If there's one thing skincare lovers can agree on, it's the desire for radiant, glowing skin. With so many serums promising miracles in a bottle, it's no surprise that glow serums have become one of the most searched and talked-about products. But here's a question many are still unsure about: Do you really need a different glow serum for day and night?

The truth is, your skin behaves differently depending on the time of day, and that means its needs change too. While it's tempting to stick to one go-to formula, there's real value in tailoring your routine. Using a day serum that protects and energises, followed by a night serum that repairs and renews, could be the glow-up your skincare has been missing.

This is especially true when you're using an anti-ageing face serum. These targeted formulas often work best when applied in sync with your skin's natural rhythm, shielding against environmental stressors by day and supporting collagen production and cell renewal at night. The result? A healthy, youthful glow that lasts around the clock.

Let's explore how you can build the ideal AM and PM serum routine for real, lasting results.

1. What Is a Glow Serum?

Glow serums are designed to enhance the skin's natural radiance. They often combine hydrating, brightening, and antioxidant-rich ingredients to improve tone, smoothness, and clarity. Whether it's dullness, uneven pigmentation, or early signs of ageing, a well-formulated serum addresses these concerns by penetrating deeply into the skin.

The best serum for glowing skin usually features active botanicals like saffron, turmeric, niacinamide, and vitamin C-all known for their brightening and anti-inflammatory properties.

Skin's Sunlight Serum is a great example. Infused with Ayurvedic botanicals like saffron and turmeric, it targets pigmentation and boosts skin luminosity with every use. On the other hand, the Moonlight Serum focuses more on overnight skin repair with ingredients like bakuchiol and gotu kola, which are especially helpful if you're also looking for an anti-ageing face serum.

2. How Skin Behaves Differently During Day vs. Night

Your skin isn't static-it functions differently based on your internal body clock. During the day, its main job is to defend itself. Exposure to UV rays, pollution, and stress triggers free radical damage, dehydration, and inflammation.

At night, however, skin switches into regeneration mode. Blood flow increases, cell turnover accelerates, and collagen production goes into overdrive. This makes nighttime the perfect window for recovery-focused ingredients that repair and renew.

So while a daytime serum should focus on protection and brightness, a nighttime formula should be all about nourishment and repair.

3. Ingredients That Work Best During the Day

Your morning routine should energise your skin and shield it from environmental stressors. Key ingredients to look for in a daytime serum include:

  • Saffron – brightens skin and supports an even tone



  • Turmeric – reduces inflammation and blocks pigmentation



  • Niacinamide – strengthens the skin barrier



  • Hyaluronic acid – maintains hydration



 Skin's Sunlight Serum is a go-to daytime product featuring a blend of saffron, turmeric, and other natural actives. It absorbs quickly, sits well under sunscreen, and provides an immediate glow while delivering antioxidant protection throughout the day.

By using a targeted AM serum, you not only brighten your complexion but also help your skin defend itself against external damage.

4. Ingredients That Work Best at Night

Your PM skincare should be more restorative, supporting the skin's natural regeneration process. The best nighttime serums will include ingredients that soothe, hydrate, and rebuild your skin barrier.

Look for:

  • Bakuchiol – a natural alternative to retinol that smooths fine lines



  • Gotu Kola – promotes collagen production and skin healing



  • Aloe Vera – soothes irritation and hydrates deeply



  • Plant-based oils – lock in moisture and support elasticity



Skin's Moonlight Serum is a gentle yet effective anti-ageing face serum designed for overnight use. It helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, evens out tone, and supports skin firmness-all without the irritation that synthetic retinols can cause.

Applying it before bed allows the skin to absorb all the actives while it's most receptive.

5. Can One Serum Do It All? Pros & Cons

It's tempting to reach for an all-in-one serum for both day and night. Some hybrid serums do exist, but they often compromise on concentration or stability of certain ingredients.

Pros of one-serum routines:

  • Simpler skincare routine



  • Less chance of product incompatibility



  • Lower cost



Cons:

  • May not provide targeted results for different skin functions



  • Some ingredients degrade in sunlight (e.g., bakuchiol, vitamin C)



  • May not align with your skin's day-night cycle



Using separate serums allows you to optimise your skincare for both protection and repair-giving your skin what it needs, when it needs it.

6. Building a Simple Day and Night Serum Routine

You don't need a 10-step routine to see results. In fact, simplicity often works better when the formulas are potent and purposeful.

Here's a simple Karmic Skin-based glow routine:

AM Routine

  1. Cleanse with Ruby Dooby Doo Cleanser



  2. Apply Sunlight Serum



  3. Follow with SPF



PM Routine

  1. Double-cleanse if needed



  2. Apply Moonlight Serum



  3. Seal in hydration with Richie Rich Moisturiser



This approach supports your skin's changing needs throughout the day and night, allowing both glow and resilience to shine through.

Final Thoughts

Healthy, glowing skin isn't about using more products-it's about using the right ones at the right time. By aligning your routine with your body's natural rhythm, you maximise your skin's potential to renew, protect, and glow.

The best serum for glowing skin isn't always one-size-fits-all. Day and night serums serve different purposes, and when you choose clean, plant-based formulas like those from Karmic Skin, you don't have to choose between safety and results.

Let your skin shine-with the rhythm of nature and the support of trusted, Ayurvedic-inspired formulas.

FAQs

  1. Is vitamin C safe to use at night?

    Yes, but it's more effective during the day as it helps defend against environmental stress. For night, focus on repair-based ingredients like bakuchiol.
  2. Can I mix my day and night serums?

    It's better to use them separately to avoid overloading the skin and compromising ingredient effectiveness.
  3. How long before I see results from a glow serum?

    You may see subtle changes within a week, with more visible results after 4–6 weeks of consistent use.
  4. Are anti-ageing serums suitable for all ages?

    Yes, especially when they use gentle, plant-based ingredients like those in Moonlight Serum.
  5. Can natural serums really reduce wrinkles?

    Absolutely. Ingredients like bakuchiol and gotu kola have clinical backing for anti-ageing results.
  6. What age should I start using anti-ageing face serum?

    Prevention is key-late 20s to early 30s is a great time to start, depending on your skin's condition.
  7. Is there one serum that covers both glow and ageing?

    Moonlight Serum addresses both glow and ageing concerns, but pairing it with Sunlight Serum offers a more balanced routine.