Skip to content

Blog

What Are Serums and How to Choose the Best One

by YEOUTH Team 16 Jan 2020 5 Comments
What Are Serums and How to Choose the Best One

All your frequently asked questions (FAQs) about face serums answered

Serums are all the rage in skincare right now but what exactly is all the hype about?!

What are skin serums? What do they do for the skin and is it really necessary to include them in your skincare routine?

We took the time to answer some of your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) when it comes to serums. Read on to learn the top things that you need to know!


At one point or another most of us have likely felt clueless about skin serums. They come in small, dainty bottles and can be pretty expensive. They all make different claims - serums are moisturizing, but somehow moisturizers are still a must. Some can be oily, but they are not necessarily face oils. Some can be watery and some claim to be essences.

What's the difference between all these products? There are a lot of questions when it comes to serums so here are the answers to some of them!

ย 

What are serums?

Face serums are highly-concentrated, lightweight formulas that have the unique ability to penetrate deeply into the cellular level of the skin. Among all skincare products, they are the best at doing what they claim to do since they are designed to absorb quickly and penetrate deeper to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients into the skin cells.

Serums are formulated to revitalize and directly repair skin cells, all the while addressing a wide range of skin health factors.

ย 

How do serums work?

Serums have smaller molecules compared to other skincare products. They also only have a few concentrated active ingredients and they donโ€™t have additives such as thickeners, emulsifiers or oils.

Leaving out these heavier ingredients that are commonly found in traditional moisturizers lets the skin absorb serums much faster and deeper, allowing them to do exactly as they are designed to do at a cellular level.

ย 

Why use a serum?

Layering skincare products has become more popular as people have become more perceptive about their personal skincare routines.

Adding a serum fit for your skin needs will not only help intensify the strength of your skincare regimen but also round out the ingredients that you are applying to your skin. This will provide you with a more comprehensive approach to achieving your goals, whether it be anti-aging, brightening or even hydration.

ย 

How do I apply serums? How often should I apply?

Start off by cleansing your face and using a toner. We highly recommend using YEOUTHโ€™s Balancing Facial Toner as this will prepare your skin to allow maximum absorption of your other skincare products.

While still damp, gently massage a pea-sized amount of your chosen serum to the face and neck area. Allow to absorb into skin and then follow with your favorite moisturizer and sunscreen. Apply twice daily or as the product instruction suggests for best results.

Pro Tip: Gently massage the serum into your face using one or two fingers to avoid wasting the serum on your hands.

ย 

Is serum a moisturizer?

No, serums are not the same as moisturizers and they should not be used as replacements for them.

Although a lot of serums contain moisturizing ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and ceramides, they only moisturize the skin to a certain extent. You still need to top them off with face lotions or creams to prevent skin moisture from evaporating and keeping environmental irritants out of your pores.

Serums do hydrate but they should not be used alone since they do not have the same protective properties that moisturizers do. Putting on moisturizer is basically adding a rich, protective barrier on your skinโ€™s surface to keep all the good stuff in and all the bad stuff out.

Read more: Moisturizing 101: What Moisturizer Should I Use for My Skin Type?

ย 

Are serums and face oils the same thing?

Not all serums can be considered face oils. Although some are oil-based, other serums are water-based. It is best to know which of these two types your serum is to best maximize their benefits for your skin.

Water-based Serums
Most serums in the market are water-based. They have a lighter texture and should always be applied under your face creams or other thicker products to ensure that it can penetrate deeply.

Oil-based Serums
On the other hand, serums that are oil-based should go on top of your moisturizers. They have bigger molecules and are formulated to keep everything that you put underneath intact and moist for the enitre day.

Always make sure you know what type of serum you are using so that you can best take care of your skin.

ย 

Is essence also considered a serum?

In terms of how you should apply it and what function they serve to the skin, serums and essences are actually quite similar. Both should be applied after cleansing and before moisturizing and both are targeted to specific skincare needs.

The only difference between the two skincare products is their texture; essences are more lightweight and are fairly watered-down compared to serums which are more viscous and concentrated.

Should you choose to add both in your skincare regimen, apply the essence first and then the serum before moisturizing.

ย 

Why are serums pricier than other skincare products?

Yes, serums are more expensive than other skincare products, but they are definitely worth it since these products are super concentrated and potent. The active ingredients in our serums are more expensive than the thickeners found in other skincare products, so the ingredients soak right into your skin.

A few concentrated drops are just enough to give your skin the nutrients it needs and when applied properly, a bottle of serum should last you for at least one month.

ย 

Which serum is right for my skin?

