One scroll on TikTok at the moment, and I guarantee that you will be met with hundreds of complicated skincare routines that feature ten products or more. As a beauty editor, one thing that I keep noticing is the sheer number of serums that people are applying to their skin. From vitamin C serums to niacinamide serums, retinol serums and hyaluronic acid serums, I’m completely overwhelmed. Don’t get me wrong, a serum can be an important part of your skincare routine, as these products are packed with active ingredients that can tackle a range of skin concerns. That being said, unless advised by a doctor or dermatologist, there really is no need to be using lots of different serums daily.
I always think it’s best to keep your skincare routine as simple as possible.
Not only can this be expensive and time-consuming, but as mentioned above, serums are often packed with active ingredients that might not work as well when mixed with other products. That’s why I’m a big fan of what I like to call an “everything” serum. Yep, as the name suggests, there is a selection of serums on the market that contain a range of ingredients to help tackle several skincare concerns, in just one go. Intrigued to know more? Keep on scrolling…
Do You Need More Than One Serum in Your Skincare Routine?
You might be thinking, do you really just need one serum in your routine? In order to get an expert’s opinion, I reached out to Dr Beibei Du-Harpur, expert dermatologist for skincare brand Simple, to get her thoughts.
“One effective formula would be preferable to multiple serums, as it overcomes challenges with regard to absorption that might occur with multiple serums,” she tells me. “For example, if you apply one serum first that is oil-based, it could prevent the delivery of actives from another serum that is more water-based.”
How to Choose an “Everything” Serum
So, how can you go about choosing an effective serum? “The ingredients you are looking for really depend on your concerns,” explains Dr Beibei Du-Harpur. “For example, somebody with blemish-prone skin would benefit from very different ingredients compared to someone with sensitive, dry skin. The most important thing is to use a product consistently that is aimed at addressing those concerns.”
Luckily for you, I’ve rounded up some of the best options on the market and included lots of information on the key ingredients and what skin types could benefit from each product. So, if you’re keen to streamline your skincare routine this summer, check out my edit of the best everything serums below.
The Best Everything Serums, Chosen by a Beauty Editor
1. Clarins Double Serum
Best for: All skin types
Key ingredients: 22 powerful plant extracts, peptides and hyaluronic acid.
Why it’s the best: This is one of those does-it-all serums that is ideal for dry, oily and combination skin (although if you do find it a little too heavy, the brand has just brought out a lighter version, too). As the name suggests, this product has a unique dual formula that combines a water-based serum with an oil-based serum. This might sound a little odd, but it’s actually been made that way to mimic the skin’s natural makeup. The formula works to hydrate the skin, nourish the skin barrier, reduce fine lines, refine the skin’s texture and add a plump, glowing finish. Yep, this is a bestseller for a reason.
For
- Can be used on normal, oily and dry skin types
- Especially good for mature skin types
- Contains a powerful cocktail of ingredients
2. Simple Ceramide & Omega Complex Face Serum
Simple
Ceramide & Omega Complex Face Serum
Best for: All skin types, especially sensitive
Key ingredients: Ceramide boosters, niacinamide and omega complex.
Why it’s the best: Simple is my go-to skincare brand for when I want to streamline my routine and keep things gentle and nourishing. If you’re looking for a do-it-all serum from the brand, Dr Beibei Du-Harpur recommends this one. “I love the Simple Ceramide & Omega Complex Face Serum for those with a sensitive or damaged skin barrier, which can result from using lots of irritating ingredients,” she says. “This serum contains a blend of bio-mimetic or skin-mimicking ingredients that provide what skin needs to regenerate with a stronger and more resilient barrier.”
It’s one of those multitasking products that will help to restore your overall skin health, and your complexion will definitely thank you for adding this into your routine.
For
- Affordable
- Good for sensitive skin
Against
- Not as many active ingredients as other options
3. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
Estée Lauder
Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum
Best for: All skin types
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and peptides.
Why it’s the best: Another bestselling do-it-all face serum is Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair. This is definitely one of my most recommended products for people wanting to cut down on the number of skincare products they use. It contains powerful ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and the brand’s exclusive peptide, Tripeptide-32, and targets a range of concerns from dry skin, fine lines, dullness and uneven skin tone. The best bit is that it does all of this while you sleep. All you have to do is apply it at night and wake up to your best skin yet.
For
- Suitable for all skin types
- Works while you sleep
4. Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial
Sarah Chapman
Skinesis Overnight Facial
Best for: All skin types (although it might be a bit too powerful for sensitive skin)
Key ingredients: Vitamin A, C, E and antioxidants.
Why it’s the best: Speaking of products working overnight, let me introduce you to Sarah Chapman’s Skinesis Overnight Facial. This is a powerful, dry-oil serum that works to replicate the effects of Sarah Chapman’s legendary facials in the comfort of your own home. It is packed with ingredients including vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, to brighten the complexion and protect against environmental aggressors. As mentioned above, this is powerful stuff, so if your skin is on the sensitive side, I recommend applying a small amount of this and seeing how your skin reacts.
For
- Works while you sleep
- Contains lots of powerful ingredients
Against
- Might be a little too strong for sensitive skin
5. Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Advanced Firming Daily Treatment
Allies of Skin
Peptides & Antioxidants Advanced Firming Daily Treatment
Best for: All skin types
Key ingredients: Antioxidants, peptides and 5% teprenone and ferulic complex.
Why it’s the best: Ok, this is more of a serum/moisturiser hybrid, but Dr Beibei Du-Harpur recommends it as a great all-in-one product. “Another ‘everything’ product I like that contains lots of antioxidants and firming peptides [is the] Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Advanced Firming Daily Treatment,” she says. This treatment contains antioxidant-rich marrubium vulgare extract, vitamin C and palmitoyl tripeptide-5 to firm, brighten, hydrate and protect the skin barrier. It’s like magic in a tube.
For
- Suitable for all skin types
- Serum/moisturiser hybrid
Against
- Again, sensitive skin types might want to start slowly and see how they get on
6. Omorovicza Elixir Serum
Best for: All skin types
Key ingredients: Omorovicza Healing Concentrate™ and sage, pumpkin seed and sunflower sprout extracts.
Why it’s the best: With ten key benefits including increasing elasticity, reducing fine lines, hydrating the skin and reducing redness, this serum really is a one-stop shop. It’s definitely an investment, but you certainly won’t need to buy any other serums as part of your skincare routine. The Elixir has been designed to act as both a serum and a topical supplement, and contains a supercharged dose of minerals from the brand’s patented Healing Concentrate™ derived from the healing waters of Budapest. It can be used on all skin types and can be applied both morning and night to fulfill all of your skincare needs.
For
- Contains a wide range of skincare benefits
- Can be used morning and night on all skin types
7. Bioeffect EGF Power Serum
Bioeffect
EGF Power Serum
Best for: All skin types
Key ingredients: Growth factors, hyaluronic acid and NAG
Why it’s the best: This serum might only contain twelve ingredients, but each ingredient is there for a reason. Yep, this formula has been designed to deliver very intense results. Its main mission is to plump fine lines, but it also works to tackle skin texture, pigmentation and dryness. It features the brand’s fortifying growth factor that promotes the skin barrier, alongside hydrating hyaluronic acid and NAG to gently exfoliate the complexion. Our beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden, swears by this stuff.
For
- Minimal ingredients but maximum results