6 Things to Know When Picking Your Perfect Serum

Finding the best face serum can be like searching for the perfect partner. You’re pretty sure they’re out there, you’re not sure how to find them, but you know you want one.

Consider this article your best serum matchmaker; it’s time to fall in love and commit.

Here are the top 6 things you should know to find your happily ever after facial serum.

1. What is a serum?

Let’s start with the basics. You need to know what something is before you want it, right?

A serum is a super-concentrated treatment product, designed to penetrate deeper in to the skin and packed with active ingredients to treat specific skin concerns and skin types. Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, there is a face serum that is perfect for you.

2. Why a serum is important in your skincare routine…

A serum is important in any skincare routine because it is a targeted treatment. Put simply, serums give you the most bang for your buck.

While a cleanser removes impurities and a moisturizer protects and hydrates the skin throughout the day, serums are the products that deliver the most noticeable and cumulative results.

3. Which serum is right for you?

This is where it gets fun, but also, can be a bit overwhelming. Below are suggestions of types of serums and ingredients to look for to treat specific skin concerns and skin types. Please note that serums can also be cocktailed with other products to treat multiple concerns, or paired with tools like dermarollers to help increase effectiveness.

Dry/Sensitive Skin

When you have dry or sensitive skin, look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. Anything that will allow the skin to enjoy increased barrier protection and allows skin to protect and heal itself.

A simple hyaluronic acid serum can be used alone, or layered with other treatment products for intense hydration.

Another good option is a product that includes both hyaluronic acid and aloe plus a hint of shimmer, like our illuminating rose gold facial serum. For dry skin, a little hint of shimmer can offer a bit of glowy dewiness.

Oily/Breakout-Prone Skin

For oily skin, or skin that is prone to breakouts, you need a lightweight formula to help control the oil and breakouts. This is a great time to introduce a retinol serum into a skincare routine. Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that helps speed up the skin’s cell turnover process. As a result, newer skin cells rise to the surface of the skin quicker, preventing dead skin cells from getting trapped in pores, clogging them, and causing more breakouts. To boost these effects, Vitamin E is included in our formula, which refines skin texture and tone. If skin is oily, and less debris is getting caught in pores and stretching them out, pores appear smaller, and skin looks smoother.

Learn more about retinol products in this video here.

Looking to simply fight pimples with multiple products? Here’s something to check out.

Fine Lines/Wrinkles

If you are looking for an anti aging serum, there are lots of options that can fit your needs.

Beyond helping breakouts, a retinol serum is also good for fine lines and appearance of wrinkles. Again, because cell turnover has increased, newer, plumper skin cells are coming to the surface of the skin quicker. This helps to reduce fine lines already there, and prevents new ones from forming.

Remember to only use retinol at night as skin can become more sensitive to the sun, and always use a minimum of an SPF 30 during the day to protect from sun damage.

Hyaluronic Acid serum is also good for hydration, plumping, boosting collagen production, and A LOT of other concerns.

And don’t forget Vitamin C serums. Not only does it help lighten dark spots (more on that in a bit) it also helps tighten up the skin and protect against free radical damage.

It’s OK to switch up which serums you’re using based on the time of year, and preference of products. There are even kits that feature multiple serums so you can try them all out.

Dark Spots/Hyperpigmentation

A Vitamin C serum helps reduce the appearance of dark spots. acne scars, and uneven skin tone by inhibiting the production of an enzyme called tyrosinase which prevents melanin production around the hair follicles. It also offer great free radical protection which helps ward off future damage. Learn more about Vitamin C and your skin here.

Need an extra boost of Vitamin C? There are targeted booster treatments like this that can be added in to a routine. Learn more about booster products here.

If dark spots are a concern, remember to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, every day, even on cloudy days!   

4. How to apply a serum…

A serum should be applied with the fingertips to freshly cleansed skin. Typically, 1-2 drops or pumps should be sufficient for the face, neck, and chest. Press a serum gently into the face, and avoid tugging or rubbing the skin too hard. The gentler you are with your face, the less of an opportunity fine lines and wrinkles have to form.

5. Which serums to use when (A.M. vs. P.M.)

Hydrating serums with Pure Hyaluronic Acid can be used day and night. Serums that contain hyaluronic acid as well as cosmetic benefits (like shimmer) are typically are worn during the day, over or under makeup.

Vitamin C serums can be used during the day to protect against free radical damage, and also at night while skin is healing and repairing itself.

Typically, a retinol serum should be used at night only. This is because skin is more sensitive to sun when using retinoids, and always pair a retinol with an SPF of at least 30 during the day.

6. Where a serum falls in to a routine

After cleansing and toning the skin, a serum should be applied, followed by a daily moisturizer (and a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day).

If you are using more than one serum in one application, typically, start with the serum that is lightest in weight and texture, and follow with the heavier product.

Not sure how a whole skincare regimen works? This video should help.

Now you should be more confident to find your perfect serum match, and hey, if you find more than one that works for your skin's needs, that’s totally fine! We’d never be the ones to judge. ;-)