I don't think I understand what serums are. Don't laugh!

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Seriously, don't laugh,can someone explain what they're meant to do? When do you use them? I thought they were to super moisture your skin but they just feel odd and I end up washing my face after 5 mins.

I've used Aldi soy serum- felt nice but stung like MF!

Hyorlonic (sp?) Made my skin drier!

The Ordinary Buffet- horrible and and tacky.

I have sensitive skin which is dry around the T zone and feel my skin needs a bit more help sometimes. What should I be using?

You need Sali Hughes' book Pretty Honest. It explains everything.

(I'm not Sali and I don't know her)

Serums are for specific skin problems. So for example I get tiny surface pimple so I use sacylic acid serum to stop that. I also use niacinamid to fade scars. I put on the serums and go and do something else til they're dry then slap on a moisturiser, then oil or retinoid if night or sunscreen if day. What kind of skin problem are you trying to fix first rather than just using any serum?

I take my cue from adverts as they're legally required to tell the truth, or at least not to lie.
I have yet to see one that says they do anything more startling than 'minimise the appearance of wrinkles' - which is also exactly what they say about moisturisers.
You would think, wouldn't you, that they'd be telling the world if they were doing anything more.

What kind of skin problem are you trying to fix first rather than just using any serum? Dry skin

The best one (but also bloody expensive) I’ve used is Pai Calming one.
I also like S5 range and ARK. My skin always annoyingly responds best to the ones that cost the most.
REN is sometimes on offer so I might get that next.
I have dry, reactive, sensitive skin.

I normally use in the morning before CC cream and I use something richer at night- usually Pai rosehip oil or LRP Cicaplast Baume.
I sound like an advert for Pai don’t I but honestly I’ve used so many products that make my face sore and these don’t.

The only serum that works for me is Vit C , i use Skin Ceuticals .it’s the best . But as PP said always moisturise afterwords .
I spent a fortune on Barbara Strum serums, and they were a huge waste of money . They did absolutely nothing.

I'll look into all these,thanks

Not serums (cos as you've probably gathered, I think they're mostly a scam) but I have sensitive skin and I use wheatgerm oil and almond oil for pretty much everything.

Floisme I am thinking along the same lines tbh. I have tried oils in the past ( totally up for budget options, not swayed by brand names) but don't get on with them,they seem to lock the heat of my skin in and irritate it further,which is a shame as that's right up my street.

I’ve recently started using the new LRP hydrlauric (?) one and despite the cloying fragrance my skin is definitely benefitting from it. It’s not really dry at all anymore.

The only thing I use a serum for is like a make up primer. My foundation looks much better when I use them.

I can't use one which is heavily fragrances,how strong is it?

It’s the only thing I use with fragrance in (usually it irritates my skin) so I might be over-sensitive but I think for something you put next to your nose it is too strong and I hate it for a minute or two and then i obviously get used to it and stop smelling it.

Dame if you have dry skin try hyaluronic acid based serums under a light moisturiser, don't go for thicker creams as it needs to soak in. I see you've tried some oils but there are some lovely lighter non greasy ones perhaps from nuxe that could then be used over the moisturiser to lock in in. Also look at your foundation (if you use any) and try for a moisturiser rich one as well. Be very careful with what you are using to wash your face as well. It should never feel tight or squeaky.

Sorry just saw you tried one hyaluronic but if it was aldi then maybe try a better one? I got an amazing one in my birch box the other month. Will see if I can find it in my hoard.

Hyaluronic serums should be applied to still slightly damp skin because the molecules need something "watery" to cling to and do their thing. Otherwise they slurp moisture out and you have the opposite effect ie drying.
Serums need to go under moisturiser, which in turn needs to go under any oils.

I rate Nip and Fab Dragon's Blood a lot, love it. I'm 2 weeks into the Vichy 89 one so difficult to say at the moment if it's any better. I loathed the Ordinary one which was like rubbing watery snot onto my face.

Trick is to put the serum on then wait 20 mins or so before anything else goes on.

Serums def not a waste of money. Cleansers and moisturisers, unless containing actives, probably are.

Vit C won't moisturiser, but will retexture (and brighten) making it easier for a simple hydrating moisturiser to do its job.

I use ELDW, works perfectly with no reaction so happy with that and contrary to popular opinion it doesn't dry me out thank goodness as I love it.

Oils over a moisturiser? That sounds interesting.

I use E45 to wash my face , occasionally TBS camomile balm with a coolish wash cloth.

Moisturiser - Aveeno,Vaseline Intensive care,No7 hydraluminois, TBS aloe,Eucerin ( all these are good for my skin ,I just feel they need a little boost)

I think you've been given some really confusing advice on here. Primers, salacylic acid etc are not serums.

Hylaronic acid can feel dry and tight and I've never found a nice one.

The ordinary is over-rated and I wouldn't bother.

A really nice, easy serum to start with is Vichy 89.

A woman in Boots once tried to sell me a serum.

She referred to it as ‘semen’

I had to walk away

After using two Hyaluronic serums , one from skin ceuticals and another from Barbara strum , I found absolutely no significant difference or change , so I stopped them, but if I stop using vit C, retinol, my skin looks dull . So yes I think they are just an overhyped thing, the Acai berry of skincare.

I've just googled and ordered the Vichy one as it was 30% off. Reviews were excellent. I will report back.

Any other advice feel free to post please, I used to know everything there is to know about make up and skin care and now I feel o know nothing and I'm a bit of a dinosaur

My regime is fairly straightforward and easy to implement.

A.m - vitamin c and SPF
P.m - retinol
Acid toners
Dermarolling
Serum when I'm feeling a bit dry

I think my face would fall off if I used all that

Ruggy how often do you Derma roller and how deep? I bought one and then it hurt so I only used it once (pathetic 🤣). Maybe I should try again.