A streamlined skin care routine that includes cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen is simple yet effective, but if you aren’t using a face serum, you may be missing out. Face serums often contain active ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycolic acid and they’re very useful for targeting specific skin concerns, such as acne, dryness, clogged pores, dullness, dark spots and more. In short, if you’re not using one, you’re not making the most out of your skin care routine.
Keep reading to learn more about face serums, including the reasons why you should add one to your routine, how often you should use them and the best face serum recommendations for every skin concern.
Before we wax on about the wonders of face serums let’s start with basics: What is face serum? Face serum is a lightweight, topical skin care product that contain a higher concentration of active ingredients — like hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and vitamin C. Known for their effectiveness, face serums are often used to manage specific skin care concerns, such as wrinkles or dark spots.
Serums are thinner than moisturizers, which makes them perfect for layering and they can come in a variety of different formulas, including gels, oils, and light creams — they can even have a water-like consistency in some cases.
An essence is a lightweight, watery serum that focuses on skin hydration and rebalancing skin pH. A serum is a lightweight liquid with a viscous texture that can target a number of different skin concerns, a few being acne, dullness, clogged pores and dryness. If you’re using both, an essence would be used first, followed by the serum.
As we mentioned, serums contain a higher concentration of active ingredients than other skin care products to target specific skin concerns like dullness, hyperpigmentation, large pores, dryness and more. Typically, it is okay (and recommended) to use face serum daily. Depending on the type of serum, you may want to use a retinol serum only a couple of times a week to avoid irritation, while something like a vitamin C or hyaluronic acid serum is recommended for daily use.
Face serums target specific skin concerns while moisturizer seals in your skin care products, locking in hydration. So yes, you need both because the two have different functions. If you skip a serum and only use moisturizer, you may not see much improvement in your dark spots or dullness. If you use a facial serum without a moisturizer, your skin may become dry and tight.
There are quite a few benefits to using face serums that make it easy to see why serums are such a popular skin care product. Below, we’re naming seven reasons why you may want to add a serum to your skin care routine.
Daily UV exposure, aging and post-acne marks can result in the appearance of dull skin, discolorations and dark spots. Serums contain a higher concentration of active ingredients which allows them to target these types of skin concerns. The L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum is a dermatologist-validated facial serum that fades dark spots, post-acne marks and imperfections after just 12 weeks. It’s formulated with niacinamide, which helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots while brightening the skin tone.
Further studies show that niacinamide also helps to boost hydration and calm redness, per the Cleveland Clinic. Add three to four drops to cleansed skin and lightly massage it in. Follow up with moisturizer and the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion in the morning, and moisturizer at night.
As you age, your skin can naturally start to lose its radiance as it loses its ability to shed dead skin cells. Fix that with a daily vitamin C serum like the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum. This face serum includes skin-brightening vitamin C and acne-fighting salicylic acid to increase radiance, minimize large pores, brighten and even skin tone. Apply it to clean skin and follow up with L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum for extra hydration.
Speaking of extra hydration, when your skin is feeling super parched, a moisturizer alone might not cut it. Instead of relying on your face cream to do all the heavy lifting, you can apply a hydrating face serum to boost moisture retention. The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum contains pure hyaluronic acid that works to hydrate and replump the skin in just one use. Its lightweight texture is quickly absorbed into skin and does so without any lingering sticky or greasy textures.
Use it in the morning and at night before moisturizer to enhance skin hydration. After just two weeks, you can expect fine lines and wrinkles to be visibly reduced.
Editor’s tip: If you have dry under-eyes, add the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid + 1% Caffeine Eye Serum to your skin care routine to visibly depuff, brighten and hydrate this delicate area.
Face serums play a vital role in any effective anti-aging skin care routine. Try L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol, a nightly retinol serum with minimal irritation that refines skin tone, boosts radiance and fades wrinkles with continued use over time. The pure retinol formulation is dermatologist-validated, fragrance-free and suits all skin types. a couple of times a week, apply two to three drops to clean skin at night and gently pat it in. Increase the usage as your skin can tolerate it. Follow up with moisturizer.
As you mature, your skin can gradually lose moisture and volume, especially in delicate areas like your cheekbones and under the eyes. To replenish volume, aid in moisture retention and fight sagging in these areas, reach for an anti-aging serum like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Midnight Serum. The brightening formula includes antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to visibly firm the skin, smooth wrinkles and boost radiance with continued use over time. Plus, the lightweight, non-greasy texture hydrates the skin and doesn’t clog pores. Apply it to clean skin every night and follow up with the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Midnight Cream, Antioxidants.
You may be used to scrubbing your skin with face scrubs, but chemical exfoliants are becoming increasingly popular, and face serums are a great way to give them a try. Serums containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), like lactic acid, glycolic acid and malic acid, can be used to resurface skin for a smoother feel and more even appearance.
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum leaves skin clarified to reveal a radiant and renewed complexion. after two weeks of daily use, dark spots are visibly improved, and within four weeks, fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced. Apply the serum at night after cleansing, and don’t forget to apply sunscreen in the morning as alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
There are skin serums available to help with just about every skin care concern out there, and acne is certainly included. Ingredients typically found in serums and skin care products for acne include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and even retinol. Talk to your dermatologist before adding a new ingredient to your skin care routine. If acne is a persistent problem for your skin, they may be able to prescribe a topical prescription that can help.
Next: 8 Reasons to Use Hyaluronic Acid Under Eyes
Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris
This site is for US consumers. Cookies, related technologies and device identification are used for Personalized Advertising. To learn more, or opt-out, visit AdChoices and our privacy policy, terms of use and CA privacy
Your Privacy Choices
Notice at Collection
