If you use cosmetics then you have probably heard of facial serums. But what do serums actually do? And what skin benefits from using them? Today I want to talk about just that! I personally love facial serums and use them daily. The vast amount of different formulas out there make them perfect for so many different skin problems. I use them to boost hydration and to give me a glowing complexion. Trust me, no matter what skin type you have there is a facial serum out there for you!

What does a facial serum do?

Facial serums are pretty simple when it comes to their formulas. Yes, you might see a million different serums out there but they are typically very simple formulations. In general, they are liquid concentrates meant to be applied to the face after cleansing. There are two distinct types when it comes to facial serums, oil based ones and water based ones. Both of these two products are meant to improve the skin's health but do so in different ways. Lets examine these two formulas to understand what exactly facial serums do.

Oil based serums

The first type of serum is an oil based one which seems to be the most common on the market. These consist of a blend of oils and sometimes essential oils that act to moisturize the skin. They are traditionally meant to mimic the skin's natural sebum. Sebum is the oil that your skin produces to protect itself from the elements. Oil based serums are great at mimicking this sebum especially for those who have dry skin and need a little extra help staying moisturized. The oil actually works to lock in the skin's hydration and so is best used after any water based skin care products such as toner or moisturizer.

Water based serums

The other main type of facial serum is water based. These tend to have an active compound that is water soluble and thus needs a water based formula to dissolve fully and become available to the skin. Two common water based serums I have seen on the market are Vitamin C serums and hyaluronic acid serums. Both of these have active components that are water soluble. I really like water based serums for adding hydration to the skin. While oil serums lock in moisture, water serums provide the moisture. When combined in a skin care routine they work together to give you a glowing complexion.

What skin type is a facial serum good for?

You might be thinking to yourself, that cool and all, but what kind of skin types actually benefit from serums. The answer to that is all skin types! It is all about finding the right serum that compliments your skin type rather than exacerbating it.

Facial serums for Dry Skin

Dry skin is, well, dry! If you have dry skin you might experience flaky patches and tight feeling skin. I know I have dry skin and when winter rolls around the cold air only makes it worse! For people with dry skin I recommend an oil based serum that has fast absorbing, but rich oils. By choosing an oil serum you are able to add extra moisture back into your skin. I personally like to choose a heavier serum when my skin is super dry. As much as I like a lightweight serum that absorbs quickly, sometimes my skin craves something a little more intense. Heavier serums that contain oils like evening primrose oil or olive oil are perfect for this because they immediately provide dry skin relief while still remaining on the surface of the skin longer than a super lightweight serum.

Facial serums for Combination Skin

People with combination skin might enjoy an oil based serum with more lightweight oils that absorb faster without leaving a greasy layer. Look for ingredients like jojoba oil and squalane as these mimic the skin's natural sebum beautifully and thus absorb rather quickly! For the oily parts of your complexion like the t-zone, try adding less serum or even avoid those parts entirely. That way you treat your dry skin but aren't over doing it and your skin won't look greasy.

Facial serums for Oily Skin

If you have oily skin then you might not want to use a heavy, oil based serum. Sometimes the extra oil can be too much and actually weigh the skin down. For people with oily complexion I recommend trying a water based serum instead, like a hyaluronic acid serum. These serums add extra hydration without the oil. Now don't get me wrong, if you have oily skin that does not mean you can't use oil based serums! It just means you want to find one that does not add too much extra oil to your complexion. Instead look for one with fast absorbing oils like apricot kernel oil or sweet almond oil!

When and how to use facial serum

Using facial serums is as simple as adding a couple of drops to your face and gently massaging it in with your fingertips. I find that people with older and more delicate skin might like to pat their serum in so as to not pull on the skin. To do this just add a couple drops to your fingertips and rub your fingers together to spread out the product. Then just pat your fingertips onto the face in the areas you need a little extra love.

Apply oil serums after toner

What is more important about using facial serums is not necessarily how you apply them but the order in which you add them to your skin care routine. Like I mentioned earlier, oil based serums are best used after any water based products like toner. This allows them to lock in that water based product and even allows it to be more effective! If you use an oil serum before a toner you are actually sealing off the skin from the toner and most of it will not actually absorb into the skin. By ending your routine with your oil serum you ensure that all your skin care products are truly absorbed into your skin for maximum effect.

Apply water serums before moisturizer

On the other hand, if you are using a water based serum I recommend using it before your moisturizer. This is because most moisturizers contain a small amount of oil and by using that after your serum you are locking in the hydration. Makes sense right? Water dries faster than oil sinks into our skin so it only makes sense to start your routine with all of your water based products and end with the oil based ones. This is the principle behind the glass skin trend going on right now!

Facial serums are a wonderful addition to any skin care routine. I hope after reading you've learned something and are inspired to add a serum to your self-care practice. To learn more about natural skin and hair care, check out the other posts on my blog!

All About Facial Serums