My four favourite serums

What is a serum?

Serums are skincare products that tend to have high concentrations of certain active ingredients. Things like hyaluronic acid, to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, vitamin C, to brighten the skin and help with pigmentation, or perhaps glycolic acid, a gentle exfoliant.

A serum has become an essential part of my skincare routine, and I think should be a part of everyone’s skincare routine. Packed full of benefits, this extra step in the morning is well worth it. I think serums are an essential if you care about your skin, from around your mid-20s.

I say that, having not actually used serum until my early 30s – but I have to blame the beauty industry for that. They just weren’t as readily available back in the early Noughties as they are today.

In the last few months I have been trying out four different serums. One of them is my favourite in the winter months, another is a great anti-ageing serum, the third is new for me, and the fourth is like nothing I have ever tried before! So, let’s meet my four favourite (for now!) serums.

Perricone MD Chia Serum (£59.50, perriconemd.co.uk)

This serum promises to transform dull, dry skin into a visibly vibrant, glowing complexion. Firstly, let’s talk about the smell – it smells heavenly, like marzipan, but with more of a chocolate kick then just marzipan. It contains the Chia, from Mexico and South America, a superfood, whose seeds are cherished for nutritious qualities, as a result of their richness in essential fatty acids.

The chia oil is combined with five fat-soluble vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E and vitamin A, to create a multi-tasking serum. It does feel hydrating on application, and you can use this serum over moisturiser, under it, mixed with it – it is easily absorbed, non-greasy and feels velvety smooth. You can even apply it on top of makeup to add dewiness to your face.

It promised so much for me, and I do love using it, but it doesn’t seem to fully address some of my worst dry skin patches. I will persevere, as this one is the one I have used for the least time.

Clarins Double Serum (£55, clarins.co.uk)

I’ve written about this one before, and have used it on and off since its launch at the start of this year. This serum is supposed to help with five vital functions of our skin in the anti-ageing battle – Hydration, Nutrition, Oxygenation, Protection and Regeneration. This serum is packed full of 20 exceptionally potent plant ingredients chosen for their ability to boost and reactivate these function.

The serum also contains hyaluronic acid, to further stimulate collagen production. It has been formulated for all skin types, age 25 and up, and I think it’s a winner. The  Double-Pump System, so the two side-by-side, separate vials, allow high numbers of water and oil-soluble ingredients to act together without incompatibility, instability or the need for emulsifiers. I find it does everything I want it to do in terms of hydration.

Lancome Advanced Genifique (£59, lancome.co.uk)

Kate Middleton is a big fan of Lancome – that’s some endorsement. This is, I have to admit, one of the first Lancôme skincare products I have used in years. I’m not hugely familiar with the brand, but I wanted to give this a go. This is the updated version of their original Genifique Serum which is an international bestseller.

This version promises to repair and reactivate the skin – so repair any damage, and then help reactivate the signs of youth. It has the quickest absorption of any serum I have ever used – it just disappears into the skin on application -the theory is the quicker it is absorbed, the faster it works its magic. I found it a little disconcerting, but once moisturiser is applied on top, it feels great. It has a self-filling dropper – the click of the lid does it – but it does seem to bring a lot into the dropper – a bit much for one application for me.

Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase (£41, clarins.co.uk)

In the winter, this serum is a Godsend for my poor, dehydrated skin. I also use it after a, well, a too enthusiastic night out, shall we say, when my skin needs a little more hydrating. In the summer, it’s perhaps a bit too much, but this sorts out any dry patches that appear.

It’s a light, liquid formula – water-like really – and you don’t need much for your face. Since Clarins relaunched their HydraQuench range and discontinued my favourite Rich Cream, I find the serum plus the SPF15 version of the HydraQuench cream works for me. I’m a complete fan of the whole range, so I won’t be far from a bottle of this serum.

So, there you have it, four of my favourite serums What are yours?