Cream or serum: which is the better choice for my skin?

In the world of skincare, creams and serums are two essentials. But the question that often arises is: which is the best choice for my skin?

Cream or serum?

To answer this question, it's important to understand the fundamental differences between these two types of skincare products.

Serum: A concentrate of active ingredients

When to apply a serum?

Serum is the first product to apply to the skin (excluding cleansers, toners, floral waters). It should therefore be applied before cream.

Serum texture

Its fluid and light texture allows for rapid absorption into the skin. Serums are formulated to address specific needs such as radiance, regeneration, anti-aging, or reducing imperfections.

The benefits of serum

Thanks to its formulation, serum penetrates deeply to act directly on the lower layers of the skin, offering faster and more visible results. Depending on the active ingredients present (vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, retinol, etc.), it can help treat specific problems such as wrinkles, dark spots, dehydration, or loss of firmness.

Unlike cream, serum is a much more concentrated product in active ingredients. This galenic formulation therefore offers more possibilities in terms of action than if only a cream were used.

In summary:

• Targeted effectiveness: Provides fast and targeted results thanks to its high concentration of active ingredients.
• Lightness: Penetrates quickly without leaving a greasy film.
• Versatility: Suitable for different skin types and needs (acne, uneven complexion, dehydrated skin, etc.).
• Disadvantage: surface hydration is lower than that provided by a cream.

Cream: A nourishing and protective treatment

When to apply cream?

Cream should ideally be applied as the third step, after cleansing and applying serum(s).

Cream texture

Cream is often used to hydrate, nourish, and protect the skin. Its richer and thicker texture makes it a suitable product for dry or sensitive skin that needs nourishment (not to be confused with skin that needs hydration). It acts primarily by forming a barrier that retains moisture and protects the skin from external aggressions such as pollution or climatic changes. Be aware that some serums are also capable of performing this function.

Creams generally contain lipids (natural fats), emollients, and humectants that help maintain the skin's moisture balance. They are often used last to seal in all the benefits provided by previously applied products.

Advantages and disadvantages of cream

Cream provides more nourishment than serum,

• Hydration and nourishment
• Protection: Creates a barrier against external aggressions.
• Easy to use: Applied in a generous layer over the entire face, it treats the entire skin surface.
• They can contain SPF which is essential for healthy skin

However, cream has a serious disadvantage for certain skin types: it can be too greasy (especially for combination to oily skin), and sometimes harder to absorb if it's too heavy. It's not easy to find the right cream for your skin type on the first try. You need to know how to accurately assess your own needs and understand your skin type. A cream is less universal in terms of its target than a serum.

Cream often provides less hydration than serum but more nourishment. It is essential to understand what the skin needs.

What is the best choice for your skin between a serum or a cream?

In reality, there is no universal answer to this question, as it depends primarily on your specific needs and skin type.

However, more universally, if you only want to use one product between a serum and a cream, it would be wiser to choose a serum because it provides more active ingredients, and hydration that all skin types need (unlike nourishment, which not all skin types necessarily need). Prioritize non-greasy, water-based serums if you don't know your skin type, this will help you avoid unpleasant surprises.

The ideal remains to combine a serum and a cream adapted to your skin. The serum, with its concentrated active formulation, acts deeply and the cream will seal in this contribution and limit water loss in addition to providing surface protection.

To remember:

Cream and serum are therefore complementary. Serum acts deeply to treat specific problems, while cream hydrates, nourishes and protects; combining the two can offer the best results.