For years, skincare routines revolved effectually three essential steps: cleanse, tone, and moisturize. It was a simple, streamlined, cost-effective approach—who can't find the time to launder their face, splash on a little toner, and moisturize? Easy. Done. Finito. The term face serum was barely in the lexicon.

brian breaks it down

Somewhere along the mode though, things got considerably more complicated. Today, hundreds of skincare products line retailer shelves and populate online marketplaces. We have oils, essences, cleansing waters, blur creams, glow lotions, manual exfoliators, chemic exfoliators, balms, butters, and boosters. Non to mention eye creams, neck creams, face masks, face peels, dark spot correctors and the list goes on and on. And somewhere, sandwiched in the middle of all these products, is the face serum. It'south become ubiquitous—every brand has one these days—but there are still then many questions about how to apply it, when to employ it, and why you should even be applying information technology in the start identify.

I'm going to reply those questions, with the assistance of some of my favorite dermatologists who concur that anybody should be using a face serum. They can offer some major pare-boosting benefits no matter your age (it's never too early on to offset using a serum), peel type (yep, oily skin can benefit from a serum), or what problem is plaguing your complexion. And serums are available at all different prices—from budget drugstore buys on up.

Here's how to find the right i for your bathroom counter—and how to use your face serum once y'all've got it.

First, what exactly is a face serum anyway?

More a mere foam or balm, a face serum is the workhorse of your skincare routine. With a consistency that tends to hover somewhere betwixt a gel and liquid, these lightweight products "are used to penetrate the surface layers of the skin to accost specific pare concerns on a deeper level such equally improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evening out the peel tone, or overall brightening of the skin," says DiAnne Davis, Yard.D., a cosmetic dermatologist based in Dallas.

Their delicate texture—non likewise thick, not too heavy—make them a great option for oily skin types who may be leery of putting anything too greasy on their pare. But the truth is, brands are designing serums that encounter the needs of nearly every skin type. "In that location are even serums designed to address loose peel," says renowned celebrity facialist Aida Bicaj. "Equally you age, y'all should try and use more than ane."

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Do I demand to use a face serum and a moisturizer?

That depends. Generally, yes, since they serve different purposes, says Davis. "Moisturizers are distinct from serums in that they tend to be much thicker creams that focus on hydrating the pare throughout the day," she explains. And that'south key, because you ideally want both: a formula that address your concerns on a deeper level (cue the serum) and one that seals all that goodness in (hello, moisturizer). Plus, there are many bully moisturizers available at drugstores, so you lot tin save there and splurge on your serum if need be.

There are some exceptions, of course. Davis notes that there are hydrating serums (more on those below) that tin moisturize oily skin quite nicely (they probably won't be plenty to get the job done on an extremely dry complexion). And Bicaj is quick to point out that during summertime when there tends to exist more humidity in the air, a thick, occlusive moisturizer might be overkill. "In this case, you might be able to employ a serum lonely," she says.

Choose face serum ingredients based on your skin type.

With some many options to select from, our experts concord that an ingredient-led arroyo to shopping is your best bet. Get-go, figure out what it is you want your serum to do. So, inquiry the ingredients that tin can assistance y'all attain those skin goals. "With my Atolla system, you lot fill out a questionnaire and we create custom serums that are particularly matched for your skin status and concerns," says Boston-based dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, M.D.

If bespoke skincare seems too complicated, purchase your serum off the rack: Some of Davis'south favorite ingredients to look for include vitamin C (for wrinkle-fighting, brightening, and protection from complimentary radicals), peptides (to stimulate collagen and minimize fine lines), and light-green tea and resveratrol (likewise for antioxidant protection).

Other solid performers: retinol, the gilt standard ingredient for visibly improving several signs of aging, including hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and dullness, salicylic acid to fight acne, and niacinamide to reduce redness and at-home inflammation. "Hyaluronic acid is another great ingredient that helps to demark wet to the skin," says Davis. "You could apply it in place of a moisturizer if you take oily or acne-decumbent skin."

You can utilise face serum twice a day—before your moisturizer—only reserve products with retinol for nighttime.

"By and large, virtually people should be using a handling serum twice day," says Hirsch. "It really depends on the ingredients in in that location." Of class, it's always a wise idea to showtime slowly. Retinol, for example, can crusade some dryness and irritation if used too often. Once a day should be more than sufficient for any retinol product, and don't start at that place: Use information technology every other day and gradually work your way up to nightly apply.

Brian's Favorite Serums

At the very least, serums that comprise antioxidants like the ones mentioned above (vitamin C, green tea, and resveratrol) should be practical in the morning so they tin aid protect your skin throughout the 24-hour interval, while products with retinol or exfoliating acids (recall glycolic, lactic, or salicylic) are best suited to nighttime use as they can make your peel more sensitive to the dominicus. Hydrating serums and the like tin exist used both in the morning and evening.

The general rule of thumb for applying skincare is thinnest consistency to thickest.

In terms of when to apply your serum in your skincare routine, information technology should exist applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. "You want the serum to penetrate your skin as deeply and effectively every bit possible," Davis notes. "The general rule of thumb for applying skincare is thinnest consistency to thickest, then always serum earlier moisturizer."

Apply your face serum this manner.

Just remember: A gentle bear on goes a long way—there'southward no need to rub the product into your face like you're waxing a motorcar. That can irritate your skin, especially around delicate areas like the eyes. Use Bicaj's technique: Put a pocket-sized amount of the production in the palm of your hands—for reference, a pea-sized corporeality should practise—and printing it into your skin. "To apply a water-y serum, put a few drops all over the face and pat it in using an upward motion—and don't forget your neck."

Now that you're a serum pro, pick up ane of my favorites and piece of work it into your regimen—stat.

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