Serums and Creams: Know Your Skincare

Beautiful skin starts with quality skincare. If you’ve been browsing our Diamond, Ruby, and Caviar collections, don’t worry – you’re not the first to contemplate the difference between the serum and the cream and which one you should get. You see mostly the same active ingredients and benefits listed, so does it just come down to personal preference? By learning a little more about what each one does, you’ll soon understand that using both serum and cream has exponential benefits in comparison to either one alone.

Serum

Anyone who doesn’t use a serum is missing out from outstanding skin benefits. Serums are unparalleled by few skincare products in their ability to smooth fine lines and reduce other visible signs of aging. Comprised of tiny molecules, serums have the ability to quickly penetrate and work deep in your skin. While the rich hydration of cream is crucial for mature and dry skin, serum will add even more hydration for greater rejuvenation.

Serums generally have a gel-like appearance that’s less thick than creams and doesn’t leave any residue. Highly concentrated in active ingredients and little else, it doesn’t take much to get the job done. Immediately after cleansing and drying your face, use your fingers to pat and evenly distribute it onto your skin, using no more than the total amount released from one pump of the bottle (usually about the size of a pea). The longer you wait after cleansing and drying your face to use it, the longer it will take the serum to penetrate your skin.

Cream

Cream acts as a surface-level skincare treatment that forms a barrier over your skin to lock in moisture and keep out dirt. Creams may contain many of the same active ingredients as serums, but the thicker formula stays and works primarily on the surface of your skin. Those with exceptionally oily skin may prefer the lightweight formula of a serum instead of a rich, heavy cream, but cream locks in the benefits of serum for lasting results. (If you have oily skin, try to apply the smallest amount of cream that allows for even distribution.)

After cleansing and drying your face, and at least one minute after allowing your serum treatment to sink in, use your fingertips to pat cream evenly onto your skin. Keep in mind that the barrier it creates over your skin protects against good and bad alike from entering your skin, so a serum or other skincare treatment will require you to cleanse your face of cream beforehand.

What does your current skincare regimen consist of? Are you considering using a serum for the first time? Have you recently started using both serum and cream and noticed the difference? Share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment.