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Repair is a buzzy term in the beauty industry. In hair care, bonding products are the one-stop shop to bring your strands back to life. However, when it comes to your skin, repair serums are the products for the job. It’s no secret that our skin goes through the ringer of damage daily—UV rays, environmental stressors, weather changes and blue light exposure from screens are just a few examples. Aging also plays a big role in how our skin looks and feels. Having a good skin-care routine (day and night) is essential, but incorporating a repair serum could have more benefits.
But what exactly does a repair serum do, and what makes it different from the sea of other skin serums? The short answer is everything. “Repair serums target areas of concern, so there’s a lot of range, but most commonly, they are used to restore the telltale signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles,” says Miami dermatologist Roberta Del Campo, MD. Here, we explore what repair serums are to see just how they work, the ingredients you should look for, and a few expert recommendations.
Featured experts
- Roberta Del Campo, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Miami
- Dr. Brooke Jeffy, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Scottsdale, AZ
What is a repair serum?
Skin cells naturally regenerate and repair through a rejuvenation process called the skin cell cycle. At their core, repair serums help optimize that process to reveal healthy new cells and, ultimately, more radiant skin. “Repair serums contain active ingredients that restore and improve common skin conditions, such as sun damage, loss of collagen, and pigmentation,” says Dr. Del Campo. She continues, saying that since serums are typically water-based, they are easy to absorb and allow the ingredients to penetrate below the surface. “They’re usually applied at night to aid in the natural cell cycle,” she says. However, there are many options formulated for daily use.
What conditions can repair serums treat, and what skin types are they for?
Think of repair serums as target treatments. Since they are formulated to address specific issues, they can treat a range of skin conditions. The key is choosing a serum that best fits your skin’s current needs. Hyperpigmentation is a prime example. As one of the most common skin concerns, it affects many people, and according to Scottsdale, AZ dermatologist Brooke Jeffy, MD it’s also a top issue addressed by repair serums containing brightening ingredients.
“Dryness and dullness are other popular conditions that can be treated with repair serums formulated with hydrating ingredients,” says Dr. Jeffy. However, aging concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and collagen depletion, remain the most popular issues that repair serums tackle. Dr. Del Campo explains that formulas containing concentrated amounts of anti-aging ingredients not only provide surface results but also work to improve the skin over time. With that in mind, she notes that “while repair serums can be used by anyone, mature skin types tend to be the target audience.”
What should you look for in a repair serum?
Shopping for a repair serum begins with determining your main concern. “Active ingredients matched to target a specific problem are the best way to begin your search,” says Dr. Del Campo. She notes that anti-aging serums with growth factors, peptides and retinol will help stimulate collagen and firm the skin while smoothing lines and wrinkles.
For dehydrated and parched skin, Dr. Jeffy suggests prioritizing hydrating formulas. “If dryness is an issue, look for serums with hyaluronic acid to hydrate without irritating the skin,” says Dr. Jeffy. On the contrary, for those with excess oil, she recommends finding a repair serum with niacinamide and salicylic acid to tighten pores and control oil production. As for improving pigmentation, both experts agree that vitamin C, antioxidants and acids, such as azelaic acid and AHAs, can be beneficial.