Choosing the right serum for your skin type is essential for adequate protection and care. The right serum addresses your specific skin needs and type, helping to keep your skin radiant and healthy-looking. If you're seeking a science-backed serum, keep reading.
Finding the perfect serum is all about understanding your unique skin type and selecting formulations that truly support its health. Let's break down how to choose a serum based on common skin types and the science behind the ingredients that truly make a difference.
What is a Serum?
Think of facial serums as the concentrated powerhouses of your skincare routine. These lightweight, fast-absorbing elixirs are meticulously formulated with a high dose of potent active ingredients, designed to penetrate deeply into the skin to precisely target specific concerns—from fine lines to dullness, delivering results far beyond the surface hydration of a typical moisturizer.
1. For Oily and Acne-Prone Skin: Focus on Clarifying and Balancing
Oily skin is characterized by excess sebum production, leading to a shiny complexion, enlarged pores, and a higher propensity for breakouts. The goal for this skin type is to regulate oil, minimize pores, and prevent acne without stripping the skin, which can ironically lead to more oil production.
Serums for oily and acne prone skin:
AlphaRet Clearing Serum: Leveraging our award-winning patented AlphaRet Technology, this serum is formulated with salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), and additional pore-cleansing, hydrating, and soothing ingredients, to rejuvenate and clarify the appearance of oilier, blemish-prone skin.
Science-backed ingredients to look for:
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): A superstar ingredient that helps regulate sebum production, reduces inflammation, improves skin barrier function, and minimizes the appearance of pores. Its anti-inflammatory properties are also excellent for calming acne.
Salicylic Acid (BHA - Beta Hydroxy Acid): This oil-soluble exfoliant penetrates deep into pores to dissolve sebum and dead skin cells, effectively preventing and treating blackheads, whiteheads, and acne.
Lactic Acid: An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with moisturizing and retexturizing properties.
2. For Dry and Dehydrated Skin: Replenish and Hydrate
Dry skin lacks natural oils (lipids), while dehydrated skin lacks water. Often, these go hand-in-hand. This skin type needs serums that deeply hydrate, replenish the skin's natural barrier, and lock in moisture to prevent flakiness, tightness, and a dull appearance.
Serums for dry and dehydrated skin:
Mystro Revive Renewing Serum: Mystro Revive Renewing Serum rejuvenates the look of skin affected by hormonal decline associated with perimenopause and menopause. Formulated with P.A.T.H.[13] and reenergizing TAP biotechnologies, this nourishing serum targets the visible skin effects of hormonal changes—dryness, dullness, loss of elasticity, and the appearance of lines and wrinkles—to revive, rebalance, and restore skin’s natural luminosity and youthful appearance.
Alto Defense Serum: Powered by a proprietary complex of antioxidants including Vitamins C and E + 17 additional antioxidants, Alto Defense Serum is designed to defend against free radicals and the visible effects of skin aging caused by oxidative stress from environmental aggressors such as sun exposure and pollution.
Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum: Powered by the combination of 2 proprietary technologies, this super-potent antioxidant serum provides advanced and comprehensive antioxidant protection and repairs signs of aging due to environmental and internal oxidative stress.
Even Skin Tone Perfecting Serum: Even Intensive Skin Tone Correcting Serum is a breakthrough solution for stubborn discoloration and dark marks, combining two cutting-edge biotechnologies, b.r.y.t.e.r. and TAP, to help correct the look of persistent discoloration for a more luminous, even complexion.
Science-backed ingredients to look for:
Hyaluronic Acid (HA): A powerful humectant that attracts and holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, drawing moisture into the skin. Look for serums with different molecular weights for multi-depth hydration.
Niacinamide: Form of Vitamin B2, helps strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.
Ceramides: These are lipids naturally found in the skin barrier. Topical ceramides help repair and strengthen the barrier, reducing water loss and protecting against environmental aggressors.
Squalane: A highly stable emollient that mimics the skin's natural oils, providing deep moisturization and barrier support without feeling heavy or greasy.
Peptides: Certain peptides can signal the skin to produce more collagen and other structural proteins, improving skin elasticity and firmness, which can often be compromised in very dry skin.
3. For Combination Skin: Balance and Target
Combination skin presents a challenge with oily zones (typically the T-zone) and drier areas (cheeks). The key here is to find serums that can balance both needs or to strategically "multi-mask" with different serums for different areas.
Serums for combination skin:
Alto Defense Serum: Powered by a proprietary complex of antioxidants including Vitamins C and E + 17 additional antioxidants, Alto Defense Serum is designed to defend against free radicals and the visible effects of skin aging caused by oxidative stress from environmental aggressors such as sun exposure and pollution.
Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum: Powered by the combination of 2 proprietary technologies, this super-potent antioxidant serum provides advanced and comprehensive antioxidant protection and repairs signs of aging due to environmental and internal oxidative stress.
Even Skin Tone Perfecting Serum: Even Intensive Skin Tone Correcting Serum is a breakthrough solution for stubborn discoloration and dark marks, combining two cutting-edge biotechnologies, b.r.y.t.e.r. and TAP, to help correct the look of persistent discoloration for a more luminous, even complexion.
Science-backed ingredients to look for:
Niacinamide: Excellent for combination skin as it helps regulate oil in the T-zone while improving barrier function in drier areas.
Hyaluronic Acid: A universal hydrator that provides moisture without exacerbating oiliness.
Antioxidant Serums (e.g., Vitamin C, Green Tea Extract): These can offer overall protection against environmental damage and help maintain a healthy skin tone, benefiting both oily and dry patches.
Lightweight Exfoliants (e.g., Lactic Acid): Gentle AHAs can help improve texture and clarity without over-drying the skin.
4. For Sensitive Skin: Soothe and Strengthen
Sensitive skin is prone to redness, irritation, itching, and reactions to certain ingredients. The priority for this skin type is to soothe inflammation, strengthen the skin's compromised barrier, and avoid potential irritants.
Serums for sensitive skin:
Alto Defense Serum: Powered by a proprietary complex of antioxidants including Vitamins C and E + 17 additional antioxidants, Alto Defense Serum is designed to defend against free radicals and the visible effects of skin aging caused by oxidative stress from environmental aggressors such as sun exposure and pollution.
Science-backed ingredients to look for:
Centella Asiatica (Cica): Known for its powerful soothing, healing, and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps calm irritated skin and supports barrier repair.
Beta-Glucan: A polysaccharide that provides deep hydration and has immune-modulating properties, helping to soothe and protect sensitive skin.
Allantoin: A non-irritating ingredient that helps to heal, soothe, and protect the skin.
Ceramides: Crucial for rebuilding and strengthening a weakened skin barrier, which is common in sensitive skin.
Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5): Moisturizes, soothes, and aids in wound healing and barrier repair.
Mature skin often experiences decreased collagen and elastin production, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Serums for this type focus on stimulating cell turnover, boosting collagen, and providing potent antioxidant protection.
Serums for mature and aging skin:
Mystro Revive Renewing Serum: Mystro Revive Renewing Serum rejuvenates the look of skin affected by hormonal decline associated with perimenopause and menopause. Formulated with P.A.T.H.[13] and reenergizing TAP biotechnologies, this nourishing serum targets the visible skin effects of hormonal changes—dryness, dullness, loss of elasticity, and the appearance of lines and wrinkles—to revive, rebalance, and restore skin’s natural luminosity and youthful appearance.
Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum: Powered by the combination of 2 proprietary technologies, this super-potent antioxidant serum provides advanced and comprehensive antioxidant protection and repairs signs of aging due to environmental and internal oxidative stress.
Mystro Active Balance Serum: Our proprietary P.A.T.H. Technology utilizes a purposeful blend of plant-based adaptogens to uniquely support the skin's natural ability to adapt to stress and achieve balance.
AlphaRet Clearing Serum: Leveraging our award-winning patented AlphaRet Technology, this serum is formulated with salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), and additional pore-cleansing, hydrating, and soothing ingredients, to rejuvenate and clarify the appearance of oilier, blemish-prone skin.
Science-backed ingredients to look for:
Retinoids (Retinol, Retinaldehyde, Tretinoin): Gold standard anti-aging ingredients. They accelerate cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, reduce wrinkles, and improve skin texture and tone. Start slowly to build tolerance.
Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid): A potent antioxidant that protects against free radical damage, brightens the complexion, and is essential for collagen synthesis.
Peptides: Small chains of amino acids that can signal the skin to produce more collagen, elastin, and other vital proteins, leading to firmer, smoother skin.
Growth Factors: Proteins that stimulate cell growth and proliferation, aiding in skin repair and rejuvenation.
Antioxidants (e.g., Ferulic Acid, Resveratrol, Vitamin E): Provide comprehensive protection against environmental damage that contributes to aging.
How to Integrate Serums into Your Routine
Serums are typically applied after cleansing and toning, but before your moisturizer and SPF. Their concentrated formulas are designed to penetrate deeply, delivering potent ingredients where they're most effective. A few drops are usually all you need.
Remember, consistency is key! Give any new serum at least 4-6 weeks to show noticeable results, as skin cell turnover takes time. Always follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning, especially when using active ingredients like retinoids or AHAs, to protect your newly renewed skin.
By understanding your skin's unique needs and arming yourself with knowledge about science-backed ingredients, you can confidently choose the right serum to unlock your skin's full potential for radiance and health.
