Want to incorporate a facial serum into your skincare routine but don’t know where to start? We get it – figuring out which products are best for your skin type can feel like a minefield. But have no fear! We’ve got the lowdown on all things facial serums to send you on your way to healthy, glowing skin ASAP.
What are facial serums?
Serums are light, easily-absorbed oil or water-based liquids that are applied directly to skin. They’re packed with active ingredients that provide hydration, reduce redness and may even reverse signs of ageing.
How to find the right serum for your skin type
Dry skin
If your face feels tight, flaky or dehydrated, you’ll need a specifically-designed face serum for dry skin. Opt for serums enriched with nourishing oils, like almond, avocado and argan, alongside vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and retinol. These holy grail ingredients provide skin with much-need moisture to keep it looking plump and fresh. Clever, right?
Retinol-based serums L’Oréal Revitalift Laser and Olay 24 Night tackle dehydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines, resulting in silky-smooth, moisturised skin.
L'Oreal Paris
L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Pure Retinol Night Serum 30ml
£15.99
Dull skin
Enhance your skin’s radiance with a brightening facial serum packed with vitamin C, niacinamide and glycolic acid. These glow-giving ingredients work together to remove dead skin cells and reveal a more radiant complexion. Me+ Vitamin C with Squalane Booster and Garnier Vitamin C Serumare both powered by skin-brightening ingredients for luminous, evened-out skin. Yes, please!
Layering combinations: Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid + SPF
Me+
Me+ Vitamin C with Squalane Booster 30ml
£13.00
Uneven Skin
Dealing with uneven skin? Don’t worry – there are serums for that! Look for products containing retinol, vitamin C and AHAs, BHAs and LHAs – skincare acids with skin-enhancing benefits – that eliminate dead skin cells and improve overall skin tone and colour.
Need inspiration? The Revolution Dark Spot Corrector and Cerave’s Resurfacing Retinol Serum contain active ingredients that brighten dark blemishes and nourish skin. Top tip: A little serum goes a long way. If you have sensitive skin, use sparingly until your skin gets used to it.
CeraVe
Cerave Resurfacing Retinol Serum for Blemish-Prone Skin 30ml
£22.99
Acne-prone skin
Facial serums with a combination of salicylic acid and purifying essential oils, including grapefruit, rosemary, thyme and tea tree oil, as well as ingredients such as charcoal, AHA and BHAs, do wonders for acne-prone skin. They purify the skin and regulate sebum production – that annoying thing that clogs pores and causes outbreaks.
Hyaluronic acid is a skincare saviour for all skin types. It’s intensely hydrating and keeps skin feeling healthy and supple. Look out for niacinamide and ceramides, too. They help restore the skin barrier(the outermost layer of skin) and improve elasticity for youthful skin. Be prepared for ALL the compliments.
L'Oreal Paris
L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Filler Serum Hyaluronic Acid 30ml
£31.99
How to use face serum
Your skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated. 5 steps are all that’s needed for glowing, hydrated skin:
1. Start with cleanser to eliminate dirt, makeup and other impurities. If your makeup is particularly heavy, you might want to double cleanse with micellar water before moving on to a wash-off cleanser.
2. The next step is to tone. Toner helps your skin feel refreshed and restored after cleansing and preps the skin for the serum.
3. Next is the serum. Wet skin’s more absorbent than dry, so serum is best applied on slightly damp skin. The active ingredients will absorb more deeply without causing irritation.
4. Moisturiser is heavier than serum, so this comes afterwards. Focus on moisturising both your face and the area under your eyes to produce a soothing layer of hydration.
5. Finally, never forget SPF to protect skin against radicals, harmful UV rays and premature ageing.
Facial serum tips and hacks
Don’t forget your décolleté and neck: These delicate areas show the first signs of ageing and are difficult to target when lines start to show.
Apply serum to your lips: Delicate serums, like hyaluronic acid and fruit-based extracts, can be applied to lips for extra hydration.
Mix with your foundation: Mix equal parts serum and foundation for lighter coverage and an enhanced glow. It’s like a BB cream but with extra skin benefits.
Mix a little with your body cream: A few drops of hyaluronic acid or retinol mixed with your favourite body cream does wonders to tone and hydrate skin.
Use as a highlighter: After applying foundation, pat a little serum (vitamin C or serums with a gel or creamy formula are perfect) onto your cheekbones, nose and eye area to achieve a beautiful glow.
Lorna is a Freelance Copywriter with a passion for fragrance, beauty and skincare, sustainability and outdoor adventure sports. She famously quit her office job to spend more time with her cat and enjoys learning about the latest beauty trends – including the best products for oily skin.
Home » Serum 101: the essential skincare guide
Serum 101: the essential skincare guide
Home » Serum 101: the essential skincare guide
Want to incorporate a facial serum into your skincare routine but don’t know where to start? We get it – figuring out which products are best for your skin type can feel like a minefield. But have no fear! We’ve got the lowdown on all things facial serums to send you on your way to healthy, glowing skin ASAP.
