Your Guide to Natural Facial Serums!

I truly believe that you can never do too much research when it comes to natural skincare. There's just so much information out there that we can learn from! Whether your face is oily, dry or highly sensitive, a facial serum may work wonders for your skin. Including a serum into your daily skincare routine is such a simple step that could produce incredible results!

Benefits of using a facial serum

Have you noticed that your regular skincare routine isn't working wonders for your skin? The main benefit of incorporating a serum into this routine is to provide a booster for your skin care and target specific areas of need, no matter if you're concerned with hydration, line smoothing or even pigmentation.

Serums often have a much smaller molecule structure in comparison to moisturising gels or creams, which means that they can sink deeper into the skin.¹ Another advantage of using a serum is that they contain much higher levels of active ingredients. Cleansers and moisturisers for example, usually contain between 5-10%, whereas serums can contain up to 70%!²

Natural serums are also great for anyone with sensitive skin, prone to flare ups. They won't clog pores and are free from any harmful ingredients like mineral oils or petroleum.² As serums penetrate the skin at a deeper level, this allows them to target specific skin concerns.

Some serums are best used at night, whereas others are more suited to the morning. Ingredients like Vitamin A and CoQ10 for example are often found in night serums as they work overnight to penetrate the skin, boost moisture and leave skin looking plump and hydrated by morning.

What technology is used in serums?

Plant stem cells
Plant stem cells are extracted from plants and contain up to 1,000 times more antioxidants than other botanical extracts.³ Clinical studies have actually shown that when included in skincare, plant stem cells can increase cell renewal and collagen synthesis, while reducing the effects of photo-ageing!³ To find out more about this magical product, check out this blog post I wrote recently on the topic!

Chlorella Growth Factor
Chlorella growth factor (CGF) is a substance derived from plants that replicate and reproduce the DNA and RNA cells that our body naturally produces. This means that our bodies are able to remove toxins, use nutrients and avoid disease more efficiently.⁴

Vitamins and Essential Fatty Acids
Vitamins and Essential Fatty Acids are incredibly beneficial for the skin, with each having a different effect on the skin. Vitamin C for example is known for its ability to reduce sun spots and boost collagen production. Vitamin A is great for acne prone skin and drying out blemishes and Vitamin E works to help neutralise free radicals in the skin.¹⁰

Best overnight serums

Mukti Age Defiance Night Serum
Consider this Mukti serum a facial in a bottle! When applied before bed, this serum hydrates, exfoliates and helps soften the skin. All while you're sleeping! Clinical trials showed that after 4 weeks, participants saw a 10% visible reduction in age spots and a 25% reduction after 8 weeks. After 30-60 days, participants also saw significant lightening and brightening in the skin.⁹ Amazing! Made with bio active ingredients like Kakadu Plum and Snow Flower, as well as active peptides Chromabright, this serum may help fight photoageing, leaving the skin clear and radiant.⁹

Vanessa Megan Resurrection Anti-Ageing Epi Cell Serum
This incredible anti-ageing serum from Vanessa Megan is formulated using Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract which is a powerful anti-ageing ingredient that may help slow down cell degeneration. Formulated with other anti-ageing ingredients like Pumpkin Seed Oil, Aloe Vera and Green Tea, this serum is perfect for anyone wanting to see a more youthful complexion!

The NEW Beauty Chef Dream Repair Serum
Just as the name suggests, this serum from The Beauty Chef works wonders while you're busy dreaming! It's still full of powerful ingredients like Camelia Tea Seed Oil and Buckthorn Berry which may help rejuvenate skin cells while you sleep and has now been reformulated to include an amazing rare microalgae which has been shown to increase collagen production by 17%! Packed with Vitamins A, B, C, E, K and P as well as Omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9, this serum is seriously beneficial to your skin! Vitamin A in particular is a great overnight ingredient that may help banish blemishes and also soothe the symptoms of dry skin conditions.¹⁰

Best smoothing serums

Zkin Line Smoothing Serum
This toxin free serum is our number one best seller! It's made with Zkin's active ingredient, Paracress Extract (Gatuline Expression) which has been clinically tested to smooth wrinkles and fine lines on the skin!⁶In a study conducted by Zkin, results showed that 75% of volunteers saw results the day after their first application!⁶

Mukti Age Defiance Eye Serum
When treating your skin, you just can't forget about the delicate eye area! This eye serum from Mukti combines Australian Bioactive Native Extracts which visibly reduce eye puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles. In a clinical trial conducted my Mukti, results showed that after 15 days of using this product twice daily, participants saw a 17% reduction in wrinkles around the eyes, and 27% in 30 days!⁹ Use twice daily by applying a very small amount (about ½ a grain of rice) around the eye area. Use the tips of your ring fingers to gently press the serum into the skin.

