No one feels like they have the time to add yet another product to their facial routine. A serum, however, is worth the extra couple minutes for the wonders it can do to your skin. Serums can brighten, smooth, restore, rejuvenate your skin and even improve its texture. They truly are little potions that are a treat for damaged, irritated or dull skin. If you have hesitated to invite a serum into your bathroom in the past, let me tell you why you should reconsider.

So what exactly is a serum?

Serums have been everywhere in the last couple of years. You can find them in your local drugstore, a fancy department store and, of course, online. So what is the difference between the tiny, delicate bottle and your daily moisturizer? Well, serums tend to leave out any ingredients that will keep water from evaporating (since they are water-based), such as mineral oils or petrolatum. Instead, they are filled with vitamins, essential fatty acids, high quality oils, fruit extracts, all of which are very highly concentrated. Think of them as one of those ginger immune booster shots you get from your local juice bar, a little zap on signs of aging, dry spots, and hyper pigmentation.

Which one will work for me?

This totally depends on your skin type and skin concern. Let’s have a closer look at the ingredients and see what type of serum might help you.

Concern:

Wrinkles and fine lines: There are some truly amazing serums out there, that fight signs of aging, plump up your skin, relax muscles and reduce crows feet and wrinkles. May Lindstrom’s Youth Dew not only hydrates your skin deeply but also transforms it with a power-packed bouquet of 20 plant and botanical oils. An amazing treat for your skin.

Hyper pigmentation and Dark Spots: I have been battling my acne scars for years now and I can truly recommend any high quality serum that contains rosehip oil. Try Balm Balm’s Little Miracle Rosehip Serum. It has brightened my scars and dark spots immensely and I seriously cannot live without it. You won’t be disappointed.

Eczema and Psoriasis: You need something truly nourishing, that will deeply penetrate the skin and leave it smooth and hydrated. The Restorative Serum by Soapwalla not only smells divine but is also rich in jojoba, grapeseed and sea buckthorn oil. It is perfect for anyone battling eczema and dry spots.

Skin Type:

Dry to Normal Skin: Look for a serum that is easily absorbed and rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Kahina Giving Beauty’s Serum is a true multi-tasker, as it repairs tissue damage, prevents moisture loss, protects you from UV rays and combats flaky skin.

Combination and Acne-prone Skin: Something anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory will calm your skin and prevent future breakouts. Pai’s Copaiba & Zinc Perfect Balance Serum will clear up your complexion, reduce sebum production and leave your skin nourished and balanced.

Oily Skin: First of all, get the rumor out of your head that oily skin will not benefit from oils and serums. Oily skin is caused by an over production of sebum by the sebaceous glands in your skin. Clogged pores, irritated skin and acne can be a result of this. Putting an oil on your skin after cleansing helps the skin to dissolve buildup of sebum on the surface and controls the oil production, making you essentially less shiny in the long run. Lina Hanson’s Global Face Serum is made for all skin types and gives you a radiant, glowy complexion. It contains argan, neroli and pumpkin seed oil, all of which will balance out your skin and balance out oil production.

When to Use a Serum?

This also depends on the product itself and your preference. Some serums are meant to be used at night only as they are very rich and will likely take the whole night to absorb fully into your skin. Some others are extremely light and can make a great primer for your following foundation. You should always read the label carefully and pay attention to the ingredients. If it’s a heavy, nourishing serum that contains a lot of oils, you should probably save it for a night time treat. If the consistency is light and quickly absorbed, go ahead and use it in the morning. Since I prefer oil rich serums, I usually use serums at night, after my toner but before my moisturizer.

Is more always better?

When it comes to serums? No. They are super potent potions so be careful and try not to pile them on. Especially if you have irritated, sensitive skin. 2-3 drops should be enough to cover your whole face and neck. Most serums come in with a dropper noawadays which makes it super easy to not wast a lot of it. Also, they tend to run on the pricey side so making your little bottle last is easiest if you don’t drown your skin in product.

So what are you waiting for? Have fun trying out all the different serum that are out there. Another tip: Our Amazingy sample service is great if you wanna try out a couple of serums before buying the full size.