Cleanser, toner, moisturiser, serum, sunscreen, eye cream, makeup remover, night creams and more, phew! There are so many skincare products available in the market today that it is almost impossible to keep up with all of them. While some experts recommend a simple CTM routine, others insist on including products like serums, face oils and more to your skincare routine.
This makes you wonder, what to include and what to leave out. The answer is simple — understand what each one does for your skin type and concern and then make a decision. For starters, let’s understand the difference between a serum and moisturiser, and which one should you include in your routine.
Moisturisers
We’ve been using moisturisers all our lives. Their job is to moisturise the skin and keep it nourished and hydrated. Moisturisers are thicker in consistency; they are unable to penetrate deeper into the skin and therefore only hydrate the surface. However, a lot of moisturisers these days are equipped with skin-benefiting ingredients and sun protection that improves skin texture and tackles the signs of ageing. This means they do more than just hydrate your skin and lock moisture in. Moisturisers come in different textures to suit every skin type. Thicker, creamier ones infused with nourishing ingredients like the Lakme Absolute Argan Oil Radiance Oil-in-Creme work best for those with dry skin, while girls with oily skin can opt for lightweight, gel-based ones like the Ponds Super Light Gel Oil-Free Moisturiser With Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin E.
Serums
Serums have a watery consistency. Since they have smaller molecules than moisturizers, serums penetrate deeper into the skin and tackle skin concerns at the root. Serums contain highly concentrated active ingredients that work on a specific skin concern like ageing, pigmentation, scarring and more. Some serums like the Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum Brightening Vitamin C Serum corrects skin texture, skin tone, and tackles signs of ageing while also keeping your skin smooth and supple.
Which one to include in your skincare routine?
While the basic function of the two products is to repair and condition, you can look at moisturiser as a product to infuse moisture into the skin and serums to address a particular skin concern. Having said that, you don’t necessarily have to choose between the two products. Both can be added to your routine to take care of different concerns. However, remember to always apply the serum first, let it absorb and then apply your moisturiser, sunscreen, etc..
Written by Sanya Hamdani on Nov 12, 2020
Sanya Hamdani is a skincare enthusiast and lipstick hoarder, she truly believes no two red lipsticks look exactly alike. With a Master's degree in Communication & Journalism and 5+ years of digital writing experience up her sleeve, Sanya has some of the biggest beauty experts in the country on her speed dial. When she's not swatching products or writing about the latest trends in beauty, you will find her watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.