Which serum do I need?
When it comes to skincare, nothing beats serums! Not only are they suitable for a variety of skin types and concerns, but they also come in a wide range of consistencies. Interestingly, you can be overwhelmed by the choices, which often leads to you trying to figure out which serum is best for you. So today we’re taking a closer look at the best ways to buy a serum and sharing with you the best tips we’ve discovered along the way.
What type of serum should I use?
Serums are known for being concentrated with skin-benefitting boosters and active ingredients, and their formulas penetrate the lower layers of the skin and work on areas that other products like cleansers and moisturizers can’t reach.
You’ll typically find about 6 different types of serum formulas in total:
Anti-Aging Serums
They are one of the most commonly used serums that fight premature signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Anti-aging serums work by increasing cell turnover, repairing the skin, and boosting collagen production. You’ll find retinol as one of the key ingredients in anti-aging serums, as it supports skin cell turnover, making the skin appear firmer and plumper.
Brightening Serums
It seems like everyone is striving for a healthy glow, and luckily, serums can easily create it. Brightening formulas help fade sun spots, uneven skin tone, and hyperpigmentation, giving your skin a natural glow. The most effective ingredients in these serums are vitamins C and E, as well as AHAs like glycolic and lactic acids.
Anti-acne serums
Fighting acne can be a very daunting task, often resulting in other skincare products not being able to reach the areas that really need help. Anti-acne serums work to open up pores, absorb excess sebum, and soothe inflammation. This is largely because ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree, and zinc are often included in the product formulas, providing the skin with a host of acne-fighting benefits.
Hydrating serums
Of course, remember that it’s not just dry skin that needs help retaining moisture. In fact, serums can penetrate deep into the skin’s dermis and deliver hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ensuring that moisture is locked into the skin, leaving the complexion looking and feeling hydrated, comfortable, and radiant.
Exfoliating Serums
This serum formula is truly unique, working to ensure that the skin functions properly and optimally without worrying too much about the skin becoming too irritated or damaged, but rather restoring it to its healthiest state.
All-around Improvement
Finally, there are serums that offer a little bit of everything by repairing and renewing the skin. You can create a balanced, protected, and hydrated complexion that generally looks like you’ve managed to make your skin 10 years younger. This type of serum is best suited for people with normal skin or those who are just beginning to incorporate serums into their daily skincare routine.
If you’re looking for a serum that addresses your biggest skin concerns, here’s a full rundown of different serum formulas. Not to mention, you can layer serums together and use multiple serums to treat specific areas of your face without using too much product.
How do I choose the right serum for my face?
This really depends on your skin type, as paying attention to ingredients plays a big role when deciding on a serum. Typically, serums designed for specific concerns contain active ingredients that are best suited to your skin type. That said, I’ll list a few active ingredient combinations that work for different skin types.
Dry Skin
Lactic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid
Antioxidants
Aloe Vera
Combination Skin
Vitamin C
Glycolic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid
Antioxidants
Retinol
Oily Skin
Salicylic Acid
Tea Tree
Retinol
Hyaluronic Acid
Antioxidants
These are just three of the most common skin types. If you’re still having trouble figuring out your skin type, you can learn more in our blog post on the most common skin types.
Which serum is best for daily use?
Depending on your concerns and skin type, this may change. However, many people find that daily use can significantly improve the overall appearance of their complexion.
Enriched with Vitamin C – Not only will this restore your skin’s glow, it will also fight any signs of sun damage, such as dark spots and hyperpigmentation, giving your face a more even complexion and a healthier appearance. Don’t forget that Vitamin C can increase your skin’s sensitivity to light, so daily use of SPF is recommended.
Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid – All skin types benefit from the hydrating properties of Hyaluronic Acid, which locks in moisture for a plumper, firmer, and more youthful-looking complexion.
Of course, there are many more products that are specifically targeted at treating skin concerns and the areas you want to treat and improve. As mentioned before, serums are easy to use because you can layer different serums on top of each other.
Do I need a serum and a moisturizer?
Yes and no. Interestingly, there are some different opinions on this, which makes it difficult to decide whether you need to use a serum and moisturizer together. One of the main factors is how dry your skin is, your lifestyle, and how much time you spend in your skin care routine. Some experts believe that serums are powerful enough to be absorbed by the skin and have a considerable impact, while others believe that serums and moisturizers form a powerful duo, with the moisturizer acting as a protective layer and allowing the serum to work in the lower layers of the skin. Personally, I believe that both methods will give you benefits, so choose the one that works for you and your skin.
When should I start using a serum?
As I said before, prevention is the key to younger-looking skin, so the sooner you start, the better! Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t introduce a serum into your daily skin care routine after a certain age!
I hope you found today’s post useful and now have a better idea of which serum is right for you and your routine. Whatever formula you use, your skin will love it as much as you do when you see the results! If you have any questions, don’t forget to find us on our Instagram where you’ll also find bi-weekly competitions, top tips and new product launches.
