Serums Are My Secret Weapon

Serums is the one thing that I didn’t understand at first. To me, they were fancy face oils that I didn’t need because my skin was “oily.” I went to get a facial and the first thing the lady asked me was what products was I using. I proudly stated some of the best skincare lines and products, impressing even myself. Then she asked, “what about serums?” I stated I had no need for them because I am oily and with a straight face she said, “no, your skin is actually dehydrated and on the dry side.” ME??? Dry? When? Where? Could this be true? Judging by her tone and stating this why examining my skin with a magnify glass and LED light it was indeed true. She started telling me how serums are super products meant to deliver high concentrated doses of a specific ingredient to the skin. Color me blown away.  After my facial and my skin analysis I went to Sephora and told my skincare specialist what she said, and with that, my love for serums started. Below are my favorite serums/ treatments depending on what my skin is needing at the time.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum- 1oz; $80

  I first tried this in their travel size version that also came with a mini of their B-Hydra and I loved it. This was my first introduction to Vitamin C and I was not disappointed so I had to save up and get the big girl size. The stars of this serum is an antioxidant complex of 15% L-Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid. Since I already had their moisturizer it was east to add one pump of this to the moisturizer to try it out to see if I would have any sensitivities. The good thing about Drunk Elephant is just about the whole line can be worn together and mixed without watering down any of the product, so I was still getting a full serving of this serum while mixing it with the B-Hydra and Protini. It addresses a multitude of concerns and my problem was dullness and uneven texture. It smells a little weird but the scent goes away quickly to me. My cousin hates the smell, so I guess it just depends on the person. It is said to firm and brighten the look and feel of skin while minimizing signs of photoaging, all I know is that I love it. It is my main morning serum.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10%+ Zinc 1%- 2oz; $10.60

  This actually came to me in a gift bag and it took a while for me to use it. Quite frankly, I didn’t know what it was and I already had a product that contained niacinamide, so it just kind of sat there in my drawer. I decided to ask my esthetician about it, and she said I should absolutely use it. I usually stay away from The Ordinary because I am not a chemist. I have no idea how strong something should or shouldn’t be or if I even need that level of strength. I don’t even have time to figure it out so it can seem pretty intimidating although the price point is lovely. This serum is to address pores and I honestly use it as a breakout is phasing out. It does not irritate my skin and it seems to speed up the recovery process. For the price it is, I keep it in rotation and have nothing bad to say about it.

Sunday Riley U.F.O Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil- 0.5oz; $40

 When I was going through a bad breakout this was recommended to me. I might get a pimple here and there, but this was something for the ages. I had no idea why I was breaking out and what was causing it which was frustrating. Having mainly normal skin, I had nothing in my arsenal to combat bad breakouts. This face oil was heaven sent and I didn’t think it would work for me only having 1.5% salicylic acid. I was thinking I needed something super strong and war ready. I was told to use this 3 days in a row morning and night and on those 3 days, strip my skincare routine down to the bare essentials; a facewash, a toner, this oil and sunscreen during the day, just the oil at night. The following week my breakout had calmed down and it was already clearing out. I have been buying this oil ever since and that was about 2 years ago. It is described as a “fast absorbing medicated dry oil to clear congested pores, treat and prevent acne and smooth the appearance of fine lines for smoother and clearer skin. It clears acne and blackhead causing buildup and debris from congested pores.” Salicylic acid can be drying at times, but this leaves my skin feeling hydrated enough to not need a moisturizer after during a breakout.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum- 1oz; $90

Just like the C-Firma I first tried this as a travel size version that also came with Marula Oil. Drunk Elephant was one of those brands I always wanted to try but didn’t want to try it for that price and although Sephora has a return policy, $90 is still $90. When they started dropping these travel size items, I was excited to see what the brand was all about. The name alone could be intimidating but as I stated over and over again, I formally used Proactive which is some of the harshest skincare in my opinion. The great thing about this line again is that you can mix and match almost the whole line without pilling and compromising the ingredients, so to start I used a pump of T.L.C., a pump of the Marula Oil and a Pump of Retro Lala Whipped moisturizer and I was good to go. No irritation at all and after I was done with the travel size (it lasted about a month) I noticed my texture greatly improved.  This serum has an AHA blend of glycolic plus, tartaric, lactic and citric acids that exfoliate dead skin cells for a more even and brighter complexion. All of this sounds strong and dramatic I know but try the travel pack. You get a mini TLC and Lala for $28.

Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum- 1oz; $92

 This is easily the most expensive piece of skincare I have used, and I stole it from my mother! Always giving and gracious she got this on a recent trip to Sephora so naturally I had to try it because anything that can help fade dark spots and marks I am all over like white on rice on a paper plate in a snow storm! This serum has 10% L-ascorbic acid, lactic acid and kojic acid and all these babies aid in the fading of the dark marks, uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. This was recommended to us for that because of past random breakouts. Sis was not in my budget in the least bit but my mom is also a skincare junkie with a bigger budget, so I just used hers and I am so glad I did. Not one to be greedy I only used it at night, one or two drops for a week then the next week every other night as to not overstep my sharing bounds. I’m using it that little I noticed a changed. The pimple I did have was gone and did not leave a mark, and it started to fade existing spots. This is a the serum is a little thicker than others but it is lightweight and when I use the Ferulic+ Retinol Moisturizer after that, you really can’t tell me anything when I wake up because my skin is on point. It is pricy so go to Sephora and see if you can get a sample of this blessing in a bottle. (Due to formulation, some things cannot be sampled I have been told.)

Farmacy Honeymoon Glow AHA Resurfacing Night Serum- 1oz; $58

 I got this in a giftset for Christmas because I really wanted the Honey Potion Hydrating Mask, so my mom figured hey, for the same price you get all this stuff. I am so glad she did because I loved the entire line. I was no stranger to Resurfacing Serums so I did what I would do when trying any new product; I laid off of any other additives 5 days before and only used moisturizing and hydrating products. This serum seems strong, but it did not cause irritation. Slight tingling did occur in my sensitivity prone places (usually around my mouth and chin) but it lasted 5 seconds tops. After adding this I used their moisturizer and honey grail face oil and I woke up to soft skin. After using this a week, I my texture did not take a turn for the worse and my skin looked healthy and glowing. It has a 14% BHA/AHA acid blend which works while you sleep. Their entire Honey Line is just awesome, and you really can’t go wrong.

I try to only use heavy hitting serums at night since that is when the cell turnover takes place, and you are at rest. I love for things to work for me while I sleep, and my face isn’t outside dealing with the pollution and harshness of the day. Let me sleep while you work so I wake up with baby soft skin.  These are my favorites and hopefully you have tried and like them as well.