Should You Use Serum Before or After Moisturizers?

Introduction

Skincare can feel like a puzzle sometimes. With so many products in your routine, it’s natural to wonder, “Am I applying these in the right order?” Surprisingly, the sequence matters more than you think!

Your skin is like a sponge—it absorbs products best when applied correctly. Using the wrong order could mean wasted products and fewer benefits for your skin.

So, here’s the question: Should you apply serum before or after moisturizer?

The answer matters. The order of your skincare routine affects how well the products work. This guide will explain the best way to use serum and moisturizer. Let’s dive in!

The Functions of Serums and Moisturizers

Understanding the purpose of each product is essential when building your skincare routine. Two of the most popular staples—serums and moisturizers—serve very different roles. Let’s break it down so you can see why both are important and how they work together.

What is a Serum?

Think of a serum as your skincare superhero. It’s a lightweight, water—or gel-based product specifically designed to deliver powerful active ingredients deep into your skin. Unlike moisturizers, which mostly work on the surface, serums go straight to the source of your concerns.

Serums are packed with potent ingredients that tackle specific skin issues, such as:

• Fine lines and wrinkles: Serums with retinol or peptides can boost collagen and improve skin elasticity.
• Dark spots and uneven tone: Ingredients like vitamin C work to brighten and even out your complexion.
• Dehydration: Serums with hyaluronic acid draw in moisture to leave your skin plump and hydrated.

Because of their lightweight formula, serums absorb quickly and don’t leave a heavy feeling on your skin. This makes them perfect for layering under other products like moisturizers.

What is a Moisturizer?

If serums are the superheroes, moisturizers are the protective shields. They are typically thicker, oil-based products that focus on hydration and creating a barrier on your skin.

Moisturizers serve two primary purposes:

1. Hydrating your skin: By replenishing lost moisture, they keep your skin soft, smooth, and healthy.
2. Locking in the good stuff: Moisturizers seal the benefits of serums and prevent water loss.

In addition to hydration, moisturizers act as a protective barrier. They shield your skin from environmental stressors like pollution and cold weather. The skin might feel dry and exposed without a moisturizer, especially after applying lighter products like serums.

How Do They Work Together?

Here’s the beauty of serums and moisturizers: they complement each other perfectly. A serum dives deep to tackle specific skin concerns, while a moisturizer works on the surface to lock in hydration and protect your skin.

When used in the correct order, these two products create a powerful duo that leaves your skin healthy, glowing, and ready to face the day.

Next, we’ll look at why applying serum before moisturizer is the golden rule for your skincare routine. Stay tuned!

Why Serums Should Go Before Moisturizers

Suppose you’ve ever wondered why the order of skincare products matters; this section is for you. Applying your products in the correct sequence is the key to getting the most out of them.

The general rule regarding serums and moisturizers is simple: serum first, moisturizer second. Let’s explore why.

Penetration Hierarchy

Your skin absorbs products in a particular way. It’s all about the formula’s weight and texture. Lighter products, like serums, are absorbed more quickly because of their smaller molecular structure.

Serums are designed to penetrate the skin, where they can work their magic. Applying a heavy product like a moisturizer first creates a barrier on the skin’s surface. This blocks the serum from penetrating and reduces its effectiveness.

Think of it this way: If you pour water on a sponge, it soaks in immediately. But if you cover the sponge with oil first, the water slides off. This is why serums go on before moisturizers—to ensure they reach the deeper layers of your skin.

Effectiveness of Active Ingredients

Serums contain active ingredients like antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients target skin concerns such as wrinkles, dark spots, and dehydration. However, for them to work, they need to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.

Moisturizers, on the other hand, are thicker and designed to work on the surface. They don’t penetrate as deeply as serums. Instead, they act as a protective seal, locking in hydration and preventing water loss.

Applying your serum first allows its powerful ingredients to do their job without interference. Once your serum has been absorbed, your moisturizer seals the deal, keeping your skin hydrated and protecting it from environmental damage.

The Perfect Duo

When used correctly, serums and moisturizers create an effective and efficient skincare routine. The serum provides targeted treatment, while the moisturizer enhances and locks in those benefits.

