If you have a basic skincare regimen in which the name of the product is also what you’re doing—say, exfoliate, cleanse and moisturize—then your skincare may seem pretty straightforward. But if you’re looking to up-the-ante and really maximize those skincare benefits, it may be time to introduce a more powerful product into your routine: the facial serum.
With so many different types of face serums on the market, the idea of selecting the perfect formula for your skin can be overwhelming and you likely have some questions: which serum is best for your skin and its concerns? How do you use it? How do you incorporate serums into your routine?
In this comprehensive guide, we're deep diving into face serums. We’ll break down the benefits and differences of seven e.l.f. SKIN serums and help you choose which formula is best for your skin’s unique needs.
What Is a Face Serum and What Are the Benefits?
A face serum is a liquid-y skincare product that contains a high concentration of active ingredients; each serum is specially formulated to deliver a unique skincare benefit (e.g., hydration, nourishment, anti-aging, exfoliation, etc.) and/or address a specific skincare concern such as acne, dullness, fine lines/wrinkles, or dryness.
Thanks to the higher concentration of molecules, face serums have the ability to penetrate the skin faster and more effectively than other skincare products. They may even help you see results faster. Serums tend to be lightweight and absorb quickly into your skin.
When it comes to adding a facial serum as a step in your skincare routine, many of them can be used daily and should be applied after your mists and toners, but before your moisturizers or face creams (some skincare serums are even designed to be mixed into your moisturizer to make application a breeze!). Not to be confused with facial oil, face serums should be applied to freshly cleaned skin.
Hydrating Face Serums
If you’re suffering from dull or dry skin, then hydrating facial serums may be your perfect remedy. Our go-to Holy Hydration! fam features a lineup of three hydrating serums that will deliver a boost of moisture to your face for fresh, supple, and hydrated skin.
Holy Hydration! Triple Bounce Face Serum is formulated with 1.7% hyaluronic acid in three molecular weights—ultra-low, low and high—which work together to provide three different intensities of hydration. It’s also formulated with hydrating squalane, niacinamide, and vitamin B5 to help even out skin tone and minimize the appearance of pores.
Holy Hydration! Hydrating Face Serum is the ultimate face serum for dry skin. It’s formulated with jojoba, aloe, vitamin E, grape and shea butter to help nourish and protect skin, while delivering soothing benefits.
Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops has more of a gel-serum consistency that quenches thirsty skin and helps reveal a juicy, radiant complexion both instantly and over time. It’s infused with 1% hydrating hibiscus complex and brightening 5% niacinamide, plus hyaluronic acid. The multi-use formula can be worn on its own as a serum, under makeup as a primer, or mixed into your favorite foundation. Our personal favorite is to combine these drops with our bronzing drops, bundled together in our Hottest Drops Duo!
Anti-Aging Face Serums
While we are all for aging gracefully and loving the skin you’re in, anti-aging face serums are a great way to nourish and replenish your skin for a healthy, youthful-looking complexion, no matter what age you are.
Gentle yet effective, Youth Boosting Blue-ty Sleep Night Oil is an overnight face oil formulated with 1% granactive retinoid to help reduce the appearance of fine lines over time for a visibly smooth, renewed complexion.
Also designed for overnight use, Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum is a anti-aging serum (no prescription needed!) that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time for rejuvenated, smooth, and radiant-looking skin. The fragrance-free formula is infused with 1% granactive retinoid, plus hydrating hyaluronic acid for a plumped-up complexion.
Skin Resurfacing Serum for Blemishes
For our blemish-prone e.l.f.ies, you’re in luck: there are acne-fighting serums that can help you clear up your skin and prevent future breakouts.
Our dermatologist-developed and non-comedogenic Blemish Breakthrough Triple-Acid Resurfacing Serum is powered by an 8.5% triple-acid complex (salicylic acid, tranexamic acid, and PHA Plus) to help clarify clogged pores and also visibly improve skin tone and texture after breakouts. This formula also has 10% niacinamide to soothe and even out discoloration. To use this night serum, apply 3-5 drops in the evening onto clean skin and wake up to smoother and clearer complexion; if you experience irritation trying using it a few times a week, instead of daily.
Vitamin C Serum
Facial serums infused with vitamin C have been taking the spotlight in the skincare world this year, and for good reasons: they’re hydrating, help to brighten your skin for a radiant appearance, and deliver antioxidant benefits to help shield skin from environmental aggressors.
If you’re looking to protect your skin while restoring its youthful glow, add our Vitamin C Face Serum to your daily regimen. This hydrating face serum is formulated with brightening vitamin C, nourishing vitamin E, and antioxidant-rich pomegranate extract to help brighten your skin, prevent signs of premature aging, and even out your skin tone for a healthier, radiant glow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Face Serums:
Q: What Are the Benefits of a Face Serum?
A: Face serums can target so many different skin concerns- they each have their own benefits! Since serums can easily penetrate deeper into the skin and target certain impurities, the best benefits of serums is that they’re customizable. You can add certain ones to your routine, only use them when you need them, or use them daily if you see improvements to your skin. They can help to target wrinkles, fine lines, texture, dryness, breakouts, and dullness.
Q: What Is the Best Face Serum?
A: Facial serums are completely based off of preference and skin concerns! Since they target different issues, there’s no one right answer of which serums will work best for you. When wondering which serum to use, consider any issues you may be dealing with. Whether it’s just seasonal winter dryness, dealing with fine lines, or wanting to improve your skin texture, serums got you covered.
Q: Should I Use Face Serum Everyday?
A: For most face serums, everyday use is encouraged to see the best results. Serums that hydrate, brighten, and plump your skin may be less harsh than serums that target breakouts or have ingredients such as retinoid. You can always start by using a product a few times a week, and gradually increase usage if your skin tolerates it. If not, lower your usage and only use the serums when you feel like your skin needs a boost!
Q: How Do You Use Face Serum?
A: Face serums can fit easily into any skincare routine, no matter what products you currently use. To implement serums into your routine, pick out whichever ones you think will work best for you. Serums should always be applied to clean skin. First, apply any mists and toners that are currently in your routine, add your serums, and then continue on with any moisturizer or face creams you may use. Also, be sure to check directions for recommended use- some serums work best mixed in with other products!
Q: What Is the Difference Between Face Serum and Moisturizer?
A: While some serums are designed to hydrate and add moisture back into the skin, not all serums are formulated with the ingredients to boost your skin’s hydration. Since serums target individual skin concerns, a serum designed to deal with breakouts, reduce fine lines, or improve texture, won’t help to moisturize your skin. To boost hydration and add that healthy glow back to your complexion, use a hydrating serum and then follow it up by applying your favorite moisturizer on top, to truly lock all that H2O into your skin.