Serums do heavy lifting thanks to a multitude of active ingredients that do everything from lightening age spots to hydrating and reducing inflammation. Here’s how to pick the right one for your face.
Niacinamide balances skin’s oil production, and natural exfoliant salicylic acid unclogs pores, so those are key if you’re looking to exile spots while you hydrate. Other notable ingredients in anti-agers include retinol (a.k.a. vitamin A), for puffiness and fine lines, and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), which reduces inflammation.
Retinol is famous for it’s skin-smoothing effects. But it can irritate some skin types. If yours is sensitive, consider a serum that also contains ceramides, which help rebuild the skin’s protective barrier.
Hyaluronic acid is a main ingredient in most anti-agers, but don’t let the “acid” scare you: this one is gentle, non-irritating and very hydrating. When you combine it with antioxidants like vitamins C and E, the result is a free-radical-fighting cocktail that reduces hyperpigmentation and signs of aging, and protects against pollution and sun damage.
