Serum or Moisturizer First? Skin Care Routine Tips

August 16, 2024By Experts at Rael

Updated Nov 28, 2025

Proper skincare layering techniques are crucial for maintaining healthy skin and maximizing the visible benefits of your products. Understanding the order of applying skincare products, particularly serums and moisturizers, can significantly impact how the skin looks and feels. Our guide will help you determine the right serum for your specific skin concerns and how to incorporate it into your skincare routine.

Serum vs. Moisturizer: What's the Difference?

Serums are highly concentrated formulas designed to address specific skin concerns through potent active ingredients. What does serum do for your face? Unlike moisturizers, serums have smaller molecules, allowing them to visibly improve the look of skin. This makes them ideal for improving the look of acne, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines.

Moisturizers are formulated to hydrate the skin and lock in moisture. They typically have a thicker consistency than serums and serve to create a barrier on the skin's surface, preventing the feeling of dryness. Moisturizers can also provide additional benefits, such as soothing and protecting the skin.

It's important to consider how certain active ingredients interact. For instance, combining Retinol and Vitamin C can cause irritation for some skin types. Ensuring the compatibility of products in your skincare routine can prevent adverse reactions and enhance overall effectiveness.

Why Skincare Order Matters

The order of applying skincare products matters because it ensures that each product is effectively absorbed and performs its intended function. Applying products in the correct sequence, from the lightest to the heaviest consistency, allows for optimal layering and maximizes the look and feel of your skin

Absorption and Effectiveness

The skin absorbs products based on their molecular size and viscosity. Lightweight products like serums should be applied first to allow their active ingredients to visibly benefit the skin effectively. Heavier products like moisturizers should follow to lock in hydration and support healthy-looking skin.

Application Order

Applying skincare products in the right order ensures that each product can perform effectively. So, should you apply serum or moisturizer first? Starting with a clean face, the general order is:

Cleanser
Toner (if used)
Serum
Eye cream
Moisturizer
Sunscreen (morning routine)
Microcrystal serum (nighttime routine)

Using this sequence allows the active ingredients in each product to be absorbed effectively without being blocked by heavier formulas applied afterward.

When to Apply a Face Serum

Knowing when and how to apply face serum is important. The little things go a long way. Apply serum to clean, slightly damp skin to maximize absorption. This helps the active ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin. Gently patting the facial serum onto the skin, rather than rubbing, can prevent irritation and ensure even application.

When to Apply Moisturizer

Wait a few minutes after applying serum to allow it to fully absorb before using moisturizer. This ensures the facial serum's active ingredients are locked in and not diluted by the moisturizer. Apply the moisturizer using upward strokes to promote smoother-looking skin and hydration.

Can You Use Serum and Moisturizer Together at Night?

Your skin’s natural repair process is most active at night, making it an ideal time to layer serum and moisturizer. Using them together allows the serum to deliver targeted active ingredients deep into the skin while the moisturizer locks in hydration and supports the look of a healthy skin barrier. A nighttime skincare routine can focus on ingredients that lock in hydration and support the look of a healthy skin barrier.

To maximize results, choose a serum that addresses your skin goals, such as minimizing the look of fine lines or uneven texture, and follow with a moisturizer that replenishes and supports overnight recovery. This pairing can help your skin wake up smoother, more hydrated, and refreshed.

Customizing Your Routine Based on Skin Type

Understanding your skin type is crucial if you're wondering, “What serum should I use?” Customizing your skincare routine and ensuring you choose the right products are how you achieve optimal results. Here’s a closer look at how you can tailor your regimen based on whether you have oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin.

For Oily Skin

Individuals with oily skin often struggle with excess sebum production, leading to a shiny complexion and frequent breakouts. To manage this, it is essential to use lightweight, non-comedogenic products that won’t clog pores. A hydrating acne serum containing hyaluronic acid is excellent as it provides moisture without adding oil. Niacinamide is another beneficial ingredient for oily skin as it helps improve the look of shine and supports a calmer, more balanced appearance..

Try our barrier cream for the face to lock in moisture without exacerbating sebum production. It's a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer specifically designed for oily and blemish-prone skin. This cream contains soothing and hydrating ingredients that help strengthen your skin barrier, making your skin look clearer and minimizing the appearance of future blemishes.

