Serums 101: How to Add Serums to Your Routine

The ultimate guide to using serums to boost your skincare products
nathalieschransnathalieschrans
Oct. 10, 2020
campaign, cherie
Cherie is an online community of beauty lovers sharing their stories; whether that's their favorite products, makeup tutorials, or skincare routines. Download the app today to be a part of #BeautyWithoutBarriers and show the world what beauty means to you!So you’ve nailed down your skincare essentials: cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF. But now you’re ready to take your skin to the next level. This is where serums come in.What exactly does a serum do?A serum is basically a turbo booster for your skincare routine. It usually comes as a liquid or gel and is formulated with higher concentrations of active ingredients to target specific skin concerns, from dehydration to acne to dark spots. Because these active ingredients are so powerful and concentrated, they’ll penetrate the skin more deeply and produce visible results more quickly.Who should use a serum?Anyone can use a serum! The best way to get started is to figure out what skin concern you want to work on: Does your skin get irritated easily? Are you finding your skin feels more dehydrated as the weather gets colder? Do you want to get rid of hyperpigmentation? Then you can find a serum that will help.How do I use a serum?My number-one tip is to start slow. You don’t want to add a ton of products to your routine at once and potentially damage your skin’s moisture barrier, making your skin more vulnerable to irritation and breakouts. Instead, add one serum at a time, using it every few days for at least a couple of weeks to see how your skin tolerates it. Then you can start using it every day or add another product to the mix. Building a reliable routine takes a lot of patience that even skincare veterans struggle with, but your skin will thank you if you take things slow. Once your skin has adjusted to using serums, you can even apply them over damp skin, which helps your skin absorb the ingredients better. What serums should I try?Where should you get started on your journey into the world of serums? Here are some of my favorite serums for addressing some of the most common skincare concerns:
Resist C15 Super Booster, PAULA'S CHOICE, cherie
PAULA'S CHOICEResist C15 Super Booster
Skin concerns: Dark spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) acne scarsThis is my favorite vitamin C serum for treating any sort of discoloration. It’s formulated with 15% vitamin C to brighten dull or uneven skin and fading dark spots, whether they’re from the sun or acne scars. Vitamin C tends to be a little more expensive because it needs to be stabilized in order to work properly, but this serum is so worth the $50 price tag for me.
Niacinamide 10% Serum , Cos De BAHA, cherie
Cos De BAHANiacinamide 10% Serum
Skin concerns: Acne, redness, sensitivity, uneven skin, oily skinNot to be dramatic, but niacinamide saved my (skin’s) life. It’s an incredibly well-tolerated active ingredient that can help with some of the most common skin concerns. I prefer this niacinamide serum over other formulas because it’s thinner and doesn’t leave a tacky feeling after, so it’s perfect to layer with other skincare or makeup!
Niacinamide Brightening Toner, GOOD MOLECULES, cherie
GOOD MOLECULESNiacinamide Brightening Toner
Skin concerns: Uneven skin, dullness, visible poresMy favorite way of using serums is with a product formulated with more than one active. That’s why this toner is my go-to for applying both vitamin C and niacinamide in one step in my morning routine: It feels hydrating and layers well under moisturizer and SPF. Using fewer products also helps reduce the potential of irritation that comes with using a lot of products!
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, COSRX, cherie
COSRXAdvanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Skin concerns: Dehydrated skin, dullness, sensitivityThink of an essence as a gentler serum. That’s why this product is great for basically any skin type: It nourishes your skin to support your moisture barrier and encourage skin repair. I use this every night before my moisturizer, and it makes my face feel so plump and hydrated with that snail-y goodness.
Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence, COSRX, cherie
COSRXHyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence
Skin concerns: Dry or dehydrated skinIf you have dry skin or your face feels extra dehydrated as the weather cools down, you can add hyaluronic acid to your routine. I love that this hyaluronic acid essence has a simple ingredient list and comes in a big bottle with a pump — basically all you could want from a serum! What serums are you going to try next?
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Ever since I’ve added these two new products, I’ve noticed a couple new breakouts in places i’ve never experienced!!! They are red painful pimples too. Two on my forehead (I never get them there) , one on the outside of my nostril (i never get them there either), and the weirdest singular pimple on my NECK! Both of these products I have used on my face and neck, however, I’m not sure what product or ingredient is causing the sudden breakout!! Or is it just purging??? Help!!!!!! Did anyone else experience this with these products??? COSRX - Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Murad - Nutrient-Charged Water Gel
👀 Share your 🏷 Derm Tips on Cherie
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While innovation is a great thing and there’s always a new ingredient or technique on the scene with many skincare tips to go along with it, we all want to know the very best practices for achieving radiant skin! 💗Now, let’s take a deeper look into all the advice and time-tested information we’ve learned from skincare experts. Share the rules and tips you’ve learned and recommended throughout your skincare journey in 🏷 Derm Tips on Cherie. For example, when and where to wear sunscreen, how to save period skin, or the best anti-aging trick you learned.
DON’T try these at home!
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With so many self- proclaimed beauty gurus in the world today, it’s very easy to get sucked into the DIY trend. Most experts and skincare specialists will tell you these homemade concoctions are not as good as they are made to be. Here are 5 ingredients you should not put on your face and why. 1. Essential Oils- The fragrant portion of plants is what makes essential oils. Modern science has revealed how fragrant oils cause problems for the skin. In the long run components in essential oils can significantly irritate and damage the skin. 2. Lemon Juice 🍋- Lemons are extremely acidic, which will irritate your skin. You can experience excessive redness, dryness, and skin peeling. Using lemons on your skin can cause more damage then benefit to your skin. 3. Coconut Oil- This ingredient causes a lot of debate amongst my followers, but fact is a fact, coconut oil is highly comedogenic. This means that the oil clogs pores on your face. When you apply coconut oil to your face it lays on the surface and is not able to be absorbed into the skin due to its large molecules. It can cause breakouts, blackheads, and whiteheads. 4. Witch Hazel- Here is another debate stirring ingredient. A lot of my patients and followers swear by witch hazel because of its immediate results on absorbing oil on the skin. What they fail to understand that it is not only absorbing the excess oils, but it is also stripping your skin of its natural oils. This can be very damaging to your skin and it’s natural protecting barrier, causing unnatural sensitized and dry skin. 5. Toothpaste- Such a popular trend and so harmful to your skin. Toothpaste contains high levels of baking soda which will mess with your skin’s ph level. This can lead to redness and burning of the skin. Toothpaste is a horrible option for your blemishes and instead I would recommend THE inkey LIST - Succinic Acid Acne Treatment As tempting as it is to try natural remedies at home, do your skin a favor and resort to stabilized and researched ingredients and products.
The best sunscreen for dry skin☀️
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