A face serum is the most concentrated treatment in your routine. Its actives work on a specific goal: hydrating, adding radiance, evening out skin tone and softening the signs of ageing. The texture is light and absorbs quickly. A few drops are enough, morning and evening, after toner and before cream, which seals in its effect. Start from what your skin needs and choose the right serum for you.
A face serum is the heart of your routine: it’s the product with the highest concentration of active ingredients. That’s exactly why it needs to be chosen and used the right way. Here’s what it’s for, how it differs from a cream and how to apply it.
What is a face serum?
It’s a treatment with a light, fluid or gel texture, formulated with a high concentration of active ingredients. You apply it after cleansing and toner, before your cream.
Face serum: what it’s for
A serum is formulated to work in depth on a specific need: hydration, radiance, tone or firmness. Applied afterwards, the cream creates a protective veil that holds in water and the actives you have just applied.
The difference between serum and cream
- Texture: serum is light and absorbs quickly; cream is richer.
- Function: serum treats; cream hydrates and protects.
- Order: serum first, then cream.
They’re not alternatives: serum doesn’t replace cream, and cream doesn’t replace serum.
How to choose a face serum
The starting point is what your skin needs: each need has its own go-to ingredients.
- Hyaluronic acid: hydrates deeply and suits all skin types.
- Niacinamide: evens out the complexion, makes pores less visible and strengthens the skin barrier.
- Peptides: support the skin’s tone and elasticity.
- Vitamin C: adds radiance and is ideal in your morning routine.
- Retinol or bakuchiol: the stars of anti-ageing treatments. Retinol is used in the evening. Bakuchiol is a gentler, plant-based alternative, also suitable for sensitive skin that doesn’t tolerate retinol.
You’ll find an in-depth look at bakuchiol in the article Bakuchiol: benefits and how it differs from retinol.
How to apply a face serum
- Cleanse your face and neck and, if you use one, apply toner.
- Dispense a small amount of serum onto the palm of your hand: you only need a little.
- Spread it starting from your forehead, then from the centre of your face outwards and from the bottom up.
- Massage until absorbed and finish with your cream.
When to use it
Most serums are used morning and evening. The exceptions are those with ingredients such as retinol, which should be kept for the evening. In the morning, after serum and cream, finish with sun protection. For the order of all the steps, see our guide to the skincare routine.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using too much: it doesn’t make it more effective.
- Applying it after your cream.
- Skipping the cream: serum alone isn’t enough to hold in hydration.
- Layering too many different serums: one, well chosen, is enough.
Frequently asked questions
Is face serum for daily use?
Yes, morning and evening, unless the label says otherwise.
How long does a bottle last?
It depends on the size and the concentration. A concentrated serum, used in the right amount, lasts a long time.
Do I need one even if my skin is young?
A hydrating serum is fine at any age. Anti-ageing treatments are introduced when the skin starts to show the first signs of ageing: we talk about this in anti-wrinkle cream and serum after 40.
The Mialica Face Serum
The Mialica Face Serum brings together four ingredients: peptides, hyaluronic acid, bakuchiol and niacinamide. It has a light, fast-absorbing texture, ideal for all skin types, and is used morning and evening, before the 24H Face Cream. It’s a concentrated product: a small amount is enough for each application.
It’s the third step of the Linea Viso, after the mousse and toner.
In summary
Serum is the treatment step of your routine: light, concentrated, to be applied in small amounts after toner and before cream. Choose it based on what your skin needs and use it consistently.
This article is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are undergoing treatment, ask your doctor for advice before taking supplements.
