Serums & Intensive Care

Hyaluronic acid, as in the Hyaluronic Moisturizing Serum or the Hyaluron Facial Serum, binds moisture in the skin and suits almost any skin type, especially skin that's dry or stressed by heating air. Vitamin C, such as in the Revitalift Clinical Vitamin C Serum, works as an antioxidant, gives a more radiant complexion, and can fade pigment spots over time, but should be used in the morning under sun protection, since it's light-sensitive. Niacinamide, as in the Bright Reveal Serum, regulates sebum production, reduces redness, and is especially suited to blemish-prone or redness-prone skin. An Anti-Spot Serum against pigment spots and acne or a Bio Firming Serum for smoother skin targets individual skin problems such as pigmentation or loss of elasticity more specifically. If you're unsure which serum suits you, it's best to start with hyaluronic acid as a universal base and add on specifically according to your skin concern.

A serum is used after cleansing and toner, but before moisturizer, since the lighter texture absorbs into the skin better when there's no thicker cream in the way. Use just a few drops, usually two to three, since serums are highly concentrated and a small amount is already enough to cover the entire face. Pat the serum in gently with your fingertips rather than rubbing it in vigorously, which is gentler on the skin and distributes the active ingredient more evenly. Vitamin C serums are especially suited to the morning routine, since they also protect against free radicals, while retinol or peeling serums should rather be used in the evening, since they make the skin more light-sensitive. Let the serum absorb briefly before the next care layer, usually one to two minutes are enough, before continuing with cream.

In principle, many serums combine well, for example hyaluronic acid with almost any other active ingredient, since it primarily provides moisture and rarely causes interactions. Vitamin C and retinol or peeling acids, by contrast, should be kept separate in time, ideally vitamin C in the morning and retinol or acid products in the evening, since the combination can otherwise irritate the skin more strongly. Using several highly potent peeling serums on the same day is also usually not a good idea, since the effects add up and can overwhelm the skin barrier. Always introduce new active ingredients one after another rather than at the same time, so you can trace which product was responsible if a skin reaction occurs. If you're unsure about the right combination, it's worth checking the product description or having a quick chat with a dermatologist, especially with sensitive skin.

Yes, in a wide selection: avril offers the Bio Firming Serum and the Bio Anti-Blemish Care with certified organic ingredients, and cmd Naturkosmetik and Mossa further round out the natural segment. Puremetics carries several natural options such as the Hyaluron Facial Serum, the Sensibelchen Facial Oil for sensitive skin, and the Aloe Vera Peach Facial Toner. Newwell is positioned as attractively priced and also vegan formulated, with a wide serum range from Anti-Spot to Prebiotic Serum for the skin flora. These products are generally clearly labeled 'organic', 'natural', or 'vegan' and avoid animal-derived ingredients as well as, frequently, synthetic fragrances.

Vitamin C serums are especially light-sensitive and oxidize relatively quickly on contact with air and sunlight, which is why they're usually sold in dark bottles and should be used up promptly after opening. If a vitamin C serum noticeably darkens or changes smell, it has lost effectiveness and should be replaced, even if the package isn't empty yet. For peeling serums with fruit acids, it's worth checking the stated concentration, since more highly concentrated formulas work more strongly, but also increase the risk of irritation. You'll always find the complete composition in the INCI list on the relevant product page, where you can also see whether a serum contains additional fragrances that can be irritating on sensitive skin. Store serums cool and protected from light, to keep the active ingredients stable for as long as possible.

You should initially use a peeling serum such as the Peeling Solution Serum for chemical facial peeling only once or twice a week in the evening, rather than incorporating it into your daily routine right away, so your skin can slowly get used to the active ingredient. Apply it to cleansed, dry skin and let it absorb according to the product instructions before continuing with the next care layer. Don't combine a peeling serum with an additional mechanical peel or another acid application on the same evening, to avoid doubling the strain on the skin. During the day after use, the skin is noticeably more sensitive to UV radiation, which is why reliable sun protection the following morning becomes especially important. If you experience tingling, redness, or a feeling of tightness after use, reduce the frequency instead of stopping the product entirely right away, since many of these reactions settle on their own as the skin adjusts.

For pigment spots, it's worth looking at vitamin C or niacinamide serums such as the Bright Reveal Serum with niacinamide or the Anti-Spot Serum against pigment spots, both of which specifically target an uneven complexion. For early fine lines and loss of elasticity, firming serums such as the Bio Firming Serum or anti-aging eye creams with vitamin C, which specifically target fine lines in the eye area, are suitable. For blemish-prone, acne-prone skin, the Bio Anti-Blemish Care or a peeling serum with fruit acids is a targeted option to clear clogged pores. For dry skin, moisture supply takes priority; hyaluron serums such as the Hyaluronic Moisturizing Serum from Bioderma or La Roche-Posay are especially suitable here. For several simultaneous skin concerns, we recommend starting with the biggest problem and gradually adding further active ingredients to your routine, rather than starting everything at once.

Dermocosmetic brands such as Bioderma, La Roche-Posay, and Eucerin stand out with clinically tested, highly concentrated formulas specifically tailored to medically relevant skin problems such as severe dryness or pigmentation disorders. L'Oréal Paris sits between dermocosmetics and classic drugstore products in terms of price and active ingredients, with well-known lines such as Revitalift. Natural cosmetics brands such as avril and Puremetics rely on plant-based actives and certified organic formulas. Newwell covers a wide serum range, vegan and at an attractive price. Which direction suits you best depends on whether you want to treat a specific, medically relevant skin problem or would rather rely on certified natural cosmetics or an attractively priced, wide-ranging selection.