Cleansers, moisturizers and exfoliators are mainstays of many skincare routines. For some, so are serums. For the uninitiated, serums may seem like mysterious products, difficult to differentiate from toners or moisturizers. What exactly are serums, what benefits do they offer for the skin, and how do we use them?
As dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse tells Healthline, “Serums are thin-viscosity topical products that contain concentrated amounts of active ingredients.” These active ingredients make serums penetrate more deeply and deliver more visible results than moisturizers and cleansers—without leaving behind stickiness or heaviness.
However, as research demonstrates, their deeper concentration doesn’t mean you can skip out on moisturizer entirely. Instead, after cleansing, you should use it in conjunction with moisturizer, which acts as a sealant to the serum. If you already use face oils in your routine, you should apply a serum before the oil if it has a lighter consistency. Alternatively, some face oils can also act as serums, especially if they contain a carrier oil like pomegranate oil, as their smaller molecular structure absorbs more deeply into the skin than other moisturizers.
Given their active ingredients and higher concentration levels, serums can effectively target different conditions, like acne, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and dryness. Here are a few of the benefits of serums, which can provide a uniquely lightweight, yet penetrating supplement to your skincare routine.
BENEFITS OF SERUMS
1
THEY’RE LIGHTWEIGHT
With serums, you can get the best of both worlds: heavy-duty impact without heavy-duty weight. Though highly concentrated with active ingredients, their thin viscosity makes them able to effectively penetrate the skin without leaving behind heaviness or oiliness.
2
THEY ABSORB QUICKLY & DEEPLY
The lightweight nature of serums not only means they’re able to leave the skin looking bright without any heaviness, but also that they can absorb into the skin more deeply than heavier creams or moisturizers. As a result, they provide more visible, effective results while also priming the skin for the next step in your routine. Many of our lightweight oils, like our Ultimate Brightening Face Oil, have a similarly fast-absorbing effect.
3
THEY CAN COMBAT ACNE
Certain serums are often formulated with retinols, salicylic acid or plant-based alternatives and other anti-inflammatory ingredients, which enable them to specifically target acne, blemishes and inflammation. Our UMA Deeply Clarifying Blemish Spot Treatment effectively serves as a lightweight serum that utilizes naturally soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients like tea tree, clove and lavender to target blemishes.
4
THEY CAN REDUCE FINE LINES, WRINKLES & HYPERPIGMENTATION
Serums that are rich in antioxidants, retinols and Vitamin C can effectively target signs of aging, such as wrinkles, age spots, dullness and hyperpigmentation. You can also look for formulas that use natural, organic ingredients whose vitamins and antioxidants combat the free radical damage at the heart of premature aging, such as sandalwood, rosehip, turmeric and chamomile. Our UMA Absolute Anti Aging Face Oil incorporates naturally brightening, toning ingredients like sandalwood, rose, geranium and neroli to transform aging skin into a hydrated, youthful complexion.
5
THEY HYDRATE & BRIGHTEN THE COMPLEXION
There are also certain serums designed specifically to brighten dull or dry skin, leaving the complexion radiant and more toned. These kinds of serums typically include ingredients high in antioxidants and Vitamin C, or natural ingredients like licorice root and ylang ylang.
At UMA, in addition to the serum-like capacities of many of our face oils, we also have our own UMA Flawlessly Firming Neck Chest & Décolletage Serum, which incorporates anti-aging, brightening and hydrating ingredients like sandalwood, frankincense and jasmine. The penetrating, fast-absorbing and efficacious benefits of this serum provide instant hydration, radiance and firmness to our especially sensitive décolletage area.
