How to Pick the Best Face Serum for Your Skin Care Concerns

By now, you’ve probably got your basic skin care routine down pat. You use a gentle facial cleanser, such as micellar water, when you wake up and before you go to bed (you’d never, ever fall asleep in your makeup!), you apply your moisturizer onto damp skin because you know that it can help lock in hydration, and you always slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen before you leave the house to help protect your skin against sun damage. But could you be missing out on a crucial step in your skin care routine? We think yes! If you’re looking to upgrade your skin care routine or address any specific complexion issues, such as dryness or wrinkles, it might be time to add a face serum (such as a hydrating hyaluronic acid treatment or a dark spot corrector) to your morning and evening beauty routines. Not sure where to start when it comes to choosing a serum? Read on to find out exactly what face serum is and how to pick the right one for your skin type.

WHAT IS FACE SERUM—AND HOW DO YOU APPLY IT?

We have to admit: Face serums are pretty cool. Typically, face serums are lightweight formulas that contain highly concentrated ingredients. They can address specific skin issues, such as wrinkles and dark spots, and they can also help to improve the overall appearance of your skin. As far as application goes, you want to use a layered approach, putting on your face serum after cleansing but before moisturizing. Depending on your skin’s needs and the specific serum you choose, you may sometimes even be able to use your face serum in place of your regular moisturizer—perfect for all our gals with uber busy schedules!

HOW TO PICK THE BEST FACE SERUM FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE AND CONCERNS

Everyone has a different skin type and different skin care concerns that they’d like to address. So, when it comes to picking out a face serum, look for one that’s targeted to your specific needs, whether that’s minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hydrating dry skin, or something else. Below, find our best serums broken down by which skin type they suit.

OUR BEST FACE SERUM FOR DRY SKIN

If you have dry skin, we’re betting you’re familiar with hyaluronic acid already. In case you aren’t, hyaluronic acid is a potent hydration-attracting molecule that’s naturally found in skin. Unfortunately, as we age, our skin’s reserves of hyaluronic acid naturally deplete. However, that’s where a serum can save your skin. A serum formulated with hyaluronic acid, like the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, can help to restore skin’s hydration levels, resulting in more visibly-plumped, youthful-looking skin.

OUR BEST FACE SERUM FOR WRINKLES

Wrinkles are something everyone has to face eventually, and if yours are one of your top skin care concerns, a vitamin C serum sounds like just want you need. Serums formulated with the vital antioxidant can help fight free radicals, which can cause skin to age faster than normal. Speaking specifically on one of our best anti-aging serums for managing the appearance of wrinkles, the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum reduces wrinkles after just two weeks of use. Seriously, two weeks!

Editor’s tip: Bothered by wrinkles and dryness? There’s no reason you can’t use two serums! Smooth your hyaluronic acid serum on before your vitamin C serum and you’ll receive all the benefits of both formulas.

OUR BEST FACE SERUM FOR DARK SPOTS

Are dark spots, sun damage, or post-acne marks of particular concern to you? Let us tell you about a serum that could help! The L'Oréal Paris Youth Code™ Dark Spot Correcting & Illuminating Serum Corrector is formulated to restore skin’s luminosity and fight discoloration—in our consumer evaluation study of the product, 86% of women saw fewer dark spots in just eight weeks. Sounds like a success to us!

OUR BEST FACE SERUM FOR DULL SKIN

Let’s be honest: We could all stand to have skin that’s a little more radiant. After all, there’s nothing trendier than a luminous glow! If you’ve started to lose your glow as you age, reach for a bottle of the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum. This face serum is an ideal choice for mature skin, as it helps to stimulate skin cell renewal and revive the appearance of dull, tired skin. Instantly, your complexion will feel smoother and softer. Over time, regular use of this serum will help skin to feel firmer and appear visibly renewed and re-plumped.

Now that you’ve added another skin care essential to your list of must-haves, you may be wondering what other important products you’re missing out on. If you’re in the market to expand your skin care routine, consider adding a face scrub into the mix. To learn all about the benefits of exfoliation and what face scrubs have to offer, check out our article, The Benefits of Using a Face Scrub.