BEAUTY

The 20 Best Oils & Serums for face | Radiant Skin Guide

"Achieve a Glowing Complexion with These Top Picks"

Getting a glowing, young look is easy with many face oils and serums out there. This guide shows the top 20 that can make your skin look new. They help with dullness and fine lines12.

If you have oily skin, acne, or signs of aging, this guide is for you. It gives expert advice and tips to improve your skincare. Learn about ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. Find out how to mix serums for the best effects. Get ready for a glowing, young look with the best face oils and serums here.

Oils & Serums
Best Oils & Serums

Key Takeaways

  • Discover the top 20 face oils and serums for radiant, youthful skin
  • Learn how to address specific skin concerns with targeted formulas
  • Understand the benefits of key ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid
  • Explore the art of layering multiple serums for maximum effectiveness
  • Elevate your skincare routine with expert recommendations and tips

Why Use Face Serums?

Face serums are key for any skincare routine. They are light and packed with active ingredients. These ingredients go deep into the skin to fix specific problems3. Unlike thick moisturizers, serums don’t block pores. This lets the ingredients work better.

Deeper Penetration for Effective Results

Serums go deep into the skin. They help with things like dark spots, fine lines, and acne3. Because they are small, they can get to deep skin layers. This helps fix problems at their source better than other products.

Lightweight, Non-Occlusive Formulas

Serums are light and won’t clog pores or feel greasy4. They let the skin breathe and absorb fast. This means the ingredients can work well without upsetting the skin’s balance.

Adding face serums to your skincare can really change things for the better345.

Face serum benefits
Serums

“Serums hydrate the skin with humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, deliver antioxidants, such as niacinamide and vitamin C, and regulate skin tone with ingredients like tranexamic acid and glycolic acid.”3

When and How to Apply Serums

To get the most out of your face serums, apply them right. Serums should be applied to clean skin, before your moisturizer.6 This lets the active ingredients soak deep into your skin. Then, put a moisturizer on to keep the benefits in and keep your skin hydrated.

Timing is Key: Serums First, Then Moisturizer

Always put serums on before moisturizers7. This way, the active stuff in the serum gets into your skin well. Putting serum first also makes your moisturizer go on smoothly and lock in the good stuff.

  1. Apply serum to clean, dry skin6.
  2. Gently press the serum into your skin using your fingertips, focusing on areas of concern7.
  3. Wait about a minute before putting on your moisturizer7.
  4. Finish with your moisturizer to keep the serum’s benefits in6.

By doing this, your serums will work best to make your skin look better. Remember, a little serum is enough, so start with a pea-sized amount and add more if needed.7

“Applying serums before moisturizers allows the key ingredients to fully penetrate and work their magic on the skin.”

Layering Multiple Serums

You can use more than one face serum to tackle different skin issues8. But, don’t put too many active things on your skin at once. This can make your skin get red and irritated9. Instead, mix serums that work well together, like an antioxidant one in the morning and a retinol one at night. This way, you make a plan that fits your skin’s needs9.

Tailoring Your Routine for Specific Concerns

Think about your skin type and what it needs when using serums9. In Japan, people have used serums for a long time in their skincare. Experts say to use up to three serums at a time8. This way, you can treat your skin well without making it too stressed.

  • For dry skin, put a hydrating serum on first, then a serum with oils to keep moisture in9.
  • For aging skin, mix a vitamin C serum for brightening with a retinol serum for anti-aging9.
  • If you have acne, use a salicylic acid serum, then a calming one to soothe your skin9.

Start with the lightest serums and move to the thicker ones10. Let each serum soak in before adding the next to avoid clumping and get the best results9.

layering face serums
Serums

“Cocktailing” different serums can be a time-saving method to address multiple skin concerns at once, according to beauty chemist David Pollock8.

Massage your serums in to get oxygen to your skin and make them work better8. But, be careful mixing strong products like peels or retinol. They can irritate your skin9.

By carefully choosing and layering serums, you can get a glowing and healthy face9.

Best Serum for Oily Skin

The Shani Darden Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum is great for oily skin11. It has lactic acid and polyhydroxy acids to gently clean pores. Hyaluronic acid, aloe, and green tea balance and calm the skin11. It’s light and won’t clog pores, perfect for those with breakouts11.

Look for salicylic acid, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid in oily skin serums11. Salicylic acid fights acne and clears pores11. Niacinamide controls oil, lowers inflammation, and makes pores look smaller11. Hyaluronic acid keeps skin moist without oiliness11. Retinol, tea tree oil, and peptides also help with oily skin11.

The Shani Darden Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum costs $88 at Sephora12. Other good choices are the INKEY List SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum ($18 at Sephora)12 and the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum ($17 at Amazon)12.

Oily skin can last beyond being a teenager, especially for men and women during ovulation13. Things like genes, hormones, and diet can make skin produce more oil13. The right serum can help balance oily skin for a glowing look13.