With the sheer number of beauty products in the market, it sometimes becomes difficult to read through the hype and understand what products are necessary and which are just fluff. Combine that with having to keep your skin type and skin conditions in mind and it’s a recipe for complete confusion. Many of us have both serums and creams in our skincare regimens, but do we know why? Is it really necessary to use both? And what’s the difference between an anti-aging serum and a cream, anyway? You already know that all skincare is not made equal- so if you’re confused about the difference between your anti-aging serum and your go-to face cream, it’s time to find out which one is more effective now.
Anti-Aging Serums
Face serums and creams support our skin in different ways. Serums are generally a lighter, thinner product than creams and have a wide variety of tasks that they are formulated to perform. Serums are an intensive treatment, with a high concentration of active ingredients that are designed to improve the appearance of skin in a specific way. Since serums are generally stripped of their moisturizing properties, they are left with these active ingredients that result in a greater anti-aging effect. Without the dilution of a moisturizer, serums can penetrate the skin more deeply and easily and target specific skin concerns from hyperpigmentation and sun damage to fine lines and wrinkles. Serums are non-greasy, water as opposed to oil-based, and are made up of smaller molecules that are easily absorbed by the skin.
An anti-aging serum contains active ingredients meant to prevent or reduce visible signs of aging, penetrating the skin with only a few drops needed to the areas in question. The price tag on serums can be a bit higher than other skincare products, but with a quality serum that is brimming with powerful anti-aging ingredients, a little goes a long way and the benefits reveal themselves in more youthful, radiant skin. The Dr. Dream Advanced Facial Treatment Serum is a product with those ideals in mind. This gel-based serum is formulated with multi-growth factors to target visible signs of aging by stimulating collagen production, improving skin elasticity, and maintaining healthy skin structure and function. A necessary step in any Korean Skincare routine, this anti-aging serum protects and defends the skin against free radical damage, is light, and easily penetrates into the skin, delivering antioxidants and the exclusive wrinkle grinding complex.
Anti-Aging Creams & Moisturizers
While serums are made to target a variety of specific skin concerns, creams and moisturizers have just one main job: to deliver moisture and keep it there. Face creams are all about hydrating the skin and preventing moisture loss. Night creams offer heavy-duty hydration, while daytime creams and moisturizers usually offer some sun protection as well. Anti-aging creams are formulated to deliver this moisture along with anti-aging ingredients. They are less concentrated than serums and so are meant to be applied all over the face. Anti-aging creams work to seal in the actives from your serum, along with a dose of moisture and anti-aging benefits like reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Generally, creams are more gentle than serums, so they can potentially be applied more often. Some serums are drying or over-exfoliating and an anti-aging cream can balance out those issues while still delivering key anti-aging benefits.
Do I Need an Anti-Aging Serum or Cream?
Anti-aging serums and creams both have separate jobs to do when it comes to caring for our skin. But here’s where things can get complicated: deciding if you need to be using one or the other or both. First things first, everyone can benefit from an anti-aging serum.
If you have a small but specific skincare concern, like hyperpigmentation or fine lines, a serum might be all you need to see great anti-aging results. Additionally, if your skin is oily or acne-prone, a light serum might even deliver you all of the hydration you need without needing to layer cream on top of it.
If you have a more difficult skincare concern, like deep-set wrinkles or extensive sun damage, your best bet is going to be to combine a quality anti-aging serum with a moisturizing cream.
If you don’t have substantial skincare problems but have dry skin, a serum by itself will most likely not be enough hydration for your skin and you will benefit most from using both a serum for anti-aging effects along with a moisturizer to help restore and seal in moisture to the skin.
Anti-aging serums and creams are very complementary to one another, and for most skin types and conditions, layering the two products is going to provide the best results. The serum will take over the delivery of the active anti-aging ingredients and the cream will support this delivery, helping to seal in the serum and lock those ingredients into the skin.
