Thinking of adding serum to your skincare routine, but have no clue where to start? There’s so many questions surrounding serum, and for good reason!
Out of the skincare steps, this is one that can be quite expensive. But like everything else, it doesn’t have to be.
You can still have good quality skincare without spending needlessly. And with newfound knowledge, you’ll know what you’re looking for when you go to buy.
But first, let’s start by answering the most commonly asked questions when it comes to serum.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
What is Serum?
Serum is a higher concentration of ingredients to target a specific skincare problem. Are you acne prone? Looking to target aging? Or is your skin too oily or dry? Serum may be your savior!
It’s made of smaller molecules that will penetrate the skin deeply to take care of your skin woes. In order of your skincare routine, it’s applied after you put on your toner.
Applying serum once a day as part of your routine is fine because it’s so concentrated. Simply apply a few drops to your skin, gently smooth over your face, and pat for full absorption.
Is Serum a Moisturizer in Your Skincare Routine?
Yes and no. If dryness is a concern to you, there are serums that exist to help your skin retain moisture. But don’t rely on a serum as your main source of moisturization. Think of it as an addition rather than the main source.
Your creams are going to be a much better source because that’s what they’re made for. Since moisturizing is the final step in your routine, it holds all of the good stuff in – including your serum!
What Are the Benefits of Serum?
That’s the true beauty of serum! It’s so customizable that you can find a serum for whatever skin woe you have. It doesn’t matter if you’re sensitive, oily, or dry, you can find something that’s perfect for you.
However, it’s worth noting that certain ingredients don’t mix well together. Some skincare ingredients are better used at night. Others may weaken the efficacy of other ingredients. It’s always important to check your labels before trying anything new.
If you’re concerned about mixing ingredients, check out my list of what to avoid by clicking here.
What Serum is Right for My Skin?
If you have dry or aging skin, look for hyaluronic acid. Don’t let the name intimidate you. It’s not really an acid as the name says. It’s actually a humectant. This mean that this ingredient will help your skin retain the water it needs.
If you’re oily and acne-prone, keep something on hand with vitamin C. Salicylic acid is an ingredient that will help unclog your pores.
If you’re more sensitive, I cannot stress the importance of a patch test! Since these are highly concentrated ingredients you don’t want them to do more harm to your skin than good. If you find that your skin is too sensitive for most ingredients, it may be worth looking into bakuchiol.
Bakuchiol is supposed to be more friendly to sensitive types. Especially when it comes to oily or aging skin. But as I said before, always do a patch test before committing to the product.
Is Adding Serum to my Skincare Routine Expensive?
It’s true that serums can vary wildly in price, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. When I began using serums, I started with Glossier’s Super Pack. They had one for brightening, one for acne, and one for hydration.
It was a great introduction to serums and their results. Because of this, I found out what worked best for me and when to use it. I loved that it was very beginner-friendly. That, and the quality was great.
Now that I’m more seasoned, I have a better idea of what to recommend.
As a brand in general, I’m a big fan of The Ordinary. They deliver a great quality product with very clear instructions on usage. For aging, I’ve used their retinol, but these days I love having their Niacinamide + Zinc in my night time routine. They even have a Hyaluronic Acid serum!
Regardless of your skin woes, I would absolutely recommend this brand.
As for the higher end serums, I love Kiehl’s. I won’t lie that the price is definitely a splurge, but you get exactly what you pay for. I’ve noticed a difference in brightness after one use of their Vitamin C Serum.
If you have a store near you, they give you a ton of samples before you decide to buy. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll be back to buy immediately.
Start with one serum that targets your main skin concern. You can always add more later to for specific skin problems as they arise. You could even have a couple in rotation for your day and night routine.
But as with any routine, make sure that these ingredients don’t interact negatively with one another.
For more tips and a free skincare chart, sign up for my newsletter! I’ve included a more in-depth guide on how to utilize all ten steps of the Korean skincare method.
Sources:
What Is Serum: Your Ultimate Guide to Applying It Like a Pro