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 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.
