How To Use Face Serum

Face serums are great to treat acne, wrinkles, facial redness, and dark spots- but they need to be applied properly. This blog will discuss what face serums are, the benefits, and how to apply them.

How to apply face serum

When you splurge on expensive face serums, you want to make sure you get your money’s worth by applying the serum correctly.

Most face serums evaporate quickly, are unstable in light and air, react with other products in the regimen, and won’t work if they are applied at the wrong time in the skin care routine.

I am a dermatologist and these are the tips and advice that I give my patients on how to apply face serum correctly. Keep reading to learn how much serum to apply, how long to wait after serum before applying moisturizer, and when to use face serums in your skin care routine.

Before you use any serums, make sure you are using the correct serum for your skin type.

There are 16 Baumann Skin Types and each has different serum needs.

What is the definition of a serum?

There are many types of products that call themselves serums- but what is a serum and what serum should I use?

There is actually no set definition of a serum. The name implies the liquidy hydrophilic substance that remains behind when solid components are removed. The name “serum” comes from blood serum which is the liquid left behind when platelets and blood cells are removed.

Face serums often contain hydrophilic liquids extracted from plants and other beneficial substances. Serums are usually water soluble but in some cases may be oil-based. Whether a serum is oil based or water based can effect how you use them. For example- you might want to keep water based serums in the fridge. Although you can put oil based serums in the fridge, it is only necessary in very hot conditions.

When to apply face serums in the skin care routine?

At what step do you apply serum?

Face serum should be applied at step 3 in your morning and night skin care routine.

This is the step-by-step skin care product order for most skin types:

Cleanser

Eye Cream or Serum

Face Serum

Moisturizer

Sunscreen or Retinoid

Your skin care routine should be customized for your Baumann Skin Type.

Once you take the quiz we tell you the exact skin care routine step order to use your products.

Take the Quiz

use serums step 3 in morning and night routine

Should I use a face serum before or after moisturizer?

Moisturizers with humectants like hyaluronic acid can go before serums.

But most types of moisturizers have both humectants and occlusives. So to be sure follow this advice.

Always use face serum before a moisturizer.

There are two exceptions to this rule:

1. If the serum is an oil or contains many fatty acids, it can be applied before or after moisturizer.

2. Retinoids such as retinol serum are always applied after a moisturizer until you get used to them. See specific retinoid serum instructions here.

All serums that meet the classic definition of a serum and are not oils or retinoids should be followed with a moisturizer that is right for your Baumann Skin Type.

When I discuss if you should use a moisturizer after a serum, I am referring to the classic definition of serums as a water soluble concentrate. Some products that claim they are serums are actually oils. (Note that essential oils are not the same as oils.)

You do not need to use a moisturizer after using an oil serum because oil serums contain occlusive ingredients.

Most serums do not have many fats or oils, so they do not have much occlusive effect and will evaporate off of the skin and not penetrate well into the skin unless they are covered by a moisturizer.

Occlusive ingredients do 2 things:

They help keep water from evaporating off of the skin

They push ingredients into the skin.

How well they do this depends upon the types of fatty acids in the occlusive and what other ingredients are in the occlusive.

To slug serum into your skin to boost absorption, apply an occlusive moisturizer after the serum.

There is no need to stress about choosing serums and deciding when to use them in your skin care routine. We do it all for you!

Our dermatologists have developed over 40,000 regimen templates that will be customized for you based on your skin type and how you answer the quiz questions.

All you have to do is take the skin care routine quiz.

Take the Quiz

How To Use Face Serums Correctly?

Apply 1/8th of a teaspoon of serum to the back of your hand. Use your fingers to pick up the serum and apply it in circular motions over your cheeks, chine, nose and forehead.

Make sure you apply the serum at the correct step in your skin care routine.

When to use Serum Day or Night?

When to use a face serum depends upon your custom skin care routine. Protective serums are used in the day and repair serums are used at night.

Can I use a different serum day and night?

Yes you can! In face if you have many barriers to skin health that you need to treat, you may need one serum in the am and a different serum at night.

Which serums to use in the am and pm depends upon your Baumann Skin Type.

You want to use protective ingredients like antioxidants such as Vitamin C in the morning and reparative serums like niacinamide and coenzyme Q10 in the evening before bed.

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Can I use two serums together?

You can use two serums together but this will decrease the effectiveness of both of them.

Some cosmeceutical ingredients in the serum react and cancel each other out.

if you must use 2 serums at the same time, use them one after another. Never mix them together before applying.

