From Vitamin C to Retinol: Serum Types & Benefits

When it comes to skincare, serums can feel like a secret weapon. These small bottles are packed with powerful ingredients that target specific skin concerns like dryness, dark spots, acne, or fine lines. At Dapper Diary, we believe great skin doesn’t have to be complicated. It just needs the right steps and the right products. If you’re just starting your skincare routine or you’re looking to upgrade it, learning how to use serums correctly can make a big difference in how your skin looks and feels. In this blog, we’re going to look at different types of serums, when to use them, and the best serums on the market. 

What Exactly Is a Serum?

A serum is a lightweight liquid or gel that’s full of active ingredients. Unlike moisturizers, serums are made to sink deep into your skin and deliver ingredients directly where they’re needed most. You can think of a serum like a vitamin shot for your skin. While your cleanser removes dirt and your moisturizer locks in hydration, your serum works in the middle to treat specific issues. Serums are great for brightening dull skin, shrinking pores, hydrating dryness, and fighting wrinkles. You just have to understand which serum does what.

When Should You Use a Serum?

Serums are usually applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. This gives the ingredients a chance to absorb fully without anything blocking them. You can use serums in your AM (morning) and PM (night) routines, but not all serums are used at the same time. Some ingredients work best during the day, while others are more effective (or safer) at night.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

❂ AM Serums: These focus on protection and hydration. For example, vitamin C helps protect against environmental damage and brightens skin, while hyaluronic acid keeps your skin hydrated all day.

☾ PM Serums: These are for repair and renewal. Retinol, peptides, and exfoliating acids work best overnight when your skin naturally repairs itself.

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Different Types of Serums and What They Do

There’s no “one size fits all” serum. Each one is designed to target a specific concern. Here are some popular types and what they can do for your skin:

1. Vitamin C Serums – Brighten and Protect (AM)

Vitamin C is like a daily shield for your skin. It helps fade dark spots, brightens dull skin, and protects against pollution and sun damage.

✩ Try: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic; it’s a cult favorite for a reason. It firms, brightens, and gives your skin a healthy glow.

• How to Use: You can apply it in the morning after cleansing. Then, follow with moisturizer and sunscreen.

2. Hyaluronic Acid Serums – Hydrate and Plump (AM/PM)

Hyaluronic acid works like a moisture magnet, pulling water into your skin to keep it hydrated and smooth. It’s great for all skin types, especially if you notice dryness or fine lines.

✩ Try: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum or iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum. Both are amazing for deep hydration and work well with other products.

• How to Use: You can apply this in the morning or night right after cleansing, then seal it in with moisturizer.

3. Niacinamide Serums – Reduce Pores and Oil (AM)

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is perfect if you have oily or combination skin. It helps control oil production, minimize pores, and even out your skin tone.

✩ Try: Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: This is a Korean favorite with niacinamide and propolis for glowing, balanced skin.

• How to Use: You can use it in the morning before moisturizer. It is best to avoid layering it at the same time as strong vitamin C serums.

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4. Retinol or Retinal Serums – Smooth and Renew (PM)

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that boosts cell turnover, smooths fine lines, and fades pigmentation. It’s best used at night because it can make your skin sensitive to the sun.

✩ Try: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Serum. It is a gentle but effective retinol that improves texture and tone overnight.

• How to Use: You can start by using it 2–3 nights a week and slowly build up. It is important that you always use sunscreen the next morning.

5. Peptide Serums – Firm and Repair (PM)

Peptides are tiny proteins that tell your skin to produce more collagen. They help firm the skin, smooth wrinkles, and improve elasticity.

✩ Try: Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid. It is lightweight and leaves skin soft and plump.

• How to Use: You can use it at night after cleansing and before moisturizer.
  

6. Exfoliating Serums – Smooth and Clear (PM)

These contain ingredients like lactic acid or BHA to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. They help with texture, blackheads, and dullness.

✩ Try: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One AHA Lactic Acid Treatment. It is a great choice for glowing, smooth skin.

• How to Use: You can use it 1–3 times a week at night. Don’t mix with retinol on the same night.

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The Best Serums for Every Skin Concern

Serums for Acne

You can tackle pimple breakouts with clarifying ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide.

