What is a face serum and why do I need it?
Think about face serums as products that will supercharge your skincare routine and customise it to your exact skin type and skin concerns. Unlike your typical moisturiser, a face serum is lighter in consistency and comes in a higher concentration of active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Whether you’re after a boost of hydration, minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing out skin texture or brightening up your complexion – each formula is infused with a number of powerhouse components such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, vitamin C, and niacinamide.
In which order should I apply a face serum?
You should apply your face serum after cleansing, exfoliating and the best toners and before your moisturiser or facial oil, eye cream and SPF. A facial serum can be used alone, but since they tend to be so lightweight, they’re easy to layer. Pro tip: invest in one of the best silk pillowcases to ensure everything soaks into your skin properly.
Can I use face serum daily?
Absolutely. It’s recommended that you use your facial serum twice daily, depending on the ingredients. Some serums contain key ingredients like retinol or acids such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid (also known as AHAs and BHAs) and ferulic acid. Some have been especially formulated for resurfacing so as to remove dead skin cells, while other formulas also shield from external aggressors such as pollution and further UV damage.
How to choose the best face serum according to your skin type
It’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different – if you suffer from dehydrated skin and you’re hoping to get a boost of hydration, look for a serum containing humectants such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract or vitamin E. If it’s a youth-boosting serum you’re after, retinol is the gold standard, and to brighten your complexion, anything with vitamin C that can help boost collagen production and help maintain your skin’s elasticity is bound to be a sure-fire hit. And if you want to treat sun damage or have more sensitive, acne-prone skin, you might want to go for a gentler fragrance-free option.
Dr Anjali Mahto, Consultant Dermatologist at Skin 55, discussed when it’s best to introduce or amp up active ingredients such as peptides in our routines: “In your 20s, your skin is still youthful, but after mid-20s collagen levels start to fall so incorporating vitamin A [or retinoid/retinol] serums at night to help with cell turnover can be beneficial in reducing early development of fine lines especially in fair skin.”
“Signs of ageing of the skin start to develop for most people in their 30s, such as fine and deeper lines and wrinkles as well as uneven skin tone or pigmentation. Adding in a vitamin C serum under sunscreen can help with skin brightening as well as additional benefits of acting as an antioxidant.”
“As we proceed through our 40s, oestrogen levels start to decline which can result in dryness. Incorporating a hyaluronic acid serum under a moisturiser and layering the products can help prevent dryness and create the appearance of more supple looming skin.”
Feeling inspired to upgrade your skincare routine? Check out our guides for the best face masks, face creams and moisturisers, night creams, sun cream, eye creams, cleansing bars, best retinol serums and eye serums.
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