Having a gazillion items jam-packed inside your skin care pouch can make you feel that you got everything covered — cleanser, toner, mask, moisturizer, sunscreen… the whole shebang. That’s a good kit, I’d say. But it’s one that can still use an upgrade. An upgrade called face serums. 

If you’re sitting there reading this, chances are you need a little more info about face serums before you’re 101% sold to incorporating it into your girl scout pack. Well, you came just to the place. This power product is one of the most raved about “holy grails” of skincare — with its ability to slow down signs of aging, incorporate popular active ingredients (such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid) into its usual formula, eliminate dark spots, and provide overall smoother skin, the facial serum has quickly become a must-have.

Here, we list the things you need to know about face serums and why I like to call it “the Fountain of Youth in a bottle.”

What is the Use of a Face Serum?

Typically thinner than a moisturizer, face serums are composed of active and pure ingredients, such as glycolic acid, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. The usual serum is made up of smaller molecules which makes it able to seep deeper into the skin and penetrate barriers to help give you the best results for your skin type.

Your usual face serum comes in different formulas: oil, light cream, gels, or the water-like consistency of an essence. The product itself is easy to use and is geared to help out with even the most stubborn skin problems.

Since a face serum is lighter, it is applied before your moisturizer, just right after you cleanse your face. This is so that the high concentration of powerful ingredients of the face serum will be the first contact on your skin, amplifying its potency.

To apply a face serum, simply get the recommended amount from the container (products usually suggest a pea-sized amount) and apply the serum to your nose, forehead, cheeks, and chin. The serum usually needs a few minutes to sink into your skin and provide you with the best face care.

Some of the benefits of face serums are:

• Deep hydration by penetrating your skin’s barrier
• Minimizes dark acne scars and dark spots
• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
• Improves brightness of dull skin
• Plumps up the skin
• Anti-aging
• Helps in managing oily skin
• Exfoliates your skin and keeps it fresh

You can say that face serums are a single answer to numerous troubled skin care prayers. Plus, there are so many kinds to choose from depending on your skin’s needs. Here are a few things you should know about different kinds of face serums on the market:

Exfoliating Face Serum

This serum smoothes out our complexion by getting rid of stubborn dead skin cells, remove signs of sun damage, and return the color of the skin to its natural state. You can also use this serum to brighten your complexion as getting rid of dirt can actually brighten up our faces. If you struggle with dull skin and flakiness, you can give this serum a try.

Anti-Aging Face Serum

This serum variant is incredibly popular, and ultra-useful if you have been exposed to sun damage resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, and dry skin. One of the most raved-about types of anti-aging serum is the vitamin C serum. 

Hydrating Serum

Most serums are incredible for hydrating the skin, as a typical serum contains molecules that are able to get into the deepest of the skin’s barriers, but hydrating serums are specifically packed with ingredients that target and repair dry, damaged skin. Use this type of serum to give the skin a moisture boost, which is sure to give great results when paired with a moisturizer.

Reparative Facial Serum

This facial serum is perfect if you’re someone who struggles with a damaged moisture barrier or has simply suffered a ton of heat damage on the skin. Whatever your woes are, you should definitely use a reparative serum if you’re looking for replenishing skincare products.

Anti-Acne Serum

If you struggle with oiliness and acne, this is the product that contains antimicrobial properties fit to help your skin. Some of the most common ingredients found in this serum are AHAs and BHAs as well as citric acid and zinc.

What is the Difference Between a Serum and Moisturizer?

Actually, it shouldn’t be a ‘versus’. Face serums and moisturizers each help your skin in their own unique way. One is as important a piece to your skincare puzzle as the other.

They serve your skin differently — serums are more for skin troubles, such as dark acne spots, wrinkles, dull skin, etc. They are typically the pricier ones, but that’s because of the pure and potent ingredients they have. A serum typically contains more active ingredients than moisturizers, such as hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and vitamin C that help your skin fight signs of aging, maintain plumpness, and more.

Meanwhile, moisturizers, as the name suggests, are meant to keep your skin hydrated by providing moisture or preventing water loss. Moisturizers and face serums can be combined for more stubborn skin problems, because your moisturizer can actually help seal in the serum to your face, making it twice as effective.

Do I Need a Face Serum?

As great and versatile as they are, face serums aren’t for everyone because they have varying effects on different skin types. For people with chronic skin conditions like rosacea or eczema, the serum could penetrate too rapidly because of weakened skin barriers and cause skin irritation. 

Meanwhile, it is a great match for acne-prone skin types. The best face serum for this skin type is usually the one that is non-greasy and contains no comedogenic ingredients. Its non-greasy finish is also perfect for those who prefer a light to weightless feel from their skin products.

The best face serum for dry skin, meanwhile, is a vitamin C serum or a serum rich in hyaluronic acid. A vitamin C serum is great for your skin if you’re looking for anti-aging properties, because vitamin C aids in your body’s natural collagen synthesis. So, a serum to keep wrinkles at bay would be on your dehydrated skin. The serum we recommend for dry skin types is also hyaluronic acid rich serums, which are great for locking in moisture for your face.

