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Face serums are supercharged with active ingredients, which percolate deep into the skin to address concerns from dehydration to excess greasiness. These bottled concentrates are indispensable to an infallible skincare routine, so why not get the most out of them?
If you’re new to this beauty formulation, here’s a step-by-step how-to on applying face serum correctly.
Bonus: Keep scrolling for Nykaa’s editor-approved face serums based on skin type.
A 4-Step Guide to Apply Face Serum for Best Results
1. Cleanse & Exfoliate: Cleansing is the first step in any skincare regimen. It removes dirt, grime, and excess oil from the pores, ensuring easy absorption of your serum (which will be applied next). If there is a usual build-up of dead-dried cells on your dermis, use a potent yet gentle exfoliant after your face wash. This intermediate step administers a clean, refined surface, emanating an impeccable glow.
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2. Time for Treatment: Once your face is squeaky clean, it is time to apply serum. Most serum bottles have a dropper attached to the brim, which helps dispense the perfect amount of product. Squeeze out a drop for every section of your face while ensuring the dropper doesn’t touch the skin. This is a preventative measure to minimise contamination. Next, gently rub the serum into the dermis with several small circular movements of your fingertips.
3. For Thicker Concentrates: If the serum in concern is thick or dense, here’s a trick to facilitate better product absorption. Dispense the (a few drops) serum onto your palms and rub them together till slightly warm. Now, dab the fluid on aggrieved areas.
4. Seal With Moisturiser: Next, lather a generous amount of your favourite moisturiser onto your skin. This will aid in creating a protective film on the dermis and boost the effectiveness of your treatment.
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Other Ways To Apply Serum
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Hand Technique
This technique is generally used for thick and dense serums; it is recommended that you warm up thicker serums before application. Here’s how you can go about applying a serum that is dense. First, in order to warm the serum, take a few drops on your palm and rub the palms together, evenly spreading the serum throughout your hand. Then, dab the serum all over your face and neck in an upward direction, in a gentle tapping motion.
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Tap Technique
A face serum contains a lot of active ingredients and is highly concentrated. Therefore, they are supposed to be dabbed upon and not rubbed all over the face. The tapping technique involves tapping the product all over the face until it's completely absorbed by the skin. This technique ensures that the product reaches the depths of your skin, resulting in a healthy, glowing complexion.
How to Pick a Serum for Your Skin Concern
If you’re a beauty beginner and looking for a serum to tackle underlying skin concerns, we have just the list for you. Here are the 8 best face serums for each skin type.
1. For Hydrating Dry Skin - Neutrogena HydroBoost Hyaluronic Acid Serum With 17% Hydration Complex For Normal & Sensitive Skin
This bestseller by Neutrogena contains two sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules – micro for deep hydration and macro for surface-level hydration. The undisputed star ingredient, HA, binds water to the dermis, making it look soft and supple. The brew, also carrying glycerine, a potent emollient, puts a sturdy lock on this replenished water content. The perfect treatment for folks with dry or brittle skin, grab the HydroBoost Serum at INR 1250.
2. For Decongesting Oily Skin - Minimalist 2% Salicylic Acid Face Serum For Blackheads & Whiteheads
The Salicylic Acid Face Serum by Minimalist is a godsend for folks with oily skin. Salicylic acid, an oil-soluble active, effectively decongests pores and sloughs off the dead cells from the dermis. The fast-absorbing concentrate also keeps the sebaceous glands in check! Pat a few drops of this wondrous brew for barely there pores, reduced shine, and a long-lasting matte finish on the skin. The Minimalist marvel is up for grabs at INR 549 on Nykaa. So, hurry!
3. For Reducing Active Acne - PLIX 2% Salicylic Acid Jamun Active Acne Control Dewy Serum for Active Acne & Dark Spot Reduction
Bouts of acne bogging you down? Get your mitts on the PLIX Active Acne Control Dewy Serum. Infused with jamun extracts, the lightweight formula stimulates intense skin detoxification, reducing the appearance of nodes and bumps on the skin. Also, in this blend is zinc, which inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria while alleviating redness or inflammation. Use two or three drops in your PM regimen for a week and see the jaw-dropping results for yourself.
4. For Brightening Skin Dullness - Nykaa SKINRX 20% Vitamin C Face Serum for Bright, Glowing & Radiant Skin with 1% Hyaluronic Acid
Bid farewell to dull, beat-looking skin with Nyaa SKINRX Vitamin C Serum. Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, reduces the appearance of spots and patches while ensuring a one-tone, radiant complexion. Additionally, this multitasker also shields the skin against external aggressors! Talk about a win, win! 30% brighter skin in 30 days, try it for yourself. The SKINRX serum is available on Nykaa for INR 799.
5. For Reverse Ageing - Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex With Hyaluronic Acid (Serum)
Wake up to the skin of your dreams with Estee Lauder’s Multi-Recovery Complex. This concentrate, featuring a one-in-a-60-million discovery, exclusive Tripeptide works on multiple concerns. It adheres to our skin’s natural rhythm to shield it during the day (from aggressors and undertakes repair (skin firming and toning) at night. Grab this luxe offering from Nykaa for a single-tone, radiant complexion.
6. For Glowing Skin - Dot & Key 10% Glycolic Watermelon Super Glow Face Serum For Pigmentation
At the heart of this blend by Dot & Key is glycolic acid, a gentle yet efficacious exfoliant. This AHA molecule bears a small size, allowing the serum to seep and strip dead cells from the dermis – ensuring a smooth and bright complexion. Additionally, the power duo of tranexamic of kojic acid dwindles the appearance of discoloured patches or spots. Grab this potent formula for dramatically smooth and luxuriously glowing skin STAT.
7. For Improving Skin’s Elasticity - COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Nourish, repair, and reinvigorate your skin with this formidable essence by COSRX. A stellar K-beauty finds from Nykaa, the brew is packed with snail filtrate, which deeply hydrates the dermis. It softens premature ageing lines to keep the skin soft and elastic. The lightweight ampoule melds beautifully into the skin and parts it with a lit-from-within glow – a must-have ahead of the festive season.
8. For Even Skin Tone - Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule
Wish for an even, one-tone complexion? Get your hands on the Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule RN. A hero offering of the coveted brand, INNISFREE, this serum alleviates episodes of redness or inflammation, pre and post-acne. The core of this potion is retinol, which expedites healthy cellular regeneration to treat hyperpigmentation and fine lines.
FAQs
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Should I apply serum first or moisturiser?
The one golden rule about skincare is that thinner products go on first. This is because products with a thinner consistency will be unable to fully penetrate and work through thicker products, while those with a thick consistency can make their way through. Hence, as part of your CSMS routine, apply a serum first, followed by a moisturiser.
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When should I apply face serum?
It is recommended that you apply face serum at least twice a day – once in the morning on clean skin, and then once at night before hitting the hay. After you’ve thoroughly cleansed your face, apply the face serum as the next step, followed by the remainder of your skincare routine.
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Should I be massaging the serum or patting it on my face?
Serums do not require to be massaged or rubbed. It’s rather a very simple, lightweight formula that is meant to be tapped onto the skin for the best results.
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What are the benefits of using a face serum?
There are multiple reasons why a face serum definitely belongs in your skincare routine. The first one is that it gets easily absorbed into the skin without clogging the pores, plus, it gives a non-greasy feel. It also stalls signs of premature ageing, including fine lines and wrinkles.
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What is the ideal age to start using a face serum?
Ideally, one should start using a face serum from the age of 20, as you may begin noticing skin damage by your mid-twenties, like dullness, ageing etc.
