SERUM 101: The Expert Guide to When, Why and What
If you are like us, sometimes the idea of getting ready for bed at night gives us pause. The thought of a grueling 20 minute routine at night sometimes makes us want to go to bed with our make-up on...sometimes. We would NEVER!
We absolutely love trying new products and we have been swept up in the serum craze as of late. Yup, serums are truly having an 'it' moment, but what exactly is all the hype about...and should you incorporate them into your daily routine? The simple answer is YES! By using a serum, you are intensifying the strength of any product and ingredient you apply to your skin and providing a more in-depth and intuitive approach to hydration and anti-aging. Though serums differ based on uses (under-eye, face, body) and specific skin concerns (under-eye dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, sun spots, dehydrated skin, etc.), what most serums have in common is that they contain a high concentration of active ingredient goodness.
Serums should be applied twice daily. They should be the first product applied to your skin after cleansing and toning for ultimate impact, with sunscreen and/or moisturizer last to lock everything in.
Now that you know that serum is a necessity and when to apply, you just need to figure out which serum is right for your skin. Here are some of our favorite face serums and what concern to use them for.
Company: KYPRIS
Product pick: Clearing Serum
What it is: Sweet talk your fussy, blemished skin into balance. Clearing Serum enlists help from mineral friend, zinc, fruit derived AHAs, supportive Centella asiatica, soothing lilac leaf stem cells, inflammation tamers: green tea, lavender, and chaparral, and an array of sustainably procured, nutrient-rich botanicals, like quinoa & sunflower, for a calm, balanced complexion.
Skin concern: Fussy, pollution-irritated, or hormonally wonky complexions
Price: $67 (1.59 oz)
Company: Mūn
Product pick: Aknari Brightening Youth Serum
What it is: Transform skin from lifeless to luminous with this all-in-one, glow-giving treatment serum. The results of this lightweight age-defying serum are due to the potency of Prickly Pear Seed Oil, also known as Barbary Fig Oil. Extremely rich in Linoleic Acid and super antioxidant Vitamin E, Prickly Pear Seed Oil combined with Argan Oil work wonders to smooth wrinkles, repair sun damage and lighten dark spots. Aknari Brightening Youth serum also soothes inflammation, brightens under-eye circles and stimulates collagen production. Rose Essential Oil aids absorption and provides a heavenly scent. The synergy of these three elegant oils leaves your skin feeling soft and looking radiant.
Skin concern: Wrinkles, sun damage, dark spots, lack-luster skin
Price: $30 (.68 oz)
Company: NOTO Botanics
Product pick: Deep Serum
What it is: Each drop of this potent oil is a nutrient dense drink from the earth. Deep Serum will brighten and protect with hydration rich, age managing elements and fresh notes that will deeply penetrate skin and senses. Apply wherever dose of deep hydration is desired. Add few drops on clean hands, breathe in the aroma, then massage onto face - day or night.
Skin concern: Aging, inflammation, dryness, wrinkles, firmness
Price: $49.50 (2 oz)
Company: Odacite
Product pick: Pa+G / Hyperpigmentation
What it is: Multi-active rejuvenating serum that helps to reduce brown spots while preventing the apparition of wrinkles and further pigmentation. Papaya seed oil is rich in fruit enzymes that help to fade brown spots and dissolve dead skin cells, unveiling a fresh and more even-toned glow. Geranium oil combines with Lemon oil, further encouraging wrinkle reduction and more evened-out skin tone. In aromatherapy, Geranium oil is known to have a harmonizing effect on the mind and body, helping to avoid emotional roller coasters.
Skin concern: Aging, wrinkles, brown spots, pigmentation, dullness
Price: $39 (.17 oz)
Company: OSEA
Product pick: Hyaluronic Sea Serum
What it is: This lightweight, non-greasy moisture boosting serum smoothes wrinkles and fine lines and replenishes dry, depleted skin. Hyaluronic Acid, nature's most powerful moisture magnet, floods skin to deliver intense moisture that swiftly plumps for a more youthful, dewy glow. A synergy of three molecular weights of Hyaluronic Acid and three organic Seaweeds work together to guarantee immediate, long-lasting hydration. Age-defying seaweed extracts boost skin with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. This high-performance serum absorbs instantly, leaving a velvety-soft, luminous finish.
Skin concern: Aging, wrinkles, fine lines, dryness
Price: $88 (1 oz)