Face serums should be the first step of your skincare routine after cleansing, providing high concentrations of active ingredients that work to transform skin health. They come packaged in small bottles equipped with medicine dropper applicators so they can deliver just a few drops at a time.
This serum features a hydrating formulation utilizing lightening agents to combat dark spots, hyperpigmentation and post-acne marks. Willow bark and tea tree oil help control excess oil.
Hydrating
Hydrating serums provide skin with moisture and promote radiance. Their textures may range from thin or thick gels and oils to lotion-like formulas; all absorb quickly. Many contain ingredients that help repair barriers to natural hydration while simultaneously locking it in to reduce trans-epidermal water loss; some also offer anti-ageing benefits, like ceramides that improve skin elasticity while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Serums containing hyaluronic acid, like our best-selling Deep Hydration Serum, can provide deep hydration. Hyaluronic acid acts as a powerful humectant that locks in water molecules for ultimate hydration from within and out, giving skin the appearance of plumpness and smoothness. The most effective hydrating serums contain light active ingredients at high concentration.
Always hydrate your skin before applying a serum that contains powerful ingredients like vitamin C, retinol or glycolic acid; multiple applications with these potency-boosting agents could potentially overload some individuals’ sensitive skins.
Brightening
Brightening serums help support an even skin tone and overall complexion by including hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to soothe dryness and powerful antioxidants that protect from free radical damage. Unlike bleaching ingredients that directly lighten skin tone, these products contain moisturizing elements like hyaluronic acid for dry patches as well as powerful antioxidants which fight free radical damage.
Brightening serums that excel include ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide. Vitamin C is an amazing antioxidant that promotes healthy cell turnover while suppressing tyrosinase (an enzyme that produces melanin) to give your skin its desired color.
Niacinamide is an excellent anti-inflammatory ingredient that can help even out redness and reduce blotchiness for a smoother complexion. Furthermore, it can regulate excess sebum production to prevent breakouts without leading to overdrying of skin.
This affordable yet effective serum from The Ordinary has earned itself a loyal following due to its affordable yet effective formulation. Packed with alpha arbutin – a natural skin tone evener known for helping fade hyperpigmentation and illuminate complexion – and an array of skin-nourishing botanicals (ferulic acid, kakadu plum and baobab seed oil) to hydrate complexion, this illuminating serum stands out as one of The Ordinary’s bestsellers.
Anti-Aging
Face serums help minimize the signs of aging by stimulating collagen production, improving skin tone and texture, and reducing discoloration.
Serums tend to contain higher concentrations of active ingredients than creams and moisturizers, and their lighter texture allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin where thicker formulas may hinder absorption of moisture.
Drunk Elephant’s serum offers AHAs such as glycolic, tartaric, and lactic acids to dissolve dead skin cells on your face surface and reveal brighter and more even complexion. In addition, its ingredients include peptide complex, synergistic lipid concentrate, and phenylethyl resorcinol that plump furrow lines, crow’s feet creases and nasolabial creases while the combination of bakuchiol/niacinamide helps fade brown spots while bakuchiol/niacinamide helps fade brown spots while prevent future darkening – just apply one or two times weekly to avoid irritating your skin!
Acne-Prone
Serum can help prevent breakouts, but be wary of products containing ingredients which might cause irritation. Starting off with clean skin can also be beneficial; don’t switch up products frequently as that can create confusion about which ones work for your complexion.
Salicylic acid-containing serums can help dissolve blackheads and whiteheads, while ingredients like tea tree oil help clear pores of debris, while licorice root extract fades dark marks left from past breakouts. This oil-free formula is both gentle and effective; featuring niacinamide to soothe redness as well as 0.5 percent zinc PCA to minimize oil production.
Our reviewers love that this non-comedogenic serum provides a one-stop shop solution to excess shine, acne and inflammation. Plus, its formulation with hyaluronic acid and glycerin helps hydrate skin while plumping up its appearance – just remember to follow it up with light moisturizer or oil for maximum benefits!
