Are you wondering, What is a face serum? You’re not alone! Face serum is like a supercharged energy drink for your skin cells. It is an active-based solution packed with ingredients that target specific concerns such as dryness, dullness, fine lines, or acne. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, and designed to penetrate deeper than your usual moisturizer.
It is also better to think of it as the powerful middle step between cleansing and moisturizing. Skincare experts advise that it gets to work with only a few drops. Applying a face serum regularly on a clean facial canvas can help give your skin that healthy, radiant glow we all crave. Whether you’re dealing with dark spots, uneven texture, or want a hydration boost, there’s a serum for that. So, adding it to your current skincare regimen is like giving your skin the extra love it deserves.
What is Face Serum?
As explained above, a face serum is a lightweight skincare product that contains a high concentration of active ingredients, such as vitamins, antioxidants, or acids. It’s designed to penetrate deeply into the skin, targeting specific concerns like fine lines, acne, dark spots, or dehydration. Because of its thin, fast-absorbing texture, it delivers results more efficiently than heavier products.
Face Serum: Features
- Specialized Treatment of Skincare Issues: Face serums are formulated to address specific skin concerns, such as wrinkles, dark spots, or dryness.
- High Concentration of Active Ingredients: They are formulated with a higher concentration of active ingredients as compared to other skincare products.
- Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing: Serums are made in a liquid base so they have a thinner consistency. This helps them get easily absorbed into the skin.
- Applied Before Moisturizer: These active-based solutions are applied after cleansing and toning, but before moisturizing, allowing them to penetrate deeply.
Note: The world is fast switching to dermatologically designed skincare products. Here’s why.
Benefits of Face Serum
After looking through What is Face Serum, it is important to look for other important parameters related to it. Using this active-based solution offers a range of powerful benefits for your skin. Thanks to its high concentration of active ingredients, it targets specific concerns like fine lines, open pores, dullness, or acne and pimples more effectively than other skincare products.
Here’s what else you should expect from a dermatologically designed serum for face:
- Deep Hydration: Provides intense moisture to nourish and plump the skin deeply. Keeps your skin soft, supple, and comfortably hydrated all day.
- Brightening and Glow: Enhances radiance and evens out skin tone for a luminous complexion. Perfect for revitalizing dull, tired-looking skin and restoring its natural glow.
- Anti-Aging and Fine Line Reduction: Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and boosts skin elasticity. Promotes smoother, firmer, and more youthful-looking skin over time.
- Acne and Pigmentation Control: Targets breakouts and helps fade acne scars and dark spots. Leaves your skin clearer, more balanced, and visibly even-toned.
- Fast Absorption for Targeted Action: Lightweight texture absorbs quickly without clogging pores or feeling heavy. Delivers actives directly for faster results.
It is thus clear that good-quality serums penetrate the skin deeply to deliver quick and visible results without making the facial canvas greasy or sticky. With regular use, they can boost hydration, improve texture, even out skin tone, and give your complexion a healthy, radiant glow.
Who can use serums?
We advise that every skin type can benefit equally from a serum, provided its ingredients neatly match the skin type and texture. This is why hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid suit dry or sensitive skin, while those with salicylic acid or niacinamide are great for oily and acne-prone skin. If you have combination or normal skin, serums with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or vitamin C can work better.
How to Use or Apply a Face Serum Correctly?
Here’s how to use a face serum the right way, in a simple and easy-to-follow way:
Start by applying your serum after cleansing and toning but before your moisturizer. This helps the active ingredients absorb better and work more effectively. You can use your serum twice a day—once in the morning to protect and brighten your skin, and once at night to help repair and renew it while you sleep. Some serums are better suited for specific times of day—for example, vitamin C works great in the morning, while retinol is best used at night.
You don’t need a lot—just 2 to 3 drops or a pea-sized amount is enough for your entire face. Gently pat or press it into your skin using your fingertips, rather than rubbing it in. After your serum, follow up with a good moisturizer to lock everything in, and if it’s daytime, don’t forget sunscreen as your final step. Give each product a few seconds to absorb before layering the next one, and your skin will thank you for it!
Summarily, you can follow the following rules:
- When to apply in your skincare routine (AM vs PM)? Apply serum after cleansing and toning, both in the morning and at night.
- How much to use? Use 2–3 drops or a pea-sized amount for the entire face. Be sure to clean your face with a dermatologically designed face wash before.
- Layering with other products (toner, moisturizer, sunscreen): Layer the serum before moisturizer and then apply sunscreen.
Types of Face Serums by Skin Concern
Face serums come in various formulations to target specific skin concerns, making them a versatile addition to any skincare routine. Here’s what you should use to tackle the following skincare issues with a face serum. (Please note that you would also need a matching skincare regimen to get the best results over time.)
- Dry skin: It is better to opt for serums with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides to deeply hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier.
- Oily/acne-prone skin: Choose active-based solutions that contain Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid, as they balance oil, unclog pores, and reduce breakouts.
- Hyperpigmentation: We recommend opting for serums with Kojic Acid and Alpha Arbutin to help brighten skin tone and fade dark spots.
- Signs of premature aging: Opt for serums containing Retinol and Peptides to reduce fine lines, boost collagen, and improve firmness.
Highest-Rated Serum Brands in India As Per Amazon.in [2025 Review]
- Harnesses a potent blend of Vitamin C and turmeric to brighten the skin, reduce pigmentation, and boost radiance.
