Serum to moisturizer

Serum, facial oil, moisturizer, toner... we understand that you get confused sometimes. Which creams do you need to apply and what do they do for your skin? BEAUTSY explains.

1. Toner

Texture: Water
What does it do? Restores your PH-value and soften your skin
What doesn't it do? Protects your skin from external influences or against the sun

Okay, let's start with a toner, a product that Asia brought to us. Use a toner, sometimes called essence, immediately after cleansing your face and before applying a serum. You apply the product with a cotton pad, not with your fingers. A toner should not be confused with a tonic: a tonic is used to remove makeup from your face. 

Our favorite: Holi (Water) by Agent Nateur

2. Serum

Texture: As a cream or oil
What does it do? Targets lines and wrinkles and provides your skin with the necessary vitamins and antioxidants
What doesn't it do? Hydrates your skin and protect it against external influences and the sun

Apply a serum after cleansing your face (and possibly using a toner) and before your moisturizer. A serum consists of a high concentration of active ingredients, which means that you often pay more for a serum and there is less in a bottle. Most serums are water-based, but there are also oil- and silicon-based serums. A serum is usually used as an addition to your moisturizer, unless you have an oily skin: in that case, only a serum and or toner would be enough.

Discover our serums

3. Facial oil

Texture: Oil
What does it do? Makes your skin soft and supple and provide it with the necessary vitamins and antioxidants
What doesn't it do? Hydrates your skin and protect it against the sun

You can also use (pure) oils to keep your skin supple, especially dry skin. A facial oil is usually extracted from fruit, seeds and nuts and has almost the same effect as a serum, but is slightly less focused on rejuvenating the skin. You can also use a facial oil as an addition to your serum or moisturizer or to remove your makeup. Note: a facial oil can often only be stored for a short time (maximum two years) and should be stored in a cool place.

Discover our facial oils

4. Moisturizer

Texture: Cream
What does it do? Moisturizes the top layer of your skin and protect it from external influences
What doesn't it do? Deeply penetrates the lower layer of the skin with essential vitamins and antioxidants or protect it from the sun*.

Then: the moisturizer, also known as a chic (and often used) word for day cream. A good moisturizer contains moisturizing ingredients that stimulate the circulation of the skin. You apply it after a serum or facial oil. Its texture and structure can vary: light, or a little thicker. Please note: a moisturizer only covers the outer layer of the skin. If you want vitamins and antioxidants to penetrate deeply into the skin, you also need a serum.

*Unless your moisturizer has an SPF.

Discover our moisturizers

5. Facial balm

Texture: Hard balm
What does it do? Makes dry spots soft and supple
Wat doet het niet? Hydrates your skin and protect it against the sun

If you regularly suffer from dry spots on your face, a facial balm can be the solution for you to use next to your moisturizer. A facial balm can be used during the day on the dry spots on your face or neck, but you can also use it on dry cuticles, hands or lips.

Our favorite: Concentrated Repair Balm by Soapwalla

6. Sunscreen

Texture: Cream
What does it do? Protects your skin against harmful UV-filters
What doesn't it do? Hydrates your skin and provide it with the necessary vitamins and antioxidants

Finally, sunscreen is an indispensable item on your bathroom shelf, and yes: also for the weak winter or spring sun. We recommend using an SPF moisturizer in autumn and winter, but to use both an SPF moisturizer and a sunscreen from spring onwards. The rule is: apply your moisturizer first and then your sunscreen. If you do it the other way around, the active ingredients in the moisturizer will no longer be able to do their job properly.

Discover our sunscreens