How Do I Pick the Right Serum? When serum shopping Dr. Jegasothy recommends considering brands that have good reputations, clinically test their products, and divulge their ingredient list. If they have high ingredient concentrations, the better.
Look out for formulas that contain Hyaluronic Acid, one of the most common ingredients found in hydrating serums. Hyaluronic Acid – also known as Sodium Hyaluronate – is a powerful humectant that attracts and binds moisture to the skin, to keep it plump and hydrated. Glycerin and Aloe Vera are also potent hydrators.
“I think the one serum everyone should use is a vitamin C antioxidant serum,” explains New York dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD. “Vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidants we have and has a number of skin benefits. Revision Vitamin C Lotion 30% ($128) is one of the strongest concentrations of vitamin C available.
“I use and recommend serums that have a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid,” says Dr. Waldman. “There is good literature that shows that vitamin C in particular can prevent brown spots, reverse damage from ultraviolet rays, and stimulate the growth of new collagen.”
Retinol is one of the most clinically proven anti-aging ingredients available today. It stimulates the production of collagen, which leads to firmer, plumper skin. Retinol has exfoliating properties that encourage cell turnover and helps shed dead skin cells.
“Serums are very effective whether you're looking to address things like sunspots, or wrinkles, fine lines, or pores,” adds Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology. “There are different serums that are able to address all the reasons why we age.”
If wrinkles are your biggest concern, SkinCeuticals is the serum you need. Formulated with niacinamide, this formulation was the best at reducing the look of lines and wrinkles in the GH Beauty Lab's test — lessening their appearance by 5% over just four weeks.
Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe is the #1 dermatologist recommended skincare brand1.
Serums are lighter, less congesting and easier to absorb, so they are typically best for those with oily or acne-prone skin, says Dr. Turner. On the other hand, dry skin types can benefit more from using retinol creams “for extra hydration and slower delivery of the active ingredients,” Dr.
Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.
In most cases, it makes sense to apply serum before moisturizer. This is because serum is usually more lightweight, whereas moisturizer tends to be thicker. Applying serum first can also give the skin more opportunity to absorb the active ingredients. In many skin care routines, moisturizer is the last step.
So, for the most part, you're going to get the best out of your serum if you apply it to damp skin (think slightly dewy; having just washed your face and patted the excess off - not soaking wet). Whilst damp, your skin is going to absorb all the goodness so much more effectively than if it were bone dry.
Do you need a moisturizer and a serum? Not really if you don't have any big skin gripes that are bugging you. But, if you're bothered by a skin concern, like a relentless dark spot or little lines creeping up around your eyes, then adding a serum to your regimen is a good idea.
Hyaluronic acid works to leave the skin looking plump and keeps it hydrated and moisturized over time, while vitamin C specifically works to protect the skin from sun damage and fades discoloration in the skin due to acne.
Ultimately, face serum and moisturizer are both necessary for a holistic skin care routine and to ensure that your skin doesn't dry out during the day. Face serum can't replace moisturizer, and moisturizer doesn't give your skin the extra vitamins and nutrients it needs to succeed and look great for years to come.
Not as well-known as Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, commonly abbreviated as “PGA,” is believed to have 4x greater moisture retaining benefits than HA. If you have dull, dry, or dehydrated skin, you should consider incorporating Polyglutamic Acid Serum into your skincare recipe.
Facials: Currently, two of the best facials for anti-aging are platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy and microneedling. In a microneedling facial, tiny needles penetrate the skin to boost collagen production. The process can be paired with PRP therapy using your own blood — hence its nickname, the “vampire facial.”
Here's what you can do: Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free, moisturizing bar soap, cleanser, or body wash. Doing so will help soothe rather than dry your skin. Moisturizing ingredients that can help reduce dryness include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and lanolin.
Because retinoids help your skin make more collagen, they soften wrinkles and fine lines. They also stimulate new blood vessels, which can give your skin a rosy color. Retinoids also help fade age spots and smooth rough patches. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a popular prescription choice for aging skin.