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Like baking, an effective face serum has everything to do with the ingredients. Finding the right recipe differs from person to person, depending on your individual skin type, goal, preferences, and needs. The market is filled with serums to address a variety of skin concerns, from dehydration to dark spots and acne — it’s just a matter of finding the right product for you.
Once you know some of the basic skin-care ingredients — such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, for example — navigating the labels on your serums can be a breeze. Those with dry skin should look for hydrating ingredients like the aforementioned hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin E. Oily skin types should look for serums packed with exfoliating ingredients to keep their skin clear. This includes alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and retinol to accelerate cell turnover and keep away clogged pores.
There are also a handful of different serums that everyone can benefit from including in their skin-care routine such as a vitamin C serum to brighten skin tone and provide the skin with antioxidants to protect against free radicals. To stock up on the best serums to add to your regimen, no matter your skin type or needs, keep scrolling for our editor-approved picks.
— Additional reporting by Jesa Calaor