What is a Face Serum and How to Find the Best One for Your Routine

With the rise of clean beauty, indie brands, and social media in the 2010s, the face serum, a.k.a. a skin serum, became a star category among skincare lovers. If you search for either at the online store for Sephora, you will currently find over 400 results; at the online store for Ulta Beauty, you will find almost 1000 results. There is now a serum for every skin type, ailment, and trendy ingredient, as well as common makeup products infused with face serum ingredients to function as multitasking products.

If you are new to learning about face serums, this is likely an overwhelming category for you as there are thousands of influencer ads on social media that provide conflicting education. We will break down some of the most common questions about face serums so you can shop with confidence.

What is a face serum?

A face serum is a water or oil-based skincare product that is formulated with a high concentration of active ingredients. Some of the more popular ingredients of face serums are peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide (vitamin B3), retinol, and vegan collagen.

Face serums are more lightweight and are designed to penetrate deeper into the skin to target specific concerns such as acne, dullness, and loss of elasticity. 

What is the use of serum for face?

Adding a face serum into your routine allows you to target a concern based on a chronic issue or a seasonal issue. If your skin is looking dry in the winter, you may want to use a serum with collagen or hyaluronic acid. If your skin is looking dull in the summer, you may want to use a serum with vitamin C.

What is the difference between a serum and face oil?

A serum is most often a water-based formula that is made to target specific skin concerns. (See above.) A face oil is a formula made from the extracts of plants, seeds, nuts, and sometimes essential oils. Both can provide hydration, but face oils more so seal in the moisture by strengthening your skin’s natural protective barrier. Face oils can be used interchangeably or mixed with a moisturizer. This is why you could need both a serum and moisturizer in your routine but can opt for face oil instead of a moisturizer. 

Face serums will fully absorb into the skin; face oils may leave you with a dewy or slightly oily finish as the formulas are thicker.

What is the difference between a serum and moisturizer?

Face serums address specific skin concerns while moisturizers provide hydration and strengthen your skin’s natural protective barrier. Face serums might also address hydration, but they are usually formulated specifically to address issues like fine lines, acne, and dull skin.

How to Use Face Serum

It is very simple to integrate a face serum into your skincare routine. After you cleanse and tone your face, drop 2-3 drops of your formula onto your fingertips or into the palm of your hand. Bring your hands up to your face and gently massage the formula into your skin, especially on the areas you wish to target, until it is absorbed fully. 

It is important to be gentle, especially around your eyes, and avoid tugging on your skin as you massage the formula into your pores. Follow your serum with a moisturizer and sunscreen.

If your face serum is oil-based, like ours, you can use the serum towards the end of your routine or in place of your moisturizer.

Unless your face serum specifically tells you not to apply daily, most serums are recommended for daily use in your skincare routine.

Do I really need a face serum?

While we love a minimalist skincare routine, adding in a face serum allows you to target your specific concerns, regardless if you’re a 18-year-old looking to rid your skin of acne scars, or a 60-year-old looking to provide extra hydration to your thinning skin. The benefits of using a face serum will easily outweigh having your moisturizer as your only treatment in your routine.

Is the J&L Naturals Skin Serum right for you?

J&L Naturals Skin Serum has five different formulations that address all skin types and common ailments including dullness, flakiness, sensitivity, and acne. You only need 2-3 drops per use which means our 1oz bottle can easily last you three months, making our $29.99 price point go a lot further than many other serums listed at major retailers.

Like every other J&L product, our skin serum is made with all-natural ingredients and is packaged in zero-waste packaging. 

If you are looking to elevate your skincare routine with a product that feels specially formulated for you, our Skin Serum is a great choice.

Click here to buy our Skin Serum or build your own bundle to purchase at a discounted rate.