Beauty tips

6 minute read

Published on December 23, 2025

Updated on May 6, 2026

Wrote by Laura KACZKA

Choosing the right face serum: our tips

Sommaire

Understanding what a serum is
Serums by skin type
To go further...

Finding the right serum can seem complex. Skin changes, and so do its needs: radiance, hydration, anti-aging, soothing, dark spot correction…
This guide helps you understand each formula to choose the right serum for your face.

Understanding what a serum is

A serum is a concentrated treatment that targets a specific problem: hydration, wrinkles, dark spots, redness, imperfections, loss of firmness…
Its fine texture allows powerful active ingredients (hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, botanical extracts, etc.) to penetrate more quickly and act deeply, where a cream only moisturizes the surface.

Key points:

Its formula contains a high concentration of active ingredients.
It acts as a reinforcement, a booster that improves routine results.
It is used before cream, morning and evening.
It is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.

Serums by skin type

Every skin has its needs, its reactions, its variations according to seasons or fatigue. Serum then becomes a precise tool to restore balance, target a problem, or intensify a result. Here's how to choose according to your skin type.

Dry skin: a hydrating serum that retains water

Dry skin lacks both water and lipids. Tightness, rough areas, and dehydration lines easily appear.
A deeply hydrating serum helps restore comfort, plump up features, and strengthen the skin barrier.

What works best:
Hyaluronic acid, self-hydrating active ingredients, vitamin B5.

Garancia Recommendation: [ DIABOLIQUE TOMATE ] Babyskin Serum
A long-lasting hydrating formula that retains water for up to 72 hours and restores suppleness to dry or weakened skin. A light texture that penetrates easily and soothes immediately.

Oily skin: a purifying serum that regulates sebum

Persistent shine, visible pores, small blemishes… Oily skin seeks balance. It needs a fluid formula that cleanses without drying.

What works best:
Zinc, salicylic acid, niacinamide.

Garancia Recommendation: [ L’ELIXIR DU MARABOUT ]
A purifying and anti-aging serum that targets adult imperfections, regulates sebum, and refines skin texture. Ideal for reducing the appearance of pores and achieving a clearer complexion.

Combination skin: a balancing serum that evens out skin tone

Shiny T-zone, drier cheeks… Combination skin requires a treatment capable of hydrating without feeling heavy and smoothing areas prone to shine.

What works best:
Light textures, rebalancing active ingredients, antioxidants.

Garancia Recommendation: [ L’APPEL de la FORÊT ] Double Phase Serum
Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, it revives radiance while maintaining a light feel, perfect for evening out an uneven complexion without greasing sensitive areas.

Sensitive skin: a soothing serum that calms redness

Reactive, temperamental, easily irritated… Sensitive skin requires a gentle, minimalist, and protective treatment.
The priority: soothe and rebuild the skin barrier.

What works best:
Niacinamide, botanical extracts, anti-redness active ingredients.

Garancia Recommendation: [ Que mes ROUGEURS Disparaissent ! ] Serum
A treatment designed to reduce redness, calm inflammation, and strengthen the epidermis day after day. Ideal as part of a gentle routine.

Mature skin: a re-densifying serum to support firmness

Over time, skin loses collagen and elasticity. The facial contours slacken, wrinkles deepen, and texture thins. A targeted anti-aging serum helps stimulate firmness mechanisms and support skin bounce.

What works best:
Peptides, retinol-like, volumizing active ingredients, antioxidants.

Garancia Recommendation: [ ÉTOILE Polaire ]
Designed for mature skin, especially during menopause. It redefines contours, improves density, and reduces deep wrinkles. And for optimal results, the way you apply your anti-aging serum matters as much as the ingredient: a few drops warmed between the fingers, applied from the center of the face outwards, help boost the treatment's effectiveness and reinforce firmness day after day.

