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What Does Serum Do: Everything You Need To Know
Serums have become a staple in the standard skincare regimen, offering concentrated doses of active ingredients that target specific skin concerns. Unlike moisturizers, serums are lightweight and designed to penetrate deeper into the skin, delivering potent benefits that can transform your skincare routine.
Whether you're aiming for a brighter-looking complexion, smoother texture, or a more refreshed-looking appearance, serums can provide a tailored approach to achieving your skin goals. So, let's talk about everything you need to know to become an expert in serums so you can add them into your routine, too!
What Do Serums Do?
Serums are powerful skincare products designed to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients directly to your skin. Their lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas allow them to penetrate deeper than traditional creams or lotions, making them highly effective in targeting specific skin concerns.
The benefits of using serums are numerous and depend on what ingredients they're concentrated with. With regular use, serums can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a smoother, more youthful look. They can also brighten the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone, leaving your complexion visibly illuminated and refreshed-looking. For those dealing with post-acne irritation, serums can help soothe and reduce redness, promoting a clearer, more even complexion.
It all depends on the ingredients, which we'll cover in more detail below!
What Are the Different Types of Serums?
Hydrating Serums
Hydrating serums are designed to boost your skin's moisture levels so it looks supple and plump. These serums are particularly beneficial for those with dry or dehydrated skin, as they help to lock in moisture and prevent water loss.
Commonly Used Ingredients for This Type of Serum:
- Hyaluronic Acid: Known for its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, hyaluronic acid attracts moisture to the skin, providing intense hydration and a plumper appearance.
- Glycerin: A humectant that draws moisture from the environment into the skin, helping to maintain hydration and improve skin elasticity.
Brightening Serums
Brightening serums focus on enhancing your skin's radiance and reducing the look of hyperpigmentation. They are ideal for those seeking a more even and luminous complexion.
Commonly Used Ingredients for This Type of Serum:
- Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that helps to brighten the skin by reducing the appearance of dark spots and promoting a more even skin tone.
- Niacinamide: Also known as Vitamin B3, niacinamide helps to visibly improve skin texture and tone, reducing the appearance of discoloration and enhancing overall brightness.
Anti-Aging Serums
Anti-aging serums target visible signs of skin aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, to promote a smoother, more youthful appearance.
Commonly Used Ingredients for This Type of Serum:
- Retinol: A derivative of Vitamin A, retinol supports skin rejuvenation by promoting cell turnover, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Peptides: These amino acids support the skin's natural structure, helping to improve firmness and elasticity, resulting in a more youthful-looking complexion.
Acne-Fighting Serums
Acne-fighting serums are formulated to address the appearance of pimples and prevent future breakouts, making them an essential addition for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
Commonly Used Ingredients for This Type of Serum:
- Salicylic Acid: A beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates pores to help clear out excess oil and debris, reducing the appearance of acne and preventing future breakouts.
- Tea Tree Oil: Known for its natural antibacterial properties, tea tree oil helps to reduce the appearance of pimples and soothe irritated skin.
Exfoliating Serums
Exfoliating serums work to remove dead skin cells, revealing a smoother and more refreshed-looking complexion. They are perfect for those looking to improve skin texture and clarity.
Commonly Used Ingredients for This Type of Serum:
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, AHAs gently exfoliate the skin's surface, promoting cell renewal and improving texture and tone.
- Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): Like salicylic acid, BHAs penetrate deeper into the pores to exfoliate and clear out impurities, enhancing skin clarity and reducing the appearance of blemishes.
How To Choose the Right Serum for Your Skin Type
Selecting the right serum for your skin type will help you optimize your skincare routine so you can get the results you're looking for. Here's what to do:
First, Identify Your Skin Concerns
Begin by assessing your skin to determine its primary needs. Consider whether you are dealing with dryness, uneven skin tone, signs of skin aging, acne, or dullness. You can use multiple serums if you have multiple concerns you're looking to tackle, but try to focus on the one or two problems that you want to tackle the most.
Match Your Serums to Your Specific Skin Needs and Skin Type
- For Dry or Dehydrated Skin: Opt for hydrating serums containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. These will help replenish moisture and maintain skin suppleness.
- For Uneven Skin Tone or Dark Spots: Brightening serums with Vitamin C and niacinamide are excellent choices. They work to enhance radiance and reduce the look of hyperpigmentation, giving your skin a more even and luminous appearance.
