Choosing a skin serum for a particular skin type or facial flaw can be difficult; read labels to figure out which ones are best for your complexion. I buy mine from my dermal fillers London salon, but you can of course get all these online.

Most skin types can benefit from specially-formulated pre-moisturizer serums. Oily skin types with acne should seek out formulas containing niacinamide, while aging skin will do better with combinations of peptides, antioxidants, and enzymes that may help protect skin from further damage, clear away cellular debris, and stimulate the production of the proteins that help make skin look firmer and younger.

Some skin serum ingredients are useful in fading dark spots and melasma on the face, while others give a glow to dull, gray complexions. Using a serum thats right for you will go a long way toward improving the look of your skin.

Serums for Oily Skin, Acne, and Facial Redness

Although serums will never replace a careful blemish-control program of BHA, benzoyl peroxide, or dermatological treatments, they can assist in controlling oil and minimizing breakouts and inflammation. Consumers with very oily skin may be able to skip moisturizer entirely if they apply a well-formulated serum instead. This is helpful since serums generally skip the inclusion of pore-clogging ingredients that even light lotions or gels marketed specifically for oily or acne-prone skin may contain.

Niacinamide is sometimes listed as Vitamin B3, niacin, or nicotinic acid. It is a practically all-purpose ingredient that has been shown to be efficacious in relieving acne inflammation, lightening dark skin spots, improving skin firmness, and decreasing fine lines. It does not irritate the skin like benzoyl peroxide, although it may briefly make sensitive skin somewhat pink (for this reason, those with rosacea should avoid its use). Moreover, it will not cause any of the annoying and sometimes serious side effects prevalent among oral antibiotic users.

Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-aging Regenerating Serum lists niacinamide fourth on its label, meaning that it definitely has an appreciable amount of this beneficial substance. Combining this vitamin with peptides, skin soothers, glycerin, and antioxidants, this Olay Regenerist Serum is a fine choice for anyone battling mild to moderate acne, especially when this condition is coupled with sun damage or minor expression lines. Consistent use should result in healthier, less inflamed skin.

DDF Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer Moisturizing Serum combines niacinamide with peptides and glycerin; although it is much more expensive than Olay Regenerist, it is a better choice for those who desire a bit of skin-enhancing glimmer rather than a purely matte finish.

First Aid Beautys Anti-Redness Serum will not clear up blemishes, but may assist in alleviating the redness and inflammation associated with them. It soothes irritated skin with bisabolol and aloe vera, and contains caffeine to temporarily mask the appearance of ruddiness.

Isomers Absolutes Anti Redness Serum not only makes skin look healthier and younger, but also is terrific for minimizing irritation and that embarrassing flushed appearance. Consumer advocate Paula Begoun recommends it for sensitive skin, including those with rosacea.

Serums for Dry Skin, Dark Spots, and Wrinkles

These types of serums are usually very rich in peptides and antioxidants, which may decrease the appearance of existing wrinkles and stop or slow the formation of new ones. Some of these are outlandishly priced, costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars an ounce. While such products are great for stimulating the economy, they really arent worth that much money. Good, highly effective dry skin serums are available at prices ranging from £15 to £100, and it is advisable to strongly resist the temptation to spend any more than that.

Paulas Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate, for Normal to Very Dry Skin is richly hydrating due to its oil content, and loaded with plenty of skin-protective ingredients. Very dry skin with wrinkles should see an improvement within a few weeks of use, and its retinol content may help lessen the appearance of dark patches and disfiguring sun spots. Using this along with other retinol products or prescription Retin-A is overkill, though, and may end up irritating the skin.

Vichy LiftActiv Retinol HA Night is very good for sun-damaged and wrinkled skin; again, it may irritate skin that is already treated with Vitamin A or its derivatives (see above). Meant to be applied at night prior to other treatments, it adds hydration and a perceptible plumping effect with the excellent water-binding agent hyaluronic acid; this relatively expensive ingredient makes Vichy LiftActivs £42 price tag well worth the expenditure.

One serum that costs a little over £100, but might still be worth a splurge is Dr. Imbers Youth Corridor Antioxidant Boost Skin Serum. At £125, it contains an interesting combination of the free radical fighting Vitamins C and E; plus the natural hormone and popular sleep aid melatonin. Melatonin may help antioxidants work better; there is some buzz about it relaxing the skin, too; although this seems based on anecdotal evidence rather than scientific studies.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correction Radiance Serum uses a molecule called veniferine, which is derived from grapevine sap and was first discovered in 2004. This substance may be somewhat helpful in lightening small dark discolorations and patches of melasma, although it must be admitted that some reviewers find the whole vineyard concept pretty gimmicky. Combining it with a wonderful Vitamin C serum such as Cellex-C would most likely further enhance any supposed benefits for aging, discolored skin.

Skin-perfecting Serums for All Skin Types
There are a great many serums that are suitable for practically all consumers; they should make the skin feel positively velvety, while improving its appearance and health with complicated combinations of ingredients. However, many of them cannot live up to their inflated claims; for example, dont raise cash on any serum that promises to freeze facial expressions or turn back the clock on your skin by decades.

Personal favorite serums for all skin types include the following:

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector: The packaging is truly disappointing, because it lets air and light enter the product every time its opened, but this product nonetheless seems to make the skin look much fresher and healthier in short order.

Paulas Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate, which has tons of effective ingredients that are often only found in wildly overpriced products, yet comes at a truly reasonable cost.

Almost everyone neglects serum use from the neck down, probably because these products are so expensive and for the most part come in such small quantities. Yet the skin of the body can exhibit the exact same problems and irregularities as facial skin. For affordable serum-based body care, check out Boots No. 7 Protect & Perfect Body Serum, which offers a nice mix of peptides and argan oil for only £20 per generous tube.