Serums are one of the most potent skincare products you can have in your arsenal, thanks to their highly concentrated ingredients and vast array of options available. However, they can also be dauntingly complex!
Once you know the area(s) where your skin concerns lie, select a face serum accordingly. If dark spots from acne scarring have darkened over time, use one with glycolic acid as it may help fade discoloration over time.
1. The Ordinary Retinol Serum
Ultra-affordable brand has made waves for their effective yet cost-efficient skincare products that focus on one or two active ingredients, like this retinol serum featuring high concentrations of granactive retinoid (which is more gentle than Rx-strength retinol) suspended in moisturizing squalane for added moisturizing benefits.
It has been found to enhance skin firmness and tone, fade hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones, reduce fine lines and dynamic wrinkles and win rave reviews online reviewers who consider this their go-to product. It has received top marks from reviewers.
Starting slowly is best; use this retinol serum every other night initially to ensure that your skin adjusts without experiencing redness, irritation or peeling as often associated with it.
2. The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc Serum
This high-strength vitamin-and-mineral blemish formula was designed to combat oiliness and visibly diminish visible signs of congestion. It features powerful ingredients, including skin brightening niacinamide and zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid which regulates excess sebum activity visibly.
Niacinamide is an ingredient commonly used to brighten skin tone and reduce discoloration, while also smoothing textural irregularities and mattifying complexion. Furthermore, niacinamide helps alleviate redness and inflammation as well as unclog pores.
Reviewers hail this serum as a miraculous product due to its ability to minimize pores, even out skin tone, and fight blemishes. They advise applying it every morning and evening prior to layering on heavier creams for best results.
3. The Ordinary Retinol + Salicylic Acid Serum
As a general guideline, it’s wise to avoid mixing salicylic acid and retinol together because both ingredients can dry the skin, says Rebecca Marcus of Maei MD in Maryland. Instead, “introducing them separately would be ideal,” according to Rebecca Marcus who founded Maei MD.
The Ordinary’s latest offering is a water-free salicylic acid serum designed to exfoliate and decongest pores while targeting blackheads and breakouts. Furthermore, its formulation includes squalane to minimise irritation.
Stacey tried the formula and noticed a difference after only a few days of use: their skin was noticeably smoother, cysts and acne had subsided, and cysts and acne began vanishing altogether. For best results, Stacey recommends applying it after any water-based serums but before oils or creams.
4. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid + Retinol Serum
Glycolic acid is an effective exfoliator that can help address dullness, uneven tone and texture irregularities in skin. Furthermore, glycolic acid helps unclog pores by clearing away dead cells that accumulate within pores that clog them up over time.
Acne lesions may leave behind hyperpigmented spots which need to be faded away with this essential ingredient. Furthermore, it helps smooth out mild photodamage as well as hyperpigmentation caused by acne lesions.
Retinol is more potent, stimulating cell renewal deep beneath the skin’s surface. While some adjustment, including flaking and dryness, is normal, if any discomfort arises it’s wise to put off taking further doses until things calm down.
5. The Ordinary Vitamin C + Olive Leaf + Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This oil-free vitamin C serum from dermatologist Elyse Love, MD includes barrier-supportive ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid to brighten and fade dark spots while remaining free from parabens and sulfates.
This bestseller from The Ordinary is renowned for incorporating ascorbyl glucoside (a water-soluble form of vitamin C) into a lightweight yet nourishing serum for all skin types. This formula works to brighten dullness, even out discoloration, fade fine lines and wrinkles and reduce redness – an impressive array of results that’s suitable for all.
Lauren Hartman of Cosmo deputy beauty director Lauren Hartman swears by this oil-free vitamin C serum packed with silymarin, ferulic acid and salicylic acid for protecting against environmental damage while simultaneously curbing excess oil production and tightening pores. It helps safeguard against environmental damages while simultaneously managing to control excess sebum production.
6. The Ordinary Acne Clearing Serum
This oil-free serum uses low, medium and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid complexes for smooth, plump skin. Peptides target dullness and signs of aging while exfoliating acids or pure vitamin C products should not be used at the same time in your skincare regimen. When to Use: As part of your 3-step skincare regime after cleansing and toning.
Zubritsky recommends this water-based salicylic acid serum for those with oily or acne-prone skin as it helps decrease pore congestion, improve enlarged pores and hyperpigmentation and manage breakouts. Infused with non-comedogenic emollient squalane and niacinamide to control redness and curb breakouts.
7. The Ordinary Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum
Niacinamide is an effective moisturizer that promotes healthier skin cells while simultaneously helping to minimize fine lines and wrinkles. It can be combined with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C for maximum effectiveness; typically hyaluronic acid should be applied first before following up with niacinamide for best results. Doing this ensures ample hydration is available while simultaneously helping regulate sebum production through regulation by the niacinamide.
This set from The Ordinary contains a vitamin C serum with 23% pure L-Ascorbic Acid to brighten skin while also featuring dehydrated spheres of hyaluronic acid for visible surface smoothing and hydration. In addition, niacinamide and zinc PCA serum is included to combat signs of shine or congestion on the surface of the skin.
