Everything You Need To Know About Face Serum, Explained
Skin care doesn't have to be a complicated, 10-step routine. Personally, I stick to three essentials: a cleanser, a face serum, and a moisturizer with SPF (or a moisturizer with retinol at night). That's it. And while I've been a serum devotee for years, I realized some of my friends don't understand the purpose of this middle step. I know, I know. Serum can look a lot like water with a fancy price tag. So, I spoke with two dermatologists to find out how—and if—this product really works.
Think of serum as a tool you can use to customize your daily routine. "Serum implies that it’s a booster—it’s something extra," Howard Murad, M.D. tells SELF. You can use this product to magnify the effects of your regular moisturizer and target your personal complexion concerns.
If you're shopping for a serum to add to your routine, there are a couple things to look for when you’re in the beauty aisle. First, find a product that has a light color. “Serums are [typically] clear, and they are very light compared to creams,” says Bruce Katz, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and director of Juva Skin and Laser Center. "Lighter [serums] tend to have smaller molecules. So, the lighter they are, the better they are at passing through the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the skin.”
Related: 36 Drugstore Skincare Products That Really Work, According To The Skin Pros
You also want to find a face serum that has a powerful list of ingredients. Want to brighten? Look for vitamin C. Need more moisture? Shop for serums with hyaluronic acid. Hoping to hold off wrinkles? Go for something with peptides. You’ll likely notice that serums have a higher price tag compared to other products in your routine. That’s because the percentage of active ingredients is usually very high in serums. You only need a few drops to get the benefits. Katz recommends using a serum at night after cleansing and toning, but you can also use one during the day just before putting on your SPF.
Keep reading to get a face serum recommendation based on your skin type.
Courtesy of Elemental Herbology1For aging skin: Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Matrix
"Growth factors and peptides are quite effective at stabilizing skin cells and slowing down [the signs of] aging," says Katz. This serum from Elemental Herbology has peptides, which are good for restoring elasticity. There's also an antioxidant on the ingredient list in the form of green tea.
Buy it: Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Matrix ($98, elementalherbology.com)
Courtesy of Instanatural2For dry skin: Instanatural Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Katz often recommends products packed with hyaluronic acid to his clients. "Hyaluronic acid [serums] are great for absorbing moisture, and they plump up the skin as well," he explains. "Hyaluronic acid is actually one of the structural components of the skin, so it’s actually very natural." This pick from Instanatural also has antioxidants like vitamin C and green tea.
Buy it: Instanatural Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($16, instanatural.com)
Courtesy of Sephora3For sensitive skin: Skin Inc. Licorice Serum
This serum from Skin Inc. has the active ingredients suspended in small spheres that burst on contact with the skin. The formula helps soothe redness with licorice root and green tea.
Buy it: Skin Inc. Licorice Serum ($45, sephora.com)
Courtesy of Skinceuticals4For pollution protection: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum
Murad says that a product with vitamin C can help minimize damage from the sun's UV rays. Vitamin C and other antioxidants are also powerful protectors against pollution. However, you want to make sure to layer a SPF 30+ moisturizer on top to get the best defense.
Buy it: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum ($163, skinceuticals.com)
Courtesy of Glossier5For oily or acne-prone skin: Glossier Super Pure Serum
If you tend to have oily or acne-prone skin, Katz recommends a gel-like serum that has a mattifying quality. "Gels are dry on skin because they evaporate faster, so they cause the oil to dissipate," he says. This Glossier formula feels silky in your hand, but then it dries down to a soft, powdery finish.
Buy it: Glossier Super Pure Serum ($28, glossier.com)
Courtesy of Youth To The People6For combination skin: Youth To The People Age Prevention Serum
This serum has everything the pros recommend—peptides, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid—making it the perfect option for normal or combination skin. This clear liquid goes on smooth and won't leave your complexion feeling sticky.
Buy it: Youth To The People Age Prevention Serum ($62, youthtothepeople.com)
SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.