No matter what skin problems you are trying to counter, there is definitely an enhancing skin serum that will fit your needs. Identify your skin woes and pick your serum accordingly to achieve flawless, beautiful skin all-day, every day.

ย 

Forย Hydration
Look For: Hyaluronic acid

Serums with Hyaluronic Acid retain moisture to make skin supple and nourished. It also preserves skin elasticity, giving the skin a softer feel and a more youthful appearance.


Yeouth Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($14.95)

ย 

For Improved Skin Tone
Look For: Antioxidants

Serums rich in antioxidant ingredients like Vitamin C prevent oxidative strain from pollution and UV radiation. This greatly helps in improving skin tone and will make skin look and feel smoother.


Yeouth Hyaluronic Acid Plus with Vitamin C and Tripeptide 31 for Night ($29.95)

ย 

For Reduced Appearance of Wrinkles and Firmer Skin
Look For: Peptides or Hyaluronic Acid

Serums with peptides help boost collagen and elastin for firmness. Those with hyaluronic acid will keep skin supple and moisturized. If you want younger, firmer skin, make sure you have serums with peptides or hyaluronic acid in them.


Yeouth Anti-Aging Super Serum, Ferulic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C & E ($29.95)

ย 

For Bright and Glowing Skin
Look For: Vitamin C and E

Serums that contain Vitamin C are also a great option because it increases collagen production, enhances the skinโ€™s repair process and reduces inflammation. It also effectively lightens acne scars making it perfect for people who suffer from acne.

Yeouth Vitamin C and E Day Serum with Hyaluronic Acid ($15.95)

ย 

For Acne-prone Skin
Look For: Retinol

Retinol is a great ingredient for treating acne! It boosts collagen production, unclogs pores, reduces fine lines and speeds up skin cell turnover for smoother and clearer skin.

Yeouth Retinol 2.5% Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E and Aloe Vera ($19.95)

ย 

Pick which one is best for your skin needs! Have any other skincare questions youโ€™d like answered? Comment down below! We love hearing your thoughts.

Sign up for our free newsletters and get weekly skincare articles like this plus special Yeouth DISCOUNT CODES delivered straight to your inbox.
Don't worry, we hate spam just as much as you do! We promise our newsletter will be the opposite - you in? Click here to subscribe!

Prev Post
Next Post

5 Comments

31 Jan 2020 YEOUTH Team

Hello Penny! One of our customer service representatives has sent you an email regarding how to use the products you have purchased. If you have any more questions, donโ€™t hesitate to reach out to us at gabrielle@yeouth.com

31 Jan 2020 Penny rootes

Hi Gabrielle I just sent you a message to your blog but if you could send your answer to my email as well oh, I would really really appreciate it so I can look back on it when I need to. Thank you so much

31 Jan 2020 Penny Rootes

Hi, after reading the above articles on serums I am probably more confused than ever where do I fit it in to my skin care regimen? I already have your vitamin C facial cleanser, youโ€™re pure hyaluronic acid, retinol 2.5% serum, your retinol 4.5% eye cream, vitamin c and e serum, and your day and night cream with snail extract with tripeptides. My question here is before I ordered all these things from you I purchased no. 7 restore and renew face and neck multi-action serum and no.7 Protect & perfect intense Advanced serum from Walgreens. Can I use those two serums in my daily and nightly regimen along with your products? I hate to have wasted my money on these two other serums if I cannot use them!! I am so confused I think the only thing I didnโ€™t order from you was a toner!! I wouldnโ€™t even know where to fit that in with my daily regiment as well. Help please!! Can you give me step-by-step directions on how to use each and every one of these serums along with the 6 products I got from yeouth?? Thank you for your help I just want to get a routine where I know what Iโ€™m doing and if Iโ€™m doing it right! I think I may have ordered too many products to use a.m. and p.m. . Thank you so much for your help Gabrielle

21 Mar 2019 YEOUTH Team

Hello Pam! We recommend the Vitamin C and E Serum for daytime use. For nighttime, apply both Retinol serum and Pure Hyaluronic Acid serum, back to back while your face is still wet. It does not matter in which order they are applied. Allow to absorb into skin and follow with our Anti-aging Moisturizer. Hope this helps!

21 Mar 2019 Pam

Are the Retinol 2.5 serum, pure hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C&E serums used together? If so how and when should they be used?

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Close

Popular Products

Example product title
Regular price
$19.99
Regular price
Sale price
$19.99
Example product title
Regular price
$19.99
Regular price
Sale price
$19.99
Example product title
Regular price
$19.99
Regular price
Sale price
$19.99

Choose Options

Recently Viewed

Close
Edit Option
Close
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login Close
Close
Shopping Cart
0 items