What Is The Difference Between a Serum And a Moisturiser?

What Is The Difference Between A Serum And A Moisturiser?

There are so many different skincare products available these days and we agree it can all be a little overwhelming and confusing. What to use? When to use it? Will this work? Will that help? Yikes, it’s all too much! In this blog we discuss the difference between a serum and a moisturiser, their benefits and how to use them so you can understand a little more about what you need. So…

What Is Face Serum?

Face serum is a lightweight product that you apply to your skin after cleansing and before moisturising. Due to its lightweight texture, a serum delivers active ingredients deep into the skin quickly.

Face Serum

DermaQuest Essential B5 Hydrating Serum delivers immediate, long-lasting moisture that is fundamental to all skin types and conditions. Utilising the most advanced liposome technology, this serum has the ability to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin to infuse dull, dehydrated skin with essential hydration. Other serums we recommend are:

DermaQuest C-Infusion Serum

DermaQuest SkinBrite Serum

Obagi Professional-C Serum

What Is A Moisturiser?

Moisturiser is one of the most popular skincare products that most people will have and use everyday unlike serums. The basic function of moisturisers is to help treat your skin when it's dry and prevent it from drying out again. Moisturisers do this by holding water in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin. Applying moisturiser creates a barrier on your skin that keeps oils from escaping and harmful outside elements from causing dryness or irritation. The DermaQuest Essential Moisturiser works to keep skin perfectly balanced and healthy. Antioxidants protect and repair the skin, while aloe and hyaluronic acid hydrate and soothe the skin. Using Essential Moisturiser daily will help balance and maintain healthy skin.

Moisturiser on Hand

Face Serums vs Moisturisers: The Key Differences

Serums are thinner and lighter than moisturisers and have a greater variety of functions. A serum usually has smaller molecules combined with a high concentration of ingredients designed to penetrate, improve and/or nourish the skin in some way. A moisturiser's job is to hydrate the skin and prevent water loss. Serums defeat your skin barrier to reach the deeper layers of your skin. Moisturisers replenish and recondition a defeated skin barrier. If you're looking for strong effects, you should be relying on your serum, but if you're looking for continuous hydration, that's your moisturiser's job.

Do I Need Both Serum And Moisturiser?

The simple answer to this is yes! You should use them both. As said above they both do two completely different jobs. Serums leave out the ‘sealing’ ingredients such as petrolatum and mineral oils that moisturisers often use to keep water from evaporating from the skin. Serums also contain fewer fillers, thickeners and lubricating agents. Also, because serums don’t contain the thick airtight ‘sealing’ particles present in moisturisers, the active ingredients in a serum penetrate your skin faster and can work more effectively. A moisturiser is a lotion or cream which contains skin hydrating emollients and forms a physical barrier to help skin stay hydrated. Moisturisers have larger molecules than serums, so they don’t penetrate into the epidermis or surface layer of the skin. Their main benefit is that they seal the skin, locking in moisture and nutrients.

Can You Use Serums And Moisturisers Together?

Yes! They can both be used together in the same skincare routine, twice a day. After cleansing, apply the serum over your entire face and neck and then the same for moisturiser.

How To Use Your Serum And Moisturiser

So, for the morning routine:

And for the evening:

  • Cleanse, to rid of all the dirt and excess oils the skin may have gathered throughout the day.
  • Again apply a small amount of serum and gently press into the skin.
  • Follow with your Obagi-C FX Therapy night cream or moisturiser to lock it all in.

The Final Takeaway

It’s clear to say that serums and moisturisers are two different products with different benefits that work in completely different ways. Adding both to your skincare routine would be beneficial in keeping your skin healthy and glowing. For more information about this or to speak to a skincare specialist, book on for a bespoke online skin consultation with our very own skincare professionals who can tailor you your very own skincare plan and get you on the right track to great skin.

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