What Is Face Serum And How To Use It: A Beginners Guide

You wouldn’t be the first (or last, for that matter) not to know what a face serum is and how to use it correctly. Does it go on before or after the moisturizer? Is it better to apply it at night, or in the morning? If you’re used to simply cleansing and moisturizing your skin, adding a serum to your skincare routine can be pretty intimidating at first.

For such a tiny bottle, serums really pack a bunch. Designed to tackle various skin conditions, starting from dryness, irritation to acne, hyperpigmentation, or even acne scars, these little vials of goodness are bursting with quality active ingredients that can make your skin look nourished, hydrated, and healthy.

If you want to enrich your skincare routine by adding a serum, this article will answer all your questions about the correct application and give you a few tips to get started.

What Is A Face Serum?

The serum is a lightweight skincare product packed with a high concentration of nutrients and active ingredients such as Vitamin C, collagen, or retinol, designed to tackle various skin concerns like premature aging, dry and irritated skin, or acne. Applied after cleansing but before moisturizer, the serum’s molecules penetrate deep into the skin and lock in the moisture to protect, nourish and hydrate your skin from within. Serums usually come in transparent, gel-based, or liquid formulas, making it easy to layer with your other skincare products.

How To Use Serum The Right Way

As someone new to the serum hype, you may have a few questions about the correct application of the product to see the most significant results. We have the answers!

How Do I Choose The Right Serum For Me?

It all depends on what skin concerns you’re currently facing and your skin type. For example:

For oily and breakout-prone skin, look for serums with active ingredients like salicylic acid or retinol
For dry and irritated skin, try using hyaluronic acid or ceramides based products
When it comes to sun damage and hyperpigmentation, consider using serums with antioxidants like Vitamin C

How Often Should I Use Serum?

You can use serum once or twice a day, right after you cleanse it. But, it’s essential to read the label of your specific product and see the brand’s recommendation. You may also want to tackle two different skin concerns, for example, by using a hydrating face serum in the morning, and something tougher in the evening, like salicylic acid serums to keep pimples and blackheads at bay.

How To Apply Serum Correctly?

For starters, don’t overdo it because less is better when it comes to serums. If you’re using a pump serum, usually 1-2 pumps is all you need to apply a thin layer of the products. If you’re using a dropper serum, you’ll only need 4-5 drops. Pro tip: For dropper serums, drop the product directly on the palm of your hand instead of applying it directly to your face, as seen on YouTube or TikTok. You’ll end up with a tonne of excess product and spend $$$ on buying it more often because of the waste.

What Is The Correct Order Of Using Skincare Products?

For serums and all your other skincare products to work effectively, they need to be applied in the correct order. But it can be so confusing to get it right! Here’s the most beneficial order to use your skincare products: