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If you are looking to level up your skincare game, we recommend weaving a concern-led serum into your routine. For the unversed, serums are concoctions supercharged with active ingredients, which target and treat concerns ranging from brightening to tightening to hydration (and more). Boasting higher potency, these lightweight concentrates percolate to the deepest layers of your skin and work from the inside out.
Benefits Of Using A Face Serum
According to a study, depending on the ingredients, potency, and formulation a serum can have multiple advantages. A vitamin C serum can help brighten your skin, while a glycolic acid serum can reduce dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and dullness to reveal your inner glow.
As serums are high-potency water-based formulations, they penetrate deeper into the skin to work on targeted areas. A study suggests that hyaluronic acid serum can even reverse photoaged skin and reduce sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles by adding moisture to the inner layers of your skin.
Serums formulated with tea tree extracts and other pore-cleansing ingredients can even clear out acne, breakouts, and acne marks to even out your skin. The serum enters the skin and removes impurities from within, unlike other products that work on the surface level.
The efficacy of serums is so robust, that a few drops can do the trick, so you don’t even need to frequently restock your products. They rejuvenate your skin and give a natural dewy look.
Ingredients To Look For Your Skin Concern
Naturally, a question that arises here is how to pick a face serum for your daily regimen. Well, first things first, it's integral to discern your skin type, its pertinent underlying issues, and the ingredients that will help you resolve those issues.
Case in point, if you grapple with exceedingly parched skin, invest in a hyaluronic acid-powered serum that ensures ample hydration to the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant which binds water molecules to the dermis, keeping it supple, and smooth.
Another prevalent skin concern is excessive greasiness, for which we recommend opting for serums infused with salicylic acid. This oil-soluble active is a workhorse, which adeptly cuts excess oil and dirt from the pores.
Vitamin C works wonders for administering a clear, radiant complexion and, Niacinamide, a form of B3 can help reverse skin ageing. We will map a spectrum of skin concerns into the apropos active. Stay tuned.
What Should You Keep In Mind Before Investing In A Serum
Before you take the plunge, and commit to a serum in your regimen – bearing the following pointers, is advised. It's recommended to get your dermatologist (who is well-versed with your skin, its history of pertinent concerns, and so on) to sign off on your pick of face serum. Furthermore, you must do a patch test of the face serum and keep an eye out for signs of stinging, irritation and burning (skin distress in general). If yes, report it to your doctor immediately and hold off on the product till then.
How To Apply Face Serums?
Abiding by the thumb rule of skincare, the order of formulations applied on the face should be, cue, thin to thick! Lightweight concentrates like serums must sit under heavier creams or moisturisers on your face. So, start by thoroughly cleansing your face and follow it up with the face serum. Ensure that the face serum dropper never is in direct contact with your dermis. Now, gently pat the serum on your face and top off with your moisturiser.
Now that you have a refresher on the usage of serum, its benefits and a brief tutorial on how to use it on your face, we are bringing you the 10 best face serums available on Nykaa. So, keep scrolling through.
Top 10 Face Serum In India
1. Best Serum For Dry Skin - L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Hydrating Serum With 1.5 % Hyaluronic Acid
This lightweight, non-greasy serum by L’Oreal Paris serves as a water reservoir for your skin. Infused with 1.5% of HA, it seeps into the deeper layers of the skin to hydrate. This paraben-free, fragrance-free elixir also dwindles the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Win-win, we say! Grab it today for plump and smooth-looking skin.
2. Best Serum For Oily Skin - Minimalist 2% Salicylic Acid Face Serum For Blackheads & Whiteheads
The gentle formulation from Minimalist featuring Salicylic acid is a must-have for people with greasy skin. This brew seeps deep into the pores, obliterating oil, gunk and pollution to give you the skin of your dreams. It also possesses exfoliating properties, ideal for casting away the excessive build from the dermis, to reveal a clean, smooth surface underneath. The potent face serum also bears aloe vera, which alleviates any episodes of inflammation or redness.
3. Best Serum For Acne-Prone Skin - The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
From the globally loved skincare brand, The Ordinary– the Nicacimamde 10% serum is a miraculous offering for acne-prone skin. Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin C, has been dubbed as the jack of all trades in skincare. The ingredients work on multiple skin concerns, from dwindling blemishes to bolstering the strength of the skin barrier. Its competency to clear skin congestion makes it a fitting addition to your anti-acne vanity.