What are facial serums?
Serums are light, easily-absorbed oil or water-based liquids that are applied directly to skin. They’re packed with active ingredients that provide hydration, reduce redness and may even reverse signs of ageing.
How to find the right serum for your skin type
Dry skin
If your face feels tight, flaky or dehydrated, you’ll need a specifically-designed face serum for dry skin. Opt for serums enriched with nourishing oils, like almond, avocado and argan, alongside vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and retinol. These holy grail ingredients provide skin with much-need moisture to keep it looking plump and fresh. Clever, right?
Retinol-based serums L’Oréal Revitalift Laser and Olay 24 Night tackle dehydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines, resulting in silky-smooth, moisturised skin.
Layering combinations: Hyaluronic Acid + Retinol + SPF
Dull skin
Enhance your skin’s radiance with a brightening facial serum packed with vitamin C, niacinamide and glycolic acid. These glow-giving ingredients work together to remove dead skin cells and reveal a more radiant complexion. Me+ Vitamin C with Squalane Booster and Garnier Vitamin C Serum are both powered by skin-brightening ingredients for luminous, evened-out skin. Yes, please!
Layering combinations: Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid + SPF
Uneven Skin
Dealing with uneven skin? Don’t worry – there are serums for that! Look for products containing retinol, vitamin C and AHAs, BHAs and LHAs – skincare acids with skin-enhancing benefits – that eliminate dead skin cells and improve overall skin tone and colour.
Need inspiration? The Revolution Dark Spot Corrector and Cerave’s Resurfacing Retinol Serum contain active ingredients that brighten dark blemishes and nourish skin. Top tip: A little serum goes a long way. If you have sensitive skin, use sparingly until your skin gets used to it.
Layering combinations: Glycolic Acid + Retinol + SPF
Acne-prone skin
Facial serums with a combination of salicylic acid and purifying essential oils, including grapefruit, rosemary, thyme and tea tree oil, as well as ingredients such as charcoal, AHA and BHAs, do wonders for acne-prone skin. They purify the skin and regulate sebum production – that annoying thing that clogs pores and causes outbreaks.
Packed with congestion-busting ingredients,Me+ Salicylic with Cica Booster and the Revolution Skincare Blemish and Pore Refining Serum are skincare heroes for acne-prone skin.
Layering combinations: AHA/BHAs + Charcoal + SPF
All skin types
Hyaluronic acid is a skincare saviour for all skin types. It’s intensely hydrating and keeps skin feeling healthy and supple. Look out for niacinamide and ceramides, too. They help restore the skin barrier (the outermost layer of skin) and improve elasticity for youthful skin. Be prepared for ALL the compliments.
Whatever your skin type, you can’t go wrong with L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Serum Hyaluronic Acid or Me+ Hyaluronic Booster.
Layering combinations: Niacinamide + Retinol + SPF
How to use face serum
Your skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated. 5 steps are all that’s needed for glowing, hydrated skin:
1. Start with cleanser to eliminate dirt, makeup and other impurities. If your makeup is particularly heavy, you might want to double cleanse with micellar water before moving on to a wash-off cleanser.
2. The next step is to tone. Toner helps your skin feel refreshed and restored after cleansing and preps the skin for the serum.
3. Next is the serum. Wet skin’s more absorbent than dry, so serum is best applied on slightly damp skin. The active ingredients will absorb more deeply without causing irritation.
4. Moisturiser is heavier than serum, so this comes afterwards. Focus on moisturising both your face and the area under your eyes to produce a soothing layer of hydration.
5. Finally, never forget SPF to protect skin against radicals, harmful UV rays and premature ageing.
Facial serum tips and hacks
Don’t forget your décolleté and neck: These delicate areas show the first signs of ageing and are difficult to target when lines start to show.
Apply serum to your lips: Delicate serums, like hyaluronic acid and fruit-based extracts, can be applied to lips for extra hydration.
Mix with your foundation: Mix equal parts serum and foundation for lighter coverage and an enhanced glow. It’s like a BB cream but with extra skin benefits.
Mix a little with your body cream: A few drops of hyaluronic acid or retinol mixed with your favourite body cream does wonders to tone and hydrate skin.
Use as a highlighter: After applying foundation, pat a little serum (vitamin C or serums with a gel or creamy formula are perfect) onto your cheekbones, nose and eye area to achieve a beautiful glow.
Ready to unleash gorgeous glowing skin?
About Lorna
Copywriter
Lorna is a Freelance Copywriter with a passion for fragrance, beauty and skincare, sustainability and outdoor adventure sports. She famously quit her office job to spend more time with her cat and enjoys learning about the latest beauty trends – including the best products for oily skin.
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