Serums Simplified!

✨ Pick Your Hero Ingredient

Choosing the right serum can be overwhelming with so many options on the market. To make it simple, serums are usually divided into three main types based on their purpose: Hydrating, Brightening, and Actives. Understanding what each type does helps you pick the right one for your skin concerns. Here’s a detailed guide:

Here’s a detailed guide:

1. Hydrating Serums💧:

Purpose: Deep hydration, repair skin barrier, plump skin, soothe irritation.

1. Hyaluronic Acid:

• What it does: Deeply hydrates, plumps skin, reduces dryness 💧
• Best for: Dry & dehydrated skin, fine lines from dryness, damaged skin barrier
• Skin type: All skin types
• Avoid if: Using on completely dry skin without moisturizer (can feel drying)
• When to use: AM & PM

2. Peptides:

• What it does: Improves elasticity, supports collagen, smooths fine lines
• Best for: Ageing skin, loss of firmness, wrinkle prevention
• Skin type: All skin types, including sensitive
• Avoid if: No major avoidance (very gentle)
• When to use: AM & PM

3. Ceramides:

• What it does: Repairs skin barrier, locks in moisture 🧱
• Best for: Dry, sensitive, or over-exfoliated skin
• Skin type: All skin types
• When to use: AM & PM

4. Squalane (Oil / Hydrating Serum):

• What it does: Lightweight oil, locks in moisture, strengthens skin barrier, soothes dry or sensitive skin
• Best for: Dry or dehydrated skin, sensitive skin, prevents water loss
• Skin type: All skin types (especially dry/sensitive)
• When to use: AM & PM; last step before moisturizer or layered under

5. Panthenol (Vitamin B5):

• What it does: Deeply hydrates, soothes irritation, supports barrier repair
• Best for: Sensitive, irritated, or dry skin; post-acne or post-exfoliation care
• Skin type: All skin types
• When to use: AM & PM; layer under moisturizer or hydrating serums

6. Centella (Cica):

• What it does: Soothes skin, reduces redness, repairs barrier 🌿
• Best for: Sensitive, irritated skin; post-acne healing
• Skin type: All skin types, especially sensitive
• Avoid if: Plant allergies
• When to use: AM & PM

2. Brightening Serums✨:

Purpose: Fade dark spots, even skin tone, boost radiance.

1. Vitamin C:

• What it does: Brightens dull skin, fades dark spots, boosts glow ✨
• Best for: Dull skin, pigmentation, uneven skin tone, early ageing
• Skin type: Normal, dry, combination, oily (start low if sensitive)
• Avoid if: Very sensitive skin, active acne/irritation, using strong actives
• When to use: Morning (AM)

2. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3):

• What it does: Controls oil, reduces pores, calms redness, strengthens barrier
• Best for: Oily skin, acne & acne marks, redness, large pores
• Skin type: All skin types ⭐
• Avoid if: Reacts to high % (use 5–10%)
• When to use: AM & PM

3. Tranexamic Acid:

• What it does: Reduces stubborn pigmentation, melasma, dark spots; brightens overall tone
• Best for: Uneven skin tone, sun spots, melasma
• Skin type: All skin types
• When to use: AM & PM; layer under moisturizer
• Avoid if: Very sensitive skin (patch test recommended)

4. Kojic Acid:

• What it does: Brightens skin by inhibiting melanin production, helps dark spots
• Best for: Hyperpigmentation, sun spots, uneven skin tone
• Skin type: Normal, combination, oily (caution if sensitive)
• When to use: AM & PM (use sunscreen during the day)
• Avoid if: Sensitive skin (may irritate); overuse can cause dryness

3. Actives🔥:

Purpose: Target acne, texture, aging, and pigmentation concerns.

1. Retinol (Vitamin A):

• What it does: Reduces acne, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture
• Best for: Acne, ageing, uneven texture
• Skin type: Normal, oily, combination (careful if dry/sensitive)
• Avoid if: Pregnant/breastfeeding ❌, very sensitive, not using sunscreen
• When to use: Night only (PM)

2. Salicylic Acid (BHA):

• What it does: Unclogs pores, treats acne & blackheads, deep pore exfoliation
• Best for: Acne-prone, oily, congested pores
• Skin type: Oily, acne-prone
• Avoid if: Dry, sensitive, broken skin
• When to use: Night (PM), 2–3 times/week

3. AHA (Glycolic / Lactic Acid):

• What it does: Exfoliates surface skin, brightens, smooths texture
• Best for: Dull skin, pigmentation, uneven texture
• Skin type: Normal, dry, combination
• Avoid if: Sensitive/damaged skin, over-exfoliating, no sunscreen
• When to use: Night (PM), 1–2 times/week

4. PHA:

• What it does: Gentle exfoliation + hydration (mildest acid)
• Best for: Sensitive skin, beginners, dull skin without irritation
• Skin type: All skin types, especially sensitive
• Avoid if: Very broken/inflamed skin
• When to use: Night (PM), 2–3 times/week

5. Azelaic Acid:

• What it does: Fades dark spots & pigmentation, reduces redness/rosacea, controls mild acne
• Best for: Acne-prone, rosacea, pigmentation, post-acne marks
• Skin type: Oily, combination, sensitive acne-prone
• When to use: AM & PM (1–2× daily depending on concentration)
• Apply on: Dry skin, layer with hydrators
• Avoid if: Sensitive or broken skin (start slowly)

Quick Tips:

• Don’t use everything at once
• Introduce one serum at a time
• Always use sunscreen, especially with actives
• Choose 1 concern = 1 serum
• Use hydrating serums daily
• Use actives 2–3 times/week
• Always do patch test before using the serum

⭐Golden Rule

💧 Hydrating serums → Damp skin
🔥 Active serums → Dry skin

💧 APPLY ON DAMP SKIN

(Hydration & barrier support)

• Hyaluronic Acid 
• Centella (Cica) 
• Niacinamide (dry/damp)
• Peptides 
• Ceramides 
• Panthenol 

👉 Always seal with moisturizer

🔥 APPLY ON DRY SKIN

(Actives & exfoliants – to avoid irritation)

• Vitamin C 
• Retinol 
• Salicylic Acid / BHA 
• AHA 
• PHA 
• Squalane 
• Kojic Acid 
• Tranexamic Acid 
• Azelaic Acid 

👉 Wait 30–60 seconds after cleansing before applying

I hope this blog helped you understand serums better and choose the right one based on your skin concern. Remember, consistency matters more than using too many products.

If you want me to write a dedicated blog on patch testing and why it’s important, drop a comment below and I’ll work on it next 🤍