For Dry Skin

Dry skin lacks the necessary moisture and often feels tight and flaky. To combat this, use richer, more hydrating formulas that help maintain the look of a healthy skin barrier . Ingredients like ceramides, which are essential lipids found in the skin, can replenish and maintain the skin's moisture balance. Glycerin, another hydrating agent, attracts moisture to the skin, providing a smoother and more supple feel. These ingredients work together to prevent dryness and flakiness, keeping the skin well-hydrated and nourished.

For Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is prone to irritation and redness, making it important to use gentle, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic products. Aloe vera and chamomile are soothing ingredients that can help calm sensitive skin. These products should be free of harsh chemicals and fragrances to minimize the risk of irritation. Regularly using soothing serums and moisturizers can help maintain the look and feel of healthy skin.

For Combination Skin

Combination skin is characterized by having both oily and dry areas, typically an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and dry or normal cheeks. Managing combination skin can be challenging, but using different products for different areas can help. For example, you might use a lightweight hydrating serum on oily areas and a richer moisturizer on dry patches. This targeted approach ensures that each area of your face receives the specific care it needs, balancing the appearance of the skin’s overall health.

How to Layer Serum and Moisturizer With Other Treatments

If your skincare routine includes more than just the basics, placement matters. Treatments like exfoliating acids, retinoids, or face oils can impact the performance of your serum and moisturizer.

Exfoliating Acids (AHA/BHA): Apply after cleansing and before serum, but only a few nights per week to avoid irritation.
Prescription Treatments (e.g., retinoids): Use these before moisturizer so they absorb fully, and avoid layering them with strong active serums unless advised by a dermatologist.
Face Oils: These should go after moisturizer since oils act as an occlusive layer, sealing in hydration. Applying them earlier can block lighter products from penetrating.

This sequence ensures every product has the chance to do its job without interfering with absorption.

Additional Tips for Avoiding Breakouts and Irritation

#1 Patch Testing New Products

Patch testing is crucial to ensure new products do not cause adverse reactions. Apply a small amount of the product to an inconspicuous area, such as behind the ear or on the inner arm, and wait 24-48 hours to check for any signs of irritation or allergic reaction.

#2 Layering Techniques

To avoid overloading your skin and causing irritation, follow these layering techniques:

Allow Absorption: Let each product fully absorb before applying the next.
Use Minimal Amounts: Apply thin layers to avoid product buildup and pilling.

#3 Monitoring Skin’s Response

Regularly assess how your skin responds to new products or changes in your routine. Look for signs of improvement or irritation, and adjust your regimen accordingly. Consulting a dermatologist can provide personalized advice based on your skin's specific needs.

#4 Practice Holistic Cycle Care

Using holistic cycle care to choose the right serum can be a game-changer in avoiding breakouts and irritation throughout your menstrual cycle. At Rael, we believe that self-care starts with cycle care, and our holistic approach goes beyond just the bleeding days to support your whole body every day of the month. By tuning into the fluctuations in your hormone levels, we can better address your skin's changing needs—from the follicular phase to menstruation.

This cycle-syncing method empowers you to fuel your skin's needs during the high-energy follicular phase, maximize hydration and glow during ovulation, manage PMS stress and potential breakouts during the luteal phase, and recharge and soothe your skin during menstruation.

By aligning your skincare routine with these hormonal changes, you can keep your skin balanced and healthy throughout the cycle. Our holistic philosophy helps you maintain harmony through the hormonal highs and lows, ensuring you always put your best face forward.

Perfect Your Routine for Healthier Skin

Optimizing your skincare routine by applying products in the correct order and selecting the right serums and moisturizers for your skin type can significantly enhance product effectiveness and skin health. Tailoring your routine to address specific concerns and regularly assessing your skin's response will help you achieve and maintain a healthy, radiant complexion.

By understanding the science behind skincare layering and customizing your approach based on your unique needs, you can maximize the benefits of your products and enjoy the appearance of clearer, more balanced skin. Our commitment to clean skincare means you can trust that our products are safe and effective, helping you maintain a clear, healthy complexion all cycle long.

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