Adding serum to your skincare routine can provide several benefits. 

Serum enhances your skin’s radiance and soothes irritation. It also reduces fine lines, giving you a youthful look. Depending on the active ingredients in the product, you could also enjoy anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. 

However, due diligence is paramount while shopping for the right serum for your skin. As you can see, most of these products are formulated for specific skin types and issues. 

We’ve prepared a beginner’s guide to selecting the best serum based on your skin type. But first, let’s start by familiarizing ourselves with what these products are all about.

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What Is Serum?

Serum, or facial serum as it’s more commonly known, is a lightly textured skincare formula containing a high concentration of dermatologically useful ingredients. The product differs from regular creams and moisturizers primarily in its thinner consistency. 

Its lightweight texture makes serum feel more comfortable on the skin than traditional skincare products. 

It’s also exciting to know that there are numerous established online stores where you can shop for a variety of facial serums. One such outlet is Biologique Recherche, a global supplier of high-end skincare formulas. 

Serum Elastine is one of Biologique Recherche’s most outstanding serums. The product derives its name from its ability to ramp up elastin production in the dermis by a whopping 51%. 

Elastin preserves youthful skin by fighting various stigmata of premature aging, including fine lines and wrinkles. It also tightens the skin, restoring its elasticity and firmness. 

Like most Biologique Recherche skincare formulations, Serum Elastine is 100% vegan and plant-based. It’s ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

How Do Serums Work?

Serums have a smaller molecular size compared to creams and moisturizers. 

When applied to the skin, the product delivers its active ingredients directly into the deeper layers to soothe various issues, such as fine lines, acne, and hyperpigmentation. 

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Picking the Right Serum Based On Your Skin Type

1. Know Your Skin Type

There are five different skin types, namely;

  • Dry Skin – Skin that feels overly dry and sometimes also appears scaly, even after applying a cream or moisturizer.
  • Oily Skin – An oily skin feels excessively greasy even without applying a cream or ointment.
  • Combination Skin – Skin characterized by patches of dryness and greasiness.
  • Normal Skin—Normal skin has balanced moisture levels—it’s neither too dry nor too oily.
  • Sensitive Skin – This skin type responds dramatically to injuries or diseases. 

2. Understand Your Skin’s Arch Nemesis

Besides knowing your skin type, it’s also prudent to understand the issues your skin mostly grapples with. 

For instance, wrinkles and fine lines tend to appear on different skin types. If you’re trying to reverse these skin aging markers, it would be prudent to pick a serum formulated with ingredients that stimulate the regeneration of essential skin proteins like elastin and collagen. 

Other dermatological issues that affect different skin types include breakouts, hyperpigmentation, and physical injuries.  

3. Analyze the Ingredients List

Serums can contain dozens of ingredients, including therapeutic compounds, fragrances, penetration enhancers, and preservatives. However, the focus should be the active medicinal substances the product is formulated with. 

Research how each compound might impact your skin type. 

Insist on serums containing niacinamide or salicylic acid if you have oily and/or acne-prone skin. Both compounds boast powerful anti-inflammatory properties. 

One study found that salicylic study could treat acne vulgaris and other common skin breakouts by decreasing sebum production. 

If dryness is your biggest concern, prioritize serums made with hyaluronic acid. 

Hyaluronic acid can moisturize your skin and restore lost skin volume caused by age or disease. The compound has also been shown to enhance facial contours and promote overall radiance. 

Consider serums rich in soothing ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile for sensitive skin. Aloe vera is recommended for its abundance in the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds – aloin and anthraquinones. 

Multiple studies have established that applying aloe vera-infused gel can minimize skin fragility and restore elasticity. 

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4. Check the Texture

Serums may be considerably thinner than regular creams. But they also come in varying consistencies. 

Thinner serums have a lightweight and comfortable feel on the skin. 

You can gauge a serum’s texture by checking its ingredients. Serums formulated using a water-based formula are generally thinner than those containing oils. 

However, remember that the primary focus is your skin type. 

Dermatologists recommend water-based serums for oily skin and oil-based serums for dry skin. Sensitive skin would benefit more from water-based serums, as oil-based products might worsen breakouts.

5. Test-Drive the Product

Choosing any skincare product, including serums, calls for extra due diligence. 

Never commit fully to a skincare brand before test-driving its serums. 

Instead, purchase a single product and conduct a patch test. To do that, apply a tiny amount of the serum to a discrete skin area and watch out for any adverse reactions.

If no irritation or redness occurs after 24 hours, the product is probably safe for your skin. 

A patch test is particularly recommended if you have sensitive skin. 

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Wrap Up

The safety and efficacy of serums for skincare depends primarily on their active ingredients. 

Some serums are rich in compounds that help alleviate inflammatory skin conditions like acne and psoriasis. Others contain substances that are effective against dry, scaly skin. 

Therefore, it’s prudent to analyze the product’s specific ingredients before adding them to your skincare routine.