Your Guide to Finding the Right Facial Serum

Serums are great skincare products that are commonly recommended by dermatologists these days. They are essential in making your skin look and feel young and fresh. That is why it is important to pick the right one for your skin to achieve the best results.

However, with the hundreds and thousands of facial serums available out there, it can be slightly challenging and overwhelming to pick the right one. We have created a guide for you that will help you pick the right facial serum in accordance with your skin type and your goals.

What is a serum?

A serum is a skincare product that is formulated using a concentration of core ingredients that can be readily absorbed into the skin. Serums are lightweight, hence, they can be used under a moisturizer.

Serums go hand in hand with moisturizers and other skincare products. The work by seeping into your pores, delivering improved results. Your moisturizer will even be more effective if you apply a serum before. A good moisturizer to use is the retinol high-quality restorative moisturizer from ML Delicate Beauty. It’s one of the best nighttime moisturizers with retinol that will leave your skin looking fresh.

If you have a normal skin type and aren't looking to particularly target any skin-related problems, it's best for you to use a Vitamin C serum. Wondering why vitamin c is good for your face? Some of the benefits of vitamin C facial serum are that it gives your skin a light youthful glow, protecting it against sun damage, brightening, evening out your skin tone, getting rid of wrinkles and so much more. To add to that, it is a natural skincare products so there won’t be too many chemicals involved either. Regular use of the serum will keep your skin hydrated.

How to use it?

Serums are easy to use just like moisturizers. They should be applied twice a day, preferably in the morning and evening in accordance with your skincare routine. Although they can be used on their own, it is best to use it before moisturizing your skin.

Effectively using facial serums can significantly enhance your skincare routine due to their high concentration of active ingredients. To start, cleanse your face thoroughly to ensure the serum can penetrate deeply. After cleansing, apply a toner if you use one; this step prepares your skin to absorb the serum better. Then, while your skin is still slightly damp, apply a few drops of the serum. Use your fingertips to gently pat and smooth the serum onto your face and neck, avoiding vigorous rubbing. The amount of serum needed may vary, but generally, a pea-sized amount is sufficient. Allow the serum to absorb for a few minutes before applying your moisturizer or sunscreen. This not only locks in the serum's benefits but also provides hydration.

For optimal results, use serums tailored to your specific skin concerns, such as anti-aging, brightening, or hydrating formulas, and consider using different serums for morning and night routines. Remember, consistency is key, so incorporate the serum into your daily skincare ritual for the best results.

Serums for different skin types

 Dry skin

If you have dry skin, it is best for you to use hydrating serums. These products contain ingredients that hold and lock moisture into the skin. A common ingredient of hydrating serums is aloe vera. It protects your skin from getting dry by preventing water loss.

Other ingredients include Hyaluronic Acid and Tremella, which are super hydrating and hold most of their weight in water. Therefore, they give your skin just the moisture it needs, leaving it fresh and glowy. Another great option for serums if you have dry skin is green tea serums, which will protect your skin from sunburn and prevent it from getting dry.

Oily Skin

Do you find your skin getting oily quite frequently? You should use a serum with salicylic acid or glycolic acid. What these ingredients will do is that they will gently exfoliate your skin. That, in turn, removes dead skin cells, as well as grime that builds up, which is essentially half of the reason for your oily skin.

Combination Skin

This is when your skin is oily on your nose, forehead and chin area. In such a case, it is important that you use a serum that will not completely dry out your skin yet it will help control the oil in those areas. Thus, a serum that has a balance of oil-fighting ingredients and hydrating ingredients is ideal for such skin type. Some of these ingredients to look out for include Witch hazel, lemongrass, seaweed extract and Salicylic Acid.

Sensitive Skin

This kind of skin is stressed easily and can become dry or irritated real fast. For such skin, it is best to use organic facial serums as they will not bother your skin. Hydrating serums will also do the trick. They will provide your skin with the ultimate comfort and avoid itchiness and redness.

