Facial Serums: The Skincare Secret Weapon You Didn't Know You Needed
Facial Serums: The Skincare Item You Didn't Know You Needed
Facial serums: one of those things that I think everyone *pretends * to know what they are...but really have no idea. But today I'm gonna break it DOWN. Are they a moisturizer? (Sort of). Are they an oil? (Sometimes.) Do they have magical ingredients that will turn my skin into a sparkling Jennifer Lopez clone? (Honestly? YASSSS.)
Main takeaway: serums rock. They are an absolute staple in my skincare routine...but it wasn't always that way. For me, serums were an “I-didn't-know-I-needed-this-until-I-tried-it” type of thing. But from my first serum, I was hooked. They are jam-packed with nutrients for your skin and offer major bang for your buck. Simply put—they transform your skin more than any simple wash and moisturize routine could, because you can tailor-design and target your skin’s unique problems. Now, let's get started with Serum 101:
what is a serum?
Serums are highly-concentrated concoctions with the intent of delivering powerful ingredients directly into the skin. Serums allow you to focus on a specific skin concern (wrinkles, discoloration, acne, etc.) and target that directly. Serums can penetrate deeply into the skin (because their molecular size is v v small) and deliver a very high concentration of active ingredients which makes them mega effective. AKA—nothing diluted and weak about them. They’re like a super-powerful, super-specific recipe MADE to target a skin issue—and solve it.
is a serum a moisturizer?
Yes and no. Serums can be oil-based and/or full of moisturizing compounds...it just depends on which one you get! Technically speaking, they can add moisture, but are not substitutes for your moisturizer. Think of the serum as the powerful ingredient that you want to go deeeeep into your skin, and a good rich, moisturizer can be used to create a barrier on top of the skin to keep all that serum-y goodness in.
when should i apply a serum?
Serums should be applied after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing so they can deliver powerful ingredients directly into your skin and then be locked in with your moisturizer. NOTE: sometimes less is more—these serums are super potent so 5–10 drops of it should do the trick! (Optional: you can microneedle after applying serum, but before moisturizing so you can get the serum deeeeep into the skin + boost collagen production!)
Here’s a lil play-by-play of when you should apply your serum:
MY NIGHTTIME FACIAL ROUTINE:
5 STEPS, 3 MINUTES
STEP ONE: Cleanse with cleansing oil.
STEP TWO: Use warm rag to wipe off cleansing oil/open pores up.
STEP THREE: Tone with an all-natural facial mist.
STEP FOUR: While skin is still damp, apply your serum!
STEP FIVE: Seal the deal with a thick, creamy moisturizer.
okay, kate…but i have sticker shock:
I get it, serums are often much more pricey compared to other skin items. But remember how I said they are jam-packed with compounds and nutrients that *actually* transform your skin???? Yup. That explains the few extra dollahs. Major bang for your buck. Here’s how I think of it—spending money on my skin is not an expense, it is an investment. All i’m saying is that I am very certain my future 67-year-old self will be thankful I invested in a few serums that fought wrinkles. ;) And! Mine usually last foreverrrrrr because I only use a few drops at a time!
but *which* serum do i get?!
Now here's the thing...as with any of our traditional beauty products these days, a lot of serums that are mass-produced are full of allllll sorts of bad stuff: chemicals, manmade compounds, you get the idea. Basically these things are one big science experiment…and you’d be putting that all over your face (yuck). Just a friendly little reminder that the chemicals in our beauty products do absorb into our bodies, raise our toxic loads, can throw off our hormones... Again, no thank you.
Which is why I ONLY use serums made of beautiful, allll-natural, effective ingredients. For the past 14 months I have been using Primally Pure's Fancy Face Serum (this is a fab “everyday” option for skin-boosting, wrinkle-fighting magic!), but nowwwwww I finally have the chance to get wayyy more specific…
because, BIG NEWS.
primally pure is launching 3 new serums!
Here's the exciting thing…Primally Pure JUST unveiled 3 serums made specifically for common skin concerns. I was out at their headquarters in April and got to take home top secret samples of these serums...and HOLY MOLY THEY ARE AMAZING. I've been bursting at the seams waiting to tell you guys about them and now they are HERE. Psssst: use code “KATE10” to save some $ on ANY of these.