Andalou Deep Wrinkle Dermal Filler
If you have deep wrinkles then Andalou Deep Wrinkle Dermal Filler is perfect for you! Suitable for more mature skin that need a little "plumping", this wonderful, budget friendly product uses ingredients including Resveratrol, Goji Glycopeptide and Cupuaca Butter which may help nourish, hydrate and firm your skin while aiming to stimulate the production of collagen to help skin elasticity. Andalou products utilise the power of fruit stem cells, which have proven to deliver some amazing results! Tests results show that 87% of people saw overall improvement in skin tone and luminosity, 100% saw improved hydration, 62% saw a decrease in the number of fine lines and wrinkles, 50% saw a reduction in length and depth of lines and wrinkles and 87% saw improved elasticity of the skin.³ Simply apply twice daily to clean skin, then apply your regular moisturiser on top!

Best serums for hyper-pigmentation

Andalou Turmeric + C Enlighten Serum
This serum from Andalou is another great product using the skincare benefits of plant stem cells like Malus Domestica and Solar Vitis. These have been combined with other ingredients like Turmeric, Vitamin C and Buckthorn Oil to reduce the appearance of hyper-pigmentation and brighten the complexion. It also works to lessen the appearance of UV damage by lightening the skin and fighting free radicals. Best suited for normal to combination skin types, this serum can be applied both day and night.

100% Pure Vitamin C Serum
If your skin has any hyper-pigmentation issues like age spots, sun damage or if you suffer from a dry skin condition, then this serum from 100% Pure could be the one for you! It's full of Vitamin C which is well known for its brightening properties.¹⁰ In addition to its brightening abilities, Vitamin C can also help to reduce redness and inflammation in the skin. Great for anyone with skin sensitivities! This serum is really lightweight and highly potent.

Weleda Pomegranate Firming Face Serum
Pomegranate is well known for its face firming abilities! That's why this serum from Weleda is perfect for anyone wanting to give their skin a blast of hydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Pomegranate is a powerful antioxidant and natural moisturiser, exfoliant and anti-ageing powerhouse.¹² This serum also works well for anyone with hyper-pigmentation issues, as it contains Millet Seed Extract which may help balance and smooth the skin's surface.

Best hydrating serums

La Mav Hyaluronic Acid Hydra-Max Serum
This highly nourishing serum from La Mav moisturises, soothes and protects dry skin to prevent it from looking dull. It also contains seven bio-active ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid, Bisabolol and CoQ10 that boost skin's luminosity. Hyaluronic Acid is found naturally in our body's connective tissue. When added into skincare, it actually helps the skin to retain moisture and appear more plump and youthful.¹ Best suited for normal to dry skin types, this serum protects the skin from free-radical damage to leave it more moisturised than ever!

Mukti Antioxidant Facial Oil Omega 3-6-9
This facial oil from Mukti is packed to the brim with antioxidants and essential fatty acids that assist with collagen production and increasing the elasticity of the skin.⁹ This oil can be added to your favourite serum or moisturiser or just used on its own. It's quickly absorbed into the skin and works to help revitalise the complexion, encourage moisture retention and balance the skin!

100% Pure Super Fruits Anti-Ageing Serum
The 100% Pure Super Fruits Anti-Ageing Serum is perfect to use day or night. It's full of nourishing vitamins, minerals and nutrients too! This serum works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while also improving skin's firmness and elasticity.⁸ This is done through the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value of antioxidants that rejuvenate mature or dull skin and fight ageing. These antioxidants are sourced from the most powerful anti-ageing fruits in the world, with the highest ORAC value!

How to apply facial serums correctly!

Before using a facial serum, first ensure that your skin is freshly cleansed and dried. Then apply the serum to your face, neck and décolletage by patting it gently into the skin. Wait until the serum has absorbed, then apply your favourite moisturiser! You should always apply serums first, as moisturisers can create a barrier between the serum and your skin!

(sources: ¹thedermreview.com, ²dailymakeover.com, ³andalou.com, ⁴naturalways.com, ⁵helloglow.co, ⁶zkinorganics.com.au, ⁷acure.com, ⁸100percentpure.com, ⁹muktiorganics.com, ¹⁰livestrong.com, ¹¹vanessamegan.com)