What is a Face Serum? And What Makes a Great Serum?

With a myriad of skincare products on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one to use. When it comes to serums, you may be wondering how different it is from a moisturizer and what it can really do for your skin. If you want to learn more about the differences, you can read our serum vs. moisturizer article too!

In this article, we’ll enlighten you with all the information about face serums and how they can be beneficial to your routine.

What is a Face Serum?

A face serum is a skincare product that contains high concentrations of active ingredients, like hyaluronic acid. This product is designed to deliver benefits for various skin issues, including dryness, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.

Serums have a clear and thinner consistency than a moisturizer that makes them great for layering. A face serum does not necessarily replace a moisturizer, but it can boost its hydrating and moisturizing effects.

You can find this type of skincare product in a wide range of formulas, such as gels, oils, liquid, and light creams.

Despite its lightweight formulation, face serums can hydrate and lock in moisture more effectively than heavier creams. The molecules in a serum deeply penetrate the layers of the skin, while creams tend to sit on top of those layers.

We recommend using ElumeStemCell’s  Daily Illuminating Face Serum as part of your daily routine. It is gentle enough for all skin types and for daily use but packed with powerful ingredients to address your skincare needs.

What Does a Face Serum Do?

There are a variety of face serums available with different intended results. So, what does face serum do? Serums can provide numerous benefits depending on your skin type, concerns, and needs.

Benefits of Face Serums

Hydrating serums are typically formulated with hyaluronic acid. This is a molecule that can bind water in the skin’s superficial layers to make it appear younger, fresher, and plumper.

Moisturizer alone is sometimes not enough, especially if you have dry or dehydrated skin. You can benefit greatly from a hydrating face serum because it helps lock in moisture. It can also minimize the appearance of fine lines.

Other hydrating serums also contain vitamin B5, making the skin look smoother and more hydrated.

A brightening serum is targeted towards improving dull and uneven skin tones. This type of serum can aid in stimulating cell renewal to reveal a more radiant and youthful complexion. Brightening serums are frequently packed with antioxidants and pigment-fighting ingredients. 

Anti-aging serums are designed for lifting, firming, and tightening the skin. This type of serum contains various ingredients that support your skin’s natural collagen and elastin production.

Serums can provide significant benefits for people with acne-prone skin. An acne-fighting serum balances the natural barrier of the skin and exfoliates within the pores. This type of serum also maintains a clean surface to reduce future breakouts.

Color-correcting serums boost the overall appearance of the skin and target discoloration, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. When buying one, look for a serum infused with antioxidants.

Our Daily Illuminating Face Serum is specially formulated to address all the concerns listed above. It is made up of ingredients that make it a one-stop-shop-product to repair damaged skin, increase cell turnover, and brighten skin while reducing fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and inflammation like acne.  

Who Should Use Face Serums

Face serums contain potent ingredients that can be too active or harsh on younger skin. The ideal age to start using a serum would be from your 20s to 30s, where the early signs of aging start to appear. You can continue using serums until the age of 50+.

A face serum can help protect and improve the quality of your skin. Serums can be beneficial for you, especially if you have:

• Dry or dehydrated skin
• Acne
• Fine lines or wrinkles
• Dark spots
• Uneven skin tone or texture
• Redness
• Large, visible pores
• Mature skin

Things to Look For in a Face Serum

When choosing a face serum to use, it’s essential to know what your skin goals and needs are. This will help you narrow down your options and find a product with the right ingredients.

Hydration is the key to a good serum. Make sure it contains humectants, especially if you are looking for a product to help with dry skin.

Humectants are hydrating agents that attract water from the atmosphere and secure moisture. This kind of ingredient allows your skin to absorb more nutrients and make it plumper.

Check for serums with hyaluronic acid, which is an ideal humectant ingredient. It can hold about 1000 times its weight in water. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in your body, making it easier to be absorbed by the skin. Our Hydra Serum is made with organic hyaluronic acid, leaving skin hydrated and full. 

Another great hydrator for serum is aloe vera. This ingredient is rich in water content that sticks long enough for the skin to absorb. Aloe vera is high in amino acids, enzymes, and minerals that can be combined with other ingredients. 

Antioxidants are also one of the most important things to look for in a serum. Aside from aging concerns, antioxidants prevent free radicals from potentially damaging healthy skin. This kind of ingredient combats environmental stressors that can increase the appearance of aging, such as wrinkles and sun damage.

The common antioxidants used to improve texture, brightness, and firmness include vitamin B5  and B12. 

Our Daily Illuminating Face Serum utilizes vitamins B5 and B12, and aloe vera to deliver skincare results you can see. 

How to Use a Face Serum for Maximum Results

Establish a Routine

You can use a face serum daily and incorporate it into your morning and evening skincare routine. Serums work best as a base layer under heavier products, like sunscreen, moisturizer, and makeup.

After cleansing your skin, apply serum all over your face and neck. Do this once in the morning and evening. Then, continue with your moisturizer and sunscreen.

Add in Derma Rolling

A derma roller is a skincare device that can improve scarring, pigmentation, and rejuvenation. This device works by creating thousands of tiny channels in the skin to induce more collagen. Derma rolling helps the serum to deeply penetrate and be absorbed more efficiently by the skin.

The More You Know, The More You Glow

Face serums are a lightweight product that helps boost your moisturizer’s effects. They contain several nutrients that tackle multiple skin concerns.