Ultimate Skincare: Top Serums of 2024

IN THIS ARTICLE

Hello everyone, welcome to "But More Importantly," your guide to the crème de la crème of skincare in 2024. Our focus today is on the skincare all-stars - serums. While I would never say serums surpass sunscreens in importance, I must admit there is something incredibly satisfying about using a serum and witnessing the transformation it brings. These are the powerhouse products in our skincare routine, and I can't wait to share with you the top picks of the year. I've tested countless serums tirelessly to bring you the cream of the crop in this article.

We've been laboring on this since January, so my enthusiasm to share these products can't be understated. We're shaking things up a little in this article, deviating from our regular format. Instead of recommendations based on skin type, we are going to cater to your specific skin concerns. Whether it's dark spots, acne, premature aging, sensitiveness, or acne scars - I've got you covered with the finest solutions for each concern. Our goal is to help you wrap up 2024 with a flawless skincare routine.

This article also introduces a budget-friendly category, featuring products under $20, ensuring everyone can enjoy quality skincare regardless of their budget. We also have a fan favorite feature, picked based on feedback and data from our readers. All products mentioned in this article are linked for your convenience. Your support by shopping through these links means a lot to us, however, there is no obligation. Now, let's dive into our serums of 2024!

Sensitive Skin Serum: Tower 28 Beauty SOS Intensive Rescue Serum

We'll begin with the sensitive skin category, as skin sensitivity is an issue many of us face. As someone with very reactive skin myself, I'd like to share with you the Tower 28 Beauty SOS Intensive Rescue Serum. Initially, I was skeptical given Tower 28's reputation as a makeup brand and the simple ingredient list. However, I have been using it every day for five months now and I am head over heels in love with it. This serum is a winner for two main reasons.

$34 at KOHL’S

The main highlight of this serum is its main ingredient, hypochlorous acid, a substance that our bodies naturally produce to combat infection, inflammation, redness, and sensitivity. It was even utilized during the pandemic as a defense against COVID-19. This ingredient does wonders for those with red, irritated, or sensitized skin, while also being lightweight and easy to absorb. Unlike other heavy and greasy serums targeted at inflammation, this serum controls oil production and keeps the skin hydrated. Despite its minimalist ingredient list and high efficacy, its price point is rather steep. Concerning hypochlorous acid, it's unknown to me how expensive it is, but a price tag of $34 is somewhat high. I'm curious to see if future hypochlorous acid serums will be more budget-friendly.

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Top Serum for Breakouts: Selfless by Hyram Salicylic Acid and Sea Kelp Serum

Selfless by Hyram Salicylic Acid and Sea Kelp Pore Clearing and Oil Control Serum

Moving on to serums for breakouts, pimples, and blackheads, many on the market have a high concentration of ingredients that can dry out the skin if used daily. This issue leads me to recommend the Selfless by Hyram Salicylic Acid and Sea Kelp Pore Clearing and Oil Control Serum. It helps keep breakouts at bay and my pores clean without drying out my skin due to its light and hydrating formula. The serum contains 0.5% salicylic acid, a safe daily usage concentration that doesn't dry the skin. It also includes succinic acid to counteract future breakouts and sea kelp to hydrate the skin. The second ingredient, niacinamide, strengthens the moisture barrier, ensuring balanced skin hydration. This serum boasts one of the lightest formulas I've ever come across. If you're an individual with oily skin living in a humid environment, you want a serum that is so lightweight it would feel like it's not there, and that's what this serum delivers. It's available at Target, making it easy to find.

$11 at AMAZON

Best for Dry Skin: Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Serum

Continuing on to the next product, for those dealing with extremely dry and dehydrated skin, it can be challenging to find an effective serum that not only has a pleasing texture but truly addresses the issue of inadequate skin hydration. I'll confess, I don't usually have ultra-dry skin, so this can be a bit tricky for me. However, I spent a considerable portion of last year traveling in rather dry regions. Consequently, I had an ample opportunity to test various products, and I found the one with the most impressive list of ingredients.

This serum is priced at $20, which is just on the threshold, but I assure you it's completely worth it. I discovered other fine serums, but those with ingredient lists that truly amazed me all cost over $20. In my opinion, serums are one product category worth investing in. You can easily find affordable options for cleansers and cleansing oils, but serums are where you'll really notice a substantial improvement in your skin.

The top product I recommend for dry or dehydrated skin is the Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Serum. I was impressed by the ingredients and questioned why I hadn't tried it sooner. Upon trying it, I was pleased to find that the formula is indeed excellent. The serum features ingredients like propanediol for enhanced moisture retention, squalane, a superior moisturizing oil, glycerin, sunflower seed oil, and others that ensure your skin is healed and shielded so it can maintain its moisture.

