DISCOVERING THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FACE SERUMS FOR YOUR SKIN NEEDS

Published: May 11, 2023

Face serums have infiltrated the skincare world, becoming the biggest buzzword, promising a wide range of benefits targeting specific skin concerns, from anti-aging effects to brightening and hydrating the skin. But the question still remains: what exactly is a face serum, and how does it work?

When it comes to skincare, we tend to focus on the basics: cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection. However, we all have unique wants and needs that we want to achieve with our skin that the basics don’t always tend to. If you’re looking to take your skincare routine to the next level, consider adding a face serum to your arsenal of products.

Many of us want to add a face serum into our skincare routines, but aren’t quite sure how to effectively incorporate them. And with so many face serums on the market, deciding which one is best for you and your specific needs can be a daunting task. Before purchasing the latest trending face serum, it is important to know your skin type or concerns. This will allow you to choose products that are specifically formulated to address your unique needs, ensuring that you achieve the results you want.

Below, we are exploring the mystery of face serums, uncovering what they are, and how to incorporate them into your everyday skincare routine.

Intensive Serum with a background of woman relaxing

"Our serums provide a variety of key actives in a lightweight, quickly absorbed formula, and are ideal to boost results under a richer moisturizer, or even on their own for a barely detectable veil of hydration."

Elisabeth Nehme, Board Certified Esthetician

and [ comfort zone ] Educator

What are Face Serums?

Face serums are lightweight and highly concentrated skincare products that are designed to penetrate deep into the skin, delivering a strong dose of active ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides. Unlike moisturizers, which sit on the surface of the skin, serums have a thin consistency that absorbs into the skin quickly. This allows the serum to effectively target specific skin concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and uneven skin tone.

Face serums can be used alone or in combination with other skincare products, such as moisturizers or facial oils, to create a customized skincare routine that addresses your unique skin needs. Some of the main ingredients found in face serums are:

Vitamin C - This ascorbic acid is used to brighten a dull and lackluster complexion by protecting and revitalizing your overall complexion.
Retinol - Retinol (vitamin A) is an antioxidant with exfoliating properties that helps shed dead skin cells. This leaves you with softer, vibrant skin.
Peptides - Peptides consist of amino acids that are building blocks of proteins, like collagen. Peptide serums encourage skin cell repair, resulting in firmer, younger-looking skin.
Hyaluronic Acid- Hyaluronic acid is an extremely absorbent acid that rehydrates the skin by locking in moisture. It smooths and plumps the skin, while also reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Glycolic Acid - This acid exfoliates the skin, speeds up cell turnover, and boosts collagen production to give the skin a more youthful appearance.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) - AHAs are natural acids often derived from citrus fruits and work as a chemical exfoliant to keep your complexion clear and vibrant. They can also help reduce large pores and prevent acne breakouts.

Each active ingredient in a serum works to offer multiple beauty benefits individually or in conjunction with one another. And with a higher concentration of ingredients, it often takes less time to see visible results.

Types of Face Serums

Whether you’re looking to brighten and even out their complexion, hydrate and plump up their skin, or minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, there's a face serum out there that can help achieve your desired results for your skin type and concerns. We are giving you four types of serums that are sure to amplify your skincare routine.

Hydrating Serums

For those seeking an extra boost of moisture for their skin, consider a hydrating serum. Hydrating serums are great for those with dry, dehydrated skin, or those who want to improve the overall texture of their skin. However, serums shouldn’t replace your moisturizers. In fact, the two work in unison to increase the hydration effects. This type of serum penetrates deep into the skin, while the moisturizer is applied directly after to lock in the hydrating benefits.

The most common ingredient found in a hydrating serum is hyaluronic acid. Because of its moisturizing and anti-aging properties, this active ingredient helps keep the skin hydrated and plump, which is important for achieving a youthful appearance.

Glycerin is another beneficial ingredient found in hydrating serums. Thanks to its ability to help the skin attract and retain moisture, glycerin has been shown to significantly improve hydration in the skin, minimizing the signs of aging.

Anti-Aging Serums

Many face serums are recognized for their promising anti-aging effects. These face serums aid in slowing down the aging process by promoting collagen and elastin production, as well as increased cell turnover. Active ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol, and peptides have been shown to effectively reduce the appearance of fine lines, sagging, and wrinkles. Therefore adding an anti-aging serum to your routine can help protect the skin from free radical damage and improve skin tone, resulting in a more youthful and radiant complexion.

