Ingredient Spotlight: Serum vs gel

In the world of beauty products, the line between marketing language and physical difference can be small. Skincare, and particularly face care, is often divided into serums, moisturizers, and toners. Here’s what sets the three apart:

Toners: these are typically facial spritzes that feature astringent ingredients and are used after the cleansing process. There are many naturally-occurring sources of “toning” or astringent ingredients, including:

• Tomato
• Cucumber
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Green Tea
• Aloe vera gel- as long as it’s 100% pure aloe vera with no commercially-added thickeners!
• Botanical extracts like Rose Water, Orange or Lemon Essential Oil, or Peppermint oil

Serums: Serums have become one of the most popular skincare products on the market. Typically, a serum is gel-like in consistency and delivers skincare ingredients to the face in concentrations that cannot be found in other types of skincare products. This is because a serum actually has a smaller molecular size, which translates into a higher level of product absorption into the skin. While a serum and gel have textures that are very similar, a serum is generally used for facial purposes, while a gel can be used as a more general descriptor for a wider array of skincare products, specifically those used on the body.

Moisturizers: As the “last step” in a typical skincare routine, the goal of moisturizers is to help skin stay moisturized. Moisturizers may be sold as-is, or added as ingredients in a final skin or face lotion. Our favorite natural moisturizers listed from “richest” to “driest” are:

• Shea butter
• Coconut oil
• Sweet Almond oil
• Jojoba oil
• Argan oil

Private Label Serums, Lotions, Moisturizers, and More with Rainshadow Labs Interested in starting your own private label, but still not sure where to start? With 30+ years of industry excellence under our belt, we know it can be confusing and stressful when starting your own brand. Luckily, we’ve made wading through the onslaught of information easy. Whether you want to private label your own facial serum, or just want access to an affordable natural and organic moisturizer, we’ve got you covered. For more information on the private label process, click here. For access to the finest natural and organic skincare without the high cost, our Buy Direct section is the place to be. Of course, you can always call us, too, and we’ll be happy to help you!