➺ Recommended: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Serum, Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum

Serums for Hyperpigmentation

Do you have hyperpigmentation that no color corrector can fix? Then, you can use serums to fade uneven tone and brighten your complexion with targeted brightening formulas.

➺ Recommended: SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense, Melano CC Vitamin C Serum, The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Serums for Dark Spots

Are you tired of stubborn dark spots? Then, you can use vitamin C and tranexamic acid to boost your radiance and natural glow.

➺ Recommended: Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%, Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

Serums for Eye Bags

You can use serums to depuff and brighten tired under-eyes with caffeine and peptides.

➺ Recommended: The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Serum, Olay Eyes Deep Hydrating Eye Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Dew It All Eye Gel

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Serums for Acne Scars

Smooth texture and fade marks with ingredients like retinol, niacinamide, and vitamin C.

➺ Recommended: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Serum, Murad Post-Acne Spot Lightening Serum, Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum

Serums for Rosacea

You can soothe redness and calm irritation with gentle, hydrating formulas.

➺ Recommended: Avene Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate, Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Serum, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Serum

Serums for Oily Skin

Do you have oily skin? Then, you can balance excess oil and keep pores clear with lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas.

➺ Recommended: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum, iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum

Serums for Dry Skin

We all know that not only is dry skin unpleasant, but it can also be painful. You can deeply hydrate and lock in moisture with hyaluronic acid and nourishing ingredients.

➺ Recommended: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum, Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum

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How to Apply a Serum (Step by Step)

➺ Start with clean skin. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry.

➺ Apply a few drops of serum. You don’t need a lot—2 to 4 drops are usually enough for your whole face.

➺ Gently pat it in. Use your fingertips to lightly press the serum into your skin. Don’t rub aggressively.

➺ Wait a few seconds. Let the serum absorb fully before applying your moisturizer.

➺ Seal it in. Follow with a moisturizer, and, in the daytime, always finish with sunscreen.

Tip: If you’re layering more than one serum, apply the thinnest formula first (like a watery hyaluronic acid serum), and finish with thicker ones (like peptide or oil-based serums).

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AM vs. PM Serum Routine Example

Here’s a simple serum routine you can follow:

AM Routine:

➀ Cleanser

➁ Vitamin C serum (brightening + protection)

➂ Hyaluronic acid serum (hydration)

➃ Moisturizer

➄ Sunscreen (always!)

PM Routine:

➀ Cleanser

➁ Retinol or peptide serum (repair + anti-aging)

➂ Hyaluronic acid serum (optional, for extra hydration)

➃ Moisturizer

You don’t need to use all serums every day. Start with one or two based on your skin’s needs, then build from there.

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Serums

• Patch test first. Try new serums on a small area before applying to your whole face.
• Don’t mix too many actives. Some ingredients (like vitamin C and retinol) can irritate if used together.
• Be consistent. Serums work best when used regularly. It can take a few weeks to see visible results.
• Store properly. You have to keep vitamin C in a cool, dark place to keep it stable.

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Reset, Refresh & Revitalize Your Skin: 

Serums are one of the most effective ways to target specific skin concerns. Whether you want to hydrate, brighten, smooth, or firm your skin, there’s a serum out there for you. By applying them correctly and sticking to a routine, you’ll notice your skin becoming healthier, clearer, and more radiant over time. The key is to keep it simple, choose the right formulas, and be consistent. With the right serum routine, your skin can truly glow. And of course, Dapper Diary will always be here to keep you in the loop on the best skincare tips and trends.

FAQs: 

➥Why can’t I use niacinamide with vitamin C?
You can, but layering them too quickly may cause redness or irritation. Use one in the morning and the other at night for best results.

➥Can niacinamide help acne?
Yes, niacinamide reduces inflammation, regulates oil, and minimizes pores. With consistent use, it can calm breakouts, improve texture, and support clearer, healthier skin over time.

➥Do face serums actually help?
Yes, serums deliver concentrated active ingredients deeper into skin. With regular use, they target issues like acne, pigmentation, dullness, and dryness more effectively than moisturizers.

➥What is the #1 face serum?
It depends on your skin goals, but popular favorites include SkinCeuticals Vitamin C, La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5, and The Ordinary Niacinamide for targeted concerns.

➥Is it ok to use serum every day?
Yes, most serums can be used daily. Start slowly, apply after cleansing, and follow with moisturizer and sunscreen to protect and nourish skin effectively.