If you are serious about your skincare, and desperate to achieve a healthy, youthful complexion, then the one product you don’t want to skip is a serum! Serums really are powerhouses when it comes to your beauty routine as they deliver a dose of active ingredients deep into the skin to address specific concerns from dullness and dehydration to fine lines, pigmentation and more! So, whether you're looking to brighten, firm, hydrate, or soothe, the right serum really can transform your skin. But with so many options out there, how do you know which serum will be right for you? That’s where we come in! Keep reading to learn all there is to know about serums, why they’re essential, and which ingredients and serums to look for, for healthy, glowing skin.
Firstly, exactly what Is a serum?
A serum is a lightweight, fast-absorbing skincare product formulated with a high concentration of active ingredients that deliver real results. Unlike moisturisers, which are designed to hydrate and protect the skin’s barrier, serums, thanks to their smaller molecular size, are able to penetrate the skin more deeply, treating concerns at a cellular level, essential for achieving visible results.
Why are serums so important?
Adding a serum to your routine can make a significant difference in how your skin looks and feels! They play a crucial role in enhancing your skincare routine because of their efficacy and versatility. Serums are not only designed to target a multitude of skin concerns but to also deliver visible results and quickly! They are also different to oils in that they are easy to layer with other skincare products and can improve your overall skin texture, tone and radiance!
Star ingredients to look for in serums
When it comes to your serums, it’s important to look at what ingredients they have been formulated with! Here are some of the most powerful actives to look out for when deciding on the right serums for you!
Hyaluronic acid a hydration hero when it comes to skincare! It deeply hydrates by attracting moisture to the skin leaving it plump, smooth and visibly more radiant.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C is THE go-to ingredient when it comes to skin brightening. It also evens tone, boosts collagen production, and protects against environmental damage!
Retinol (Vitamin A)
The holy grail when it comes to ageing, this powerhouse ingredient does it all! It stimulates cell turnover, boosts collagen production, reduces fine lines and dark spots and improves texture! (You’ll need to note though that products with retinol need to be introduced slowly and surely.)
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
Niacinamide is a real multi-tasker! Similar to retinol it offers a multitude of benefits! It helps minimise pores, improve uneven tone, reduce redness and dark spots and strengthens the skin barrier!
These short chains of amino acids help stimulate collagen production, improve skin firmness, reduce fine lines, and support overall skin repair and elasticity!
A newer favourite to the fold, tranexamic acid is the newest ingredient on the block for tackling pigmentation and dark spots gently and effectively.
How to use a serum
To get the most out of your serum, apply it after cleansing and toning but before moisturising. A few drops go a long way, so gently press it into the skin rather than rubbing. Follow up with a good moisturiser (and sunscreen during the day!) to lock in the benefits.
What serum is best for your skin’s needs?
Whether your skin is dry, oily, mature, or sensitive, there’s a serum that can be tailored to your needs! These are our favourites, plus they are recommended by the experts and loved by the BC customers too!
Stressed, ageing skin
Hubislab MineExo Peptide Ampoule
Key ingredients: Peptides, Vitamin C, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolysed Collagen
This intensive serum harnesses advanced Exosome Technology and a potent peptide complex to deeply hydrate, firm, and rejuvenate stressed or ageing skin. Packed with antioxidants like retinol, Vitamin C, and E, it boosts collagen, reduces wrinkles, improves elasticity, and strengthens the skin barrier. It’s outstanding!
Dull, tired skin
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid
For the ultimate skin brightening boost, Pevonia’s ‘C’ Complexe is a must! Vitamin C and hydration hero hyaluronic acid, work together to quite literally drench skin with repairing antioxidants, deeply nourishing skin while correcting photo-damage. Not only does it have the most beautiful citrus aroma, when applied, skin looks instantly brighter and dewier too! The perfect morning pick-me-up!
Dry and dehydrated skin
Hubislab Moisture Max Hyaluron Complex 65% Ampoule
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen,
This outstanding complex serum combines hyaluronic acid with collagen and rosa centifolia flower water to quite literally blast skin with intensive moisture restoring elasticity and balance while protecting skin cells from free radical damage.
Hyperpigmentation
Key ingredients: Tranexamic Acid, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid
Rich in tranexamic acid and other natural brightening botanical extracts including arbutin, betaine and shiitake mushroom, this light yet powerful organic and vegan friendly serum acts simultaneously on all mechanisms involved in hyperpigmentation, through multiple actions: it soothes, regenerates, protects and inhibits melanin precursors.
It radically reduces dark spots and pigmentation while improving overall skin radiance!
Ageing, dullness, dark spots
Key ingredients: Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C
This potent anti-ageing serum delivers concentrated Micro-Retinol, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin C deep into the skin to boost collagen production and accelerate cell turnover, resulting in smoother, more youthful-looking skin.
Sensitive skin
Hubislab Premium Active Revival Essence
Key ingredients: Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid, Asiaticoside, Hydrolysed Collagen,
This beautiful silky soft bio serum is not only rich in peptides, but it’s formulated with hydrolysed collagen, asiaticoside and madecassoside too! Calming and soothing it delivers deep, long-lasting moisture and softer, smoother, younger looking skin!
All skin types
Vie Collection Vita B3 Concentrated Solution
Key ingredients: Niacinamide
This light, beautifully fine serum literally melts into skin visibly improving your complexion in next to no time! Thanks to its rich concentration of Niacinamide it significantly reduces dark spots, reduces the appearance of pore size while refining skin texture, plus it strengthens the skin barrier. It also helps calm inflammation, smooths fine lines and enhances overall radiance making it a good idea for all skin types!
