What is Serum and Why Does Your Skin Need It?
6 June 2019
by Amy Ho
Contemplating on whether or not to include a serum in your skincare routine? Or has it never even been on your list of considerations? A lot of people often confuse a serum with a moisturiser and neglect its importance. But we’re here to tell you that serums are special.
What exactly is a serum?
Facial serums are oil or water-based products that are able to penetrate deeper into the skin. It carries the intent of delivering powerful, active ingredients to specific skincare concerns in a more focused, enriching manner.
So, is serum a moisturiser?
The answer is, yes and no. A serum can be considered as a lightweight moisturiser; the difference being a serum contains a higher concentration of active ingredients, leaving out many of the heavier ingredients found in a typical moisturiser. The molecules in serums are much smaller than that in moisturisers, allowing it to penetrate deeper to provide phenomenal results.
Do I need to use a serum?
Though it’s not a must to incorporate one in your routine, serums can be an added step if you wish to further improve your skin condition. Of course, a serum suitable for your skin type can only do you good. Think about it: the better condition your skin is in, the less makeup you have to use to cover the problem areas, the healthier your skin will be.
Note that if you have chronic skin conditions such as eczema or rosacea, serums may cause aggravation so it’s best to consult your dermatologist before using one.
Do I need to use both a serum AND a moisturiser?
It really depends on your skin type. A serum can be used on its own at night with or without a nighttime moisturiser. However, for your daytime skincare routine, you would most definitely need to include sunblock or a moisturiser containing SPF on top of your serum.
The key is to find the right serum for your skin type.
