Expert-Verified
A well-crafted skin care routine is essential to address your skin’s unique needs. Understanding the differences between various products will help you tailor a practical yet effective regimen.
Face creams and face serums are commonly used products with the shared goal of skin health promotion. However, they have different functions in skin care.
Continue reading to learn more about the differences between face creams and serums.
Article Contents
What Is a Face Cream?
Face creams are ideal for nourishing, moisturizing, and hydrating facial skin while forming a protective layer. Creams are more emollient and thicker than lotions.
By maintaining the integrity of the outermost layer of the epidermis, creams help improve skin conditions. They have both oil- and water-based ingredients.
What Is a Face Serum?
Face serums are ideal for targeting specific skin conditions and nourishing, hydrating, and protecting your skin.
Serums contain active ingredients (such as niacinamide and alpha arbutin) that address particular skin issues such as hyperpigmentation, dark spots, dehydration, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, acne, and clogged pores.
Difference Between Face Creams and Face Serums
The following are the differences between face creams and serums based on different aspects.
Packaging
Face creams have endless variations when it comes to packaging, from tubes, jars, and cans to pumps and rollers. They are designed to be shelf worthy and eye catching.
Face serums come in slightly smaller bottles. They come in an opaque glass/plastic bottle with a pump dispenser or dropper to prevent the exposure of its active ingredient to light and air.
Consistency and texture
Face creams have a heavy and thick consistency, excellent for people with dry and dehydrated skin. They function as a physical barrier that locks in hydration and prevents dryness.
Face serums have a silky and lightweight texture with a thicker consistency. They are translucent with a nongreasy feel.
This non greasy feel makes them ideal for layering with other skin care products such as sunscreen and moisturizers.
Functions
Face creams contain skin-nourishing ingredients that seal moisture and hydration and prevent water loss. They are versatile and suitable to use day and night.
Serums contain a high concentration of active ingredients that target specific skin concerns such as wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentation issues.
Application
Face cream application comes after the serum. Applying face cream after serum increases its efficacy and absorption.
Serum application comes after toner. Dispense a quarter-size serum on your face and gently massage it onto your skin in circulation motions.
Ingredients
Face creams contain ingredients that vary depending on the purpose and type of the cream.
Some common ingredients include hyaluronic acid (to retain skin moisture), vitamin A (to stimulate collagen production), and ceramides (to strengthen the skin barrier), to name a few.
Face serums contain active ingredients (such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamins, and antioxidants) that target particular skin issues such as hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and more.
They also contain specialized compounds, such as niacinamide, glycolic acid, and alpha arbutin, among others, that renew, brighten, and exfoliate the skin.
How to Apply Face Serums and Creams
Follow these steps to apply face serums and creams and learn where they stand in your skin care routine.
Morning routine
- Wash your face with a mild cleanser to remove dirt.
- Apply toner to your face to eliminate any leftover impurities in your pores and minimize the pores’ appearance.
- Apply a serum containing ingredients that target your specific skin conditions.
- Apply face cream.
- Wear sunscreen with an SPF of more than 30.
Nighttime routine
- If you have makeup on, remove it using a makeup cleanser.
- Wash your face with a mild and gentle cleanser.
- Apply toner to your face to eliminate any leftover impurities in your pores and minimize the pores’ appearance.
- Apply a serum containing ingredients that target your specific skin conditions.
- Apply an undereye cream.
- Finish it off with a face cream.
General Queries
Can I skip face serum?
Yes, if you don’t have any underlying skin conditions, skipping face serum is totally okay.
What comes first: cream or serum?
The serum comes before face cream to benefit from its active ingredient.
Can I skip face cream after applying serum?
If you don’t live in a dry climate or don’t have dry skin, you can skip face cream after serum. However, if you use them together, you get maximum benefits.
Can I use the serums every day?
Serums contain active ingredients in high concentrations that target specific skin conditions, such as hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and dullness, among others. So, using serum every day is okay.
Final Word
Both face creams and serums are essential skin care products with unique functions and properties. A good skin care routine includes both of these products for best results.
