So, What Exactly Does Facial Serum Do?
By: Fola Onifade
By: Fola Onifade
What's a serum, anyway?
You’ve likely seen your favorite beauty influencer or skincare brands talk about serums, but even if you're obsessed with all things skin, you may still be wondering what your serum actually does.
Serums, according to Dr. Abigail Waldman of Harvard Medical School, are “highly concentrated formulations that are designed to sink into the skin quickly, delivering intensive dose of ingredients that can address common skin complaints.”
In simpler terms: serums are light but powerful, easily absorbed liquids that you spread on your skin to target a host of skin care issues.
But why do we need them?
The most important thing that serums do for your skin is provide intense hydration. In order to do this, most experts recommend that you apply your serum right before you moisturize, and you can do this on a daily basis. So why do we need super hydrated skin?
Well-hydrated skin is the foundation for any skincare routine. Whether you're targeting wrinkles, brown spots, discoloration, or general dullness, serums provide the hydration your skin needs to tackle these issues.
Well-hydrated skin is the foundation for any skincare routine. Whether you're targeting wrinkles, brown spots, discoloration, or general dullness, serums provide the hydration your skin needs to tackle these issues.
Skin by Ame Pro Tip:
Add droplets of serum to your moisturizer, eye creams, night creams or masks to boost its efficacy.
Add droplets of serum to your moisturizer, eye creams, night creams or masks to boost its efficacy.
OK, so how do I choose a serum?
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You want a serum packed with botanical extracts and antioxidants. You also want it to include lightweight, yet powerful hydration properties like vitamin C. Next, choose a serum to target your specific skincare needs.
For rough/dry skinHydrating serums draw water to the skin to prevent moisture loss, which repairs damaged skin barriers on dry or rough skin. They include ingredients that retain moisture like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B-5, and glycerin.
For aging skinAnti-aging serums stimulate collagen production to firm the skin and improve elasticity. This is perfect for targeting fine lines, large pores, or skin texture changes. Anti-aging serums include powerful antioxidants like retinol, vitamin C and and vitamin E.
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 For dull/discolored skinAnti-hyper pigmentation serums increase the rate of skin cell turnover to reduce uneven skin tones or unrefined skin textures. This type of serum may include vitamin C, niacinamide, and kojic acid which directly treats dark spots.
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For irritated/acne prone skin
Soothing serums, like our Illumine Facial Serum, are mild formulations made up of anti-inflammatory, often natural ingredients. These serums are great for most skin types, but they're also perfect for itchiness, redness or easily irritated skin. Some of the natural ingredients you’ll find in a soothing serum include aloe, green tea, or chamomile.
You’ll notice that we provided the ingredients in the different types of serums. And while you may not recognize all the scientific words in there, you want to get in the habit of reading and understanding labels so you can find the best formulation for your skincare needs.
Skin by Ame Pro Tip:
Serums can be potent. Always test on a small area before applying widely. And be mindful of combining acid-containing serums with other products that also include acids.
Serums can be potent. Always test on a small area before applying widely. And be mindful of combining acid-containing serums with other products that also include acids.