Layering your skincare products is the best way to ensure you are providing your skin with all of the antioxidants, vitamins, fats and botanicals it needs to ensure it is at its radiant best. We like to think of the skin like we do our bodies, it truly does thrive when provided with a varied and nourished diet!. If you are cleansing, toning, moisturising and using an SPF you may think you’ve got your regimen down pat. However, your skin could really be missing out on the essential nutrients it needs to keep it looking and feeling its best! That’s where a natural serum comes in.

No matter your skin type, a serum is an essential step in any routine. So, what exactly is a serum, and which one is right for you? Consider this blog post your complete guide to natural serums.

What is a serum?

A serum is a product containing highly concentrated active ingredients, designed to deeply penetrate the skin and address even the most specific skin concerns. They are often lightweight, easily absorbed and range from water to gel-like consistencies.

Serums are designed to target specific skin concerns, meaning that each one will contain different active ingredients depending on the concern being treated. 

So, which serum is right for me?

Finding the right serum for you begins with determining your skin type and/or skin concerns.

Below are a few common skincare concerns and how to find the right serum to address them. 

Your skincare concern: Acne and breakouts

When treating acne topically, the main goal is to decongest pores, remove surface bacteria and balance oil production.

Look for a natural serum containing anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial botanicals such as Turmeric. Turmeric is rich in curcumin, an antioxidant that inhibits acne causing bacteria on the skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties, helping to soothe painful cystic breakouts and calm redness. Curcumin has been shown to be 36 times stronger than azelaic acid, a common chemical used in acne treatments that causes skin irritation.

The Edible Beauty Turmeric Brightening Serum contains turmeric to prevent and treat acne and breakouts. It also contains Kakadu Plum Extract to brighten and hydrate the skin. The result? Bright, clear and calm skin with even texture and skin tone.

Your skincare concern: Dark spots and pigmentation

Many conventional brightening treatments for hyperpigmentation can lead to the skin being further damaged, which is why a natural serum is your skins new best friend!

A natural ingredient to look out for in your natural serum is Rumex. Rumex Extract has been shown to inhibit tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for creating skin pigmentation.

Licorice Root is another great ingredient for pigmentation. It contains the active ingredient, glabridin that interrupts the enzymes that activate melanin production, making it a natural skin whitening agent. It prevents future hyperpigmentation while improving existing dark spots on your skin.

Our Turmeric Brightening Serum contains Rumex Extract, Licorice Root, and Turmeric Extract which all work to prevent and treat hyperpigmentation and brighten dark spots. This natural serum will leave your skin feeling and looking clear, bright and evenly toned.

Your skincare concern: Fine lines and wrinkles

Addressing and preventing fine lines and wrinkles is all about plumping and hydrating, whilst providing the skin with an abundance of antioxidants.

Hyaluronic Acid is a key ingredient for plumping and hydrating the skin. It is a humectant that attracts 1000 times its weight in water and surges it deep into the skin. This improves skin pliability and plumping to relieve fine lines and maintain healthy hydration. The Edible Beauty No.3 Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum contains Hyaluronic Acid, Acerola and Kakadu Plum to provide a youthful, plump and glowing complexion.

As we age our bodies natural collagen stores deplete, resulting in loss of skin elasticity and visible signs of ageing. Seaweed promotes healthy collagen production and has been shown to reduce wrinkle depth and improve skin appearance. Seaweed also prevents the breakdown of hyaluronic acid in skin cells providing a defence against visible ageing and the weakening of dermal thickness.

Plant Collagen Plumping Serum is a natural anti-ageing booster serum designed to address and prevent the visible signs of ageing. It contains Vegan Collagen along with Seaweed Leaf to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve skin elasticity.

Our Bloom of Youth Infusion Mask provides a way to deliver concentrated serum action to address fine lines. It contains Hyaluronic Acid along with the Ayurvedic extract, Swertia Chirata which has been clinically proven to reduce vertical lines in as little as seven days.

Your skincare concern: Sensitivity and redness

When it comes to treating sensitive skin, look for natural serums designed to reduce irritation, soothe inflammation and protect against environmental aggressors.

A fantastic ingredient to look out for in your natural serum is the live probiotic strain Lactobacillus Bulgaricus Ferment. This probiotic restores the skins microbe balance to encourage skin health and resistance to external aggressors and irritation. Birch Leaf is also a powerhouse ingredient for calming and treating sensitive and irritated skin. It is prized for its ability to reduce inflammation, purify and hydrate. It contains 17 amino acids, minerals, enzymes, proteins, antioxidants and vitamins, all of which are beneficial for your skin.

The Microbiome Calming Milk contains both Magnolia Bark Extract and Lactobacillus Bulgaricus Ferment, along with Ectoin and Davidson Plum. This hydrating infusion soothes and calms irritated and inflamed skin, whilst strengthening the skins barrier against irritation and external aggressors.

Your skincare concern: Dull complexion

If you have dull skin, you’ll want to look for a serum that contains hydrating ingredients, as well as natural Vitamin C.

Hyaluronic Acid is the ultimate hydrating ingredient as it surges water deep in to the skin and prevents transepidermal water loss.

Kakadu Plum is the world’s highest natural source of Vitamin C and helps to brighten, reduce inflammation, and encourage collagen production. We always recommend a plant-based Vitamin C rather than synthetic! For information on why we don’t use synthetic Vitamin C in our products, read our blog post here.

The Edible Beauty No.3 Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum contains Hyaluronic Acid and Kakadu Plum to boost the skins radiance, smooth fine lines and hydrate. The serum also contains Acerola, which is packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants to help even skin tone, prevent breakouts, refine pores and improve elasticity! An independent study on this Vitamin C serum found that 90% of participants reported an improvement in overall skin appearance and condition.

Your skincare concern: Protection against pollution and cellular damage

When looking to protect your skin against cellular damage, you should opt for a serum packed full of antioxidants and omegas.

St Mary’s Thistle is an antioxidant powerhouse, strengthening and protecting the skin against cellular damage. It is rich in silymarin, which fights free radicals and slows oxidative stress, protecting delicate skin cells from UV rays and other external skin stressors.

Kale upholds is superfood status when applied topically. It not only detoxifies and protects the skin but also tightens pores, promotes collagen production and prevents free radical damage.

The Broccoli Blue Light Revitalise Serum contains Broccoli Extract, St Marys Thistle to protect the skin from external pollution and internal skin stressors. It also contains Apple and Banana Extracts to hydrate and soften the skin for a radiant and smooth complexion.

How do I add a serum to my skincare regime?

The order you apply your skincare products makes all the difference! Because of the consistency of serums, we would recommend applying them after you tone and before you moisturise. To make is simple, your routine should look like this:

1. Oil cleanser (this is not essential both AM and PM, but definitely recommended if you need to remove makeup!)
2. Cleansing milk
3. Toner
4. Serum – start with your booster serum and then follow with your No.3 Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum
5. Face oil
6. Lotion, gel or cream (We recommend our & Soothing Nectar Hydrating Gel if you have oily skin)
7. SPF

As serums are so highly concentrated, you only need a few drops! A little definitely goes a long way. Apply 2-3 drops of your serum to the face and smooth over the face starting from the centre, outward.

Adding a serum to your skincare regime takes such little time, but can be a serious game changer! Taking that extra minute to apply a natural serum every day can have you seeing results in as little as two weeks.