- Lightweight, suitable for all skin types and helps smooth fine lines with regular use.
- Available in popular sizes like 10 ml and 30 ml, consistently rated highly by users for glow effects.
Mamaearth Skin Illuminate (Vitamin C + Turmeric) Face Serum
Safe, Gentle, and Toxin-free ingredients: Vitamin C, Turmeric, and Niacinamide as they help brighten, reduce hyperpigmentation, and even tone.
Benefits: Mamaearth’s Face Serums contain highly potent ingredients that give a radiant glow with regular use. They also reduce fine lines and keep the skin hydrated. It is a safe, gentle, and toxin-free skincare product with no known side effects. We recommend doing a patch test for the best results.
Price range: ₹599 for a 30g bottle
Rating: ⭐ 3.9/5 on Amazon
- Delivers potent 10% niacinamide to brighten skin, minimize pores, and even out texture.
- Reddit users have shared mixed reviews—some say:
- Others reported breakouts, stinging, or sensitivity, especially on oily or fragrance-sensitive skin.
- Best introduced slowly, perhaps every other night, to gauge tolerance.
The Derma Co 10% Niacinamide Face Serum
Dermatologically formulated actives: Clinical-grade formulas like 2% Salicylic Acid + 5% Niacinamide, or a 10% Niacinamide + 2% Zinc PCA serum.
Benefits: The Derma Co face serums help control excess oil to clear acne and soothe inflamed skin. They are dermatologically designed skincare products with no known side effects. We recommend doing a patch test for the best results.
Price: ₹599 for a 30ml bottle
Rating: ⭐ 4.2/5 on Amazon
- A lightweight, calming serum that controls sebum and fades acne scars—top-selling for oily and combination skin types.
- Enriched with centella asiatica and niacinamide, it soothes inflammation and brightens uneven tone.
- Non-comedogenic and ideal for daily use, it’s a crowd favorite with over 130 reviews backing its effectiveness.
Dr Sheth’s Centella & Niacinamide Serum
Blend of Ayurveda + Science: Combines traditional botanicals with the power of modern actives.
Benefits: Dr. Sheth’s Face Serums actively fade acne marks, control excess oil production, reduce shine, and balance sebum production. They are safe and gentle skincare products with no known side effects. We recommend doing a patch test for the best results.
Price range: ₹599 for a 30ml bottle
Ratings: ⭐ 4.1/5 on Amazon
- Infused with Vitamin C, papaya extract & hyaluronic acid for brightening, pigmentation reduction, and deep hydration.
- Lightweight, non-sticky gel texture—suits normal, oily, dry, or sensitive skin types.
- Holds an impressive 4.8★ average from ~150+ reviews praising its instant glow effect.
Aqualogica Glow+ Concentrate Face Serum
Known for hydration & glow: Water-based, non-sticky formulas enriched with vitamin C, papaya extract, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.
Lightweight, water-based: Aqualogica’s Face Serums absorb fast and leave a refreshing feel. If you apply it twice a day on a clean facial canvas, you will get glass-skin hydration. Its lightweight gel-based formula works great on oily skin. Great starter serum for those building routines or needing gentle hydration.
Benefits: Aqualogica’s Face Serum is lightweight gel-based. Its formula offers glass-skin hydration and is suitable for oily skin. It comes with Unique Water Lock Technology and the Science of Aquaporins. This fragrance-free serum has a non-sticky texture and has no known side effects. We recommend doing a patch test for the best results.
Price: ₹599 for a 30ml bottle
Ratings: ⭐ 4.0/5 on Amazon
Which Serum is Right for You?
Choosing the right serum comes down to understanding your skin’s unique needs and goals. Whether you are targeting dryness, dullness, fine lines, or blemishes, there’s a formulation designed to address your concerns.
You should consider your skin type, any sensitivities, and the active ingredients that align with your skincare priorities. You should also do a patch test of any new product, introduce it gradually, and consult a dermatologist if you’re uncertain. With the right serum, you’re not just investing in a product- you’re taking a step toward healthier, more radiant skin.
Summary Table
| Brand | Product Name | Best For | Key Actives | Approx. Price (INR) |
| Mamaearth | Skin Illuminate Serum | Normal to Dry | Vitamin C, Turmeric, Niacinamide | 599 (30g) |
| The Derma Co | 10% Niacinamide + Zinc PCA Serum | Oily, Acne-Prone, Sensitive | Niacinamide 10%, Zinc PCA 2% | 599 (30ml) |
| Dr Sheth’s | Cica & Ceramide Overnight Repair Serum | Sensitive, Pigmented, Dull | Cica, Ceramides, Niacinamide | 699 (30ml) |
| Aqualogica | Glow+ Concentrate Vitamin C Serum | Normal to Dry, Beginners | Vitamin C, Papaya, Hyaluronic Acid | 599 (30ml) |
Conclusion: What is Face Serum?
In conclusion, a face serum is a powerful yet lightweight active-based skincare product that delivers targeted results through concentrated active ingredients. Whether you’re looking to hydrate, brighten, reduce fine lines, or control acne, there’s a serum formulated for a specific skin concern. By making it a consistent part of your skincare routine—applied after cleansing and before moisturizing—you can enhance your skin’s health, appearance, and glow over time. It’s a small step that can make a big difference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)