Any good skin care routine should include the following basic elements: cleaning agentsmoisturizers, serums and SPF. Serums are the cornerstone of a solid routine and can do almost anything to improve skin. These concentrated skin care elixirs are a must to tackle the most pressing problems skin care needs and doing the hard work and making the right choice can make all the difference to good and beautiful skin. Ahead, we explain everything there is to know about using a facial serum and how to find the best facial serum.
Table of contents:
What is a facial serum?
Despite all the educational content on skin care, an important question remains: what is facial serum and what does a serum do for your face? From adding moisture to delivering beneficial active ingredients and skin-loving nutrients, serums can address a specific need. As an important step in building a skincare routine, serums are often more powerful than less powerful products.
Lightweight serums typically contain active ingredients in high doses, including vitamin AC and E, glycolic acid, kojic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid and ferulic acid, peptides, resveratrol, hyaluronic acidsniacinamide, and retinol. While some may mistake a serum for a moisturizer, the two are completely different. A serum for the face is much more than even more powerful. It is often used to address a specific skin problem such as wrinklesacne, or hyperpigmentationdepending on the main ingredients in the formulation. Because the active ingredients are typically present in larger quantities and higher doses, they are able to penetrate the skin better for more visible results.
Different types of facial serums
Some of the more popular types of facial serums include:
Anti-aging serums: Stimulates collagen and elastin to help fight the common signs of aging and protect against free radical damage Discoloration serums: brightens the skin to improve overall tone Moisturizing serums: Add moisture to the skin for a younger, plumper appearance Acne serums: shrinks pimples and reduces acne scars Restructuring serums: improve of the overall texture of the skin and appearance
The main ingredients in facial serums
Many different ingredients have made their way into facial serums, some of which you may recognize from other skincare products. Commonly used active ingredients in serums are usually:
Retinol: Retinol is known for its anti-aging properties. It helps promote collagen production, accelerate cell turnover and can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is super effective against acne by preventing the build-up of dead skin and clogged pores. Vitamin C: Vitamin C (also known as L-ascorbic acid) is a powerful antioxidant that does it all. Not possible alone vitamin C protects the skin from free radical damage, but also helps stimulate collagen, brighten the skin and improve the overall tone and appearance of the skin. Hyaluronic acid: It is a key moisturizing ingredient and holds up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it an excellent moisturizer. Moisturizing the skin plumps up fine lines and wrinkles, leaving the skin looking younger.Niacinamide: This vitamin B3-derived ingredient helps improve the skin’s barrier function while reducing inflammation and minimizing the appearance of increased inflammation. Niacinamide is also often recommended for removing stubborn hyperpigmentation. Peptides: Consider one peptide if retinol is too strong for your skin. It stimulates the production of new collagen while improving elasticity.
What does serum do for your face?
Using a facial serum can provide several skin benefits. Facial serums are not only quickly absorbed by the skin, but are also a must for those who are short on time when it comes to skin care. Based on its ingredients, a serum can also be helpful in soothing and softening sensitive skin. And their lightweight fluidity makes them suitable for those with oily and acne-prone skin, because the products aren’t nearly as heavy as creams. There is also less chance of pores becoming clogged by serums. Drier skin types can benefit from a serum, but usually should still include a more traditional moisturizer.
Different serums have different objectives to treat skin problems such as fine lines, wrinklesdiscoloration, and drought. The ingredients in a serum determine what they can best help with. Yet most serums do anti-aging and protective benefits, as many contain antioxidants in their formulations to help prevent premature aging.
Because serums contain a high concentration of active ingredients, you’ll likely see more visible results, perhaps even faster, than other skin care products.
How to incorporate facial serum into your routine
Adding a facial serum to your skincare routine is easy. It is best to use a serum daily unless the product instructions say otherwise. You can also use different serums for different skin problems and alternate between day and night serums.
When applying a facial serum to the skin, it is best to do so after cleansing and toning and before other products, especially heavier ones. You don’t need more than a few drops of serum and make sure you apply it all over the face and neck. Then, after applying a facial serum, continue with your normal skin care routine and finally apply a good moisturizer, which will help prevent moisture from slipping out and prevent the skin from feeling dry. Top it off with sunscreen.
You can also layer serums for maximum effect. There’s no wrong way to do that apply your serumsbut make sure the ingredients you combine do not contain ingredients that will cancel each other out or cause redness, dryness or irritation.
Buy the best facial serums
1. Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
Main ingredients: Retinol, antioxidants, peptides and stem cells
Skin problems: Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging
Serum type: Anti-aging
The best anti-aging facial serums available contain ingredients that accelerate cell turnover and improve the elasticity of your skin. Antioxidants, such as vitamin Chelp fight free radical damage that leads to premature aging. Some also offer skin-firming benefits, helping to reduce the appearance of lines and pores.
2. Neocutis BIO SERUM FIRM
Main ingredients: Peptides, human growth factors, sodium hyaluronate and glutamines
Skin problems: Loss of firmness
Serum type: Collagen strengthening
For skin that has lost its resilience, you can opt for a collagen-boosting serum with restorative properties properties of peptides. Known for their ability to refine tone and texture, peptides also improve firmness and elasticity, revealing a revitalized complexion.
3. iS Clinical White Lightening Serum
Main ingredients: Vitamin C, arbutin, kojic acid, licorice extract and alpha hydroxy acids
Skin problems: Hyperpigmentation
Serum type: Illuminating
Depending on the active ingredient, brightening serums work by either inhibiting some steps along the melanin pathway (different ingredients inhibit different steps along the pathway, not just production) or by accelerating cell turnover, improving skin tone and texture, and lightening a dull complexion.
4. PCA SKIN hyaluronic acid strengthening serum
Main ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, essential fatty acids, ceramides and niacinamide
Skin problems: Dry skin
Serum type: Moisturizing
Hydrating serums offer a two-pronged approach to restoring your skin’s moisture levels. First, they restore your skin barrier to prevent moisture loss. They then bind moisture to your skin and seal it. Use this to boost the effects of your moisturizer, or try it alone if you have oily skin.
5. SkinCeuticals Phyto-Corrective Gel
Main ingredients: Herbal extracts, chamomile, aloe and calendula
Skin problems: Skin prone to redness
Serum type: Calming
