What is a serum?

A serum is your go-to product to improve the overall look of your complexion.

Serums are thick liquid-like products with active ingredients like vitamins and anti-oxidants that are formulated with smaller molecules so they can penetrate deep into the skin. Serums are designed to penetrate and treat various skin conditions, such as redness, dehydration, wrinkles, dark spots or to brighten the skin.

The main reason you'd want to use a facial serum is to get added nutrients into deeper layers of your skin that a regular moisturizer is not able to reach.

How does a serum differ from a moisturizer or crème?

A moisturizer has larger molecules than a serum. This means that a moisturizer will not penetrate the skin as far as a serum will. The thicker, heavier ingredients in crèmes form a barrier on your skin. While serums deposit nutrients, moisturizers are meant to deposit moisture and hydration to your skin.

Do I need both?

Keep in mind that as the seasons change so does our skin. Whether you have oily, dry or combination skin chances are you are probably going to have to make some small changes to your skin care routine, even if they are minor.

During the warmer months, our skin tends to become a little more oily due to humidity.  Some people limit the use of crèmes and moisturizers during the summer months, and opt for a lighter serum and an SPF.

My favorite combination for summertime skin care for our Seattle area patients is:

Daytime:  Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Serum with Prevention + Tinted Oil-Free SPF. On days I feel a little dry, I add some of my night crème, Vital C Hydrating Repair Crème, before applying my SPF.

Evening:  Image Skincare Ageless Total Anti-Aging Serum with Vital C Hydrating Repair Crème.

But during the cooler months here in Seattle, the lack of humidity can cause the skin to become drier than normal. During these months, which are more frequent than not in the Washington area, it’s important to supply the skin with the proper hydration it needs. My go-to for the Fall/Winter is:

Daytime:  I love Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Serum, The MAX stem cell crème, and Hydrating SPF.

Evening: I use the Image Skincare Ageless Total Anti-Aging Serum and Vital C Hydrating Repair Crème.

How do I apply it?

Use about a pea-sized amount of serum for the face, neck and chest, applying the product about two minutes after your cleanser (not on wet skin). Hydrated cells allow the active ingredient to penetrate better than dried cells. Wait another three to five minutes before applying your moisturizer.

Moisturizers help restore the skin, so they generally have a higher pH. This change in the pH from a moisturizer can alter the serum’s pH, possibly decreasing its effectiveness.

-Erin Keane LME

Call 206-729-2248 to book your skin care consultation with Erin today at Sound Plastic Surgery in Seattle