How to Use Face Serum: A Dermatologist's Guide to Getting It Right
Your serum is the hardest-working step in your skincare routine, and the most commonly misused. Whether you're skipping it altogether, layering too many, or simply applying it at the wrong time, small mistakes can stand between you and genuinely healthy skin. Here, Decree founder and GP specialising in dermatology, Dr Anita Sturnham, cuts through the noise.
“I always tell my patients, if they want to take their skin from good to great, a sophisticated, well-formulated serum should be their choice.”
What Does Face Serum Do?
A serum is a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula designed to deliver a high concentration of active ingredients deeper into the skin than a moisturiser can. Where a moisturiser focuses on sealing in hydration and protecting the surface, a serum targets specific concerns, whether that's dullness, dehydration, uneven tone, or the early signs of ageing.
The key word is dose. At Decree, every active is included at a therapeutic concentration, enough to make a measurable difference. That's why Dr Anita has always championed one multi-tasking serum over a shelf of singles. Layering too many products increases the risk of reactivity between ingredients and dilutes the efficacy of each one.
How to Use Face Serum
Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, and before your moisturiser. Dispense one measured dose, then press and pat gently into the face, neck, eye area, and lips, areas that are often missed. Resist the urge to rub or drag.
One dose is enough. Skin can only absorb so much, and using more won't accelerate results.
“Decree AM and PM serums combine the most effective actives into single multi-tasking products to streamline your routine but, most importantly, make it a more effective product for your skin.”
When to Apply Face Serum
Timing matters because different actives are suited to different points in the day. At Decree, our morning and evening skincare products are formulated with that in mind.
In the morning, reach for protect elixir. Its blend of vitamins C, B and E, niacinamide, minerals, and hyaluronic acid is designed to defend skin against free radical damage and environmental stressors throughout the day. The principle is simple: every day your skin is under attack from things you can't avoid, like pollution or UV rays, and without protection, that damage accumulates visibly over time as uneven tone, dullness, and fine lines. Protect Elixir is essentially your skin's daily shield against all of that.
In the evening, treat tincture takes over. Its granactive retinoid complex, alpha arbutin, squalane, and hyaluronic acid work in step with the skin's overnight renewal process to reduce fine lines, improve tone, and deeply hydrate while you sleep. While you rest, your skin is in repair mode, and Treat Tincture gives it exactly the actives it needs to make the most of that window.
Your AM + PM Serum Routine at a Glance
Morning
- Cleanse
- Tone
- Apply Protect Elixir — one dose, pressed into face, neck, eye area, and lips
- Moisturise
- SPF
Evening
- Cleanse
- Tone
- Apply Treat Tincture — one dose, pressed into face and neck, avoiding the eyelids
- Allow to dry
- Moisturise
“You may see a change in your skin in as little as two weeks. However, I always recommend giving any product a full skin cycle, around 4–6 weeks, to really see true results.”
Top Tips for Getting the Most from Your Serum
- Start with clean skin: Actives can't penetrate effectively over SPF, makeup, or excess oil.
- Know what's in your formula: Before adding anything else to your routine, understand what your serum already contains.
- Store it correctly: Keep serums away from direct sunlight and heat to preserve the stability of active ingredients.
- New to serums? Introduce them gradually, every other evening for the first two weeks, before building to daily use.
- Never run out: Consistency is everything. Decree's auto-replenish programme saves you 20% and ensures your routine is never interrupted.
The Bottom Line
The right serum, used correctly and consistently, is the single biggest upgrade you can make to your skincare routine. At Decree, we've done the formulation work so you don't have to. One precisely dosed serum in the morning, one at night, and your skin has everything it needs to thrive. No stacking, no guesswork, no wasted steps.
Ready to build your routine? Explore The Decree's daily serum collection.
