Skincare Tips: How to Choose the Right Type of Face Serum?

Chances are you’ve seen plenty of serums marketed alongside moisturisers and other skin care products in the beauty department, but what’s so special about these serums and why should you incorporate them into your routine? Face serums are steadily gaining popularity in the skincare scene due to their reputation as being all business - no fillers, just a concentrate of active ingredients that target specific skin care concerns. Serums typically contain up to a whopping 7 times the amount of active ingredients found in your usual face cream! Let’s take a look at how to choose the perfect face serum for your skin care concerns and find out just how many types of face serums there are out there.

Serum Building Blocks

Face serums should generally contain some form of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory ingredients and hydrators. They generally help protect against sun damage, fight free radicals that cause ageing, neutralise redness, replenish moisture and aid in rebuilding the skin’s natural barriers. This results in visibly firmer and smoother skin, an even skin tone, smaller pores, less visible signs of ageing (fine lines, dark circles, dryness) and inflammation. Serums are in a nutshell, the secret behind that dewy, glass-skin look.

Serum Suitability

Serums can generally be applied in the morning, night or at both times of the day. If you have doubts, always consult your dermatologist or conduct a patch test prior to application. Mature skin may also need more heavy-duty ingredients than what serums can provide. Individuals who suffer from acne-prone skin can rejoice in the knowledge that most serums tend to have a watery consistency, thus reducing the likelihood of a serum-induced breakout!

How to find the right serum

Picking the right face serum may seem like a daunting task but it all boils down to two simple questions:

1. What is the skin problem you’re trying to address?

Are you trying to achieve an even skin tone? Perhaps you’ve been trying to get rid of fine lines around your eyes and mouth? Or maybe you just want less visible pores and to get rid of those annoying sunspots? The number of serums out there are many and varied, there’s sure to be a serum for the particular skin care concern you are facing.

2. What kind of skin type do you have?

Skin types can be categorised into 5 different types. As with moisturisers and other skincare products, the type of serum you use should take into account the type of skin you have. Here’s a brief breakdown of what serum you should look for based on your skin type:

Oily skin

Think that serums are a bad idea for oily skin? Think again. Oily skin is a result of your sebaceous glands trying to compensate for what it feels is chronic dryness. Serums are far lighter and easier to absorb than moisturisers, so they will keep your skin hydrated sans that greasy feeling. For oily skin, Clarins’ Hydra-Essential Bi-Phase Serum would work best as it helps to rebalance the skin’s natural levels, reducing the secretion of sebum while reviving your skin’s radiance. This hydrating serum contains Organic Leaf of Life extract, which helps to naturally boost the Hyaluronic Acid production in the skin cells.

Dry skin

Flaky, dry skin? Look for ingredients like Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid which enhance the moisture-boosting attributes in our epidermis. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative damage while Hyaluronic acid will help plump up skin by boosting your skin’s moisture levels.

For a boost of moisture, opt for a multi-purpose hydrating serum like the Double Serum, which acts as an anti-ageing booster while giving your skin intense rehydration. Its 21 active plant ingredients include Avocado, Organic Leaf of Life and Mango extracts, all of which are ingredients that help to keep skin moisturised and comforted.

Sensitive skin

Look for serums that include ingredients that help to enhance the skin’s repair process, reduce inflammation and unclog pores to help you keep the situation under control. Specifically serums with hydrating and moisturising properties are generally safer for sensitive skin in comparison to serums with acids and exfoliants. Remember, less-is-more when looking for serums for sensitive skin.

Dull Skin and Uneven Skin Tones -

If your skin suffers from pigmentation issues, then Clarins’ Bright Plus Advanced Dark Spot-Targeting Serum is your best bet. This skin-brightening serum helps create a luminous glow while evening out your complexion with Rose Myrtle and Acerola extract.

Combination skin

Combination skin may seem hard to find skincare products for but it shouldn’t be that way. A combination of peptides, antioxidants and Hyaluronic acid would be the perfect option for combination type skin. Peptides help prompt the formation of new collagen while antioxidants aid in reversing signs of ageing.

Normal skin

If you have normal skin, you’re one of the lucky ones. It isn’t necessary to focus on a particular product or ingredient in order to nourish your skin. Simply listen to your skin and pick a combination of ingredients that are suitable for your skin. However, if you wish to turn back the effects of time, opt for an anti-ageing serum that firms and plumps up the hydration levels of your skin. The Clarins’ Double Serum, our best-selling anti-ageing serum stimulates your skin’s five essential functions (hydration, nutrition, oxygenation, regeneration and protection) to see the difference!

No matter the skin concern, Clarins has a serum to answer your every need. So, go ahead and search for The One and watch as your skin regains its youth with every drop.