let’s talk: best face serums

Up until recently, I thought face serums were an unnecessary added step to a beauty routine that was already crowded enough. Cleansers, primers, moisturizers, SPF’s, the list goes on and on. In the summer, who wants to put another liquid that’ll cause even more oiliness? Not me.

When I started getting samples in my Birchbox and reading about them in trade and consumer magazines, I found myself paying attention to this super power of a product. It’s almost like a smoothie and chia seeds. Do you really need it? No. Will the addition of chia seeds give you benefits like no other? Yes. Serums are the same way.

*here’s an article about the benefits of chia seeds*

So here’s the lowdown:

– face serums are an extra step to a beauty routine. You apply it after cleanser and before moisturizer (with an SPF so you don’t have to put on an SPF product afterwards, ain’t nobody got time for that). The good ones penetrate your skin instantly and shouldn’t leave an oily residue or feel heavy.

– there are a MILLION of different ones: brightening, anti-aging, acne prevention, vitamins, antioxidants, pore-refining, even texture, etc.

– it is not the same thing as a moisturizer. A moisturizer’s #1 goal is to provide hydration and moisture. A serum, on the other hand, can penetrate deeper into the skin to provide a variety of different benefits (see point above).

– it has a high concentration of ingredients. Think of your favorite toner/cleanser/moisturizer and times those benefits by 100. That’s how powerful this stuff is (and that’s why some of them are super expensive, because of the active ingredient concentration).

So there you have it. I’ve been able to try a couple of them throughout the years and after incorporating it into my daily beauty routine, I can honestly say I see a difference. Here are some of my favorites:

Yes To Blueberries Intense Skin Repair Serum  (main benefit: vitamins and anti-aging) $19.99

L’Oreal Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil (main benefit: replenishes moisture for everyday radiance and smells amazing) $24.99

Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher (main benefit: reduces pores for smoother skin) $52.00

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (main benefit: antioxidants) $153.00

All of these leave my skin weightless, apply smoothly, absorb quickly and don’t leave a heavy residue. Yes they are pricier than your average moisturizer, but the benefits are tempting enough to fork over the cash.

So what do you think? Would you give serums a try?

Also: do you really need toner?