Facial Serums: A Beginner’s Guide to What They Are and Why You Need Them

Facial serums have become the latest trend in skincare and many people are using them in their daily routines. These formulas are proving to be beneficial for delivering targeted results. These magic potions help to brighten dull skin, reduce fine lines, or control breakouts. Serums have quickly gone from luxury items to everyday necessities for skincare lovers around the world. Face serums can boost your skin if included in your skincare routine. Due to their targeted feature, these serums address concerns like dryness, dullness, or uneven textured skin when used consistently.

With so many facial serums available in the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about where to begin. It is necessary to first understand your skin type and then choose a serum that targets its specific needs. Here is a complete guide that will help with everything you need to know — from how to get started, which serums work best for each skin type, and the proper way to use them for maximum benefits. But first, you need to understand what facial serums are.

What Are Facial Serums?

A facial serum is a formula that contains ingredients like antioxidants, peptides, and anti-inflammatories. They contain a large percentage of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, AHA, or retinol. Due to their liquid consistency, they are easily absorbable into the skin and give targeted results. If the skin is dry, a serum with hydrating properties is what the skin needs. A brightening face serum helps to get rid of dark spots. Unlike moisturizers and lotion, facial serums do not leave residue on the skin and penetrate deeper into the layers.

Choosing Your Elixir: Types of Serums

Serums are created with a certain skin type in mind. It is necessary to understand the type of the serum and then build a regimen on it.

Hydrating Serums

Hydrating serums consist of ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. These components retain the moisture in the skin and plump it. People with dry skin type should use hydrating serums. These are ideal for sensitive and dehydrated skin types.

Clarifying Serums

For acne-prone skin, clarifying serums help to ease congested skin. They contain salicylic acid, tea tree oil, or zinc, which help to prevent breakouts and inflammation.

Brightening Serums

Brightening serums are filled with vitamin C, niacinamide, or licorice root. These serums help with dullness and dark spots. It is beneficial for those with uneven skin tone as it radiates the skin and enhances the complexion.

Exfoliating Serums

Exfoliating serums help to exfoliate the skin as they contain alpha and beta hydroxy acids (like glycolic and lactic acid). These serums make the skin smooth and bright because they help with cell turnover.

Calming Serums

Calming serums help with redness and irritation in the skin because they contain ingredients like centella asiatica or chamomile. They also have aloe vera, which is known for its soothing effect.

Anti-Aging Serums

Serums that contain retinol, peptides, or antioxidants are often used to tackle aging and wrinkles. These serums help improve skin elasticity and make the skin firm. They also help in reducing fine lines.

Popular Face Serums

Hyaluronic Serums

Hyaluronic serums are popular for their hydrating abilities. Due to their property to attract and bind to water molecules, these serums increase the water content in the skin. They can absorb up to 1,000 times their weight in water and retain water content in the skin.

There are three types of hyaluronic acid:

• Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid
• Sodium hyaluronate
• Sodium acetylated hyaluronate

Vitamin C

Vitamin C serums are antioxidants and help to protect the skin against damage while brightening it. They help with hyperpigmentation and enhance collagen production. Applying vitamin C to the skin allows it to absorb efficiently and evenly. It is better to apply vitamin C serum in the morning for a lasting effect.

Vitamin C serums boost collagen production and help reduce wrinkles. They also block harmful sunrays to prevent sunburn and even the skin tone. Vitamin C acts like a shield against chemicals and pollution in the surrounding environment.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory and calming properties. It minimizes pores and evens out the skin tone. It helps to treat acne and redness and combats acne by regulating oil production. It prevents breakouts by blocking buildup in the skin.

Research suggests that oral intake of niacinamide can prevent recurrence of skin cancer. It is a form of Vitamin B3 which helps to reduce blemishes and pigmentation. If you have fine lines, redness, or uneven-toned skin, you should opt for niacinamide serum. It is preferable to use a small dosage, as higher doses may cause irritation.

Retinoid Serum

Retinoid serums generally contain retinol, retinyl palmitate, and retinal. These are available over the counter and have anti-aging properties that help with dark spots and even skin tone. They also help with wrinkles and fine lines.

Dermatologists recommend using retinol serums at night, before sleeping, for lasting effects. Using these 2–3 times a week helps to exfoliate the skin and reduce the aging process. They can also be used under the eyes for puffiness.

Retinol serums aid in the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which are necessary to keep the skin firm and radiant. Dermatologists also recommend retinoids for patients suffering from psoriasis. These lightweight potions help to remove acne scars.

Most common retinoid products include:

• Bexarotene
• Tretinoin
• Adapalene
• Tazarotene
• Alitretinoin

The retinoids work right away, but the results may appear after a few weeks.

Salicylic Acid

Another very effective serum is salicylic acid, which is used to treat skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, dandruff, dry scalp, dermatitis, lichen simplex, and warts. Salicylic acid is usually present in cleansers and wipes as it helps to unclog pores. It is effective for acne and whiteheads. It also comes in gel form when treating warts.

Salicylic acid should be used with caution and started in small amounts to avoid dryness or irritation. When used in moisturizers, salicylic serums help keep the skin balanced and hydrated.