Does face serum go on before night cream?

Why does serum go first?

The general layering rule is lightest to heaviest, or thinnest to thickest. A thick moisturizing cream applied first can make it harder for a thinner serum to reach your skin. The thinner product goes first because of its texture, not because the dropper has earned seniority. Moisturizer then helps reduce water loss from the skin's surface.34

How to apply serum and night cream

1. 1Remove makeup before bed if you are wearing it. Makeup remover can help remove makeup that your cleanser leaves behind.
2. 2Wash your face with a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type, then gently pat dry rather than rubbing.
3. 3Apply your serum or treatment. For a typical liquid serum, a few drops are enough for the whole face.
4. 4Apply your moisturizing night cream after the serum. Moisturizer is the final step in this basic evening routine.

What is the difference between face serum and face cream?

A serum is usually a light liquid, based on oil or water, that delivers concentrated ingredients for a particular concern. A moisturizing face cream adds moisture, softens skin and helps support the skin barrier, the outer layer that keeps water in. These are different jobs, so serum is not a direct substitute for moisturizer.14

The ingredient matters more than the format. Vitamin C can come in either a serum or a cream, and retinol can also appear in different formulas. A cream containing an active treatment is not just a moisturizing final layer. The word "serum" suggests a concentrated formula, but it is not a certificate of achievement. Choose ingredients for your concern rather than assuming a serum must outperform a cream.1257

Should every serum be used at night?

No. Choose the time of day by the treatment ingredient, not simply by the bottle being called a serum. Vitamin C fits a morning routine after cleansing and before sunscreen. Retinoids, a family of vitamin A treatments that includes retinol, are generally used before bed. A serum is an optional treatment step; you do not need to add one just to make cleansing and moisturizing count as a routine.235

What if the serum or night cream contains a retinoid?

For a bedtime retinoid, wash your face, wait 20 to 30 minutes, then apply the treatment. If the retinoid is too drying, apply moisturizer immediately after washing and put the retinoid on 20 to 30 minutes later instead. That waiting period belongs to the retinoid routine, not every serum.2

Starting topical retinoids on alternate nights can reduce irritation. Avoid adding a retinol serum to a prescription retinoid cream without discussing the combination with your prescriber, because overlapping treatments can irritate skin. Prescription topical tretinoin, isotretinoin and adapalene should not be used during pregnancy.17

What should you expect after starting?

Correct layering does not make treatment results immediate. Use a nonirritating product consistently for at least 30 days before judging whether it is working. Serum performance depends on the active ingredients and the complete formula, not just where it sits in your routine.12

Introduce new products one at a time. For sensitive skin, test a small amount behind your ear along your jawline and wait a day or two before applying it across your face. Be cautious about combining acid containing serums with other acid treatments. Stop a product that irritates your skin, and see a dermatologist if you develop a rash or ongoing irritation.135