Serum vs. Toner: What’s the Difference and Should You Use Them Together?

Are Serum and Toner the Same Thing?

I’ll be the first to admit that skincare products can be very confusing, especially when you are trying to use them in a daily skincare routine. We often get sent a few questions about which products to use, which work together and when should you apply them?

With this is mind today I’m going to be a tackling one of the latest answers to be passed my way and that is “are serum and toner the same thing?” so, if you’ve found yourself ever wondering something similar then stick around and we’ll find out more together.

What does serum do for your face?

You will often find that serums are a skincare product that is formulated with potent levels of active ingredients. You can expect to find glycolic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin C and many more added into the mix as serums are known for their ability to penetrate the furthest. If there are any concerns with premature ageing, hyperpigmentation and a dull complexion I am confident you will find a serum that works for you and your skin type.

The texture of serums vary from other products, such as moisturisers as they are usually lighter in consistency meaning they should be applied to the skin before moisturisers or any other products that are thicker. The easiest way of remembering what a serum actually does for the skin is by thinking of them as jam packed delivery parcels formulated to target specific areas and concerns.

The main benefits and areas serums are able to help are the following:

Anti-ageing benefits due to the fact they are able to reach the lower layers of the skin and repair any damage caused by free radicals that can cause signs of premature ageing including fine lines and wrinkles.

Combat uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation such as dark spots developed from overexposure to harmful UV rays.

Deeply nourish and hydrate the skin to help restore the skin’s natural protective barrier that can often become damaged when it comes into contact with various environmental aggressors.

Most potent way of ensuring your skin is getting the highest amounts of vitamins, active ingredients and powerful blends.

There are many more benefits from using serums, but I just wanted to share with you the most common and noticeable to begin with. Although serums are considered a high performing product it is totally down to you and your routine if to include a serum.

What does toner do for your face?

Traditionally toners where part of the famous routine method better known as- cleanse, tone and moisturise. Things have admittedly moved on a lot since then and you’ll find toners have changed in various ways too, for example, previously formulated from floral water the step didn’t really do much for the skin expect make it feel clean and fresh. Now you can find an array of toners all containing different active ingredients and chemical exfoliants such as AHAs and BHAs, most popular being glycolic acid. Quite often you can expect to find toners benefit the skin by finishing off the work started by a cleanser, for example, cleansers work at removing traces of product and bacteria whilst beginning to loosen the bonds of dead skin cells holding them to the surface of the skin. Once you have swiped a cotton disc soaked in your chosen toner you will slough away any remaining dirt, debris and build-up of dead skin cells.

Here is a quick rundown of the benefits you will find when using a toner in your skincare routine:

When formulated with active ingredients and chemical exfoliants toners can help slough away the layer of dirt, bacteria, dead skin cells and traces of product left behind from cleansing

Toner will remove any barrier stopping other skincare products to benefit through the skin and reach the layers they need to

You can find toners to suit all skin types, from traditional floral water to chemical exfoliating blends

If used correctly you can keep the skin healthy and glowing by removing build-up and balancing excess sebum on the outer surface of the skin

Is it okay to use serum without toner?

This is really up to you and what works in your skincare routine, as I have previously mentioned the benefits of using a toner there is really no law saying you have to use all of these products. The main points you have to remember about using a serum with or without a toner are:

As long as you cleanse the skin your serum will be able to work its way into the dermis but perhaps not as rapidly if you used a toner first

By using a serum and not toner you will avoid any potential overuse of potent formulas that can cause skin dryness when used incorrectly

Those of you with an oily or blemish-prone skin type may find skipping a toner can result in an imbalance of excess sebum that can be controlled with other ingredients and products

Each product work perfectly as a stand-alone product, but you may find using them together creates a skin benefit power duo

We’ve certainly given you a hint into how effective using a serum and toner together can be so I’m going to share this in a little more detail now, if however, you are finding serums a topic that needs a little more explaining or you need help trying to find how to choose one that suits your skin, check out our dedicated serum blog post.

Can I use toner and serum together?

Absolutely! As mentioned before, you will find serum and toner make a potent power couple and can help treat your skin to a large variety of skincare benefits. Although both of these work great when applied alone, using them together offers more benefits such as:

Using complimentary ingredients to treat the skin for optimal results

Toner can remove barrier allowing the serum to absorb into the skin quicker

Serum can restore and soothe the skin after applying a toner containing chemical exfoliants such as glycolic acid

I may even be as bold as saying you will find there is a huge difference to the skin if you have not previously introduced either of these products to your daily skincare routine.

Do you use serum before or after toner?

Toners are considered the second step to a skincare routine and help prepare the skin for other products to absorb and penetrate further. This results in it being advisable to apply toner before serums to gain optimal results and reap the rewards of using products correctly and effectively.

I hope that answers some questions you had about serum and toner, don’t forget if you ever have a skincare question, head over to our Instagram and drop us a message, we’ll be so happy to see you there!

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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