How To Pick The Best Face Serum For Your Skin Care Concerns

It’s not news that a basic skin care routine can keep your visage in shape. However, welcoming new essentials into the fold can help you tackle specific skin concerns. And a face serum is an excellent product to do just that. Depending on the formula you choose, you can address issues like fine lines and wrinkles, dryness, dullness, and dark spots. If you’re unsure where to start when choosing the best serum for your needs, we can help. Ahead, we’re sharing the benefits of a face serum and how to pick the right one for your skin concerns.

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

We have to admit, face serums are pretty cool. Typically, face serums have lightweight formulas that contain highly concentrated ingredients. They can address specific skin issues, such as wrinkles and dark spots, and can also help 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 be able to use your face serum in place of your regular moisturizer—perfect for anyone with a super busy schedule.

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

Everyone has a different skin type and concerns that go with it. So, look for a face serum 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 concern.

OUR BEST FACE SERUM FOR DRY SKIN

If you have dry skin, it’s important to seek out a serum formulated with hyaluronic acid to provide your visage with the hydration that it needs. In case you aren’t familiar with this ingredient, hyaluronic acid is a potent hydration-attracting molecule that’s naturally found in skin. Unfortunately, as we age, our levels of hyaluronic acid start to decrease. 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 your skin’s hydration levels, resulting in a visibly-plumped, youthful-looking complexion.

OUR BEST FACE SERUM FOR WRINKLES

Wrinkles are something everyone has to face eventually, and if they’re one of your top skin concerns, a vitamin C serum sounds like just what you need. Serums formulated with this vital antioxidant can help fight free radicals, which can cause skin to age faster than normal. One of our best anti-aging serums for wrinkles, the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum reduces the appearance of wrinkles after just two weeks of use.

Editor’s tip: No rule says that you can’t use two serums to combat wrinkles and dryness! Smooth your hyaluronic acid serum on before your vitamin C serum to receive the benefits of both formulas.

OUR BEST FACE SERUM FOR DEEP WRINKLES

Over time, those small fine lines that have developed on your face can transform into deep wrinkles without the proper treatment. So, you’ll want to seek out the best face serum with retinol to help keep your complexion in order. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that has been proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and repair sun-damaged skin, per the Mayo Clinic.  Consider adding the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol to your regimen. It’s formulated with our highest concentration of pure retinol and works to fight key signs of aging like deep wrinkles. It also helps to smooth and brighten your complexion, leaving you with youthful, healthy-looking skin. It’s paraben- and fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types.

Since retinol takes some adjusting to, you’ll want to gradually introduce this serum into your regimen. Apply two to three drops to clean, dry skin twice a week during the first week of use. Once the second week hits, use it every other night. The third week, increase to nightly use if your skin can tolerate it. Follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the a.m. since retinol can cause sun sensitivity.

OUR BEST FACE SERUM FOR DARK SPOTS

When it comes to complexion concerns, dark spots, sun damage, or post-acne marks are at the top of the list. Acne and spending prolonged periods of time in the sun can cause these pesky marks to emerge. Look for a serum formulated with glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid, since the ingredient is known to resurface skin and even skin tone. That’s why the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum is our best drugstore face serum for dark spots. It’s formulated to visibly even skin tone and reduce wrinkles and dark spots. In just one week, skin is resurfaced and younger-looking.

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 come face-to-face with dull skin, reach for a bottle of the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum. This brightening face serum is an ideal choice for mature skin, as it helps to stimulate skin cell renewal and revive the appearance of dull, tired-looking skin. Instantly, your complexion will feel smoother and softer. Over time, regular use will help your skin feel firmer and appear visibly renewed and re-plumped.

Next up: 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. Click over to our article, The Benefits of Using a Face Scrub, for more details.