Can Primer Serums Increase the Absorption of Subsequent Products?

"Primer serums" have become the new favorite in the skincare market in recent years, often marketed as "promoting the absorption of subsequent skincare products" and "making skincare twice as effective." But is this claim really scientific? Today, let's uncover the truth about primer serums and see if they're really that magical.

The Essence of Primer Serums: Moisturizing Liquids

🔬 Ingredient Comparison Analysis

Let's look at the ingredients of two well-known primer serums:

Lancôme Little Black Bottle vs L'Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensives Primer Serum

💡 Ingredient Truth Revealed

Highly Similar Formulations: The ingredients of both are highly similar, mainly containing:

• Water and Alcohol: Basic solvents, making up the main proportion
• Glycerin: Basic moisturizing ingredient
• Yeast Extract: Packaged as the "core ingredient"
• Fragrance and Preservatives: Standard additives

Essence Analysis: From the ingredients, primer serums are essentially "moisturizing liquids," not some "miraculous skin base repair product." They are fundamentally no different from ordinary serums, just given a "fancy" name.

The Truth About "Promoting Absorption"

🧪 Mechanism of Action Analysis

Primer serums claim to "promote the absorption of subsequent products," primarily through the following ingredients:

1. Bifida Ferment Lysate:

• This is a fermented product containing organic acids
• Accelerates shedding of skin corneocytes
• Thins the skin to enhance permeability

2. Alcohol (Ethanol):

• Potent solvent that helps chemical ingredients penetrate the skin
• Dissolves stratum corneum lipids
• Damages skin barrier structure

⚠️ The Cost of "Promoting Absorption"

Implementation Mechanism: The "absorption promotion" of primer serums is actually achieved by "exfoliating the skin":

• Equivalent to skin exfoliation
• Damaging the skin's natural barrier
• Making the skin thinner and more fragile

Short-term Effects:

• Skin appears smoother and more radiant
• Subsequent products do seem to "absorb" better
• Improved skin feel and psychological satisfaction

Long-term Risks:

• Thinner, more sensitive skin
• Compromised barrier function
• May trigger dermatitis
• Increased sensitivity to external stimuli

📊 Absorption vs Damage Comparison

The Actual Function of Primer Serums: Moisturizing and Skin Feel

💧 Moisturizing Function Analysis

Main Function: The core function of primer serums is moisturizing:

• Through moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid
• Providing temporary moisture to the skin
• Improving surface skin dryness

Important Distinction:

• Moisturizing ≠ Promoting Absorption
• Moisturizing supplements water
• Promoting absorption damages the barrier

✨ Skin Feel Experience

Source of Refreshing Feel:

• High Alcohol Content: Creates a refreshing, easily absorbed sensation
• Texture Design: Usually lightweight
• Psychological Suggestion: High price creates psychological expectations

Side Effects of Skin Feel:

• To achieve the "easily absorbed" sensation
• Adding large amounts of alcohol and other ingredients
• Long-term use damages the skin barrier

Are Primer Serums Useless or Magical?

🎯 Suitable User Analysis

Potentially Suitable Users:

• People with thick stratum corneum
• People with strong skin tolerance
• Occasional use, not daily use

Unsuitable Users:

• Sensitive Skin: Barrier already compromised, using primer serum makes it worse
• Dry Skin: Stratum corneum is already thin, prone to over-exfoliation
• Barrier-Damaged Skin: Needs repair, not further damage

⚖️ Risk-Benefit Assessment

Potential Benefits:

• Short-term improvement in skin texture
• Subsequent products seem to absorb better
• Psychological satisfaction

Actual Risks:

• Skin barrier function compromised
• Long-term use leads to sensitivity
• Creates product dependency
• High economic cost

Conclusion: For most people, the risks of primer serums outweigh the benefits.

Safer Alternatives

🌿 Natural Absorption Enhancement Methods

1. Moderate Warming:

• Apply skincare products while skin is slightly warm after washing
• Warm products with palms before application
• Temperature helps products spread better

2. Proper Massage:

• Gentle massage technique
• Promotes blood circulation
• Helps products distribute evenly

3. Layered Application:

• Apply from lightest to heaviest texture
• Allow each layer to absorb fully
• Avoid product conflicts

🧴 Safe Product Selection

Simplified Skincare Routine:

• Reduce unnecessary products
• Avoid over-skincare
• Choose multi-functional products

Selecting Gentle Ingredients:

• Petroleum Jelly: Safe occlusive moisturizer
• Glycerin: Natural moisturizer
• Squalane: Gentle plant oil

Avoiding Irritating Ingredients:

• Avoid products with high alcohol content
• Avoid products with excessive fragrance
• Reduce contact with preservatives

Primer Serum Usage Precautions

⚠️ If You Must Use

Usage Frequency:

• Don't use daily
• 1-2 times per week is sufficient
• Observe skin reactions

Usage Method:

• Use small amounts
• Avoid sensitive areas
• Strengthen moisturizing afterward

Discontinuation Indicators:

• Stinging, redness
• Thinner, sensitive skin
• Increased dependency

🔍 Product Selection Criteria

Ingredient Screening:

• Don't choose products with excessively high alcohol content
• Avoid highly acidic ingredients
• Choose products with added moisturizing ingredients

Brand Selection:

• Choose brands with good reputation
• Avoid unknown brands
• Check real user reviews

Rationally Viewing Skincare Marketing

📢 Common Marketing Concept Analysis

"Skin Base Repair":

• Skin has self-repair capabilities
• Topical products can't truly "repair"
• Mostly marketing concepts

"Promoting Absorption":

• Often achieved at the cost of barrier damage
• Healthy skin doesn't need "absorption promotion"
• Over-absorption can be harmful

"Twice as Effective":

• Implies other products aren't good enough
• Increases consumer purchase desire
• Actual effects are often exaggerated

💡 Rational Consumption Advice

Assessing Real Needs:

• Clearly identify your skin problems
• Don't be misled by marketing slogans
• Prioritize solving basic needs

Ingredient Education:

• Learn to read ingredient lists
• Understand the real functions of ingredients
• Don't blindly pursue new concepts

Budget Allocation:

• Spend money on basic care
• Sunscreen is more important than primer serum
• Healthy diet is more effective than skincare products

Summary

Primer serums cannot truly "promote the absorption of subsequent products." Their so-called "absorption effect" is achieved by damaging the skin barrier. The essence of primer serums is moisturizing liquid, fundamentally no different from ordinary serums. When choosing skincare products, focus on ingredient safety and practicality rather than blindly pursuing marketing concepts like "skin base repair" and "absorption promotion."

Key Points:

• Primer serums are essentially moisturizing liquids, not magical penetration enhancers
• "Promoting absorption" is achieved by damaging the barrier, with more harm than benefit
• Healthy skin has a complete barrier and doesn't need excessive penetration
• Simplifying skincare is safer and more effective than layering products
• Rational consumption, avoid being misled by marketing concepts

The key to healthy skin lies in simplifying skincare and avoiding irritation, rather than relying on expensive primer serums. Remember, the best primer serum is a healthy lifestyle, and the most effective penetration enhancer is time and patience. Skincare is a marathon - steady progress is more effective than seeking quick results!