“Should I use a serum?” and “How to choose a serum?” are two of the most common questions I get asked by people looking for skincare advice. And I understand why. There are so many different types of serums out there, and most of them are described using the same skincare buzzwords, so it can be very difficult to know where to start. In this article, I will break down the serum topic into a few easy guidelines, so you can be sure to find the product that will work best for you. 

What are serums?

Serums are lightweight skincare formulas that often contain higher concentrations of active ingredients. Due to their high viscosity, serums are a good vehicle for carrying ingredients such as antioxidants, vitamins, fruit acids, peptides, and botanical extracts deeper into the skin. Since serums are normally formulated to absorb easily into the skin, they are perfect for layering under your existing day or night cream. 

When should I start using a serum?

If you feel you are no longer getting the optimal results from your daily cleansing and moisturizing routine, consider adding a serum to the mix. Many people still think that serums are only relevant for those looking for an effective antiaging product. But this is a misunderstanding. A serum can be part of a complete skincare routine at any age since serums can be formulated to address a myriad of skincare concerns.  

How to use a serum?

The general rule for layering skincare products is to start with the thinnest, most watery formulas and end with the heaviest, most occlusive ones. To give an example, after cleansing you should apply products in the following order 1. Hydrating mist or essence, 2. Serum, 3. Day Cream, 4. Sunscreen. 

A little serum usually goes a long way, but don’t forget to apply it to the whole face, neck, and décolleté. You can lightly tap your skin with fingertips to aid absorption. Once the serum has sunk into the skin, you can continue with the next product. 

How to choose the best serum for my skin?

First, make sure to use your money wisely by investing in serum that contains high concentrations of skincare actives that are still active. Just like vitamins break down in fruits and vegetables over time, active skincare ingredients start breaking down as soon as the product has been blended. Therefore, the fresher the serum you buy, the better you know it will work. NUORI’s serums are all made using only the highest quality natural beauty ingredients and blended in small batches every 10-12 weeks for maximum efficacy. 

Second, identify what your main skincare concerns are, and then choose the serum that contains the right mix of ingredients to target your specific concerns. To help you choose the right NUORI serum for your skin, continue reading this article.  

Best serum for dry or dehydrated skin

If your skin is in need of extra hydration, look for a serum that contains high levels of natural humectants like botanical glycerin, squalane, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera. 

NUORI Vital Repair Serum contains all of the above-mentioned ingredients as well as a unique skin-identical carbohydrate complex that offers instant deep hydration and long-lasting moisture retention. 

Best for wrinkles and aging skin

The best serums for aging skin are those that can address multiple visible signs of aging – such as fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and discoloration – in one formula. Serums containing retinol have traditionally been the holy grail of antiaging serums. Thanks to its ability to stimulate collagen growth and speed up epidermal cell turnover, retinol has been clinically proven to treat wrinkles, loss of firmness, and even acne. Unfortunately, retinol also has side effects such as skin photosensitivity, redness, and peeling.   

NUORI’s Infinity Bio-Fusion A+ Serum offers the same skin-renewing results as formulas containing retinol, but without irritation or photosensitivity. This serum contains the first true natural alternative to vitamin A, called Sytenol A (or bakuchiol). What is special about it is that it decreases the appearance of lines and wrinkles, skin pigmentation, and overall photo-damage while increasing skin elasticity and firmness. The Infinity Bio-Fusion A+ Serum also contains NovHyal®, the latest generation of natural hyaluronic acid booster that intelligently increases skin’s own production of hyaluronic acid, hence noticeably re-plumping the skin. 

Best for hyperpigmentation

Using an antioxidant-rich serum containing a good dose of vitamin C will help brighten skin's appearance all over. As an added bonus, vitamin C will also help improve the appearance of fine lines and provide a smoother-looking skin texture. The challenge with vitamin C is that it is a very unstable ingredient. Therefore, you’ll want to choose an intelligently formulated product that contains a mix of different antioxidants that stabilize the vitamin C. Ideally, vitamin C should be freshly blended into the serum just prior to use. 

NUORI Supreme-C Serum brightens the complexion, offers antioxidant protection, and over time improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. It is a synergistic antioxidant formula containing 7.5% natural vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (tocopherol), and ferulic acid. The product’s unique dispensing mechanism allows 100% pure vitamin C powder to be mixed into the serum immediately before the first application.

Best serum for sensitive skin

If you have sensitive, sensitized or reactive skin, you should choose a serum that contains skin soothing ingredients as well as compounds that help repair the skin’s protective barrier. And always remember to choose a fragrance-free product to minimize skin irritations. 

NUORI Vital Repair Serum is a fragrance-free formula with a combination of skin-soothing ingredients including a bio-fermented plant-based sorbitol complex that offers instant relief and reduction in skin discomfort. This complex also stimulates and boosts the epidermal molecules’ ability to reduce inflammatory responses over time. 

Best for acne-prone skin

Those with impure or acne-prone skin can also greatly benefit from the right type of serum. Retinol is a common ingredient recommended for the treatment of acne-prone skin. However, retinol can have many undesirable side effects such as skin photosensitivity, redness, and peeling.   

NUORI’s Infinity Bio-Fusion A+ Serum offers the same skin-clearing results as formulas containing retinol, but without irritation or photosensitivity. This serum contains the first true natural alternative to vitamin A, called Sytenol A (bakuchiol), which has been clinically proven to mitigate multiple signs of acne. The serum also contains vitamin C which offers antioxidant protection and helps even out the skin tone and helps prevent the formation of post-inflammatory dark spots. 

Best serum for the skin around the eyes

The skin around your eyes is the thinnest on the body. That means it's where signs of aging show up first. It also means it's the area that responds the fastest to a good skincare routine, specifically a targeted eye serum.   

When it comes to delivering the biggest benefits, eye serums may be the answer. The difference between the eye moisturizers and serums is essentially the same as the difference between the moisturizers and serums that you’d use on your face. Eye creams are thicker, as they contain more oils and fats. Eye serums are usually water-based and less viscous. While creams are ideal for hydrating and retaining moisture on the surface of the skin, serums penetrate more deeply and usually contain more active ingredients.  

NUORI’s Infinity Bio-Fusion Eye Serum is specifically designed to address universal signs of aging in the delicate skin around the eyes. This serum contains NovHyal® which is the latest generation of natural hyaluronic acid booster. It intelligently increases the skin’s own production of hyaluronic acid, noticeably re-plumping the skin. This formula also contains Kalpariane® - skin-firming agent derived from brown marine algae that helps inhibit collagen and elastin breakdown and boosts the growth of keratin-producing cells. A third key ingredient in this serum is caffeine which controls microcirculation, preventing puffiness and dark circles while ensuring delivery of nutrients to the skin’s outer layers. The ceramic applicator tip cools and depuffs the area around the eyes. 

 

Fresh wishes,