Next time you apply your skincare, remember this simple rule: lightweight before heavy, serum before moisturizer. Your skin will thank you!

Next, we’ll discuss how to apply these products step-by-step for the best results. Stay tuned!

When to Break the Rule

While the golden rule is to apply serum before moisturizer, there are exceptions. Sometimes, your skin’s needs or the environment might call for a different approach. Let’s look at when you should consider flipping the script.

For Sensitive or Extremely Dry Skin

Certain serums might feel too strong if your skin is sensitive or prone to irritation. Active ingredients like retinol or exfoliating acids can sometimes cause redness or discomfort. In this case, applying a moisturizer first can act as a buffer.

This buffer softens the impact of potent serums. Think of it as putting down a protective layer that shields your skin while allowing the serum to do its job more gently.

The moisturizer-first method can also help people with extremely dry skin. Dry skin often has a compromised barrier, making it difficult to handle the intensity of a serum. A layer of moisturizer provides hydration and protection before introducing more active products.

During Emergencies (e.g., Extreme Weather)

Your skincare routine may need adjustments when facing harsh weather conditions or temporary skin concerns.

• In cold, windy weather, your skin can lose moisture quickly. Applying a thick moisturizer first helps protect your skin from the elements.
• During summer, your skin might feel sensitive or inflamed after too much sun exposure. In this case, using a soothing moisturizer first can calm irritation before applying targeted serums.

Environmental changes can have a big impact on your skin. Temporarily changing things up is okay to give your skin what it needs most.

Listen to Your Skin

The most important rule? Listen to your skin. While serums before moisturizers is generally the best practice, your skin’s condition and unique needs come first. If flipping the order works better for you, go for it.

Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s about what makes your skin look and feel its best. Next, we’ll discuss how to tailor your routine to your skin type and maximize results!

Daytime vs. Nighttime Application

Your skin’s needs vary throughout the day, and your skincare routine should adapt to meet those demands. Whether protecting your skin from the sun and pollution or helping it recover overnight, using the right products at the right time is crucial. Let’s break it down!

Daytime Routine

During the day, your skin faces environmental stressors like UV rays, pollution, and free radicals. That’s why your morning routine should focus on protection and hydration.

Recommended Products for Daytime

Serums:

Start with a serum that protects your skin and brightens your complexion.

• Vitamin C: Fights free radicals and boosts collagen, giving your skin a radiant glow.
• Niacinamide: Reduces redness and minimizes the appearance of pores.
• Hyaluronic Acid: Keeps your skin hydrated and plump all day long.

Moisturizers:

Choose a lightweight moisturizer with SPF. This locks in hydration while shielding your skin from harmful UV rays. A dual-purpose moisturizer with SPF simplifies your routine without compromising protection.

Step-by-Step Morning Routine:

1. Cleanse your skin to remove oils or sweat.
2. Apply a protective serum and let it absorb for a minute or two.
3. Seal it with a lightweight moisturizer containing SPF.
4. Add sunscreen if your moisturizer doesn’t have adequate sun protection (look for SPF 30 or higher).

This routine ensures your skin stays hydrated, protected, and ready to take on the day.

Nighttime Routine

Nighttime is when your skin works hard to repair itself. While you sleep, your skin renews and rejuvenates. Your nighttime routine should focus on supporting these natural processes with restorative ingredients.

Recommended Products for Nighttime

Serums:

Use serums that target specific concerns and boost skin recovery.

• Retinol: A powerhouse for reducing fine lines and improving skin texture.
• Peptides: Stimulate collagen production for firmer, younger-looking skin.
• Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates deeply, replenishing moisture lost during the day.

Moisturizers:

Opt for a rich, emollient-based moisturizer. These heavier creams help lock in hydration and create a barrier to support your skin’s healing process.

Step-by-Step Night Routine:

1. Remove makeup and cleanse your skin thoroughly.
2. Apply a treatment serum tailored to your skin concerns.
3. Follow with a thick moisturizer to seal in the serum and hydrate overnight.

