Face Serum Favorites

I gave in and jumped onto the TikTok bandwagon… and it’s addicting as hell. I’m not about the dance videos (yet) but have been sharing some beauty. If you’re on TikTok, be sure to give me a follow at agoodhueblog! Aside from TikTok, I’ve been focusing on my skin and trying out new skincare products. A good face serum is a must in my routine to give skin added benefit! 

Face Serum 101

So, what exactly is a face serum and how do you use it? Essentially, face serums contain a high concentration of good-for-skin ingredients such as vitamins, acids, hydrating properties and more. They should be applied to clean skin before moisturizer with fingertips in an upward motion. My typical skin routine order includes cleansing, toning, serum, moisturizer, eye cream and facial oil. 

It’s important to choose a serum that’s right for your skin type. If you have dry skin, choose one that offers hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. On the oily side? Find a serum with glycolic acid or salicylic acid, especially if you are prone to acne. Or, choose a serum based on the skin benefits– vitamin C to brighten dull skin or retinol/ vitamin A for anti-aging benefits. 

Read on for the face serum favorites that are worth adding to your skin routine>> 

Indulge! 

The first face serum or actually serums on my list are on the pricier side but are very much worth the price tag and indulgence: 

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum contains 15% ultra-stable advanced vitamin C (THD ascorbate) to give skin a major brightness boost. This serum specifically targets dull skin, discoloration, dark spots, and any uneven skin tone. 

At $85 for 1 fl. oz. this is the most expensive serum on the list but is incredibly effective. It has a milky, almost cream consistency that I find super hydrating for my dry skin. No joke, my skin instantly looks brightened after I apply it! 

If you read my post on my Fresh Beauty favorites, you will not be surprised that their new Rose Deep Hydration Oil- Infused Serum has made my list of face serum favorites. This unique bi-phase serum contains a rose water phase to soothe skin and a plant-derived oil phase to lock in moisture and nourish skin. The price for this serum is more palatable at $59 for 1.6 fl. oz. 

I love that it has a soft rose scent! My skin feels incredibly soft and hydrated after using. It does feel a bit slick from the oil phase yet it absorbs fairly quickly and would be a good face serum to use at night so it can work it’s moisturizing magic over night. Definitely recommend for those with drier skin. 

Budget-Friendly Face Serum

You definitely do not need to spend a lot to find good quality, effective serums. In fact, your local drugstore or mass retailer such as Target has some fantastic (affordable!) options! Here’s a few to check out: 

Pixi skintreats are some of my favorite affordable skin buys. Available at Target, Pixi offers several serum options for all your skin needs. Best part? Each is just $24 for 1 fl. oz. Here’s a few that top my list:

Hydrating Milky Serum: Great for sensitive skin that needs some serious hydration, this serum contains aloe vera, vitamins C & E, and jojoba oil. With a texture similar to milk, this serum leaves skin feeling moisturized and soft. 

Overnight Glow Serum: This serum is highly concentrated with a thick gel-like consistency and is best to apply at night before bed. 10% glycolic acid exfoliates to help smooth skin while vitamins A, C and E nourishes skin while cucumber and aloe vera extracts calm skin. 

Vitamin-C Serum: If you’re looking for a more affordable vitamin C serum, this is definitely one to consider. This serum helps to even out skin tone and brighten skin, while also boosting collagen production. It has a soft citrus scent from the lemon, orange and grapefruit extracts and wears nicely under moisturizer and makeup. The serum also contains 1% of retinol so if you’re looking for a first step into using retinols, I recommend this! 

If you haven’t tried the Physicians Formula Skin Booster Vitamin Shots, where have you been?!? These serum blends pack some serious ingredients, are under $15 each for 1 fl. oz. Each one offers ‘hydrogel encapsulated technology’ with little gel ‘beads’ that contain vitamins and good-for-skin ingredients. These can be worn alone, layered together or even mixed into your moisturizer for an added boost. There are three shots to choose from:

Brightening: Contains a blend of vitamin C, licorice and vitamin B3 to boost skin’s radiance & target uneven skin tone. 

Hydrating: A hydrating blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and soothing aloe vera instantly moisturizes skin.

Time-Restoring: Vitamin A, red algae and vegan collagen help to reduce signs of aging by tackling wrinkles & loss of elasticity. 

Unique Face Serum Blends

You can find a face serum for pretty much any skin issue– dullness, redness, wrinkles, dark spots and more. Some of my favorites are ones that blend several good-for-skin ingredients together to maximize benefits. Here’s a few standout blends: 

Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum features gold-stabilized vitamin C to enhance potency & efficacy to brighten skin. This serum also contains glycolic acid to resurface & exfoliate skin to remove dead skin cells to reveal radiant skin. I do find this blend to be very effective and love the longer-term brightening effect. I did have an issue with some slight tingling in certain spots on my face so those with sensitive skin may experience sensitivities. This face serum retails for $80 for 1 fl. oz. 

The Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum packs a skin brightening punch. Along with brightening, this serums contains ferulic acid to reduce signs of aging such as fine lines, spots and wrinkles. At just $25 for 1 oz., this one is a good budget-friendly option. I just received this and am looking forward to trying it out! 

Derma-E Skin De-Stress Calming CBD Serum contains a blend of CBD, antioxidants and omegas  to relieve redness, irritation and help calm skin. CBD (phytocannabinoids) contains potent antioxidants to soothe skin while hemp seed oil and aloe vera extract calms skin. The scent is very light and hardly noticeable. I’ve tried other CBD products that have a distinct marijuana smell and this does not. I plan to be incorporate this face serum into my nighttime routine to help calm my skin at night. 

Which of these face serum favorites would you most be interested in trying? 

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I received products complimentary for testing purposes however all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links in which I make a small commission. Thank you for supporting A Good Hue.