How to Start Using Serums on Your Face

When serums arrived on the market, they started a little revolution in our skin care routine, and they’ve become our top tip for achieving your skin goals. Building an effective skincare routine to complement your skin type can be a challenge, but learning how to use face serum may be the key to unlocking results. In skincare routines, serums sit before moisturiser but after cleanser and have a lightweight, fluid texture. Serums are often infused with targeted, effective ingredients to help with a variety of skin concerns like anti-ageing, brightening, smoothing and hydrating – making them a powerhouse step in your skincare ritual. With a serum you can customise your skincare routine to address your individual needs and support healthy looking skin. Ahead, learn everything you need to know about how to use serum in a skincare routine.

How to use serum in a skincare routine

There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding face serums - how to use them, in what quantity, and with which ingredients. When building out your skincare routine order, serums should be applied after cleansing, but before thicker formulas like eye cream and moisturiser.

How much serum to use on the face depends on the formula - but typically 2-5 drops massaged into the face and neck is enough. Each skin type can benefit from different ingredients, so check out our skin genius tool for a personalised skin analysis. Now let’s look at which L’Oréal serums can best benefit your skin type.

How to use face serum for oily skin

It might seem counterintuitive to add a serum into a skincare routine for oily skin, but the right formula can benefit oily skin by helping to regulate oil production. For oily skin, we suggest implementing a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid. We love the Glycolic Bright Instant Glowing Face Serum for purifying pores and clearing away dead skin cells and excess oil. The serum balances efficacy with a formula that’s gentle enough for daily use, so you can support oil regulation and attain a brighter, more even complexion. Lock in your serum with an oily skin-loving moisturiser like our Glycolic Bright Glowing Day Cream SPF 15.

How to use face serum for dry skin

This skin type needs help retaining moisture, so hyaluronic acid can be a game changer in your skincare regimen for dry skin. Hyaluronic acid is a super effective hydrator thanks to its ability to retain water in the skin, and as it naturally occurs in our bodies, hyaluronic acid is a highly compatible ingredient for your skincare routine. Our Filler 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is formulated with macro and micro hyaluronic acid molecules to target both the skin’s surface and deeper layers. If your skin is sensitive to fragrance, try the fragrance free option. To complete your skincare routine after serum, reach for a super hydrating moisturiser like Filler Revitalift Plumping Water Cream.

How to use face serum for combination skin

Combination skin types often have oily patches around the t-zone and dryness elsewhere, so a skincare routine for combination skin needs to be carefully considered. Choose a multifaceted, balanced serum that targets oiliness and dryness in one step. We love Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Face Serum for combo skin – its unique combination of vitamin C, vitamin E and saliclylic acid allows it to target a mix of skin concerns in one, powerful formulation. Antioxidant and hydrating properties work together to make skin appear 2X brighter* and pores 2X less visible** over time. Next, combination skin calls for a nourishing moisturiser to complement your serum – try Filler Hyaluronic Acid Day Cream for bouncy, plump skin all day.

*Cosmeto-clinical scorage vs baseline, 63 subjects, 4 weeks
** 8 weeks

How to use face serum for men

Men’s skin tends to have a thicker surface and more active oil glands, so you may want to implement specifically designed serums. Power Age Men Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid is formulated for male skin to promote firmness and strength. Enriched with macro and micro hyaluronic acid for ultimate hydration, the serum can encourage a plumper, brighter complexion. In terms of how to apply serum on the face in a skincare routine for men, apply serum after cleansing, massaging the formula in an upwards motion. Finish up your skincare routine with a nourishing moisturiser that’ll keep you feeling fresh all day, like Power Age Moisturiser with Hyaluronic Acid.

How to use face serum for mature skin

Ageing is something to be celebrated, but if you’re looking to slow or reduce some of the visible signs like wrinkles and fine lines, skincare can help you out. Try building an anti-ageing skincare routine with the following serums:

• Nourish the delicate eye area with Revitalift Filler Replumping Eye Cream, enriched with a high concentration of hyaluronic acid to add volume to the eye contour.

• Address fine lines with Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum, which delivers a luxurious dose of antioxidants that firm and plump skin while you sleep.

Lastly, pair your serums with a moisturiser specially targeted to anti-ageing, like Laser X3 Retinol + Niacinamide Pressed Night Cream.

How to use face serum in the AM and PM

Your AM skincare routine and evening regimen require different approaches. Some skincare ingredients do their best work when applied at a certain time of day, so it’s important to learn how to use face serum at night and in the morning.

• In the AM: Reap the antioxidant benefits of the Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Face Serum to protect against external skin stressors throughout the day.

• In the PM: For anti-aging, retinol can promote skin cell turnover and refined texture, so use the Laser X3 Pure Retinol Face Serum to promote skin cell turnover through the long hours of sleep. For younger skin, a hydrating serum like Filler 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum will replenish skin’s moisture levels while you sleep.

Loved learning all about serums and how to use them? Take your complexion to the next level by discovering ceramide skincare and how it works.