Is serum necessary?

If you’re investing in skincare products, you naturally want the best. Once you have done your research, you will see serum mentioned as a more potent product that can deliver benefits beyond moisturiser on its own. So, what is serum, and is it necessary for healthy, glowing skin?

Take a look at what serum does for your face, how to use it effectively and why it’s worth having some to hand as part of your daily beauty routine.

What is serum and what does serum do?

Skin care serum is a lightweight, fast-absorbing product designed to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients to your skin. It is highly concentrated so you only need a small amount at a time—often as little as three or four drops.

Unlike moisturiser, which forms a barrier on the surface to lock in hydration, the best serums are formulated to penetrate deeper into the skin to target specific concerns like wrinkles, dryness or uneven skin tone. This makes skin care serums an essential part of your routine, especially if you want to address specific issues like irritation or dryness at a deeper level.

Serum can be effective for sensitive skin because it contains a higher level of pure ingredients than moisturiser. For example, clinical tests showed 100% of testers (in skin compatibility testing) reported no irritations or allergic reactions from Botani’s Olive Skin Serum.

What serum does for your face

Facial serum can be used to help your skin feel supple and moisturised. It is also applied to deliver antioxidants, soothe irritation, heal scars, brighten dull skin and help minimise the appearance of wrinkles (In clinical trials, 88% of Botani serum testers stated they noticed decreased wrinkle length after using our Olive Skin Serum).

In another clinical study, scientists assessed the assess the efficacy and tolerability of a facial serum in improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and signs of photodamage. Significant improvements in all parameters and skin condition were seen as early as week four, and there was an 18-percent improvement in overall appearance by week 12.

As shared by Healthline, a serum has larger amounts of active molecules to potentially penetrate the skin’s surface. A higher concentration of ingredients means it can take less time to see results.

If you are wondering what serum does for your face, try it for a few weeks. Keep a journal of the way your skin is feeling… you may be surprised at the difference.

Do you really need moisturiser after serum?

Using facial serum is easy and quick. Simply squeeze a few drops onto your face and pat it into your skin However, one of the most common questions about serum is how it fits into your skin care routine.

Should you use moisturiser after serum or vice versa? The answer depends on the type of serum you’re using.

For oil-based facial serum, such as our Acai Berry Serum and Olive Skin Serum, it’s best to apply these products last. Start with a moisturiser to hydrate your skin, then seal in that moisture with the oil-based serum. This order ensures that the moisturiser can penetrate the skin more effectively, while the oil-based serum locks in hydration.

If you’re using a water-based serum, like our popular PhytoCollagen + Vitamin B3 Serum, apply it immediately after cleansing. Water-based serums are designed to absorb quickly into the skin, providing an initial layer of hydration to give you skin that feels smooth and supple all day. Once absorbed, you can follow with an oil-based serum or moisturiser to further nourish and protect the skin.

Skin care serum benefits

With a higher price tag than many other skin care products, you might wonder if serums are worth the investment. The answer lies in their formulation and skin serum benefits.

High-quality serums are packed with potent ingredients that target specific skin concerns. Botani serums, for instance, are all-natural and offer a range of benefits that go beyond standard moisturisers.

Acai Berry Serum is rich in antioxidants, helping protect the skin from environmental stressors.
Olive Skin Serum replenishes squalene, a natural skin component that diminishes with age.
PhytoCollagen + Vitamin B3 Serum contains Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B3. These work together to strengthen your skin’s barrier function, stimulate collagen production and improve skin moisturisation, giving you that healthy glow.

Quality serums are carefully crafted to deliver visible results. Whether you have what you would describe as ‘problem skin’ or you simply want to look and feel your best, this skin care product is a valuable addition to your routine.

Beyond their targeted benefits, serums are also highly versatile. This means you can address various skin concerns without the need for multiple products, making serums a cost-effective choice in the long run. So, for example, your PhytoCollagen + Vitamin B3 Serum, can be a daily facial skin serum and also applied to help heal dry patches on your body.

With serum, a little goes a long way. You’ll find a bottle can last you several weeks or even months because you’re only using a few drops at a time.

What happens when you stop using skin care serum?

If you’ve been using a serum regularly, you may notice changes in your skin if you stop. Olive Skin Serum, for example, helps replenish squalene levels, which naturally decrease with age. Without this replenishment, your skin may become more prone to dryness and free radical damage, increasing the risk of premature aging.

Botani’s Acai Berry Serum protects against daily stressors and free radicals, and helps prevent sun damage and age spots. Stop using it and you could make your skin more vulnerable to environmental harm. Similarly, the PhytoCollagen Serum works to re-plump and re-hydrate the skin… you might notice your skin feels dry if you go a few days without applying it.

How do you know if you need skin serum?

If you are an adult, unless you live indoors and never experience any irritation, it’s likely your skin can benefit from using serum. This is especially true if you are worried about sensitive skin, ageing or a dry complexion.

However, to experience the best skin serum benefits, you need to choose the products you use carefully. Make sure it is targeted at your main skin concern and think about whether a high-quality, all-natural vegan serum is the right choice for you.

Do you have dry, dehydrated, dull skin? We recommend PhytoCollagen + Vitamin B3 Serum to restore moisture and radiance. You will love the light, fresh, cooling feeling of this serum.
If you’re concerned about ageing or sun damage, our antioxidant-rich Acai Berry Serum offers protection and repair.
Looking to replenish your skin’s natural oils so it doesn’t feel dry and ‘tight’ during the day? Olive Skin Serum is an excellent choice.

Not sure which skin serum is best for you? Try our Glow Serum Mini Bundle.