Editor’s tip: In case you choose to use your serum earlier than mattress, strive the Olay Tremendous Serum Night time Restore, whose method helps the high-activity restore mode your pores and skin endures in a single day.
Key’s elements: vitamin C, collagen peptide, niacinamide | Who it is for: individuals in search of a multitasking method | Main advantages: texture-evening, hydrating, smoothing | Perfume-free: sure
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
What are the advantages of utilizing a face serum?
Face serums have grow to be a mainstay in each Attract editor’s skin-care routine, and they need to be in yours, too. Kenneth Howe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York Metropolis, explains that “in distinction to moisturizers, serums do not comprise air-tight, occlusive elements, which permit them to penetrate extra deeply into the dermis, carrying their lively elements with them.”
One more reason these facial serums are a mainstay for skin-care novices and lovers alike? The great, previous really feel issue. “Serums are the brand new moisturizers,” New York Metropolis-based board-certified dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, tells Attract. “They’re good for layering—like a primer on clear pores and skin earlier than make-up or sunscreen.”
What order ought to my serum be in my routine?
In response to New York Metropolis-based dermatologist David Kim, MD, it’s best to apply your serum after cleaning and earlier than your moisturizer. “Serums have extra lively elements in increased focus, and they’re formulated to both brighten, hydrate, or calm the pores and skin,” he says. “Then a moisturizer goes on prime to lock within the moisture and to restore the pores and skin barrier.”
Can I exploit a number of serums directly? What cannot be combined?
Dr. Kim says you may tag-team a number of serums to deal with quite a few skin-care considerations, however ensure you aren’t flooding your pores with too many harsh lively elements directly—that may result in sensitivity and irritation. “For instance, you may apply a light-weight vitamin C serum with a hydrating serum on prime earlier than sunscreen,” says Dr. Kim. “That is significantly efficient for individuals with oily acne-prone pores and skin who do not like a heavier, thicker moisturizer.”
As for unhealthy combos? “I do not suggest layering sturdy, lively elements as a result of it may result in irritation, reminiscent of combining a retinol with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs),” Nina Desai, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in California, beforehand informed Attract. “I discover the mixture will be too drying and aggravating to the pores and skin.” Dr. Desai additionally warned towards utilizing benzoyl peroxide with actives you would possibly discover in your serum.
Meet the consultants
- Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in Connecticut
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in New York Metropolis
- Heidi Prather, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in Austin, Texas
- Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in New York Metropolis
- Kenneth Howe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York Metropolis
- Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in New York Metropolis
- David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in New York Metropolis
- Nina Desai, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in California
How we check and overview merchandise
When Attract exams a product, our editors take a look at it from each angle in an effort to finest serve you. We overview elements, scrutinize model claims, and, when mandatory, study peer-reviewed scientific and medical research. Along with testing every product that’s included in every overview, we depend on consultants who form their fields, together with dermatology, beauty chemistry, and drugs, to assist us vet the elements and formulation.