You may be very clear about your facial routine and know well how a serum differs from a cream and the benefits of using both. If that is not your case and after hearing so much about cosmetic products you still have doubts about what they are and what you should use, this article is for you. If you are one of the former… you can also keep reading this article and recommend it to whoever you want! ☺
First of all, we are going to tell you what a serum is, what a cream is, and how they differ.
Serums are our best ally when it comes to achieving intense results for any effect our skin needs, such as revitalization, depigmentation, firmness, wrinkle correction… They have a more liquid and light form, are quickly absorbed, have higher concentrations of active ingredients, and reach the deeper layers of the epidermis. After reading this, it is clear that we cannot do without a serum in our daily routine.
For their part, creams have emollient ingredients and a slightly denser texture. Their main function is to create a hydrolipidic barrier on the skin's surface to retain water and the active ingredients applied in their formulation. If we are aware of how important it is to maintain hydration throughout our body, the cream becomes an essential product for our face.
And now we answer the question… Using a cream after a serum? Clearly yes, since they are complementary products with two distinct actions, both of which are extremely important for our facial care.
Let's continue with the answer to the how, when, and why. Let's start with the why.
The simultaneous use of serum and cream maximizes results. It is not about using a serum in the morning and a cream at night, or vice versa; the secret lies in their combined application. These are the reasons:
We achieve greater penetration of the active ingredients
Serums are cosmetics with a high concentration of small molecular weight active ingredients, therefore they penetrate the skin faster and provide specific benefits for your needs. Their action is faster, but their ability to hydrate is lower.
We provide a sealing effect to these ingredients
Creams are denser emulsions and may contain lipid ingredients that help create an occlusive effect so that the serum's active ingredients do not evaporate.
We create a moisturizing and protective barrier
This barrier helps retain water in the skin to keep it hydrated and protect it from external aggressions; therefore, it is recommended to apply it as the last layer.
Thus, as a conclusion to this point, we can say that the moisturizing cream will protect our skin, while the serum will help repair it.
By now, the "how" should be clear to you. Obviously, first we must apply the serum and then the cream. However, we are going to give you a few more tips.
It is very important that the skin is completely clean before applying the serum, so its active ingredients will better penetrate into the skin. Performing an intensive double cleanse and applying a toner before using the serum is essential. With a few drops of the chosen serum and a gentle massage, it will be absorbed immediately.
How long should you wait to move on to the next step? 15 seconds will be enough; remember that the penetration of serums is very fast. Apply the appropriate cream for your skin type and needs and, to finish, sunscreen.
If, in addition to the serum and cream, you add other products to your routine such as ampoules or eye contour, you can read our article on layering, the famous Korean beauty ritual that explains how to apply each of the cosmetics we use daily. To simplify, always use your products from lowest to highest density.
And finally, we have the last question to answer… when?
It is highly recommended to follow this routine both day and night.
In the morning, we have to provide the skin with all the nutrients to withstand the metabolic wear and tear of our activity and, above all, to hydrate it and protect it very well from external conditions.
At night, we will take advantage of the increase in cell regeneration that occurs during rest to boost the active ingredients our skin needs and perform the sealing effect that helps us concentrate their efficacy.
One last question remains… is there any exception where it is not recommended to apply both products? Here we can say that there may be cases where it is not so necessary, but we do not advise against it. And if you are thinking of oily skin, yes, that is who we are referring to.
In these cases, young skin, oily skin, or skin that feels over-hydrated during some times of the year due to humidity in the environment, you can simplify the routine by alternating the cream and the serum day and night.
However, just because you have oily skin doesn't mean you need less hydration; on the contrary. Always use products formulated specifically to reduce excess sebum, but that provide a good level of hydration to help regulate both water and oil levels. These types of creams can be combined with serums containing hydroxy acids or vitamins, and the results will be immediate.
Now comes the most complicated part… choosing which serum and creams are best for you. But don't worry, you can continue browsing our website and find all the information you need about the formulation, indication, and mode of use of our products. If you already have your favorite Atache serum and cream, let us know at @atache_dermatological_care