Blemish-prone skin: a purifying serum to smooth and cleanse

Pimples, enlarged pores, marks… Blemish-prone skin requires a treatment capable of acting deeply while remaining gentle.

What works best:
Salicylic acid, zinc PCA, gentle exfoliants.

Garancia Recommendation: [ L’ELIXIR DU MARABOUT ]
Ideal for adult blemishes: it regulates, purifies, and smooths without drying out the skin. An effective solution for a more even complexion.

Normal skin: a serum that maintains balance

Normal skin is comfortable, even, and supple. The goal: preserve this balance and prevent imbalances while maintaining a fresh complexion, as after applying a healthy glow serum.

What works best:
Antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, radiance-boosting active ingredients.

Garancia Recommendation: [ L’APPEL de la FORÊT ] Double Phase Serum
It maintains natural radiance, protects against oxidative stress, and keeps skin luminous daily. Its antioxidant formula also makes it an excellent ally for those who want a lasting healthy glow effect.

To go further...

When to use your serum?

Serum is used morning and evening, on clean skin, right after cleansing. This regularity helps active ingredients work deeply and maintain optimal hydration.
Here are the best times:

In the morning: It prepares the skin for makeup, strengthens protection against external aggressions (pollution, temperature variations, oxidative stress), and provides immediate radiance. → A vitamin C or hydrating serum works particularly well at this time.
In the evening: The skin enters a phase of cellular renewal: this is the ideal time for anti-aging, anti-dark spot, soothing, or purifying formulas. → Serum fits perfectly under a night cream to increase the effectiveness of the ritual.
After exfoliation: Pschitt Magique can be used daily (unique for exfoliants of this type). It smooths the skin surface and allows the serum to penetrate even more precisely.

Small tip: a serum works best when applied right after gentle cleansing — the skin then absorbs the treatment easily, without overload.

Why use a serum?

Serum has become essential because it provides what neither a cream nor a mask can offer: targeted, deep, and immediate action. Its fine texture saturates the skin with powerful active ingredients capable of transforming its appearance day after day.
Here's what a serum truly provides:

A precise answer to skin needs: Hydration, radiance, anti-aging, anti-dark spots... Each formula concentrates active ingredients chosen for a well-defined problem. (e.g., hyaluronic acid to plump, vitamin C to illuminate).
Deeper penetration: Thanks to its fluid texture, the serum reaches skin levels where cream does not act.
A booster effect for the routine: The cream then seals in hydration, but the serum prepares the ground. Result: a more effective routine.
Visible improvement in skin appearance: Dull complexion, visible pores, wrinkles... Serum works on the details that make all the difference.
A gesture suitable for all skin types: Even sensitive or oily skin finds its happiness without overload.

Serum then becomes a daily companion capable of providing the precision, gentleness, and effectiveness expected from modern skincare.

How to apply it?

The application of serum makes all the difference. A few simple steps are enough to increase its effectiveness and allow active ingredients to work as closely as possible to the skin's needs. Here is the most effective method:

1. Prepare the skin: Gentle cleansing removes sebum, impurities, and traces of makeup. The skin should be clean, slightly damp if possible — water facilitates the penetration of active ingredients.

2. Exfoliate if necessary: Pschitt Magique can be used daily. It smooths the surface and unclogs pores. Classic exfoliants are generally used 1 to 2 times a week.

3. Warm the serum between your hands: A few seconds are enough to fluidify the texture and allow for even application.

4. Apply a few drops: Apply a small amount to the forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, then down to the neck. "Little product, but well placed" is often the rule.

5. Smooth gently: From the center of the face outwards, with upward movements. The fine texture absorbs quickly.

6. Focus on targeted areas: Dark spots, visible pores, fine lines... The serum acts with precision when these points are massaged.

7. Finish with a suitable cream: The cream seals in hydration. Day cream in the morning, richer or soothing cream in the evening.

Tip: gently tap the eye contour area if the serum is suitable for it, this reinforces the smoothing and decongestant effect.