We all know how important serums have become in all of our skincare routines. From skin brightening serums to serums for dry skin, we have come a long way from the basic CTM routines. But are you sure that you are using your favorite serum correctly? Here are some common mistakes people often make when using a serum, that is a hard no-no when it comes to skincare for glowing skin:
Skipping moisturizer
Most people feel like adding a serum to their skincare routine justifies skipping a step or two from their basic dos. However, this is not the best skincare practice. Moisturizer is an extremely important part of any skincare routine and should not be skipped. You must top off your serum application with an appropriate moisturizer to achieve maximum benefits. If your serum is making your skin feel extra nourished, greasy, or sticky, choose a gel or light-textured moisturizer to pair with it. So whether you’re using a face serum for oily skin or a face serum for dry skin, moisturizer is a must.
Applying serum on uncleaned skin
The serum is the most penetrative step in your skincare. Its fan-favorite efficacy is due to its quickly absorbing consistency that seeps deep into the skin for faster effects. When applied on uncleaned skin, can trap dirt and impurities deep within your skin’s pores which can further result in acne breakouts.
Applying serum in the wrong order
The correct way to apply serum is after cleansing your skin properly. If you’re someone who uses toner and essence, then carry these steps out as you would, and then apply your serum. However, after applying your face serum, the rest of your skincare routine still stays, including your moisturizer. A good moisturizer helps to seal the goodness of your serum, prevents moisture loss, and takes care of your skin barrier. After applying the moisturizer, you can go ahead with your eye cream, face oil, or sleeping mask.
Not using the right quantity
Using a very less amount of serum will not do anything for your skin while using a lot of serum will overdose your pores while wasting a lot of product. The correct way is to use 2-3 drops or a pea-sized amount of face serum for your whole face up to your neck. You can either drop a small amount on your fingertips to then spread it on your face, or you can use the dropper to directly drop serum on your facial skin. However, make sure that your dropper is not touching your skin as you do to avoid product contamination.
Using the wrong serum combination
With a wide range of skincare actives available in the market now, one can easily get confused about the right serum pair. As a rule of thumb, for example, you can use Hyaluronic Acid with vitamin C or retinol, but you should not use retinol with vitamin C. Be very wary when it comes to serum combinations to avoid unwanted skin disasters.
Not having a wait window
While serum skincare is quick to absorb, there should be a brief wait window between your toner, serum, and then your moisturizer. Having a wait window can help maximize the benefits of your skincare steps.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What happens if you apply too much serum?
A: There’s only so much amount of serum that your skin can absorb. If you apply too much serum on your skin, you’d be wasting your products because they will simply be sitting on top of your pores, not providing any benefits to your skin. However, it might congest your pores and can often lead to breakouts, blackheads, and whiteheads.
Q: At what age should we use a face serum?
One can ideally start serum skincare in their late teens or early 20s. You should start slow and light with nourishing and hydrating serums before moving on to exfoliating serum skincare. This will get your skin into the habit of serums gradually.
Q: Can I use the serum every day?
Yes! You can use serums every day. In fact, you can use serums twice a day – in your daytime skincare routine as well as your nighttime skincare routine. Serums are a great way to target your skin concerns and nourish and protect your skin in an effortless manner. Serum skincare also delivers faster results due to its quick-absorbing nature.
Q: Which serum is best for glowing skin?
A: If you want your skin to get that natural and healthy-looking glow, serum skincare is your best friend. Focus on skin-clearing ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, and retinol. However, if your skin dullness is a result of dry and dehydrated skin, then hyaluronic acid and squalene can help you achieve glowing skin that is soft and supple.
What’s your pick? Face serum for dry skin, face serum for oily skin, or face serum for acne-prone skin? Whichever tool of the trade is your non-negotiable, make sure to abide by these serum skincare rules for healthy skin that thanks to you!
Read Also – 8 Serums for Every Skin Type and Concern
