How to apply your serum to really reap the benefits

Face serums have the highest concentration of active ingredients compared to any other product in your skincare routine, making them the hero. But a hero is nothing without its cape, and even the most advanced serums won’t work as well without proper usage. Learning where, when and how to apply face serum will ensure you’re getting the results promised on the packaging.

Where should I apply my serum?

Unless you’re just targeting one specific concern, such as an area of uneven pigmentation, face serums should be applied all over your face. This will allow your entire complexion to reap the rewards. Just be careful to avoid the delicate eye area.

It isn't just your face that can benefit from your serum though. Our necks can be one of the first places to show signs of ageing for a couple of key reasons. Firstly, as the skin on your neck is thinner than the skin on your face, and secondly as it tends to be left out of both face and bodycare, sitting in the awkward no-man's land in between. Not all serums are suitable for use on the neck (retinoids are no-go) but smoothing a peptide or vitamin C serum all the way down your neck and across your decolletage will help to target concerns here.

When should I apply my face serum?

For best results, your face serum should always be applied to clean skin. If that’s not the case, you are unfortunately wasting your time, as serums are not able to penetrate your skin as effectively if they need to battle through a barrier of makeup, SPF and daily grime in order to get there. Neglecting proper cleansing can also amplify skincare concerns, undoing all the good work of your serum.

Serums containing ingredients like vitamin C can be used morning and night. In fact, vitamin C does some of its best work during the day, flexing its antioxidant abilities to support your SPF and shield skin from damaging free radicals. Retinoid serums should only be used at night, as this potent ingredient breaks down in sunlight.

The order of your skincare products matters. Apply your serum after cleansing (and exfoliating if this is part of your routine) and follow with a moisturiser if you feel your skin needs it.

How often should I apply my face serum?

How regularly you apply your face serum will depend on your skin’s tolerance, so it’s all about listening to your skin. When introducing ingredients such as vitamin C and retinoids to your regime, it can take a little while for your skin to adjust and get up to speed. For this reason, it’s important to build up your usage slowly, in order to avoid any potential irritation. Apply just a couple of times per week to begin with, leaving a gap of at least 48 hours to check for any signs of unhappiness in the skin. If your skin is sensitive or reactive, you may find that twice a week is more than enough, or, if your skin is tolerating it well, go ahead and up the dosage.

Remember, consistency is key to better skin. Cosmetic products have a role to play in targeting visible skin gripes such as fine lines and pigmentation, but their results are not permanent. As soon as you stop using them, the previous concerns will become visible. Think of it like improving your fitness. If you only go to the gym once every couple of months, you can’t expect to see your fitness levels increase. Continuous use of your serums will offer the biggest benefits to your skin.

Step-by-step guide to how to apply your serum

Not sure how to use your Trinny London serum? Follow this step-by-step guide for everything you need to know:

Step 1

After cleansing (and exfoliating if this is part of your routine), take one pump of your serum. If you are using Boost Up, take a second pump for your neck.