What are facial serums?

Facial serums are thin, concentrated formulas meant to be applied after your cleanser or toner and before your moisturizer. This is why they are the most expensive product in a skin care regimen. They are not formulated with as many emollients and humectants (if any at all) as moisturizers, so they are not meant to replace your daytime moisturizer. Serums have stronger levels of anti-aging, antioxidant, AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), and cell-communicating ingredients that are usually at lower levels in your moisturizers. If you want to treat skin care concerns like wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (i.e. acne marks), then a moisturizer and mechanical scrubs will not suffice. Ingredients that effectively nourish and exfoliate the skin are found in serums.

Since I have skin that mirrors a finalist in a fried chicken competition, I am cautious about finding serums for my skin type. I am still learning which ingredients to avoid but it mostly boils down to diligently searching product reviews from users with the oily skin, observing how the brand categorizes their products, and trusting expert reviews on Beautypedia. Within six months these three serums have changed the way my skin recovers from the occasional pimple and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Day

Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Treatment Daily Treatment

First 10 Ingredients: Water, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Silica

Consistency: thin, runny, pearlescent liquid
Price point: $22-$25
Packaging: 1.3 oz bottle with dropper
Longevity: Six months with daily use (3 drops)
Retailer(s): Ulta, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, local grocery stores

I selected the Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Treatment Daily Treatment for two reasons: price and ingredients. In 2010-2012 I was addicted to the $37 Mary Kay TimeWise Even Complexion Essence serum, which had people complimenting me on my glowing complexion freshmen year of undergrad. Six months ago I was determined to find a product that was comparable to the Mary Kay ingredients and would yield the same results. When I found the Olay treatment for a lower price and a higher quantity of niacinamide, I knew I hit jackpot. The main ingredient is niacinamide (vitamin B3), which is an antioxidant that treats postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, improves the skin’s texture, and corrects uneven skin tone by way of protecting the skin from free radical damage. After years of picking the occasional pimples, my skin needed this. The key to glowing skin is a smooth surface with no marks. I apply three drops daily before my moisturizer with SPF.

Night

Olay ProX Nightly Purifying Micro-Peel

First 10 ingredients: Water/Eau, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Aminomethyl Propanol

Consistency: thin, clear liquid
Price point: $23-$40
Packaging: 1.3 oz. bottle with dropper
Longevity: Six months with daily use (3 drops)
Retailer(s): Ulta, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, local grocery stores

Bedtime is when I use the stronger, sunlight sensitive products. After learning about the skin regenerating benefits of glycolic acid, I wanted to find a nighttime serum under $100 (yes, it is a struggle) with this prized ingredient within the first five ingredients. Glycolic acid is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), which exfoliates skin cells by breaking down the substance in skin that holds skin cells together. Great! More ways to shed the superficial layers of my skin for a fresh start. After months of reading reviews and comparing formulas, I discovered the Olay ProX Nightly Purifying Micro-Peel. With applying three drops every night I started to notice acne marks starting to fade. Initially, I was hesitant because it felt greasy to the touch, but it absorbs relatively quickly. The first night there was a little sensitivity but after that my face was fine. I have not experienced any flaking, redness, or pimples. After a few weeks I wanted to add some vitamin C to my regimen for quicker results so I was on another hunt. These acne marks had to go!

Andalou Naturals Turmeric + C Enlighten Serum

First 10 ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Juice (Organic), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil (Organic), Vegetable Glycerin, Cyamopsis Tetragonolobus (Guar) Gum (Organic), Fruit Stem Cell Complex (Organic), BioActive 8 Berry Complex (Organic), Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Extract (Organic), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Consistency: orange, thin lotion
Price point: $19-$24
Packaging: 1.1 oz. airless dispenser
Longevity: Ongoing
Retailer(s): Sprouts, Vitacost, Ulta, other health food stores

Again, I was on the hunt for another serum that was under $100, and vitamin C was my ingredient of interest. After my coworker Nikki raved about her results with vitamin C, I had to give it a try. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that prevents and fights free radical damage that can occur from too much sun exposure and inflammation (like acne). The Andalou Naturals Turmeric + C Enlighten Serum received a high rating on Beautypedia and was on sale at Sprouts for $15. Aloe vera juice is the first ingredient, which is an excellent moisturizer. If you are concerned about grapeseed oil on oily skin, don’t worry. Grapeseed oil is higher in linoleic acid than oleic acid, so I wake up without pimples from clogged pores. The antioxidants from the turmeric help to reduce inflammation, which discourages my skin from freaking out everytime it comes in contact with pollutants or bacteria. And what about the sunflower oil? I have yet to experience an adverse reaction, so I’m not concerned about it.

With this trio, fresh acne marks are almost completely undetectable within two months. I love this regimen. As far as the Caudalie Beauty Elixir, I received it as a gift and the packaging is pretty.

Have you ventured into trying serums? What are your favorite serums?