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Face Cream vs. Face Serum: Which One Does Your Skin Really Need?
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Time to read 6 min
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Time to read 6 min
Walk into any beauty aisle, and you’ll find an overwhelming selection of face creams and serums promising everything from deep hydration to wrinkle reduction. But what’s the real difference? Do you need both, or can you stick to just one?
In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between face creams and face serums, how they work, and which Revoderm products will help you achieve your best skin yet.
Serums are lightweight, fast-absorbing skincare treatments packed with concentrated active ingredients that target specific skin concerns such as fine lines, dehydration, pigmentation, or acne. Unlike moisturizers, serums penetrate deeper into the skin, delivering high-performance ingredients where they’re needed most.
✔️ Deep Absorption: Serums have small molecular structures that allow them to penetrate deeper layers of the skin.
✔️ Targeted Treatment: They focus on specific concerns like hydration, brightening, anti-aging, or acne control.
✔️ Lightweight Formula: Perfect for layering under moisturizer without feeling heavy or greasy.
✔️ Potent Ingredients: More concentrated than moisturizers, making them more effective at delivering results.
For Hydration: HA + Prebiotics Serum – A must-have for plumping, hydrating, and strengthening the skin barrier with hyaluronic acid and prebiotics.
For Brightening: Illuminous Antioxidant Serum – Packed with Vitamin C, peptides, and antioxidants to boost radiance and fight environmental damage.
Face creams (or moisturizers) are designed to lock in hydration, strengthen the skin barrier, and prevent moisture loss . They typically contain occlusive, emollient, or humectant ingredients that create a protective layer over the skin.
✔️ Seals in Hydration: Prevents water loss and maintains skin’s moisture balance.
✔️ Strengthens the Barrier: Essential for protecting against environmental stressors, pollution, and harsh weather conditions.
✔️ Provides Long-Lasting Nourishment: Offers all-day hydration , preventing dryness, flaking, or irritation.
✔️ Essential for All Skin Types: Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, face creams are a must-have.
For Dry & Sensitive Skin: Multivitamin Moisturizer – Enriched with ceramides and vitamins to provide intense nourishment for dry, dehydrated skin.
For Anti-Aging & Firming: Retinol Anti-Aging EyeLyte Complex – A powerhouse for reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness around the eyes.
For Redness & Irritated Skin: Redness Relief Moisturizer – Infused with calming ingredients like chamomile and ceramides to soothe inflammation.
For Daily Protection: Age Defy Mineral Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 15 – Protects against UV damage while providing lightweight moisture.
Many people assume they can replace one with the other, but face creams and serums serve different purposes. Ideally, you should be using both in your skincare routine for maximum benefits.
Face Serum:
Best used right after cleansing and toning, before applying moisturizer.
Ideal for targeting specific skin concerns like fine lines, dullness, dark spots, dehydration, or acne.
Serums have a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that penetrates deeply into the skin.
Perfect for day and night use, depending on the active ingredients.
For hydration, use a hyaluronic acid serum like Revoderm HA + Prebiotics Serum before applying moisturizer.
For brightening and anti-aging, apply an antioxidant-rich serum like Illuminous Antioxidant Serum in the morning for protection against environmental damage.
For acne-prone skin, a salicylic acid-based serum can help unclog pores and reduce breakouts.
Face Cream:
Applied after serum to lock in moisture and seal all the benefits of active ingredients.
Works as a hydrating and protective barrier against environmental damage and water loss.
Provides long-lasting hydration and prevents dryness, making it essential for all skin types, especially in dry or cold climates.
For sensitive or redness-prone skin, use Revoderm Redness Relief Moisturizer to calm inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier.
For anti-aging and deep nourishment, opt for the Revoderm Multivitamin Moisturizer, packed with peptides and antioxidants to smooth fine lines and improve elasticity.
If your skin tends to be oily, a lightweight moisturizer like Revoderm Profound Light Moisturizer is a great option to hydrate without feeling greasy.
Always follow up with sunscreen in the morning, like Revoderm Age Defy Mineral Antioxidant Sunscreen, to protect your skin from UV damage.
By using both serums and face creams in the correct order, you maximize hydration, boost skin health, and get the best anti-aging and protective benefits for a radiant, youthful glow .
To maximize your skincare routine, apply products in the correct order so they absorb effectively.
Morning Routine:
Cleanser – Remove dirt and excess oil with a gentle, dermatologist-developed cleanser like Detox Facial Cleanser.
Toner – Helps balance the skin’s pH before layering active ingredients.
Serum – Apply HA + Prebiotics Serum to deeply hydrate and prep skin.
Moisturizer – Lock in hydration with Multivitamin Moisturizer or Redness Relief Moisturizer.
Sunscreen – Always finish with Age Defy Mineral Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 15 for daytime protection.
Night Routine:
Cleanser – Wash away impurities from the day with Salicylic Acid Beta Cleanser (for acne-prone skin) or Detox Facial Cleanser.
Exfoliate (2-3 times a week) – Use Pumpkin Enzyme Mask or Microdermabrasion Scrub to remove dead skin cells.
Serum – Apply a nighttime treatment like Illuminous Antioxidant Serum or Retinol Night Cream.
Eye Cream – Gently pat Retinol Anti-Aging EyeLyte Complex around the eyes.
Moisturizer – Finish with Multivitamin Moisturizer to restore hydration overnight.
Myth 1: Serums Are Only for Dry Skin
Truth: Serums are for all skin types. Whether you have oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin, there’s a serum designed to help.
Myth 2: Moisturizers Make Oily Skin Worse
Truth: Skipping moisturizer can increase oil production because your skin tries to compensate for lost moisture. Use an oil-free formula like Profound Light Moisturizer.
Myth 3: You Can Skip Moisturizer if You Use a Serum
Truth: Serums provide targeted treatment, but moisturizers seal in hydration. They work best together, not as substitutes.
When it comes to serums vs. face creams , you don’t have to choose one over the other. The key is knowing their roles and using them correctly to achieve the healthiest, most radiant skin.
Use serums for deep penetration and targeted treatment.
Apply moisturizer to seal in hydration and strengthen your skin barrier.
Layer them correctly to get maximum benefits.
Ready to elevate your skincare game?
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Absolutely! Acne is one of the top concerns our customers have online or in our clinic. Our specialists and dermatologist will help with a customized online consult and treatment plan.
Our private consults can help with acne, anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, rosacea, and hair loss. If you suspect you have another issue, contact your local dermatologist.
We get it–you invested your time and money on your current skincare routine. However, in order for us to fulfill our promise to you and help you achieve your best skin possible, you must follow our recommendations, which includes products, routine, and prescriptions. We want to make sure everything you’re putting on your skin is working for, and not against, you.
Definitely! Revoderm formulas are all medical-grade and developed by a dermatologist, which means they work in harmony with Rx products. (You can’t say the same for random OTC/department store skincare.)