Serums for targeting different skin problems

When picking out a serum, it is important to ask yourself what your primary concern for your skin is. There can be many things you wish to achieve or overcome by using a particular serum from getting rid of acne to brightening up your skin. In general, products with hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C would do the trick. Here are some of the common skin problems and the kind of serums that are perfect for it.

Acne

If you’re looking to get rid of your breakouts and acne, then the way to go is by using face serums that have Salicylic Acid, just like for oily skin because essentially that is what causes acne too. 

Skin Brightening

Several factors can affect the pigmentation of your skin, leading to changes in color, texture, and overall appearance. Sun exposure is one of the most significant factors; ultraviolet (UV) rays can stimulate melanin production, causing tanning or, in some cases, sunburn. Prolonged sun exposure without protection can lead to hyperpigmentation, including dark spots or uneven skin tone. Brightening ingredients have extracts that influence the melanocytes of your skin. If you're wondering what that is they are melanin-producing cells that give your skin its color. These will be sure to protect your skin from inconsistencies such as sun damage, hormonal changes or age spots.

Exfoliating ingredients are also used as a means to get the skin to shed off its pigmented layers faster. Some of the other ingredients to look out for include Vitamin C as it is a natural antioxidant, which fights skin ageing and darkening. It’ll brighten up your skin giving it a natural glow. Other ingredients include Kojic Acid which is similar to Hyaluronic acid and Arbutin which is from the bearberry plant.

Hormonal changes, particularly during pregnancy or due to the use of birth control pills, can cause melasma, a condition characterized by dark, patchy areas on the skin. Certain medications, such as antibiotics, antimalarials, and anti-seizure drugs, can also alter skin pigmentation. Inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne or eczema, often leave behind dark marks or scars, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Anti-aging

With age, you'll find that your skin may start to age. You can probably see this through wrinkles, deep lines on your skin, loss of elasticity, etc. if you find this happening. it is best to use a facial serum and one that is the right one. Anti-aging serums play a vital role in skincare routines, particularly for those seeking to combat the visible signs of aging. These serums are typically packed with high concentrations of active ingredients like retinoids, peptides, antioxidants (such as vitamin C), and hyaluronic acid. They work by penetrating deep into the skin to repair, rejuvenate, and protect it at a cellular level. Retinoids and peptides help in stimulating collagen production, which is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Anti-aging serums include several ingredients for different skin types as well as advanced ingredients such as stem cells that enhance overall skin strength and health, giving your skin just the boost it needs to fight this natural breakdown taking place. Some ingredients to look for include fruit and plant stem cells, antioxidants such as serums with Vitamin C, and E, Green Tea, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Seaweed extracts, etc.

Antioxidants protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and environmental stressors, which can accelerate aging. Hyaluronic acid, known for its hydrating properties, helps in retaining moisture, giving the skin a plumper, more youthful appearance. Regular use of anti-aging serums can lead to visibly firmer, smoother, and more radiant skin. By incorporating these serums into their daily routine, individuals can proactively address the signs of aging, maintaining a youthful and healthy complexion over time.

This ML Delicate Beauty’s Advanced Anti-Aging Vitamin C serum will help restore your skin tone. For starters, it is an all-natural Vitamin C serum. There are plenty of vitamin C benefits for the face as it makes the skin firm while giving it a youthful glow and is perfect for both men and women.

If you’re looking for the best facial serums, check out ML Delicate Beauty and we guarantee you, you won’t be disappointed. Let us know what you think of these serums in the comment box.

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2. 9 Common Skincare Mistakes that are Damaging Your Skin
3. 6 Benefits of Using Facial Serums
4. Secrets to Beautiful Skin and Body

About Author:

Christine Wright is a trusted beauty expert and an esthetician who is loved by editors and bloggers. She is a prolific writer on the topics of natural, chemical-free skin and body care. She also does reviews on store brand beauty products, with fairness and a real point-of-view. She is well-known of creating products for specific skin types, especially to those with ultra-sensitive faces.

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Opinions expressed are those of the writer.