I Tried Them: 3 Facial Serums, 3 Different Formulas One consensus.

One consensus.



By contributor Ama Kwarteng.

If you’re into skincare, there’s never been a better time to experiment with innovative formulas, especially when it comes to serums. Whether you’re seeking a hydrating serum to deal with dry skin or you’re looking to soothe redness and even out your skin tone, there’s definitely one that’s perfectly tailored to your needs. Because they contain higher amounts of active ingredients, serums are able to carry a large dose of small molecules deep into the skin, making them incredibly potent. And luckily, there's a world of options out there, including our three favorite facial serums listed below, to suit whatever your skin type and concerns may be.

BEST SERUM FOR DISCOLORATION & FADING DARK SPOTS

You probably know all about the potent powers of retinol. The MVP skincare ingredient is beloved by dermatologists, beauty editors, and everyone in between for its ability to resurface the skin’s outermost layer for a smoother texture and more even-toned skin.

Common Heir’s retinol serum is unique for several reasons. First, the retinol serum comes in the form of environmentally-friendly, biodegradable capsules, making sure you use just enough product each time. Also, the serum — which is formulated with astragalus, squalane, and algae oil, ingredients that work to boost collagen production, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and moisturize skin — was designed with melanin-rich skin in mind. The lightweight formula also doesn’t leave behind any residue and doesn’t pill when layered with other serums. While it takes up to 12 weeks to see full results from the retinol capsules, after testing out this serum for a few weeks, I noticed my skin looked more plump and smooth.

BEST CALMING & SOOTHING SERUM

GoBeYou Skin’s ethos is all about utilizing the power of plants, which made me excited to try this active botanical- and essential oil-packed formula. The ingredient list includes sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, and shea butter which are full of antioxidants and essential fatty acids.

This serum includes just the right mix of ingredients to moisturize, nourish, and protect your skin’s barrier while leaving behind a subtle glow. I also instantly noticed the calming effects of the formula: After applying the serum after a red eye flight, I noticed that it quickly soothed irritation while boosting my skin’s moisture levels.

BEST HYDRATING SERUM

The key to healthy skin? A strong skin barrier. The outermost layer of the skin works to keep moisture in and irritants out, and ingredients like vegan collagen, proteins, and peptides work to strengthen the skin barrier, leaving skin more plump and firm. Thankfully, you can find all of those ingredients in Kosas’s spray-on serum. Alongside those three superhero ingredients, there’s also plant probiotics, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid, all of which result in softer and more hydrated skin.

The spray formula also acts as a pick-me-up for your face. After spritzing, the featherlight formula quickly locks in moisture, boosts radiance, and visibly reduces any redness or inflammation. And on the days where you decide to skip makeup, you can spritz whenever you need an added boost, all day long.

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