How To Apply Face Serum

Having a good skincare routine is essential to have the healthiest skin possible. A skincare routine keeps your skin smooth and moisturized. It is crucial to decrease acne, minimize wrinkles, and blur pores. Because of this, it fights the aging process in your skin and makes it look youthful and radiant for longer.

When it comes to good skin care, there are so many products on the market. The essentials include facial cleanser and moisturizer, but there is so much more. If you are looking for something to vamp up your routine, you may want to invest in a face serum.

Face serums are products that deliver a higher concentration of a certain ingredient to your skin. They are easy to apply and has so many skincare benefits. By using a face serum, you can transform your skin and have a much healthier-looking complexion. Here is all you need to know about face serum including how to apply it.

What is face serum?

Face serum is a highly popular skincare ingredient many people add to their skincare regimen. Serums are made up of smaller molecules of certain skincare ingredients. Thus, they deliver a higher concentration of these ingredients. For this reason, they are highly effective at treating specific skin problems and/or problem areas.

The consistency of face serum tends to be more lightweight and thinner than a moisturizer or cleanser. They often come in oils or liquids that are gel or water-based. So most of the time, they feel lightweight and cooling on the face which gives a refreshing sensation.

Common ingredients found in face serums are hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol, vitamin E, alpha hydroxy acids, and more. A lot of these ingredients are great at attracting moisture to the skin, so they are great for dry skin types. However, most serums work great for all skin types.

When should you use face serum?

Since face serums are not typically very heavy on the skin, you can use them either in the morning or night. However, I would not recommend using them twice a day, as they are highly concentrated products. So they definitely have the potential to irritate your skin if used too much. This is especially true for those with sensitive skin.

When you apply a face serum, it should be applied after your cleanser but before your moisturizer. This is important because moisturizers need to be applied last in your routine, as they add that extra layer of protection for your skin.

How To Apply Face Serum

Face serum can seem daunting to incorporate into your skincare regimen, but it shouldn’t be! It can have so many amazing skincare benefits. Here is how to best apply it.

Step #1 – Cleanse your skin

The very first step in your skincare routine should be cleansing your face. Use a gentle cleanser with a simple ingredient list to not irritate your skin.

Our recommendation is the Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser. You can buy it here:

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser has a unique formula that hydrates and cleans at the same time.

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Using a facial cleanser will clean any sebum, dirt, and excess bacteria off the surface of your skin. This prepares it for the rest of the products in your routine.

Step #2 – Apply face serum

After you rinse the cleanser off of your face, you can apply the face serum. If you are using a toner or facial spray, use it before the serum.

When applying serum, remember that a little goes a long way. Take a dime-sized amount in your fingertips and dab it onto each area of your face. Then, use patting motions to gently pat it into your skin. Since serums are so highly concentrated, you want to avoid rubbing it into the skin as that could cause irritation.

Step #3 – Wait a few minutes

After applying the face serum to your skin, you want to wait a few minutes to let it fully absorb. This is usually approximately 3-5 minutes. This allows for maximum absorption into the skin which will benefit your skin more.

This also gives it time to soak into the skin and not leave a sticky or white-colored residue.

Step #4 – Apply a moisturizer

The final step is to apply a moisturizer or face cream. Although serum does have moisturizing properties, it definitely does not replace your moisturizer. We recommend a good quality moisturizer that has long-lasting results.

Our favorite moisturizer is the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. You can buy it here:

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

This head-to-toe moisturizer provides instant relief and hydration for dry, distressed skin, and even eczema.

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A good moisturizer not only hydrates the skin, but it also adds an extra barrier of protection. It locks in the nutrients applied in previous steps of your skincare routine, like the face serum. Also, it gives you a healthy, radiant glow.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for something to spice up your skincare regimen, face serum is a great option. They not only make your skin look glowy and flawless, but they also are able to target specific skin problem areas that you may have. By applying and incorporating it through these methods, you’ll reach healthy, radiant skin in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best face serum?

There are tons of amazing face serums out there that people swear by. Also, depending on your problem areas, different ones could work better for you and are suited for your skincare concerns. However, for an all-around amazing face serum, we recommend The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum. You can buy it here:

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

This product from The Ordinary is rich in Niacinamide and zinc to reduce signs of congestion and balance sebum activity.

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What should you look for in a face serum?

For a good face serum, here are the things you should look for. For one, it should be hydrating on the skin. No one likes their serums to feel tightening or tacky on the skin. Another thing you should look for is how it feels on the skin. Make sure it is lightweight and breathable. Finally, look for face serums that target your specific skin concerns for best results.

What should you avoid in a face serum?

There are a few ingredients in face serums that you should stay away from especially if you have sensitive skin. The worst one by far is fragrance. Fragrance is an umbrella term for a bunch of harmful ingredients that you don’t want to be putting on your skin. Also, fragrance is one of the leading causes of skin irritation when it comes to skincare products. Also, don’t buy serums that added color, as this can also be harmful to those with sensitive skin. When purchasing a face serum, make sure to thoroughly read the ingredient list and understand what you are putting on your skin.