They handcrafted 3 skin-specific facial serums formulated with potent, plant-based, non-toxic ingredients that support YOUR skin. From brightening the complexion, to calming inflammation, to increasing collagen levels, these brand spankin’ new clarifying, soothing, and plumping serums will transform your skin—naturally.
FOR PESKY BREAKOUTS + UNEVEN SKIN: CLARIFYING SERUM
Minimize inflammation + breakouts, brighten skin tone, clarify complexion. (Ummm, yes please.)
Made of bacteria-fighting and skin-brightening ingredients like turmeric oil, marula oil, and green tea, this serum will help you balance oil production, purify pores, diminish discoloration from scarring + sun damage, and even skin tone to create clear, glowing skin. (Sign. Me. Up.) If I were ONLY going to get one, I'd get this one. :)
TO BRIGHTEN UP DULL + “BLAH” SKIN: PLUMPING SERUM
Promote youthful appearance, soften signs of aging, plump skin naturally.
Ummmm, anything that fights wrinkles I am allllll over. I know I'm young, but any time an older lady tells me how much they REGRET not taking care of their skin—I listen up. You guys, we wear our skin foreverrrrr and I want to do what I can to keep youthful, bright skin for as long as I can! With ingredients rich in vitamins and antioxidants, such as astaxanthin, green coffee oil, and prickly pear seed oil, this serum will help you increase collagen levels (you know I love this), soften fine lines + firm skin, stimulate cell turnover, and deeply nourish to promote a vibrant, healthy appearance. I think pretty much every woman could benefit from this serum—who doesn't love a good facial glowwww?! I absolutely love this one and notice a true difference in how bright + nourished my skin feels.
FOR FRAGILE, SENSITIVE SKIN: SOOTHING SERUM (WITH CBD!)
Create a calm complexion, soothe sensitive + stressed skin, restore balance.
Mmmm, I LOVE this. And I don't even have sensitive skin, so I can't even imagine how soooothing it'll be for all my gals with temperamental skin! This lil serum is made of powerful anti-inflammatory and restorative ingredients, such as CBD oil, squalane oil, and hemp seed oil which reduces redness and inflammation, repairs and strengthens damaged skin, and deeply soothes to support a calm, balanced complexion. I looove this—it’s perfect for when my skin is inflamed or just seemin' a bit angry (painful hormonal breakouts, anyone?????). PRO TIP: I may or may not use this on my bikini line when I shave and I swear it fights alllll of that angry razor burn.
FOR THE SERUM BEGINNER: THE FANCY FACE SERUM
Great for all skin types, this antioxidant + vitamin-rich serum is a fab place to start! Annnnnd it’s soooo affordable. :)
Ahhh, I will always have a fond place in my heart because this is the first serum I ever used! And wow, do I still love this lil guy. As Primally Pure’s OG serum, you can bet your bottom dollar that the ingredients in this are pure + lovely…this is just a more all-encompassing option than than the others. It is a wonderful place to start your serum journey if you don’t even know what you want—because those ingredients! It is also about half the price of the others! While it is less problem-targeting than the other serums, this blend (tamanu oil, hazelnut oil, neem oil, pumpkin seed oil, elemi essential oil, cypress essential oil, and carrot seed essential oil) is sooo good for all skin types. The Fancy Face Serum helps diminish fine lines, scarring, age spots, and discoloration. I used this for 14 months before Primally Pure gave me the secret trial runs of the clarifying, soothing, and plumping serums so I clearly loved it!
After using all of their serum options, here is my main thought: if you really want to address your acne, fight signs of aging (buh bye, wrinkles!), and soothe angry skin—I reeeeeally recommend investing in the clarifying, soothing, and plumping serums! But if you just wanna dip your toes into a general super-good-for-your-skin magic serum, I absolutely love this serum as well!
facial serum 101 with kate ;)
Whew! I don’t think I’ve ever written a blog post sooo quickly, but I am just so giddy about these new products (remember code KATE10 will save ya some dollahs!). To sum it allllll up: serums rock. They are sooo powerful—and they target your exact needs. (No one-size-fits-all beauty regimen here, thank you.) Thanks to being jam-packed with goodness, serums transform your skin more than any simple wash and moisturize routine could because they are quite literally made for it. You get some serious bang for your buck here, folks. I hope this helped clarify this “trendy” beauty item! Long story short: serums are (very, very, very) worth the hype. ;)
As always…any questions for me?! Jot them in the comment section below and I’ll get back to ya!!
love serums?
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