$22 at COCOKIND

What really made me fall for this product are the PHA and lactic acid it contains. Both are exfoliants, which are particularly beneficial for dry skin. PHA and lactic acid are humectants, which means they can draw in moisture from the environment and keep your skin moisturized. They are also the best exfoliating ingredients if you're dealing with dry or dehydrated skin. These gentle yet effective ingredients can help eliminate dead skin cells. It's not easy to find products for dry skin that also have exfoliating properties, as they're usually aimed at oilier skin types or are so potent that people with dry skin might over-exfoliate. With this product, you won't have that concern. It has such a well-balanced list of ingredients that I just had to include it on this list. Since it contains both lactic acid and PHA, I'd suggest using it in the evening. For the daytime, it's crucial to use a robust moisturizer. So stay tuned for my next article to learn about my top recommended daytime moisturizers.

Unveiling the Best Skincare

The Powerhouse for Wrinkles: Tretinoin

The Journey with Tretinoin A Personal Experience

Now let's discuss a big challenge: premature aging and wrinkles. These are arguably the most stubborn skin concerns to manage. If you're a regular follower, you've likely tried numerous products to combat premature aging. If you're seasoned in skincare, I strongly suggest tretinoin. In the past year, I started using tretinoin and was astounded by its potency and effectiveness. This prescription treatment is one of the best ingredients available for tackling deep-seated damage like wrinkles and premature aging. I had been hesitant to endorse it earlier, as many readers are skincare beginners. But if you're now familiar with skincare and want to target facial wrinkles, I highly recommend trying Tretinoin. One preferred supplier over the past year has been Dermatica. Dermatica is an online dermatology service that offers a bi-monthly subscription for a custom formula created by a dermatology provider with prescription ingredients. While they can customize the formula based on your preference, I've found Dermatica to be the best of the providers for tretinoin. Their bi-monthly supply, as opposed to other services' monthly supply, appeals to me more. I can genuinely see the results, and it’s more cost-effective as the bottles last longer since I only use Tretinoin a couple of times a week. The subscription is roughly $30 a month or $60 a bottle. It may seem pricey to some, but considering I don't use Tretinoin daily, the bottle lasts longer, resulting in more value for my money. If you're new to Tretinoin, I suggest starting with once a week at most, then gradually increasing the frequency. There are various services available for this, and you can also get a prescription from your dermatologist. But the convenience of Dermatica, with its direct mail service and consistent, enjoyable formulas, is unmatched. If you're serious about your skincare, I recommend trying tretinoin—it's the industry gold standard for eradicating wrinkles through a skincare formula.

Your Favorite Pick: Topicals Faded Serum

Last but not least, let's talk about your favorite product from this past year. I’ve analyzed the data and found the product you guys clicked on and talked about the most. Surprisingly, it's an excellent formula for those struggling with dark spots, acne scars, and even premature aging.

The Topicals Faded Serum stands out for its incredible dark spot removal properties, packed with potent active ingredients that effectively eliminate acne scars and various types of skin damage. It's more of a 24-hour serum that feels akin to a rich moisturizer. It combines a powerful cocktail of ingredients like niacinamide and tranexamic acid, known for their dark spot lifting properties, alpha arbutin for pigment reduction, azelaic acid, and moisturizing agents that form a thick, nourishing formula for deep overnight skin hydration. Please remember to use this serum only at night.

$38 at SEPHORA

I've recommended this serum in several articles and the positive feedback has been overwhelming—it's clearly a product that delivers on its promises. If you grapple with stubborn skin pigmentations and dark spots, this serum is definitely worth trying. I should note it has a rather thick consistency, which some may find heavy. If you have sensitive skin, a gentler product might be preferable. For beginners in skincare, a less aggressive product like the Selfless by Hiram Retinol Serum could be a great recommendation. This provides a gentle introduction to retinol and azelaic acid without causing skin irritation or sensitivity. Yet for those familiar with such skincare products, give this serum a shot for some remarkable results.

We've covered all the serums, folks! I hope this list helps you find your ideal skincare product, whether you're battling acne, premature aging, or dark spots. Each of these products holds its own magic. Feel free to purchase any of these products through the links above to support the site. But we're not done yet! Stay tuned for my next article where I'll share the best moisturizers of 2024 for every skin type. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out. I hope this article has helped you discover a product you'll love—I look forward to guiding you through some fantastic moisturizers in the next article