Written by Janu Yasotharan
If you're looking to take your skin care routine to the next level, it might be time to introduce serums into the mix!
Professional Skin Therapist, Nyssa Grays, tells us that serums are a topical treatment packed with a concentrated amount of active ingredients to target specific skin concerns. Though serums were traditionally water-based, there are now serums available that are also oil-based. Water-based serums do a better job of targeting dehydration and increasing luminosity, while oil-based serums tend to focus more on improving the skin's barrier and sealing in hydration. In general, serums are formulated to penetrate the skin more efficiently than a mask or moisturizer would - water-based serums even more so than oil. Meaning, serums would be the more potent alternative to get the effects of active ingredients.
Though everyone's skin is different, the constant is that for the above reasons, serums should be applied post cleanser and toner and pre-moisturizer/cream. Grays tells us that "like attracts like", so your toner, which is likely water-based, is the perfect priming product for a primarily water-based serum. Applying your moisturizer or cream on top of your serum will lock in this concentrated ingredient mix.
Depending on what the active ingredients are in your serum, Grays tells us that you could apply them on dry or damp skin. However, Dermalogica serums are specifically recommended for use on damp skin for increased absorption. The formula of your serum would also impact whether you'd use them as part of your AM and/or PM routine. Grays encourages us to use serums generously all over our face, neck, and décolleté. If you'd like to find the best serum/treatment for your wants and needs, Grays recommends booking a free virtual consultation with one of our Professional Skin Therapists.
But in the meantime, let's get into some of our primarily water-based serums! Please note that all of the below serums are meant to be applied on cleansed skin that can be slightly damp for deeper penetration.
Concern/Targets: Hyperpigmentation, Brightening
Product: NEW PowerBright Dark Spot Serum
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Hexylresorcinol, Shiitake Mushroom, Ashwagandha, Black Current, Peony Flower
The Details: This serum fades dark spots in just days and helps prevent future dark spots. It also brightens and boosts the skin’s natural luminosity.
How to: Apply on the face and neck. Allow to dry before continuing with your AM skin care routine.
Concern/Targets: Tech Neck, Signs of Aging on Neck and Décolleté area
Product: Neck Fit Contour Serum
Key Ingredients: Rye Seed Extract, Rambutan Extract, Flex Lift Contour Technology
The Details: This firming serum is a skin care workout for your neck and décolleté. It visibly lifts, tightens, firms, and tones the neck and décolleté. It also smoothes fine lines and helps protect skin against pollution, as well as reduces the appearance of skin aging.
How to: Turn applicator ON. Tilt your chin up and roll the applicator over the entire neck, from the décolleté up to the jawline. Gently squeeze the tube to dispense a thin layer of serum while rolling. Return the applicator to the OFF position and continue rolling it in an upward motion over the skin to massage in the serum. Keep the chin up until serum dries. Then apply your recommended Dermalogica moisturizer, if needed. Use this serum in your AM and PM routine.
Concern/Targets: Hyperpigmentation, Brightening, Fine lines
Product: BioLumin-C Serum
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C Complex, Lactic Acid, Chia Seed Oil
The Details: This high-performance serum enhances the skin’s natural defence system to brighten, firm and help dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It exfoliates and reduces unbalanced pigmentation, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and also prevents and corrects free radical damage.
How to Dispense a full dropper and smooth over face and neck in your AM and PM routine, after toning and before moisturizing.
Concern/Targets: Breakouts, Skin Aging
Product: AGE Bright Clearing Serum
Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Age Bright Complex, Niacinamide, Resurrection Plant, White Shiitake Mushroom
The Details: This active two-in-one serum clears and helps prevent breakouts while reducing visible skin aging. It works with the skin’s natural microbiome for clearer, brighter skin and both hydrates and smoothes the skin, promoting a brighter, more even skin tone.
How to: Apply a thin layer and allow it to dry. Use all over the face and under your recommended Dermalogica moisturizer twice a day, as needed.
Concern/Targets: Dryness, Uneven skin tone, Signs of skin aging
Product: Multivitamin Power Serum
Key Ingredients: Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C
The Details: This serum is excellent for increased defence against skin aging. It helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles while providing antioxidant protection. While retexturizing and revitalizing the skin, this serum also helps decrease hyperpigmentation.
How to: Smooth over cleansed face and neck after toning in both your AM and PM routines.
Concern/Targets: Signs of skin ageing
Product: Phyto-Nature Firming Serum
Key Ingredients: Next Generation Hyaluronic Acid, Madagascar Green Coffee Beans, Sapphire-Bound Peptides
The Details: This dual-phase serum restores and preserves the nature of younger-looking skin by reducing the appearance of premature skin aging. It helps firm skin and reinforces skin defences to counter visible signs of skin aging accelerated by your exposomes (environment and lifestyle), and visibly tightens skin while delivering a filler effect. This serum will also visibly revitalize skin and help decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
How to: Dispense 1-2 pumps into the palm of your hand. Blend the two ‘phases’ of the serum and smooth over the face and neck. Can be used during your AM and/or PM routine. Follow with your moisturizer.
Product: UltraCalming Serum Concentrate
Key Ingredients: UltraCalming Complex, Designer Peptides, Sterols of Evening Primrose, Sunflower, and Avocado
The Details: This super-concentrated serum helps calm, restore and defend sensitized skin. It eases sensitization, helps defend against future triggers, works to decrease impacts of triggers on sensitive/reactive skin to prevent flareups, and helps enforce the skin’s lipid layer.
How to: After cleansing and spraying with UltraCalming Mist, apply a generous amount to the face, neck and chest with light, upward strokes. Use twice daily, in both your AM and PM routines. For additional moisturization, follow the application with Barrier Repair or recommended Dermalogica moisturizer.
