Night cream at night

In the daytime, sunscreen is a must. Always use a broad spectrum sunscreen, with an SPF of at least 30, even when you are indoors.

Take three-finger-length worth of sunscreen, apply it all over your face and neck, and gently massage until absorbed. Apply 15 minutes before you step out into the sun unless it is a mineral sunscreen.

At night, use a hydrating face moisturizer, infused with active ingredients like green tea, ceramides, salicylic acid with lactic acid, or resveratrol, to boost the nighttime repair of your skin.

Things to note to get the maximum benefits of serum and moisturizer

1. Choose products based on your skin type.

For dry skin, opt for products with occlusives and humectants, and active ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and lock in moisture.

For those with oily acne-prone and combination skin, opt for oil-free products with active ingredients like green tree and niacinamide which regulate oil on your skin and soothe it.

For sensitive skin, opt for ingredients that strengthen your skin barrier like ceramides and peptides, and for formulas that are hypoallergenic, unscented, and non-comedogenic.

2. Always do a patch test before introducing a new formula to your skin.

3. Always cleanse your face, before layering a serum or moisturizer to ensure optimal absorption into the skin.

4. Do not overuse– be it your serum or moisturizer as it can irritate your skin leading to breakouts and rashes. Always remember, less is more when using science-backed skincare formulas. For the best results, use serum and moisturizer twice a day in your AM/PM skincare.

5. Never skip your sunscreen as sun exposure reduces the efficacy of skincare products. Sunscreens are formulated to be resilient to the harmful rays of the sun and ensure a long-lasting stay of the other skincare products.

Now you’re all set armed with everything you need to know about the skincare order. Now that the basics are clear, start a dedicated skincare routine and pave the way for healthy and glowing skin.

FAQs:

What to apply first serum or moisturizer?

Always apply your serum before your moisturizer, especially if it is water-based in formula.

Can moisturizer be applied immediately after serum?

It is ideal to wait a couple of minutes after applying a serum to ensure optimal absorption into your skin.

Why should serum be applied before moisturizer?

A serum is lighter than a moisturizer in texture since it is usually water-based and is meant to penetrate your skin to work. Thus, to ensure optimal absorption and stay, you must always apply serum before your moisturizer.

What happens if you apply serum and moisturizer in the wrong order?

Applying the serum and moisturizer in the wrong order doesn’t harm your skin but it inevitably renders your skincare products ineffective as it interferes with their mechanism of work.