Which facial serum should I choose?

Applied alone or before a cream, serum is essential for taking care of your face . Lightweight and ultra-concentrated in active ingredients, it penetrates quickly into the skin to meet targeted needs : hydration, UV protection, radiance, anti-aging, or reduction of imperfections. Follow our guide to find out which serum to choose for your skin and enhance your complexion!

What is a facial serum?

Afacial serum is a highly concentrated treatment in active ingredients , designed to treat specific skin problems. Without a material effect, it can be used under makeup. Its fluid texture (aqueous, gel-like or oily depending on the serum) allows for rapid and deep absorption.

Unlike creams, which form a protective and nourishing barrier, a serum acts deep down to provide targeted benefits: intense hydration, radiance, firmness, regeneration, etc. It can be used alone, in synergy with other serums, or in addition to a cream to maximize its effectiveness.

Please note : We often distinguish between day serum, which is lighter and more protective, and night serum, which is often richer in regenerating active ingredients.

Why is it essential to choose your serum carefully?

Every skin has its own needs. Therefore, it is important to choose a serum adapted to each problem:

• Lack of hydration : tight skin, lack of comfort

• Skin aging : appearance of wrinkles, loss of firmness

• Dull complexion : fatigue, lack of radiance

• Imperfections and excess sebum : spots, dilated pores, shine

Choosing a serum that is not suitable for your skin can lead to ineffectiveness or even adverse reactions.

The criteria to take into account when choosing the right serum

To know which serum to choose, you must first know your skin's needs.

Know your skin type

• Dry skin needs intense hydration and nourishing active ingredients to restore its comfort and strengthen its skin barrier.

• Combination skin requires a perfect balance between hydration and sebum regulation to avoid shiny areas while preserving its suppleness.

• Oily skin requires sebum regulation and a purifying action to limit imperfections while maintaining optimal hydration.

How to identify your skin type?

After cleansing your face with a gentle product, wait 30 minutes without applying any skincare. Then, check your skin's appearance :

• If it feels tight, flaky, or red, you have dry skin.

• If your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is shiny, but your cheeks remain normal or dry, you have combination skin.

• If your entire face has excess sebum and visible pores, you have oily skin.

• If your skin reacts easily to external aggressions (cold, sun, pollution) with redness or tingling, you have sensitive skin.

• If your skin does not show any marked dryness or excess sebum, then you have normal skin.

Tip : Your skin type can change over time and be influenced by climate, stress, or hormones. Adapt your serum accordingly!

Choosing the right formula

Intense hydration

If your skin is dehydrated, prone to tightness, or lacking suppleness, opt for a serum with hyaluronic acid or aloe vera. These active ingredients retain water in the cells and ensure long-lasting hydration.

Anti-aging and firming action

To combat wrinkles and loss of elasticity, choose a serum with collagen , peptides (stimulate collagen production) or retinol (promotes cell renewal) to restore density to the skin.

Radiance and evenness of the complexion

If your skin lacks radiance or has pigmentation spots, opt for a serum with vitamin C , known for its radiance-boosting effect, or niacinamide, which helps even out skin tone and reduce irregularities.

Regulation of imperfections

For skin prone to spots, enlarged pores and shine, choose purifying active ingredients such as zinc, salicylic acid (which exfoliates and unclogs pores) or bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, ideal for sensitive skin.

Tip: It is possible to combine several serums in your routine, provided that you respect the compatibility of the active ingredients and adapt their use morning and evening.

Check the composition

Choose natural serums , without silicones, parabens, or controversial ingredients. A good formula relies on concentrated and effective active ingredients . In terms of tolerance, people with sensitive skin should ensure that the serum chosen is suitable.

The different types of facial serums

The facial serum market has exploded in recent years, with a multitude of formulas offering varying promises. To help you make the right choice, we're taking a look at the different serum categories.

Anti-aging serums to prevent and correct the signs of aging

With age, skin loses collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and a loss of radiance. An anti-aging serum helps stimulate cell renewal and smooth features by restoring skin elasticity. The program includes a tightening effect that gives the appearance of younger skin.

Anti-aging serums therefore have both a preventative and corrective action . Among their active ingredients, we find hyaluronic acid for its high tolerance and intense hydration, peptides, retinol and anti-oxidants.

There are also anti-aging sun serums to protect the skin from UV rays, which have a fundamental impact on premature aging of the skin.

Serums for mature skin

As we age, our skin can tend to become dry and tight, but also lose its radiance and suppleness. We'll then opt for ultra-nourishing and restructuring serums that are rich in collagen, ceramides, and precious oils. A night serum is ideal for an intense regenerating effect and stimulated collagen production. Upon waking, the skin is smoother, softer, more supple and of course perfectly hydrated.

Radiance and anti-dark spot serums for a luminous and even complexion

Stress, pollution and UV rays can dull the complexion and cause pigmentation spots . A radiance serum will illuminate the face and even out the complexion for fresher, more radiant skin. Its antioxidant active ingredients boost cell renewal and restore radiance to the skin. Vitamin C helps brighten the skin , boost collagen production and protect against free radicals. Niacinamide reduces pigmentation spots and regulates sebum production. Kojic acid evens out the complexion by reducing melanin production .