Brightening Serums

To achieve a natural dewy glow, a brightening serum can be a helpful addition to your skincare routine. All brightening serums aim to help with various forms of uneven skin tone. These serums contain exfoliating ingredients that smooth your complexion, improve dullness, and reduce hyperpigmentation – leaving your skin with a youthful radiance.

Green tea extracts, niacinamide, and antioxidants like vitamin C and E can be found in serums that all provide a brighter, more vibrant skin tone. Many brightening serums also include moisturizing and hydrating ingredients to help improve overall skin health.

Acne-Fighting Serums

Acne serums help get to the root of your breakouts. While cleansers and moisturizers remain on the surface of the skin, acne serums penetrate deep into the skin to effectively deliver their active ingredients. Active ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) can all help manage blemishes and unwanted breakouts. Acne-fighting serums work to unclog pores, absorb excess oils, and soothe inflammation.

[ comfort zone ] Sacred Nature Serum on a beige background

How to Incorporate Face Serums into Your Skincare Routine

Taking care of your skin is a vital aspect of maintaining a healthy and youthful appearance. From toners and cleansers, to serums and moisturizers, the options seem endless. Most serums are safe to use twice a day, morning and night, but before introducing just any face serum into your skincare collection, you should be mindful of how and when to apply them, as well as how to layer them effectively.

How & When to Apply Face Serums

Whether it’s hyperpigmentation, fine lines, discoloration, dark spots, or blemishes – there is a face serum that can help. Serums can take your skincare game to the next level, but it all comes down to the correct application. Here are some tips on how and when to apply face serums in order to achieve optimal results:

Cleanse your skin - Before applying your face serum, it is essential to clean your skin thoroughly. Use a gentle cleanser to remove any oil, makeup, or dirt from the skin.
Apply the serum - Because serums have a higher concentration of active ingredients, you will only need a few drops. Gently press the serum onto your face and neck. You should not rub excessively.
Wait for absorption - Wait for a few minutes to allow the serum to fully absorb into the skin before applying other products on top.
Moisturize - After the serum has fully absorbed, apply a hydrating moisturizer to lock in the serum's benefits. Moisturizer acts as a protective skin barrier, helping maintain moisture, while also allowing the active ingredients to work effectively.
Take it slow - To avoid any irritation or skin damage, you will want to start small before working your way up to regular use. Serums with potent ingredients like vitamin C should be used every other day before daily use as the skin gets acquainted. Other exfoliating ingredients like retinol may be used once a week when first starting use.
Incorporate night time serums - Some serums work better while you sleep. Incorporating a nighttime serum (like retinol) can help nourish and repair your skin while you sleep.

How to Layer Face Serums with Other Skincare Products

Layering serums with other skincare products is a great way to target multiple skin concerns at once. However, you must be cautious with the type of products you are mixing onto your skin, as this can cause damage to the skin due to its ingredients.

Mixing active ingredients

When combining active ingredients, you will want to ensure that you are not creating negative reactions. Some ingredients work better together, while some are better off separately. For example, vitamin C should not be applied with BHAs or AHAs, as they have exfoliating properties that may cause skin irritation. These types of serums should be used on different days. However, vitamin C and niacinamide are a powerful combination for managing skin concerns.

Strategic skincare layering

By layering your skincare products properly, it can help ensure that each product is absorbed fully into your skin, maximizing its effectiveness. Cleansing the skin should always be the starting point in your skincare routine before layering serums in order of consistency (thinnest to thickest.) After absorption, apply a moisturizer and SPF to seal in active ingredients.

Facial Serums Keep Skin Hydrated and Glowing

Mystery solved – whatever your specific skin care needs are, there’s a face serum for everyone. Whether you have sensitive, mature, oily, or acne-prone skin, face serums offer unique properties for all skin types. Determine your main skin concerns and look for a serum that is tailored to your needs. By adding a face serum to your daily skincare routine you can address your skin concerns effectively while enhancing the overall health and appearance of your skin. Begin building your can’t-live-without skincare routine with [comfort zone] from our most-loved collection for healthy, glowing skin.