Which Serum is Best for the Face?

Don’t get overwhelmed with the plethora of serum types and brands. In choosing serums, it’s all about paying attention to what your skin needs, then matching it with the face serum that can get the work done.

If you need a recommendation to start your journey into the magical world of face serums, the Alpha Arbutin Serum by Precious Skin is a good place to start! It is perfect for Filipinas struggling with dark acne spots — which makes all of us — as it is infused with the purest form of collagen and arbutin. And that’s just one of the many wonders it will work on your skin, which you’ll find out as you go further into your face serum journey.

Want to know more tips to improve your nightly skincare routine? Read our guide here.

With the rise of skincare trends came the hype on serums. There are so many different types targeting different skin issues — whether you have dry skin, acne-prone skin, or dark marks, there seems to be a serum for everything. 

So what are serums anyway and why are they so important in a skincare routine? 

Serums are skincare products usually in gel, oil, or liquid form. They are meant to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients to your skin and therefore are able to penetrate your skin deeper and provide the best results. 

With that said, it’s not difficult to understand that serums play the biggest role in your entire skincare routine. Serums come in different forms and have different jobs. So it’s important to know what specific skin issue you want to target and to find the serum that can deliver your desired results. 

For Filipinas like me who struggle with dark spots left by the ghosts of acne’s past, I may have finally found the perfect serum for our skin woes — the Alpha Arbutin Serum by Precious Skin. In this review, I dive deep into this skincare product to help you determine if this is the serum you need to complete your skincare routine. 

ABOUT THE ALPHA ARBUTIN SERUM BY PRECIOUS SKIN

Precious Skin is a premium skincare line in Thailand dedicated to providing superior-quality skincare products and supplements. They have an arsenal of beauty products that each target common skin concerns. One of their most recent collections is their Alpha Arbutin + Collagen series, complete with over 9 different products all infused with the purest and most effective form of arbutin and packed with collagen.

The recent cult favorite in the Alpha Arbutin + Collagen Series is the Alpha Arbutin Collagen Serum which helps supply your skin with the antioxidants and minerals it needs to rejuvenate and unleash your radiant flow. 

ALPHA ARBUTIN SERUM BENEFITS

Infused with the purest form of active ingredients arbutin and collagen, the Alpha Arbutin Serum is a host to a variety of skin benefits, which include:

• Evening out pigmentation
• Lightening aging spots and scars
• Reducing damage caused by UV rays
• Improving uneven complexion
• Fading and preventing dark spots

The best part about it is it’s suitable for all skin types! Especially for Filipinas like me with acne-prone and oily skin, we often struggle to find a serum that won’t irritate our face and cause acne breakouts. But I can assure you that the Alpha Arbutin Serum won’t be the reason behind your acne problems, as it’s good for all skin types — whether normal, oily, combination, dry, or even sensitive.

CORE INGREDIENTS OF THE ALPHA ARBUTIN SERUM

The Alpha Arbutin Serum has two core ingredients: the purest and most effective form of arbutin and collagen. These two are prime skincare ingredients, each a powerhouse of skin benefits.

• Arbutin — molecule extracted from the bearberry plant that prevents melanin formulation (which is the culprit behind dark spots and uneven skin tone!). It functions as an inhibitor that allows for whiter and brighter skin. 
• Collagen — a natural protein produced by your body that works to improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and provide a plump, youthful effect. Though our bodies naturally produce collagen, production slows down as we age. So we need to give it its ideal supply through serums like this or by consuming collagen supplements.

HOW TO USE THE ALPHA ARBUTIN SERUM

The Alpha Arbutin Serum is the main course in your skincare routine! It should be a part of both your day and night skin regimen. 

1. After cleansing, use the dropper to apply a generous amount of serum on your face. 
2. Gently spread the serum across all parts of your face, making sure you’re targeting problem areas. 
3. Allow the serum to absorb before moving on to the next step of your routine.

WHERE TO BUY ALPHA ARBUTIN SERUM

Now for only ₱250, you can boost your skin and pave the way for a radiant, youthful glow. Glass skin may just be possible with this product! 

OUR VERDICT

For as long as I can remember, I have been struggling with oily, acne-prone skin. So it’s hard for me to just try any skincare product in the market and risk a horrible acne breakout! 

In search of a brightening serum that’s safe for my skin, I found Alpha Arbutin and I must say, I am happy I did. I was immediately sold after I heard that it was suitable and safe for all skin types (not a lot of serums can say the same). 

I definitely noticed that the dark spots on my face significantly lightened. Dare I say, “almost invisible” even. My skin is not yet perfect and I still have a long way to go, but nevertheless, I’m confident that I’ll be repurchasing and using this serum for a long time. Maybe clear, flawless, glass skin is not such a long shot after all. 

Alpha Arbutin Serum

Ingredients, texture, absorption, and visible results — the Alpha Arbutin Serum exceeded my expectations in every aspect.

It not only deserves a 4.5-star rating from us, but it’s definitely an investment you should think about making. After all, your skin is your best accessory — take good care of it!