- For Signs of Skin Aging: Choose anti-aging serums with retinol and peptides. These ingredients support skin rejuvenation and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, promoting a smoother, more youthful look.
- For Acne-Prone Skin: Acne-fighting serums with salicylic acid and tea tree oil are ideal. They help to clear out pores, reduce the appearance of pimples, and prevent future breakouts.
- For Dull or Rough Skin: Exfoliating serums containing AHAs or BHAs can help. These ingredients gently remove dead skin cells, revealing a refreshed-looking and smoother complexion.
Can You Use Serums with Red Light Therapy?
Yes! Red Light Therapy is gentle enough that you can incorporate it into your regular skincare routine alongside serums, moisturizers, spot treatments, and more. We recommend you cleanse and dry your skin before Light Therapy treatment, then follow with your regular skincare products afterward.
That said, our LightBoost Serums are groundbreaking topicals specifically formulated to work synergistically with Light Therapy, featuring Lightboost Tech, which includes an ingredient that has been shown to boost the effects of Light Therapy. The results of a study we conducted showed that the combination of the LightBoost active and Light Therapy produced better outcomes compared to using each individually, so you’ll want to apply Lightboost Topicals before your Light Therapy treatment!
For our 4-in-1 Skincare Wand, apply the LightBoost Activating Serum before using the wand.
For the Wrinkle Retreat Face Mask and the Neck & Chest Mask, apply the LightBoost Face & Neck Serum or the LightBoost Face & Neck Rich Cream before using the mask.
For the Eye Recovery Pro Mask, apply the Lightboost Eye Cream before using the mask.
Additionally, our Lightboost Serums include ingredients that nourish the skin and visibly enhance the complexion, including multi peptides that improve texture and help the skin look firmer, as well as polyglucuronic acid, which helps plump the skin with hydration to increase suppleness.
You can find our Lightboost serums here along with our other skin-nourishing topicals including our peptide serum, daily moisturizer, and much more!
How To Apply and Use Serums
Step-by-Step Guide for Serum Application
- Cleanse Your Skin: Start with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. This ensures your skin is clean and ready to absorb the serum effectively.
- Use Light Therapy: After cleansing, integrate your Light Therapy device of choice into your routine! Make sure to use the corresponding LightBoost serum prior to treatment!
Not sure which device to use? Take our Find Your Device quiz here to get tailored recommendations based on your skin!
- Apply Your Serum: Dispense a small amount of serum onto your fingertips. Gently pat and press the serum into your skin, focusing on areas of concern. Allow it to absorb fully before moving on to the next step.
- Moisturize: Follow up with a moisturizer to lock in hydration and create a protective barrier on your skin. This step helps seal in the serum's active ingredients, ensuring they work effectively.
- Finish with Sunscreen (AM Routine): In the morning, complete your routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage.
Best Practices for Maximizing Serum Benefits
Consistency is Key: Use your serum consistently, both morning and night, to see the best results. Regular application ensures your skin receives a steady supply of active ingredients. (Of course, if the product label says otherwise, follow that! Some serums are specifically for overnight use or day use only.)
Layer Wisely: If using multiple serums, apply them from the thinnest to the thickest consistency. This allows each product to penetrate effectively without interference.
Use the Right Amount: A little goes a long way with serums. Typically, a pea-sized amount is enough for your entire face. Over-application can lead to product waste and even potential skin irritation.
Store Properly: Keep your serums in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve their potency and effectiveness.
Conclusion
Serums can be a transformative addition to any skincare routine, offering targeted solutions for a variety of skin concerns. Above, we talked about different types of serums and their active ingredients so you can select the right product to address your specific needs, whether it's hydration, brightening, combating signs of aging, acne-fighting, exfoliation, or something else!
On top of serums, you can also incorporate regular Light Therapy sessions into your regimen to support your skin's overall radiance so you get that healthy-looking glow with or without your serum of choice. Light Therapy combined with our Lightboost Serums can help professionalize your at-home skincare routine, ensuring your skin looks and feels its best with just a few treatments per week!
Now is the perfect time to upgrade your skincare routine with the potent synergy of serums and Light Therapy—that's why we've bundled our own Lightboost Serum into kits with our favorite devices. You can explore our Light Therapy bundle kits here!
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