How long before washing off serum?

[Lanny74]

I have found a couple of serums that work well for my skin but that do not play well with makeup (roll up and pill). Fortunately I work from home now so can use them regularly without there being an immediate need for makeup application. But I am wondering how long it takes for most serums to absorb and provide benefits before I can give my face a gentle wash and apply makeup?

[snoflakefaerie]

I agree you might want to try using less serum, and maybe give it closer to 30 minutes to absorb before applying makeup. I find when my skincare pills it’s an indication I have used too much. Have you tried multiple foundations as well and none of them work with vit C? Or maybe using a primer first, though I could see that could exacerbating the situation instead of helping it. 

I’m no skin chemist, but my inclination is you would need to have the serum on for a few hours at least to get benefits from it.

[Izzibell]

I am slightly confused by your question. 

You should be able to apply makeup after applying a serum. However your makeup will depend on your type of serum or other skincare products. Anything that peels the skin, so any serum or toner with AHA, BHA or PHA will peel the skin lightly, so those should be used at night only. 

If its a strong serum, such as Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum  , I would only recommend doing it at night and taking a makeup day off. 

If its a serum like hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide, you can most definitely wear it under makeup and you do not have to worry about washing it off your face.

What serum are you planning to use under makeup?

[Lanny74]

Hi, my issue is that the serums I use tend to pill when I apply makeup..it's not my skin flaking. In particular I have this issue with vitamin C serums. I have tried Ole Hendriksen, Summer Fridays, Dr. Brandt, and more recently Clinique's Fresh Pressed. Same issue with all of them. I cleanse and exfoliate (every second day), then apply the serum. I wait fifteen mins and then apply a moisturizer (I usually try to pair the brand recommended moisturizer with each brand of vitamin C serum). None of these serums seem to truly absorb and when I get to the makeup stage it pills under foundation. I have tried applying foundation with brushes, by patting with blending sponges...no method seems to help avoid the dreaded little rolls of product. I never have this issue if I skip the vitamin C serum.

[Izzibell]

if it does only happen with vitamin c, the best solution might be to skip it in the morning and only apply at night. that or apply a very thin layer, such as a pump or two only.

also, how many products do you apply? 

if its just cleanser, exfoliator/toner, 1 serum, moisturizer and then spf and then makeup, it should not be pilling up. 

however, if you are using a serum, or even having too much toner/exfoliant, it can mix with the vitamin c and cause problems. 

[CynthieLu]

I've never had that happen before @Lanny74 I wonder what ingredient in your make up is reacting to you skin care regime. 

I use the inky list's vitamin C The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL   and don't have this issue but everyone's skin is sooo different.

The only thing I could check into is make sure your not using to much,  most things work with 2 drops or 1 pump etc... and it's easy to use to much,  and maybe

Letting things absorb in a little before going on to the next step in a routine, 

Falling all that maybe reach out to a @TeamBIC pro artist for advice?

Good luck!