4. Best Serum For Skin Brightening - Plum 15% Vitamin C Face Serum with Mandarin for Glow Boost with Pure Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, administers an even complexion while bringing out the latent radiance of the skin. The Plum serum features a water-soluble form of vitamin C (present in the mandarin extract) which is quick to absorb and doesn’t get oxidised. It also dwindles the appearance of dark spots, grants sun protection and helps bolster collagen production in the skin. Buy now to realise your skin dreams.
5. Best Overnight Repair Treatment Serum - Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
A blend of HA, amino acids and prebiotics— the high-performance serum by Estee Lauder is one of the most sought-after offerings amongst skincare enthusiasts. Attributed to the incomparable versatility of the offering, this fountain of youth works for delivery hydration, radiance, strengthening and firming. Use it in your PM routine to see the magic unravel.
6. Best Serum For Exfoliation - Dot & Key Hydro Peel Glow Potion 10% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliating Serum
Featuring chemical exfoliators, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)in the blend — the potent formulation from Dot and Key adeptly slough off the dead cells from the dermis. The concoction directs efforts towards improving the skin’s texture by diminishing pores and removing dry patches from the skin. One of the best-sellers from Nykaa, this Dot And Key super-serum also features grapefruit extracts and borage flowers in it. This dynamic duo of ingredients, adds to the versatility of the beauty potion by providing it with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
7. Best Splurge - Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Serum with Lavender Essential Oil & Squalane
Want to wake up to younger-looking skin? Get your hands on Kiehl’s Concentrate Serum. The offering carries evening primrose oil in the formula, which improves the skin’s hydration level and elasticity. A popular restorative beauty potion, it features lavender essential oil which keeps the skin balanced and calm after application. The mighty squalene brimming in the concentrate keeps the skin barrier soft and supple.
8. Editor’s Pick - Pilgrim 24K Gold Face Serum with Niacinamide & Hyaluronic Acid
If you want a premium glow over time, one exuded by celebrities cutting a red carpet— get your hands on the 24K Gold Face Serum. An economical option, this serum imbued with Niacinamide and HA hydrates, minimises the pores and overall improves the texture of the skin. The fine gold particles provide the skin with the coveted luminous sheen!
9. Nykaa Army Approved - Olay Retinol Night Serum - Retinol & Niacinamide - All Skin Types
You have probably come across the term retinol in the world of skincare on account of its multitasking nature. A form of Vitamin A, retinol works on several skin care concerns ranging from treatment of acne to reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. It is also a potent hydrating agent that percolates deep into the skin, giving it a soft and supple feel. Leverage this versatility of retinol in the Olay Night Serum! Devoid of sulphates, fragrance and artificial oil, this serum will help you attain the gorgeous, glowing skin of your dreams, overnight.
10. Best Pocket-Friendly Face Serum - Ponds Bright Beauty Anti-Pigmentation Serum
Weave the beginner-friendly- Ponds Bright Beauty Serum into your skincare regimen at a ludicrously affordable price. Brewed with gluten-niacinamide, the elixir seeps 10 layers deep (with the dermis) to work its magic. The result? A flawlessly radiant base, with the dwindled appearance of pesky spots. Who doesn’t love that?
Parting Thoughts
Don’t get bogged down with the number of steps people indulge in, all you need is a simple CSMS routine – Cleanser, Serum, Moisturiser, Sunscreen – to achieve your skin health goals. So, what's the wait, incorporate a serum into your everyday routine to achieve healthy, glowing skin.
FAQs
- Which is the no. 1 face serum in India?
- How much serum should I use?
- Can I use a serum every day?
There are several high-quality serums available online. When looking for serums, check the ingredients and concentration, there are different formulations for different concerns and every serum listed above is the best to address that particular issue.
Use a pea-sized amount or 2–3 drops for your whole face. Apply it directly onto your face without letting the dropper touch your skin and the product being wasted on your fingers. Serums are very potent and a little product goes a long way.
There are some serums you can use every day, in fact, some even twice a day. For example, anti-pigmentation and anti-oxidant serums with lighter concentrations like 1–2% can be used twice a day. Anti-ageing serums with retinol should ideally be used only at night, and when starting, it is even recommended to use retinol twice a week for your skin to get acclimatised to the formulation.
