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.

When To Use Serum & How Much You Should Apply

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 and exactly how much.

When to use serum in 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. Evening Routine: Makeup Removal: The first step of an evening routine is without a doubt makeup removal! Whether you’re a wipes or micellar user, makeup removal is the first step in maintaining your beautiful skin. Leaving it on 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 feeling.

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. Morning Routine - SPF: If this is your morning 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.

Should I use serum every day?

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 and how many should you use at once.

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. Using a Vitamin C serum in the morning and Niacinamide serum at night is a great way to get the benefits of both without cancelling each other out.

FAQ

How long should I leave serum on my face?

Serums need time to absorb into your skin so washing them off straight away is counterproductive. Let the product 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 overnight?

Leaving a serum on over night 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.

Is it okay to use serum without toner?

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