Since the day you started reading those beauty magazines as a teenager, you’ve been told, Fix this, Solve that. And there was always a new mask or cream promising a cure. So it’s no wonder when another skincare product enters the fold, that you’re skeptical. If you’ve been hearing about the benefits of pure and potent serums and oils, and you’re wondering if they really work, this article is for you.
WHAT IS A SERUM?
Serums are a potent skincare product with a powerful ability to hydrate. Water-based serums have the smallest molecules, allowing them to penetrate deeply and infuse your skin cells with antioxidants that brighten, balance and calm the skin.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO USE SERUMS?
Serums, oils and moisturizers have unique roles in nourishing and protecting your skin at different levels and in different ways. Simply put, serums hydrate. Oils nourish. Moisturizers keep toxins out, and hydration in.
When you use these targeted treatments together, they can bring even greater replenishment and radiance.
How to layer serums, oils and moisturizers for best results:
1. Apply a serum
Since serums are oil-free and penetrate deepest, it’s best to apply a serum first on freshly cleansed and misted skin—a dime-sized amount both morning and night to boost your oil and cream.
Serums deliver potent extracts, so be sure to spot test for a few days before moving into a regular routine of applying across the face and neck after cleansing.
Pure + Calm Infusion Refining Face Elixir, a serum that clear pores, pulls in water and softens for a complexion with calm, clarity and radiance.
Best for:
- Hydrating
- Brightening
- Balancing oiliness and breakouts
- Calming inflammation or irritations
Pro tip: Learn more ways to treat your sensitive skin with the care it deserves.
When you’re looking for the best serum for your skin, Om’s minis are an affordable way to explore our pure, plant-based options.
2. Blend water-based serum with an oil
Facial oils use a high concentration of active ingredients to target a specific focus, from brightening to boosting collagen to soothing sensitive skin. Oils can achieve those effects because the lipids and fats bond, creating an even skin texture and a barrier that locks in hydration.
What might surprise you is that even if you have an oily skin type, using a face oil can be beneficial. That’s because the skin can over-produce oil if your body isn’t getting enough dietary essential fatty acids. A light oil, such as our Rosehip + Black Cumin Clarifying Face Oil, helps your skin form a barrier and regulate oil production. Learn more in our article Blemishes, Eczema and Oily Skin: Are You Stuck with It?
Blending your water-based serum and oil together before applying is pulls the oil deeper into the skin compared to using an oil on its own. If you were to use an oil without a serum, your skin cells might see evenness but still be dehydrated.
Marula + Cactus Nourishing Face Oil, a blend that softens and firms with oils of marula and prickly pear, and schisandra extra.
3. Apply moisture cream
If it suits your skin needs, moisture creams can bring a wax and emollient barrier to provide an extra function: staying power for that targeted hydration and moisture. If you use a moisturizer, applying lightest to heaviest—water-based serum to face oil to moisture cream—lets each step do its heavy lifting, and set the stage for the next layer, in this case, a powerful barrier.
Gotu Kola + Squalane Hyaluronic Nourishing Cream, a deeply nourishing cream that leaves skin soft, hydrated and radiant.
WHAT’S STOPPING YOU FROM EMBRACING YOUR SKIN? DISCOVER SKINCARE THAT’S ORGANIC, CRAFTED IN SMALL BATCHES AND FORMULATED JUST FOR YOU. SHOP BY SKIN TYPE, PRODUCT TYPE OR BESTSELLERS.