Finding a new product to incorporate into your skincare routine can be one of the most complicated beauty-related problems. Whether it’s a cleanser, serum, or moisturizer, trying too many new products at once can be overwhelming and harmful to your skin. It can be especially frustrating to have testing several new products at once irritate your skin and cause more blemishes to appear.
If you are wondering why you should be using a serum, let me explain how serums work and their role in your skincare drawer. Unlike moisturizers that remain on the surface of your skin when applied, serums absorb into your skin. There are many different types of serums, but they are typically used to clear acne, prevent wrinkles, hydrate and brighten, or exfoliate away dead skin cells. The type of serum that will work best for you depends on which skin issue you want to target. Serums should also be used after cleansing and toning your skin, but before you apply your moisturizer.
I’ve done some of the work for you and created a list of the best serums for skin with acne struggles. These serums are ones that I have personally tried out, and my recommendations even include a trusted favorite I have used for years.
This Clinique clearing gel has been a staple in my skincare routine for three years. I apply this gel to any acne spots with a cotton swab at night and let it dry, just like a serum. This gel almost always clears my acne overnight, which is amazing. The only downside? It can be drying since it’s so strong, so I recommend using it sparingly if you have already-dry skin. This product is easy to find at different stores, and a small one-ounce bottle usually lasts me six months.
This Neutrogena serum is excellent for dry skin, which is why I typically use it in the winter. I love this serum because it leaves my skin feeling hydrated and refreshed, something that doesn’t often happen when I’ve got bad breakouts. Even though I have oily skin, I still use this hydrating serum to keep my skin moist because it does not add extra oils to my skin.
Related: How to Get Rid of Acne, From Gentle to Aggressive Remedies
It’s not a secret that e.l.f. got a tremendous skincare/packaging upgrade in 2019. Instead of only grabbing the makeup products on my weekly Target runs, I began picking up more skincare products and recently stumbled across this serum. This one is amazing for all skin types, and helps to clear acne and improve skin quality with ingredients like vitamin C, E, and pomegranate extract.
This Neutrogena Bright Boost serum contains retinol which works to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation. I loved this cream-based serum because after only four days of using it, I found my skin feeing repaired and looking brighter. If you have normal or combination skin, I recommend this serum to improve your skin texture and prevent acne.
I received a sample of this serum in a gift, and it has already landed in my Ulta Beauty cart to repurchase. This Mario Badescu serum contains salicylic acid that helps clear my skin and exfoliates dead skin cells that could cause future breakouts. I recommend using this as part of your night-time skincare before going to sleep.
Finding a serum that works for you can be an expensive and frustrating process, but with this list, you have a great base to start your search and hopefully alleviate the stress. I hope one of these serums is the perfect fit for your skin!
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