Fashion

Aisling on Beauty: All you need to know about serum

A little Q&A session to clear up confusion about this new kid on the beauty block

Photograph: Thinkstock

Aisling McDermott
Tue Aug 25 2015 - 06:00

Serum is probably the skincare product I get the most questions about. It causes tremendous confusion on several fronts and this is probably because it is relatively new. Here’s a little Q&A session to clear up the most common types of query I get.

What is a serum?

Serums are concentrated blasts of active skin ingredients and can penetrate skin straight away. Serum normally has a gel or creamy formulation and can give skin a boost very quickly.

Does everyone need to use a serum?

Absolutely not. Only use a serum if you feel that your current skincare routine is not doing enough for you. If your skin is balanced and normal, you probably don’t need anything extra.

At what age should I start using serum? 

There is no definite age to start. Many serums are developed for the 35-plus market or those worried about lines and wrinkles. However, if you have a specific skin concern, such as dryness, a serum can help whether you're 25 or 55. Skin concerns such as rosacea will respond well to the right serum at any age (Ren Evercalm Anti-Redness Serum, for example). But if you don't need one, don't use it.

READ MORE

I’m confused about when to put it on. After moisturiser? Over foundation? 

Put your serum on after you have cleansed your face and exfoliated. This allows the ingredients to be absorbed straight away and to work most efficiently. Let it sink in for a couple of minutes and then put on moisturiser.

What sort of ingredients should I look for in a serum?

If you have dry skin, look for moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and niacinamide (try Olay Regenerist serums). Retinol works well on mature skin and lines, while vitamins C and E are good for any skin type. AHAs or salicylic acid are great for clogged pores and dullness.

Serums all seem so expensive. Do I need to spend a lot to find a good one?

No. Supermarket and budget brands often have excellent serums. Aldi Lacura Expert Beautifying Serum (€5.99) is back on the shelves, but for a limited time – snap it up.

  • amcdermott@irishtimes.com
  • Twitter @aismcdermott