How many face serums should I use?

The number of serums you should use in your skin care routine depends upon how many barriers to skin health you have.

In general you need 1- 2 serums in your skin care routine.

Barriers to skin health

Make sure that you are using the right serum for your Baumann Skin Type, otherwise it is a waste of time and money and may actually increase your skin’s barriers to skin health- making your skin worse.

Our scientific and validated skin type quiz will tell you which brands of face serum are right for you and will tell you when to use each one in your routine.

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When you shop by your Baumann Skin Type – we will give you an exact customized skin care routine with steps that will answer these questions. You will be able to choose products from many brands that are right for YOUR skin type.

We will tell you if you need any serums in your routine. It is possible that:

You will not need a serum

You need the same serum for morning and night

You need one serum in the morning and a different serum at night.

You need two serums

How to wash your face before using a serum?

How you wash your face, which facial cleanser you wash your face with, and what type of water you use will affect how well your serum works.

What cleanser is best to use before a serum?

Cleanser choice dramatically affects how well your serums work. There are several reasons for this:

Cleansers have a huge effect on your skin’s pH

Cleansers either deposit fatty acids on the skin or strip fatty acids off the skin

Cleansers and the way you cleanse will affect the stratum corneum layer of the skin and how much the ingredients in the serum can penetrate into the skin

This is why every single skin care product in your skin care routine should be chosen carefully to make sure they are increasing the efficacy of each other and not decreasing the effectiveness of each other. There is a lot of evidence- based research about this. The bottom line is- cleansers should be chosen by Baumann Skin Type and what skin care products come after the cleanser in the regimen. The goal is to choose the right cleanser to make your expensive treatment serums work better.

Take the Quiz

Do I apply serum to wet or dry skin?

Serums will penetrate into the skin better when skin is damp. If you use warm water to wash your face, your skin will be slightly warm and damp. This is the prefect environment to apply a serum. After cleansing and rinsing off the cleanser, pat gently to remove any excess water on the face. Your face should not be dripping- it should just be damp. Apply the serum immediately while skin is still wet.

What to do after applying serum on your face?

Apply the next step of your skin care routine. Our routines are designed so that you do not need to wait in between routine steps.

Can I mix two serums together in my hand?

Never mix two serums in your hand and apply them both at the same time.

You will be causing a chemical reaction between the serums that will actually change the serums into something different that could be dangerous or irritating to your skin.

How to apply face serum with a dropper?

These are the best steps when using a dropper to apply serum to the face:

Wash face gently with the appropriate cleanser for your Baumann Skin Type.

After cleansing face, pat skin gently with towel once or twice so skin remains damp.

Dispense or drip 1/8th of a teaspoon of serum (3-5 drops or 1- 2 pumps) onto your fingertips or the back of your hand.

Use your pointer finger and middle finger to pick the serum up from the back of your hand and apply to your face

Apply serum to the face immediately using a small circular tapping motion with your fingertips.

Cover your entire cheeks, forehead, under eye area, nose and chin.

Be careful using serums near the eyes because if they have alcohol they can sting your eyes when they evaporate.

Follow with the next step of your skin care routine

How to apply face serum from a pump?

Measure out how much comes out with one pump. We suggest 1/8th of a teaspoon total which can be 1-3 pumps depending on the packaging.

Apply the same way as discussed above.

How much serum should I apply?

You should use 1/8 teaspoon of serum on your face for each application.

Most instructions tell you to apply 2 pumps or a pea size amount, but not all serum pumps dispense the same amount. Pump serum into a measuring spoon to see how much your pump dispenses. You should apply 1/8 teaspoon of serum to your entire face. If your serum comes in a medicine dropper, this is probably 3-4 drops of serum.

How long to wait after using my serum to apply moisturizer?

Many blogs on how to apply a face serum give instructions that tell you to wait 5 minutes because they do not want the serum to be affected by the products that follow it.

However, if you skin care routine is designed properly so that your moisturizer helps your serum work, there is not a need to wait.

In fact, applying your moisturizer right away will help prevent evaporation of some of the serum’s important ingredients.

Our regimens are designed to apply the moisturizer immediately after applying the serum.

Shop for serums by skin type

What Water do I Use to Wash my Face Before Using a Serum?

Learn about how water affects your serum’s effectiveness here.

Shop by your Baumann Skin Type to find the best serums for you and to know exactly what other products to use with the serums and when to apply the serum and moisturizer.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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