What are the differences between a serum and a cream?
To make a choice, it's important to first understand the difference between what a facial serum is and what a day or night cream is. Here are some points that can help clarify the subject.
The cream: your daily protection
Moisturizing creams are designed to hydrate, seal in moisture, and protect the skin. In the form of creamy emulsions, creams combine lipophilic and hydrophilic ingredients that play different roles.
Lipophilic ingredients are soluble in the lipid phase of the cream. They are intended to nourish and protect the skin by strengthening its protective barrier. This group includes vegetable oils, fatty acids, and other types of compounds.
Hydrophilic ingredients are soluble in water (such as floral waters or certain actives like GSM10, for example). They come into play to provide the skin with various benefits (anti-aging, soothing, regenerating, etc.).
The serum: A concentrated active formula
Skin serums are facial care products concentrated with active ingredients. They stand out with their lightweight texture, allowing them to penetrate deeply into the layers of the epidermis. Thanks to their small molecules, serums can penetrate the skin barrier quickly and effectively for profound action.
There are different types of serums formulated to address specific needs. Among the commonly present active ingredients are hyaluronic acid, renowned for its exceptional water-retaining capacity. Serum compositions also include antioxidants, peptides, vitamins, AHA or BHA, among other beneficial components.
Cream and Serum: Two complementary cares for your skin
Due to their different compositions and modes of action, creams and serums complement each other as facial cares. In very rare cases (extremely humid climate, very oily skin), some people may opt for using a serum alone. However, in most cases, the use of a moisturizing cream is essential to protect the skin (specifically the sensitive skin and the dry skin) and reinforce its skin barrier. Thus, if the choice between a cream and a serum must be made, we generally recommend using a cream alone.
However, it would be a shame to miss out on the benefits of the serum, to be used daily or as a treatment. Paired with the use of a moisturizing cream, the serum is a perfect ally for specific needs: during seasonal changes, when the skin shows signs of fatigue, when it is attacked by the sun, cold, or when it experiences the first signs of aging. Let's see how to combine them to optimize their effectiveness.