Natural face serum and toner

After cleansing, your skin is ready for a light, fluid layer. Here you will find three products for that step: Supreme Skin Elixir, a serum with hyaluronic acid and ceramide, the calming Soothing Lotion and the Hydrating Toner. All three have aloe vera juice as their first ingredient.

What is a face serum?

A serum is a light, concentrated step you use after cleansing and before your cream. It is thinner than a cream, absorbs quickly and focuses on one thing your skin needs more of, such as moisture or calm. A serum does not replace your cream. It goes underneath.

At Abloom, this collection holds three products for that step. All three have aloe vera juice as their first ingredient, but each one does something different.

Serum, lotion or toner: what is the difference?

Toner. The thinnest layer, straight after cleansing. A toner gives a first layer of moisture and eases that tight feeling after washing. Our Hydrating Toner contains aloe vera juice, glycerin, tremella and ectoin, plus rosehip, sea buckthorn, pomegranate and raspberry seed oils. It does not contain hyaluronic acid. More about toners in What does a toner do, and do you need one?
Lotion. A little fuller than a toner and focused on calm. Soothing Lotion contains aloe vera juice, witch hazel, panthenol, chamomile and marshmallow root, plus lavender and sandalwood oil.
Serum. The richest of the three. Supreme Skin Elixir combines moisture binders with plant oils and is made for skin that feels dry or could use extra care.

Which serum suits your skin?

Dry or dehydrated skin. Choose Supreme Skin Elixir, after your toner and before your cream. It gives moisture without feeling sticky or heavy. See also our products for dry skin.
Skin that turns red, warm or restless quickly. Soothing Lotion calms restless skin and adds moisture. It is nice after shaving too. If you have rosacea, read our guide to rosacea skin and check with your dermatologist if in doubt.
Skin that feels tight after cleansing. Start with the Hydrating Toner. For many people that, with a good cream, is already enough.
Combination or oily skin. A toner or Soothing Lotion is light and leaves no greasy film. Follow with a thin layer of cream. See our guide to oily skin care.
Sensitive skin. Start with one product and patch test it first. Soothing Lotion is made for skin that needs calm. More in our guide to sensitive skin.

Not sure? Take the skin test.

How do you know if you need a serum?

Not every skin needs a serum. Cleansing, a toner and a good cream are the basics. A serum is an extra step for moments when your skin asks for more. Look out for these signs:

your skin still feels tight, even after you have applied your cream;
your skin feels dull or rough, especially in winter or after a stretch of little sleep;
your skin turns red or warm quickly, for example after shaving or in the wind;
your cream feels too heavy, but a toner on its own is not enough.

None of this sounds familiar? Then you can happily skip the serum. If you do use one, check after a few weeks whether your skin feels more comfortable.

How do hyaluronic acid, tremella and glycerin hold moisture?

Hyaluronic acid, tremella, glycerin and betaine are humectants. They attract water and hold it in the top layer of your skin, so it feels more supple and less tight. Glycerin is in all three products, tremella in the toner and Supreme Skin Elixir, and hyaluronic acid only in the Elixir. Humectants work best with a cream on top. The oils and butters in the cream hold the moisture in, so it does not simply evaporate.

What is in Supreme Skin Elixir?

Supreme Skin Elixir is our only product with hyaluronic acid (listed as Sodium Hyaluronate). Hyaluronic acid holds on to moisture in your skin, so it feels plumper and smoother. It also contains:

aloe vera juice and glycerin, for moisture;
tremella and betaine, which also help hold moisture;
ceramide NP, a substance your skin also makes itself;
grape seed, almond, jojoba, kahai, cucumber seed, açaí and pomegranate seed oils;
prickly pear extract and vitamin E;
bud extracts from blackcurrant, birch, oak and chestnut, among others.

Use the serum once a day, whenever your skin could use extra care.

How do you use a serum?

Cleanse your skin, for example with the Purifying Cleanser.
Apply the Hydrating Toner with your hands or a cotton pad.
Press a few drops of serum or lotion gently into your face and neck.
Let it absorb for a moment, then apply your cream.
For extra care, finish with a few drops of face oil. In the morning, SPF comes last.

More about the order in In what order do I use my skincare products?

Can you use a toner and a serum together?

Yes, that works well. Toner first, serum after. You can also combine Soothing Lotion and Supreme Skin Elixir: lotion first, then serum. Do start with one new product at a time, so you notice what your skin likes. More layers are not always better. Slow skincare means choosing what your skin needs at that moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a serum do?

A serum is a light, concentrated step between toner and cream. It focuses on what your skin needs more of, such as moisture or calm. It does not replace your cream.

Serum or moisturiser first?

Serum first, then moisturiser. You go from light to rich: toner, serum, cream, oil if you use it, and SPF last in the morning.

Does the Hydrating Toner contain hyaluronic acid?

No. The toner hydrates with aloe vera juice, glycerin, tremella and ectoin. Hyaluronic acid is in Supreme Skin Elixir.

Which serum is good for dry skin?

Supreme Skin Elixir. It contains hyaluronic acid, ceramide and plant oils and gives dry skin moisture without feeling sticky. Use it after your toner and before your cream.

Can you use Soothing Lotion every day?

Yes. Use it daily or whenever your skin needs extra calm, for example after shaving.