Taking care of your skin is a crucial part of any beauty routine. But determining which products are best is no easy task – with so many serums available today, searching for a serum will introduce you to many, many options. And, depending on what your skin needs, finding the perfect product can be a difficult task.
Finding the right serum can take some research, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow this guide to find the right serums with the right ingredients, all for less than $30.
PeopleImages / Getty ImagesSerums for Dark Spot Correction
Dark spots can appear on absolutely anyone’s face – and unfortunately, they become even more common as you get older. Fortunately, there are plenty of different serums designed to directly target dark spots.
You can find dark spot correcting serums both over-the-counter and via prescription from a dermatologist. These special serums can be applied daily, either directly onto dark spots or on your whole face. They work to target the darkened areas of skin, evening out your complexion and skin tone.
Ingredients You Need
- Vitamin C, which can fade dark spots and reduce inflammation.
- Hydroquinone, which is considered the “gold standard” in lightening dark spots¹.
- Retinoids, also known as retinol, can intensively hydrate and offer anti-aging properties.
- Turmeric, which targets skin pigmentation to reduce the appearance of dark spots.
Serums Under $30 That Work
- Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector
- Burt’s Bees Brightening Skin Perfecting Serum
- Specific Beauty Accelerated Dark Spot Corrector
Serums for Reducing Wrinkles and Fine Lines
As you get older, your skin’s needs change. And if you’re starting to see fine lines or gradually developing wrinkles, it’s time to add some anti-aging ingredients into your skincare routine.
If you’re looking for an effective way to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, you need a serum. Look for a serum that’s designed to target the signs of aging. Many of these types of serums can target multiple layers of the skin, which delivers deep and effective results. Anti-aging serums tend to deliver the most impressive effects, and can even prevent further lines and wrinkles from developing.
Ingredients You Need
- Vitamin C, which can boost collagen, renew the skin’s outer layer, and reduce skin damage, which ultimately benefits wrinkles and fine lines².
- Hyaluronic acid, a powerful hydrating ingredient that can plump the skin.
- Retinol, which is a powerful anti-aging ingredient that can reduce wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, and slow the breakdown of collagen³.
- Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which exfoliate the skin and shrink the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Serums Under $30 That Work
- Burt’s Bees Renewal Intensive Firming Serum
- RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum
- CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Cream Serum
Serums for Increased Hydration
One of the best ways applying a serum can help your skin is with increased hydration. Serums are, by nature, highly hydrating. And this means they can be a fantastic solution for dry skin or any type of skin that needs a dose of moisture.
If your skin needs a hydration boost, look for a serum that’s either designed for dry skin or able to infuse deep hydration. Whether your skin is tight and uncomfortably dry or simply has a couple of rough patches, the right moisturizing serum can restore smooth, dewy skin. From exfoliating dead skin cells to smoothing out your skin texture to infusing moisture well beyond the top layer of skin, a serum can give your skin exactly what it needs.
Ingredients You Need
- Hyaluronic acid, which promotes collagen production and helps your skin retain water more effectively⁴.
- Aloe vera, which can soothe dry and irritated skin.
- Peptides can hydrate the skin and help it repair any damage.
- Botanicals and herbs, like chamomile, can improve the skin’s texture, provide maximum hydration, and help keep skin firm⁵.
Serums Under $30 That Work
- Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Intensive Renewal Serum
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum
- Beauty Pie JapanFusion Deep-Treatment Serum
Choose the Right Serum for Your Skincare Needs
Adding a serum into your beauty toolkit is a smart choice. Not only can a serum improve your skin’s overall health, but it can also target problem areas like dryness and signs of aging. And a serum can offer the results you seek from your skincare routine.
Of course, with so many different choices in serums available at beauty stores and drugstores, it’s overwhelming to just choose one. So, before you settle on just any serum, make sure you look into what each serum offers. You can find serums that target just about any skin issue, from wrinkles to a lack of moisture to dark spots. And with the right ingredients, a serum can only offer benefits.