Tip : To maximize the anti-dark spot effect, always apply sunscreen during the day after your serum.

Anti-blemish serums to purify and balance the skin

Oily and acne-prone skin produces too much sebum, which promotes the appearance of shine, blemishes, and enlarged pores. A purifying serum will regulate sebum production and tighten pores, while avoiding drying out the skin. Salicylic acid gently exfoliates , unclogs pores, and reduces pimples. Zinc will regulate sebum and soothe inflammation . Bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, fights blemishes without damaging the skin.

Soothing serums for sensitive and reactive skin

Sensitive skin is often reactive to external aggressions (cold, pollution, irritating cosmetics). A soothing serum helps calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier and helps avoid overly aggressive active ingredients. Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, calendula, or even ceramides are ideal for helping the skin regain a good level of hydration .

Well hydrated, the skin will also be better protected against external aggressions , which is particularly interesting for the most sensitive and fragile skin.

All-in-one serums: the minimalist and effective option

If you want to combine multiple actions without multiplying the steps, an all-in-one serum may be the solution. It can combine hydration, radiance, and anti-aging in a single formula.

Some common synergies:

• Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to hydrate and even out the complexion

• Peptides and collagen for greater firmness and to promote skin regeneration

• Niacinamide and salicylic acid to fight imperfections while boosting radiance

Tip : Check the compatibility of the active ingredients to avoid irritating associations.

How to use a facial serum?

The great thing about facial serum is that it's very easy to use and incorporate into your beauty routine. Here are our tips for applying it optimally.

When to use a facial serum?

A facial serum should be applied to clean skin . It can be used in the morning or evening depending on the active ingredients it contains, because some active ingredients, such as retinol, make the skin more sensitive to UV rays, for example. Most often, the recommendations are indicated on the packaging.

How to apply a serum?

3 to 4 drops of serum are enough for one application. Facial serums are generally packaged in a bottle with a pipette to make their application even easier. This allows you to use the right amount of product.

Place a few drops on your face and gently massage for a few seconds to improve absorption and stimulate blood circulation. Finish with gentle tapping movements with your fingertips to stimulate the skin.

Tip : Hyaluronic acid is best applied to slightly damp skin for optimal absorption.

Should you apply your serum to dry or wet skin?

If you're using a natural serum, especially one with hyaluronic acid, you can definitely apply it to wet skin . Water also helps the active ingredients penetrate more easily. It's also perfectly possible to apply it to dry skin. The important thing is that the skin is perfectly clean when you apply it.

Should you rinse off a facial serum?

No, a facial serum is a leave-in product . The goal is for the active ingredients to penetrate the skin and work for several hours.

Some hyaluronic acid products recommend re-wetting the skin throughout the day to further promote hydration (this has become very popular in recent years). Instead, use a mist spray to avoid removing too much product.

Can you apply a serum to the eye area?

The skin around the eyes is particularly thin and reactive. Therefore, unless it is specified on the bottle, it is best not to apply your serum to the eye area . However, there are serums dedicated to this sensitive area.

Should I apply cream after applying a serum?

Generally, the serum is applied after cleansing the face, and before applying a cream. Applying a day cream or a night cream depending on the time of day will seal in the skin's moisture . The active ingredients in the cream will also complement those in your serum.

Can you apply multiple serums to your face?

It's possible to layer multiple serums . This is a practice found in Korean skincare, for example. Be careful, however, as the goal isn't to overload the skin, and some active ingredients aren't compatible . When in doubt, avoid mixing them unless recommended by your serum brand.

Can you mix a face cream and serum?

You can definitely apply your cream and serum at the same time . Add a few drops of serum to your usual dose of cream, mix everything together, and apply it evenly to the skin.

Should I apply cream before or after applying the serum?

The cream should always be applied after the serum . The only product you can apply before a serum is a toner or lotion.

How long should I wait before applying a cream after the serum?

It is recommended to wait between 30 seconds and 1 minute for the serum to fully penetrate. You will see that during this time the skin will become less moist. This is a sign that your serum has penetrated and that you can apply your cream.

Can you apply a serum and a facial oil at the same time?

A facial oil is applied like a cream, only after the serum .

Which serum should I use in the morning?

In the morning, choose an antioxidant and hydrating serum to protect your skin from external aggressions throughout the day.

Which serum should I use in the evening?

In the evening, choose restorative and regenerating serums (retinol, exfoliating acids, etc.).

Can you wear makeup after applying a serum?

Once the serum has absorbed into your skin, you can definitely apply makeup over it.

Can you use a serum every day?

If your skin tolerates your serum well , it can be used daily, or even morning and evening for certain hydrating serums. Monitor your skin's reactions , especially when applying powerful active ingredients such as retinol or AHAs, which must be used gradually.

Can you use a serum if you have sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin can definitely use a serum, as long as it is formulated for this skin type with gentle ingredients.

Discover Day+ natural serums!

At DAY+ , we have developed serums highly concentrated in natural active ingredients , for radiant and healthy skin.

Our commitments:

• Ultra-concentrated formulas with powerful active ingredients

• Clean beauty ingredients , no silicones, no parabens, no controversial ingredients

• Fast absorption and pleasant texture

• Made in France, ethical and cruelty-free

Discover our DAY+ serums and find the one that will enhance your skin!