I’m a Paula’s Alternative fan lady. When she speaks skincare, I normally hear. However after I got here throughout a sure video by her Skincare Group (I’d hyperlink to it, nevertheless it has since been eliminated), I did a double take. The beautiful Desiree was speaking serums and talked about you should use them as primers, too. Serums as primers? Positive, a serum can double up as a moisturizer you probably have tremendous oily pores and skin, however a primer? I’m not so certain. In principle, the concept is smart. In apply, not a lot. So do you have to do it? Right here’s my tackle it:

What Are Face Serums?

Face serums are concentrated skincare formulation in a lighter base. They comprise larger quantities of energetic elements, like Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, in a lighter texture, so they provide you outcomes quicker than moisturisers or different skincare merchandise. Relying on the elements, a face serum might be:

• Anti-aging: These serums comprise antioxidants, like retinol, Vitamin C, ferulic acid, and inexperienced tea.
• Hydrating: They comprise humectants, like hyaluronic acid, urea, and glycerin.
• Pores and skin-brightening: They’ve elements that may cut back the manufacturing of extreme melanin, like azelaic acid and alpha arbutus.
• Soothing: They comprise anti-inflammatory elements, like chamomile, centella asiatica, and allantoin.

What Are Face Primers?

Make-up primers make it easier to create the proper base for longlasting, flawless make-up. They:

• Smoothen and blur out imperfections, permitting basis to glide on extra easily.
• Fill in effective strains and wrinkles, making them look smaller.
• Create a barrier on the pores and skin that forestalls the pigments in your foundations from coming in touch along with your pure oils, so your face doesn’t flip orange

Can You Use Serums As Make-up Primer?

Face serums and make-up primers have completely different jobs. Serums aren’t designed to create a smoother canvas to your make-up, BUT some serums have what it takes to try this too. How do you see them? They’re normally silicones-based formulation, like Paula’s Alternative Tremendous Antioxidant Focus Serum and Paula’s Alternative Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Restore Retinol Serum (silicones are what creates that clean canvas).

There’s a bonus to utilizing the appropriate serum as a make-up primer. serum can struggle wrinkles, fade darkish spots and hydrate your pores and skin as well. A variety of primers make you an identical candy guarantees, too however they don’t have sufficient skincare goodies to ship. So, in principle, utilizing a serum as a primer appears to make a number of sense. You’re saving time and cash within the morning, however getting double advantages, proper? Not so quick.

Associated: Why A Serum Is The Most Vital Product In Your Skincare Routine

Don’t know which skincare elements you’ll be able to combine and match collectively? Obtain your FREE “How To Layer Actives Like A Professional” cheatsheet to search out out:

The Drawback With Utilizing Serum As Make-up Primer

There’s a purpose why your serum goes on BEFORE your moisturizer. Moisturizers create a barrier on the pores and skin that locks moisture (and all the pieces else that’s on the pores and skin) in. For those who do serum first and moisturizer second, your serum gained’t have any likelihood to evaporate into skinny air. However do it the opposite means round and that light-weight serum will discover it actually laborious to move by means of your moisturizer.

You’ll be able to put primer on high of moisturizer as a result of that’s supposed to remain on the highest of your pores and skin. How can it create a clean canva to your make-up if it’s absorbed deep into your pores and skin?Serums, however, are presupposed to be absorbed into the pores and skin. They work higher and quicker when their energetic elements can penetrate by means of to the deepest layers the place they’ll increase collagen, inhibit melanin manufacturing, and do all these issues that maintain your pores and skin younger and wholesome.

For those who take Desiree’s recommendation and use your serum as a primer, you’ll be able to overlook about its antiaging advantages. It should smoothen out your pores and skin and make your make-up look higher certainly nevertheless it gained’t be capable to struggle darkish spots and wrinkles in addition to it ought to. Plus, even the perfect serum gained’t assist your make-up final so long as a make-up primer will. There’s at all times a commerce off.

The Backside Line

I normally agree with the recommendation dished out by Paula Begoun and her workforce, however I suppose there’s at all times an exception. Serums are the workhorses of skincare and also you’re shedding most of their antiaging properties once you use them as primers. No, thanks!

About Gio

Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – each day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that can assist you work out what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that can assist you create the perfect skincare routine to your distinctive wants.