La Mer’s serum guide

As serums now take such a central role in our daily skincare, it can still be confusing to know how to use them and get the best results. “What serums to use, when to use them and how to use them, are still a few of the questions I am asked the most,” says NET-A-PORTER’s Beauty Director Newby Hands. This is her expert guide to making the most of your serums…

In recent years, serums have evolved from being intriguing new products to try to essential must-haves in our daily skincare regime. There might be an ever-increasing selection of specialist serums to choose from, but when it comes to achieving glowing and rejuvenated skin that looks healthier for longer, La Mer has created the perfect wardrobe of serums to add to your daily routine.

As one of the first global luxury beauty brands to introduce a comprehensive range of serums, La Mer is renowned for its highly effective active ingredients. Active ingredients such as giant sea kelp, for example, which is fermented for three to four months to be transformed into a renewing elixir at the heart of every La Mer treatment, the La Mer Miracle Broth. And with a choice of textures and targeted treatments, its serums are adaptable for all your skincare requirements – from rehydrating dry skin to making dull skin glow and rejuvenating your complexion. Most importantly, the serums work fast, making a difference you can really see and feel.

From a whole family of serums (hydrating, brightening, lifting), La Mer has chosen to relaunch its bestselling Regenerating Serum. This potent blend has been updated to give even better and more advanced treatment and protection – for all of your skin's needs. With the famous sea-kelp-based La Mer Miracle Broth and Concentrated Miracle Broth still at the heart of the formulation, this new serum has the added benefits of La Mer’s exclusive energizing Metabolic Ferment. The result is a uniquely luxurious serum that is rich in protective antioxidants, soothing anti-inflammatories (inflammation is the key cause of aging), and collagen-boosting actives that leave skin smooth, firm, healthy and energized.

From nourishing oils to light gels, there is a texture to suit every skin type (and climate). But you also need to select your serum depending on your skin’s condition, which can be affected by everything from air travel and air-conditioning to stress. Using a hydrating serum instantly adds glow to dull, dry skin. And make sure to choose a more protective serum for daily city wear. The new La Mer Regenerating Serum (or any of La Mer's other four serums for that matter) can be used every day as an extra protective and rejuvenating boost for your skin.

The real beauty of serums is that you can use them however you want to, whenever you want to – morning or night – either layered under a favorite cream or mixed into your moisturizer. I find that an extra drop blended into foundation can transform a tired or jet-lagged complexion. The silky texture of the Regenerating Serum means it can be used on its own, especially in hotter climates, as it will immediately leave your skin feeling nourished and comfortable.

Use after cleansing and, using a toner or essence, massage your serum into your face and neck before using your face cream. For a real skin treat, use your serum on clean skin under a favorite sheet mask.

With higher levels of targeted active ingredients, serums like the Regenerating Serum should be used daily to ensure you get the long-term effects. Serums that do a very specific job, such as hydrating, soothing or mattifying, can be used as and when needed, or over a few days to help normalize an out-of-sorts complexion.

A good serum will only complement and enhance your regular skincare regime, ensuring your skin looks and feels its best. However, more intensive treatments like skin peels and some retinols are best used on their own.

Any skincare product that uses antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, like the Regenerating Serum, is an essential for your skin, providing it with the protection and repair it needs against daily environmental damage. It is also a myth that our skin gets used to a product. Part of the success of serums is that we can use them to personalize our skincare day by day so, by introducing different potent and active ingredients, we can boost hydration in-flight, brighten a dull skin with vitamin C or soothe a reactive skin when necessary.