Skincare serums have stirred up quite a storm among beauty gurus and skincare experts. Some swear by the miraculous results achieved with serums, and others believe they’re unnecessary. And then, on the other side of the clashing opinions, there’s you. You’ve tried to fight it. You’ve tried to resist it. But the hype about skincare serums has finally got to you and your adamant on trying them. Welcome to the club, make yourself comfortable as we’re about to spill the tea about skin serums.  

What Are Skin Serums?

Serums are skincare products which contain high concentrations of active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, stem cells, vitamins etc. They can also be loaded with skin-loving botanicals which have an amazing effect in treating numerous concerns from lustreless skin to signs of aging. In fact, there’re as many skin serums on the market as there’re skin concerns and maybe even more. 

Are Serums Good for Your Skin?

Absolutely! They’re incredibly nourishing and can help you get rid of some of the most annoyingly persistent skin problems such as redness, uneven skin tone, acne, dryness and the list goes on and on. However, there’s a catch. Serums are only good for your skin if you use them correctly, otherwise, they can break havoc on your skin and make the matters worse. They’re the most powerful skincare products and you should handle that power with caution.

Before choosing a serum for skin, you should first figure out your skin type. This is extremely important especially if you have sensitive skin that’s prone to irritations and redness since serums are very potent. Also, it’s worth mentioning that not all serums are created equal. You should only buy a serum for skin by a reputable brand because you surely don’t want any potential toxins and dangerous chemicals deeply penetrating your skin. 

Since it’s easy to get lost in the vast sea of skincare products, have a look at some of the best serums for each skin type and then you can start building your arsenal of teeny-tiny bottles.

Sensitive Skin

When it comes to sensitive skin, it’s hard to find a product that’s effective, yet gentle enough not to aggravate it. In fact, even if the product is labelled for sensitive skin, it’s always a good idea to do a small patch test first or combine the serum with a rich moisturiser to buffer its effect. 

One of the best serums for sensitive skin is the Avene Antirougeurs Fort Concentrate that’s basically relief in a bottle. Thanks to the active ingredients such as Ruscus extract and Avene thermal spring water, Antirougeurs Fort can help soothe sensitivity, redness and irritation. The formula is soft, gentle and completely free of nasty chemicals. Make sure to explore the whole Antirougeurs range by Avene where you’ll find more products specially formulated for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. 

Oily Skin

If you need skincare for oily skin, you should look for products that’ll help you control sebum production. Sebum is necessary to keep your skin looking healthy, but if your skin produces too much of it, this can lead to redness, clogged pores and acne. 

One of the products that can help you in this fight is the ASAP Super B Complex serum. This bad boy is enriched with Red Clover extract which is proven to tighten dilated pores and normalise sebum production. What’s more, ASAP is infused with Liquorice extract which has anti-irritation properties and can help you treat acne and protect your skin.  As for the star ingredients, Vitamin B3 and crosslinked hyaluronic acid, they boost collagen production and rejuvenate your skin. 

Dry Skin

If you’re thinking that dry skin shouldn’t be on your list of concerns, think again. If left untreated, dry skin can develop atopic dermatitis, redness and cracking which aren’t only unsightly, but they’re also uncomfortable problems. The skin itself may also appear lifeless and lustreless.

To boost hydration and restore that healthy glow to your skin, you should try Hydraplenish by Skin Doctors. This deeply hydrating formula will improve skin elasticity and firmness while erasing signs of fatigue thanks to the powerful blend of active ingredients such as Hydratin-LMF and hyaluronic acid.

But wait, some skin moisturisers do this already, do you need both a serum and moisturizer? Yes. Serums and moisturisers work together to lock the hydration in and deliver the active ingredients deeply into your skin. However, you’ll need to buy a gentle natural moisturizer in order for this combo to succeed.

Dehydrated Skin

Things just got a lot more serious. Your skin isn’t just dry, it screams for water. If your skin is dehydrated you may experience itchiness, redness, uneven skin tone and enhanced appearance of fine lines. Luckily, with the right products, you can quench your skin’s thirst and restore its healthy appearance.

One of these products comes from PCA Skin. Their Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum is an advanced formula enriched with powerful active ingredients that nourish your skin on the surface and deep within. The reason why this serum works like magic to restore plumpness to your skin is the unique blend of Hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate. These two work together to attract and lock moisture in with the help of ceramides which form an effective barrier against moisture loss.

Combination Skin

Determining whether you have combintion skin is a challenge by itself, not to mention building a skincare routine for this skin type. Those that have combination skin can experience dryness in some zones and oiliness in others. That’s why you’ll need a unique formulation to tackle these concerns in one fell swoop.

If you want to see results in just 7 days, you should try the Thalgo Purete Marine Intense Regulating Concentrate. Specially developed to restore balance to combination skin types, this powerful treatment helps regulate sebum production and unclog pores. When used on the regular, this serum can eventually result in purified skin that’s less prone to oiliness.

Closing Thoughts

Apart from dealing with the main problems of each skin type, there’re plenty of other skincare serums that’ll help you weed out almost any skin concern from the root. Moreover, some serums go a step further in protecting your skin from free radicals and preventing future damage. Just remember, buy skin serums for your skin type and carefully read the instructions on the bottle to ensure you’re using them properly for best results.