What is face serum? Everything you need to know

We've all heard of face serums, but what actually are they? Find out here as we break down their purpose and how they can benefit your complexion.
What is face serum? Everything you need to know

Surely there has come a time where you’ve looked inside your beauty cupboard and wondered WTF a face serum is. If it’s not a moisturiser, although it does moisturise, and if it’s not a face oil, even though it is oily in texture, what exactly is known for? And why do you need it? 

What is a face serum?

A face serum is a lightweight formula that is highly concentrated with active ingredients to target specific skin concerns, such as fine lines, pigmentation and acne breakouts. Serums are typically applied as the second or third step in your skincare routine, used directly after cleansing. Once applied, you’ll then wait 30-60 seconds before carrying on with your moisturiser, face oil, and sunscreen. 



Do I need to use a face serum? 

So, are face serums one big beauty gimmick, or do we actually need them in our routine? Their biggest drawcard is the fact that they are fully customisable to anyone’s specific needs, which means the benefits are vast. From soothing, to hydrating and exfoliating, they can pretty much do anything. They may be on the pricier side, however, this is for very good reason - their potency in driving home targeted skin needs far outweighs any other skincare product, as they are made up of smaller molecules that can penetrate deeply into the skin and deliver a very high concentration of active ingredients.

Water-based vs oil-based serums

Another layer of complexity is water-based vs oil-based serums - is one better than the other? Traditional serums are water-based, although with face oils growing in popularity, some of these are now being classified as ‘serums’ as well. To simplify it for you, water-based serums go under any creams or moisturisers, due to their small molecules. Oil-based serums however are supposed to go on top of the moisturiser because they have a bigger molecule and therefore, are meant to keep whatever you’ve put on underneath moist during the day. 

A word of warning though - more is definitely not always better, due to a serum’s strong efficacy. We recommend patch testing your skin accordingly before applying all over your face, as their powerful ingredients can irritate. Our Vitamin D Serum is an innovative and hydrating formula suitable for all skin types, utilising advanced chemistry to deliver potent levels of Vitamin D that provide an occlusive layer on the skin. Rich in Rose Water, Kakadu Plum Extract and Niacinamide, these powerful ingredients are not only anti-comedogenic and anti-inflammatory, but they also balance the oils in your skin and enhance its elasticity, which will leave you super hydrated and looking youthful.
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