Serums

Face serum: targeted care for every skin

A face serum is a concentrated treatment applied to the skin before face cream to add a targeted step to your routine. Here you will find hydrating, tone-evening and anti-ageing serums with a light texture that absorbs quickly. A serum is easy to add to an existing routine, because it takes only a few moments morning and evening and works well alongside your daily cream.

The range suits anyone who wants to give the skin one specific effect: hydration, radiance, a smoother surface or anti-ageing care. You will find hyaluronic acid serums, vitamin C serums, exfoliating serums and lines for mature skin from well-known beauty brands.

How to choose a face serum

A serum is chosen by what you want to give your skin. Serums contain active ingredients in a higher concentration than creams, which is why they are valued for their precise effect. Decide what your priority is first, then choose the matching active ingredient.

• Hydration: hyaluronic acid serums help the skin bind moisture and give a soft, plump feel.
• Radiance: vitamin C serums suit tired and dull-looking skin.
• Anti-ageing care: serums with peptides, retinol and other actives are made for more mature skin.
• Smoother skin: exfoliating serums, for example with glycolic acid, help refine the skin’s surface.

Apply serum to cleansed skin and follow with a suitable face cream to lock in moisture. For the eye area there are dedicated eye creams.

Hyaluronic acid serum for hydration

Hyaluronic acid is one of the best-known hydrating ingredients, and a hyaluronic acid serum is a good first serum if you are just starting out. The light liquid texture absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy feel. Our range includes the Collistar Hyaluronic Acid firming serum, which suits both morning and evening. You can add hydration in spray form too: the Collistar Pure Actives hyaluronic face spray is misted over clean skin before the cream.

Vitamin C serum for a radiant complexion

A vitamin C serum is the choice when the skin looks tired and dull and you want to give it a fresher look. Our range includes the Collistar Pure Actives serum that combines vitamin C and alpha-arbutin. Use it in the morning before day cream so your complexion looks rested through the day.

Exfoliating serum for a smoother surface

A glycolic acid serum helps refine the skin’s surface and gives the complexion a more even look. Collistar Pure Actives Glycolic Acid is an exfoliating serum that suits evening care. If you are new to serums, add it to your routine for a few evenings a week and raise the frequency as your skin asks for it.

Anti-ageing serums for mature skin

Mature skin appreciates serums made to keep skin firm and the surface even. Our range includes the Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing anti-ageing serum, Filorga Time-Zero Wrinkles and the Clinique Smart Custom-Repair serum. They go on clean skin before cream and fit well into long-term daily care.

Face sprays and mists

If you want quick freshness, choose a face spray. The Lancôme Rose Milk Mist and the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Miracle Hydrating face mist give skin a light veil of moisture during the day, for example at work or after a workout. A mist works before or after a serum and takes only a moment.

How to build a routine around a serum

• 1. Cleanse: start with a gentle facial cleanser.
• 2. Serum: apply a few drops over the face and neck and let it absorb.
• 3. Cream: seal the care with a day cream or a night cream.
• 4. Once a week, add a mask: a face mask adds extra hydration to the routine.

The morning routine is usually quicker: cleanser, serum and day cream. In the evening there is time for more, for example serum, eye cream and night cream. If you want to build a set from one brand, the lines match nicely, because products from the same brand are made to be used together.

Serum in the morning and in the evening

A morning serum prepares the skin for the day: a light hydrating or radiance serum fits under makeup and day cream. An evening serum works at a calmer pace, because the skin benefits from it overnight. Many people use one serum in the morning and another in the evening, for example vitamin C in the morning and a hydrating or exfoliating serum at night.

A serum texture is usually lighter than a cream: liquid, gel-like or slightly oily. A light serum suits oily and combination skin, a softer and richer one suits dry skin. Apply the serum with your fingertips and pat it in until it is absorbed. That way the full amount reaches the skin and applying the cream is comfortable.

Popular brands

The serums include products from Filorga, Collistar and Shiseido, as well as Biotherm, Clinique, Estée Lauder, Dermalogica and La Mer. Each brand has its own strength: Collistar offers Pure Actives serums aimed at a specific effect, Shiseido and Filorga offer anti-ageing lines, and Clinique offers personalised care.

A serum as a gift

A serum is a practical and personal gift for someone who loves skincare. To make the present a little bigger, add an eye cream or a mask beside it. Ready-made sets are on the gift sets page.

Frequently asked questions