As consumers become savvier about skincare, many people are looking for single-ingredient serums that provide them more flexibility to decide what goes into their skincare routine. With a single-ingredient serum, you know exactly what you’re getting, and you don’t have to worry about overexposure if two products contain the same strong ingredient.
Another benefit of single-ingredient serums is the freedom to experiment that they provide. When you use a single-ingredient product, you can perfectly pinpoint where the improvement (or lack thereof) comes from. Single-ingredient products are great for testing new ingredients the way a scientist runs an experiment — by only change one factor at a time.
If you’re sold on the single-ingredient concept, you’re in luck; we’ve gathered up a few of the best single-ingredient serums for you to experiment with.
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This serum from L’Oreal contains 1.5% of that magically moisturizing ingredient, hyaluronic acid. If you’re looking for a hydration boost to combat dry skin, dullness, aging, or even sun damage, this serum is a must-have in your skincare routine.
Plant-Derived Squalane
If you haven’t jumped on the squalane train yet, allow us to introduce your newest obsession. From single-ingredient serum masters The Ordinary, this plant-derived squalane is a moisturizer that will leave you with that dewy (not oily) glow you’ve been searching for. It’s intensely moisturizing, but your skin eats it up because it naturally produces squalane, this product just adds a little oomph.
Rosehip Oil
This seemingly simple serum packs a powerful skincare punch — rosehip oil is often used skincare products along with a long list of other ingredients. In this single-ingredient serum, you’re getting all the concentrated power of rosehip oil to reduce redness, moisturize, and fight aging.
Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone
A vitamin C serum is one of those skincare pillars there’s no negotiating on. You’ll be able to control how much vitamin C your skin is getting instead of relying on other products to blend it into their formulas with this single-ingredient serum from The Ordinary. The beauty of this serum is that it’s suspended in silicone and is water-free, making the fragile vitamin C more stable and potent. This is an excellent option if you’re looking for a skin brightener and anti-aging powerhouse.