Ingredient Compatibility Matters

Not all skincare ingredients play nicely together. Some combinations can irritate or reduce the effectiveness of your products. Understanding ingredient compatibility is critical to building a routine that works without overwhelming your skin. Let’s look closely at common clashes and how to avoid them.

Common Ingredient Incompatibilities

Niacinamide and Certain Forms of Vitamin C

• These two are skincare superstars, but they don’t always work well together. Specific forms of vitamin C, like ascorbic acid, can change the pH of niacinamide. This may cause redness or reduce the effectiveness of both ingredients.
• Solution: Use niacinamide in the morning to soothe skin and vitamin C at night to brighten your complexion.

Retinol and Exfoliating Acids (AHAs/BHAs)

• Retinol helps with cell turnover, while acids like glycolic or salicylic exfoliate dead skin. Combining them can lead to irritation, dryness, or even redness.
• Solution: Alternate their use. For example, use retinol one night and an exfoliating acid the next.

Vitamin C and Retinol

• Both ingredients are powerful, but they work best at different pH levels. Using them together can make your routine less effective and increase the risk of irritation.
• Solution: Apply vitamin C in the morning (for antioxidant protection) and retinol at night (for repair and renewal).

Benzoyl Peroxide and Retinol

• This pair can cancel each other out, leaving you with minimal benefits. Plus, the combination can dry out your skin.
• Solution: Stick to one ingredient per routine. Use benzoyl peroxide for acne in the morning and retinol at night for anti-aging.

Simplify with Multitasking Products

If keeping track of ingredient interactions feels overwhelming, don’t worry. Multitasking formulations are here to simplify your routine. These products are designed with complementary ingredients that work harmoniously.

For example:

• A serum with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can hydrate while calming irritation.
• A moisturizer with vitamin C and peptides can brighten skin while boosting collagen.

Multitasking products save time and reduce the risk of conflicts, making them an excellent choice for busy mornings or minimalistic routines.

Steps for Proper Application

Getting your skincare routine right isn’t just about using the right products—it’s also about applying them correctly. Following the proper steps ensures your skin gets the maximum benefits from each product. Here’s how to do it the right way.

Cleansing and Toning

Every good skincare routine begins with clean skin. Cleansing removes dirt, oil, and makeup that could block your products from penetrating effectively. Use a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type to avoid stripping away natural oils.

Once your skin is clean, follow up with a toner. Toners help balance your skin’s pH and remove any leftover residue. They also prep your skin to absorb serums and moisturizers better. Think of it as laying the foundation for the rest of your routine.

Serum Application

Now it’s time for the star of your routine: serum. Serums are packed with active ingredients that target specific concerns like fine lines, dark spots, or dryness.

• Take 2–3 drops of serum into your palms or fingertips.
• Gently massage or pat the serum into your skin. Focus on problem areas, but don’t forget your entire face.
• Apply serum to slightly damp skin after cleansing and toning for better absorption.

Patience is key here. Let the serum sit for about 1–2 minutes to fully absorb before moving to the next step.

Moisturizer Application

Once your serum is absorbed, it’s time to lock in all those benefits with a moisturizer. Moisturizers hydrate your skin and act as a seal to prevent the active ingredients in your serum from evaporating.

• Take an appropriate amount of moisturizer (a nickel-sized amount usually works).
• Apply it evenly across your face and neck using upward strokes. This gentle motion helps avoid tugging at your skin.
• Don’t forget areas like your jawline and hairline for full hydration coverage.

Customizing for Skin Types

Not all skin is the same, and your routine shouldn’t be either. Customizing your skincare based on your skin type is essential to getting the best results. Let’s explore how to tailor serums and moisturizers for oily, dry, or combination skin.

Oily or Acne-Prone Skin

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, your focus should be keeping pores clear while controlling excess oil. Look for lightweight, non-comedogenic products that won’t clog pores.

Tips for Oily Skin:

• Serums: Choose formulas with ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid. These help reduce oil production and combat breakouts.
• Moisturizers: Use gel-based or oil-free moisturizers. These provide hydration without feeling heavy or greasy.

