When To Use Serum

Where does face serum go in your routine? How much are you supposed to put on? Learn all about the perfect placement and amount with NIVEA.

HOW TO USE FACE SERUM

Serums are a great step in your skincare routine, but when do you apply them? How many is too many? How do you layer serums effectively? Find out everything you need to know about using serums with NIVEA!

YOUR FACE SERUM APPLICATION GUIDE

Everyday skin care routines used to be short and sweet – cleanse, tone, moisturise. But with the rise of face serums, there are now so many more ingredient options for you to get more personalised care.

With the introduction of these lightweight formulas and concentrated ingredient contents, it is important to learn when to be using your favourite serums, how many to use and exactly how much.

When to use serum in your skincare routine

There are so many benefits to using face serum in your routine as long as it’s being applied correctly. There are many examples of how to structure a skincare routine and where serums fit into this. The most common of these routines is:

1. Makeup Removal:

The first step of an evening skincare routine is without a doubt makeup removal! Whether you’re a face wipe or micellar user, makeup removal is the first step in maintaining your beautiful skin. Leaving your makeup overnight can lead to irritation, blemishes, or simply a mess that requires more attention in the morning.

2. Cleanse:

Washing your face every morning and evening with a gentle cleanser helps to remove any residual makeup, sweat and daily impurities from your skin. This leaves you with a clear base to apply other products and a fresh face.

3. Serum:

Here we are! Now you can see where serums fit in your routine, the next most common question is how many drops of serum should I use? Two drops or pumps of your serum, about a pea sized amount, is all you need for great results – you can put too much serum on your face so stick to the two-drop method. Apply in upwards motions all over your face and neck to get the benefits of your serum all over.

4. Moisturise:

After letting the serum absorb into your skin, a moisturiser is key to locking everything in place whilst protecting and hydrating the skin’s outer layers.

5. Face SPF:

If this is your morning skincare routine, it is so important to follow up moisturiser with SPF. A facial sunscreen will help protect your skin from the harsh sun and its effects.

How often should I apply face serum?

Should you be using serums every day? It all depends on the ingredients. Some serums have a higher concentration or stronger ingredients, so it is best to space out the usage of these.

Other serums, like the NIVEA Cellular Expert Filler Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, are hydrating and gentle serums that are perfect for everyday use. If you want to use a multitude of serums, remember to check the compatibility of the serums ingredients before layering them.

Another commonly asked question is should you use serum morning and night? Again, a hydrating and gentle serum can be used in both the morning and in the evening but if you want to mix it up, you can. Read on to discover our top tips for layering serums to maximise your skincare results.

How many face serums should I use?

So how many serums is too many? Some people may use many, others prefer to use only one – it is up to your skin.

Use of multiple serums at once can clog pores and affect a serum’s ability to be absorbed. Ultimately, the more you pile on, the more likely they’ll sit on the skin surface and not be effective, so it is important to find the serums that have compatible ingredients that meet your needs.

The most important thing to remember is to listen to your skin: if you find that your skin is irritated after using multiple ingredients, it’s best to cut down to fewer products.

How to layer multiple serums

Mixing serums is an effective way to experience the benefits of multiple skincare products without having to apply them multiple times. However, to maximise the effectiveness of your products, you need to layer your serums correctly.

Generally, you should layer serums based on consistency. Start with the lightest serum, as it will absorb the quickest, giving your skin time to prepare for the thicker layers. You wouldn’t want to apply a thick serum then have a light one just sitting on top.

Another way to use multiple serums is to rotate. Using specific serums only in the morning and others at night will help you get the best results and avoid their ingredients cancelling each other out. For example, using a Vitamin C serum in the morning and Niacinamide serum at night is a great way to experience the beneficial ingredients of each product.

FAQ

How long after serum should I apply moisturiser?

Let the serum melt into your skin for about 90 seconds before finishing your routine with moisturiser – locking everything in place. Your serum will then work throughout the day or night, further absorbing into your skin.

Can I leave serum on my face overnight?

Leaving a face serum on overnight is ideal! As stated above, serums need time to absorb, and your skin is most receptive when you’re asleep, so having a serum on before you go to bed is a great way to have your skin get the most out of the serum.

Can I use serum without toner?

You can use serum without toner as long as it is on a freshly cleansed face. Applying serum without proper cleansing hinders the serums’ ability to effectively absorb into the skin. By cleansing first, you remove barriers that might prevent the formula penetrating as deep as it needs to.