What Serum Do I Need?

When it comes to skincare products, there is nothing quite like serums! Not only do they cater for such a large amount of skin types and concerns, but there are also a great variety of consistency to choose from. Funny thing is you can become spoilt for choice and this can often lead to figuring out which serum would work best for you. So today we are going to be exploring in more detail the best way to go about serum shopping and share with you the best tips we discover along the way.

What types of serums should I use?

Serums are known for being concentrated boosts of skin benefits and active ingredients, formulated to penetrate the lower layers of the skin and work in the areas other products, such as cleansers and moisturisers are unable to reach.

In total there are about 6 different types of serum formulations that you will often find:

• Anti-Ageing Serums

One of the most common serums, these are able to target premature signs of ageing, such as fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. the job of an anti-ageing serum is to increase cell turnover, repairing the skin and giving collagen production a kick-start. You’ll find that retinol is one of the main ingredients in an anti-ageing serum due to its ability to aid skin cell renewal and giving the skin a firmer and plumper appearance.

• Skin Brightening Serums

It seems everyone is after that healthy glow, and luckily for us serums provide this very easily. Skin brightening formulas will help to fade sunspots, uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation leaving the skin with a natural radiance. The ingredients that work most effectively in these types of serums are vitamin C and E as well as AHAs, such as glycolic and lactic acid.

• Anti-Blemish Serums

Combating acne can be a very tricky task often leading to other skincare products unable to reach the areas help is really needed. Anti-blemish serums are able to unclog the pores, absorb excess sebum and calm any inflammation which is mainly because ingredients such as salicylic acid, tea tree and zinc are often found in the product formula and provide a number of breakout-battling skin benefits.

• Hydrating Serums

Remembering of course, that it isn’t only dry skin that needs help staying hydrated. The fact that serums are able to reach far into the dermis of the skin and deliver hydrating ingredient, such as hyaluronic acid, you will find moisture is locked into the skin and keeps the complexion looking and feeling moisturised, comfortable and glowing.

• Exfoliating Serums

These types of serum formulas are really quite unique and work hard at ensuring the skin is functioning normally and optimally without much concern with causing too much irritation or damage to the skin, but instead restoring it to its healthiest state.

• All Over Improvement

Finally, there are the serums that provide a little bit of everything by repairing and renewing the skin. It can create a balanced, protected and hydrated skin finish often appearing as though you have managed to knock 10 years off your skin completely. It is these types of serums that work best for those with normal skin type or those just starting to include serums into their daily skincare routines.

There you have a full rundown of the various serum formulations you can find when shopping for one that will help target the main skin concerns you have. Not forgetting you are able to layer serums by using more than one to target specific areas of the face without overloading it with too much product.

How do I choose a serum for my face?

This really boils down to the skin type you have as keeping an eye on ingredients plays an important role when deciding on a serum. What will usually occur is the serum designed to target any particular concerns will contain the best active ingredients for your skin type. Having said that I’ll name a few active combination of ingredients that will work for different skin types.

1. Dry skin

• Lactic acid
• Hyaluronic acid
• Antioxidants
• Aloe vera

2. Combination skin

• Vitamin C
• Glycolic acid
• Hyaluronic acid
• Antioxidants
• Retinol

3. Oily skin

• Salicylic acid
• Tea tree
• Retinol
• Hyaluronic acid
• Antioxidants

These are only three of the most common skin types, if you are still finding it difficult to determine which skin type you are you can find out more on our blog post about the most common skin types.

Which serum is best for daily use?

Depending on your concerns and skin type this can change, however, many find that using the following on a daily basis had a marked improvement on the overall look of your complexion.

1. Vitamin C enriched- this will not only restore a glow back into your skin, but any signs of sun damage, such as dark spots and hyperpigmentation are combated giving the face a more even tone and healthier finish. Don’t forget that vitamin C causes the skin to become more photosensitive so it’s advisable to apply a daily SPF.
2. Hyaluronic acid enriched- all skin types benefit from the humectant traits of hyaluronic with its ability to lock in moisture and give the skin a plumper, firmer and younger looking appearance.

Of course, there are many more that are specially targeted for treat skin concerns and areas you are wanting to treat and improve, as mentioned earlier, serums are easy to use due to the fact you can layer different ones on top of each other.

Do I need serum and moisturiser?

Yes and no, funnily enough, there are some contrasting ideas on this making it difficult to determine if you need to use and serum and moisturiser together. Depending on how dry your skin is will be one of the major factors, as well as your lifestyle and time allowing you to applying your daily skincare routine. Some experts believe serums are potent enough to absorb into the skin and have quite the impact, while others say both serums and moisturisers make quite the power duo with the moisturiser actin as a protective layer allowing the serum to work away in the lower layers of the skin. Personally, I believe you will reap the rewards from either way so it’s whatever suits you and your skin. 

When should I start using serum?

As I have said in the past, prevention in the key to younger looking skin so the earlier you start the better! This of course, doesn’t mean that you can’t introduce a serum into your daily regime if you are past a certain age!

I hope you have found today’s post useful and you now have a better understanding of which serum would work for you and your routine, whichever formulation you apply your skin will adore it as much as you will when you see the results! Don’t forget if you have any questions you can find us on our Instagram, including bi-weekly giveaways, top tips and new product launches.