Layering a serum with antibacterial properties under a calming moisturizer can make a huge difference for acne-prone skin. Remember, even oily skin needs hydration—skipping moisturizer can worsen oiliness!

Dry or Dehydrated Skin

Dry skin craves moisture, so your routine should focus on hydration and barrier repair. The key is layering products that add and lock in moisture.

Tips for Dry Skin:

• Serums: Opt for hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid or glycerin. These ingredients draw water into the skin, leaving it plump and smooth.
• Moisturizers: Choose rich, cream-based moisturizers, including ceramides or shea butter, to reinforce your skin’s protective barrier.

For dehydrated skin, apply a face oil on top of your moisturizer as the final step. This seals in hydration for lasting softness.

Combination Skin

Combination skin can feel tricky because it consists of oily and dry areas. The best approach is to customize your routine for different parts of your face.

Tips for Combination Skin:

• Serums: Use balancing serums like niacinamide, which works well for oily and dry areas.
• Moisturizers: Apply a lightweight gel moisturizer to oily zones (like your T-zone) and a more decadent cream to dry areas (like your cheeks).

You don’t need separate products for every area, but spot-treating with a little extra moisturizer on dry spots or a mattifying serum on oily zones can help create balance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Simple mistakes can derail your skincare routine, even with the best products in your arsenal. Avoiding these common errors will ensure your products work effectively and your skin stays healthy and glowing. Let’s break down what not to do!

Applying Products in the Wrong Order

Order matters in skincare! Applying products out of sequence—like putting moisturizer on before your serum—can block active ingredients from absorbing into your skin.

Here’s why: serums are lightweight and designed to penetrate deeply. If you layer a heavier moisturizer first, the serum won’t be able to do its job. Always remember the golden rule: apply products from lightest to heaviest.

Skipping Moisturizer

This is one of the most common skincare mistakes, especially for those with oily skin. You might think your skin doesn’t need a moisturizer, but skipping this step can cause dehydration.

When skin lacks moisture, it can overcompensate by producing even more oil, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. A lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer is key for all skin types, including oily or acne-prone.

Using Too Many Active Ingredients

We get it—there are so many exciting products out there. But layering too many active ingredients can backfire. Combining incompatible actives, like retinol with AHAs or niacinamide with certain forms of vitamin C, can cause irritation, redness, or even breakouts.

Instead, focus on simplicity. Introduce one active ingredient at a time and give it a few weeks to show results before adding another. If you’re unsure about compatibility, look for multitasking products that combine complementary actives in a single formula.

What happens if I use moisturizer before serum?

Applying moisturizer first can block the serum from penetrating your skin effectively. This reduces the serum’s ability to target specific concerns like wrinkles or dark spots. Always layer from lightest (serum) to heaviest (moisturizer).

Can I skip moisturizer if I use a serum?

No, it would help if you didn’t skip moisturizer. Serums provide hydration and targeted treatment but don’t create a protective barrier like moisturizers do. Without a moisturizer, your skin can lose water and become dehydrated.

Can I mix serum and moisturizer together?

It’s not recommended to mix them. This can dilute the serum’s active ingredients, reducing their effectiveness. Instead, apply the serum first, let it absorb, and then layer your moisturizer.

Does skin type affect whether serum or moisturizer comes first?

No, the general rule is to apply serum first and moisturizer second to all skin types. However, if you have very sensitive or dry skin, using a thin layer of moisturizer before serum can act as a buffer.

Can I use multiple serums before my moisturizer?

Yes, but don’t overdo it. If you’re layering serums, apply the thinnest one first and wait for it to absorb before adding the next. Stick to 2–3 serums to avoid overwhelming your skin.

Conclusion

Applying serums before moisturizers is the golden rule for maximizing your skincare routine. This allows serums to penetrate deeply while moisturizers lock in hydration and protect your skin. Tailor your routine to your specific needs, track your progress, and stick with it for glowing healthy skin.

Need help finding the right products for your routine? 

Contact Zicail for expert advice and personalized recommendations. Start building a skincare routine that works for you and transforms your skin today!